turned away from God (Deut. 9:24; Judg. 2:10–23; Ps. 78:17; 106:43). ‘Decrees’ may originally have referred to regulations of general interest, engraved on stone for public display. Since they are what God has imposed on his people, they are to be obeyed. The word is virtually equivalent to ‘commands’, ‘judgments’ and ‘laws’ (Ex. 15:25; 18:16; Lev. 26:46; Deut. 4:45; 5:31). For ‘decrees’, see also on 4:4. . But it is essential that such a breach of the covenant relationship be rectified.