Loading…
Learn more
Decree
Decrees • Directive • Edict • Mandate • Royal Decree
Expand all
Dictionaries
The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Revised
Decree
Decree [Heb. dāṯ] (Est. 3:14f; 4:3, 8; 8:13f; 9:14); AV also COMMANDMENT; NEB also EDICT; [piṯgām (Est. 1:20), gāzar (2:1)]; NEB also EDICT; [ḥoq, ḥēqeq, ḥāqaq] (Lev. 6:18, 22; Job 28:26; Ps. 2:7; Prov. 8:15; 31:5; Isa. 10:1); AV also STATUTE, LAW; NEB also DUE, RULE, LIMIT, LAW, RIGHTS; [‘ēḏûṯ
The HarperCollins Bible Dictionary (Revised and Updated)
Decrees
decrees, in the ancient world, declarations (usually in written form) by rulers or other persons in authority directing the conduct of especially significant matters for communities or individuals. The decree of Cyrus calling for the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem (Ezra 5:13, 17) and the decree
The Wycliffe Bible Encyclopedia
Decree, Royal
DECREE, ROYAL. Royal decrees are public proclamations, usually in writing, issued by rulers to their subjects. Isaiah (10:1) condemns rulers who proclaim unjust laws. Such proclamations seem to have been inscribed on stone by command of the king.Hezekiah issued a decree concerning the observance of
The New Bible Dictionary, Third Edition
Decree
DECREE. In the av the term occurs frequently in Esther, Ezra and Daniel as a translation of various Heb. and Aram. words for royal decrees. rsv often differentiates between them, using ‘interdict’ in Dn. 6:8, ‘sentence’ (rv ‘law’) in Dn. 2:9 and ‘decree’ in Ezr. 5:13. God, as King of the earth, is said
Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible
Decree
DecreeA public declaration by a monarch or ruling body that had the force of law (cf. “edict,” “interdict”). The decree would typically be spoken aloud and subsequently promulgated in written form.Although preexilic biblical literature rarely attributes decrees to human kings (Prov. 8:15; Isa. 10:1;
Eerdmans Bible Dictionary
Decree
Decree. An official declaration or proclamation, usually in writing. The decree might be posted for public observation, in contrast to the edict, which was written and then read aloud. In the Old Testament the Persian king Darius (the Mede) decreed that he be treated as divine for thirty days (Dan. 6:7;
The New Unger’s Bible Dictionary
Decree
DECREE. The rendering of a number of Heb. and Gk. words, sometimes translated “law,” “edict.” The enactments of kings in the East were proclaimed publicly by criers (Jer. 34:8–9; Jonah 3:5–7) who are designated in Dan. 3:4; 5:29 by the term, kārôzā˒, “herald.” Messengers, sent for that purpose, carried
Harper’s Bible Dictionary
Decrees
Decreesdecrees, in the ancient world, declarations (usually in written form) by rulers or other persons in authority directing the conduct of especially significant matters for communities or individuals. The decree of Cyrus calling for the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem (Ezra 5:13, 17) and
Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary
Decree
DECREE — an official order, command, or edict issued by a king or other person of authority. The decrees of kings were often delivered to distant towns or cities by messengers and publicly announced at city gates or other public places (Ezra 1:1; Amos 4:5). The Bible also refers to God’s decrees, universal
A Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels: Aaron–Zion
Decree
DECREE (Gr. δόγμα, Lk 2:1).—In the Gospel of Luke, the birth of Jesus at Bethlehem is traced to the fact that a census of the people of Israel was being taken, which made it necessary that Joseph and Mary, who were both of Davidic descent, should go up from their home at Nazareth to the City of David.
Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary
Decree
DECREE Royal order or decision. Decrees were proclaimed publicly by criers (Jon. 3:5–7), designated as “heralds” (Dan. 3:4), often throughout the territory of the monarch (1 Sam. 11:7; Ezra 1:1). Decrees were written and stored in archives for later reference (Ezra 6:1–2). Scripture attributes just decrees
The Zondervan Encyclopedia of the Bible, Volume 2, D–G
Decree
decree. This English term can be used to translate a variety of Hebrew words, some referring to God’s statutes (esp. ḥōq H2976, Exod. 15:25 and frequently; see law (OT) II), and others referring to an official edict or decision issued by a king (e.g., maʾămār H4411, Esth. 9:32; cf. Aram. ṭĕʿēm
Key passages
Gk Es 16:2–24

Many men, frequently being honored with the greatest generosity of their benefactors, are presumptuous, and not only do they seek to harm our subjects, but not being able to bear prosperity, they endeavor to plot against their own benefactors. Not only are they canceling the gratitude of people, …

1 Mac 1:41–51

And the king wrote to his whole kingdom that all should be as one people, and each should abandon his customs. And all the peoples complied according to the word of the king. And many from Israel consented to his service, and they sacrificed to idols and defiled …

1 Mac 1:60–61

And the women who circumcise their children, they were executed according to the command. And they hung the infants from their necks and executed their close relatives, as well as the ones who circumcised them.

2 Mac 10:7–8

Therefore, holding ivy wreathed wands and branches with ripe fruit and still also date palm fronds, they were thankful to the one who helped to cleanse his own place. And with a common ordinance and vote, they decreed to the entire nation of the Judeans to observe ten days every year.

1 Esd 6:32

And he commanded that if anyone should trangress or ignore the writings, a beam should be taken out of his own house, and upon it he should be hanged, and his belongings become property of the king.

See also
Es 1:19–22; Es 3:8–15; Es 8:5–14; Es 9:14–15; Da 6:26–27; Jon 3:7; 2 Mac 15:36; 1 Esd 8:8–24; 1 Esd 9:3–4; 3 Mac 2:27–30; 4 Mac 4:23–26;
See also
Related
Letter