decree

DECREE, noun [Latin To judge; to divide.] 1. Judicial decision, or determination of a litigated cause; as a decree of the court of chancery. The decision of a court of equity is called a decree; that of a court of law, a judgment. 2. In the civil law, a determination or judgment of the emperor on a suit between parties. 3. An edict or law made by a council for regulating any business within their jurisdiction; as the decrees of ecclesiastical councils. 4. In general, an order, edict or law made by a superior as a rule to govern inferiors. There went a decree from Cesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. Luke 2:1. 5. Established law, or rule. He made a decree for the rain. Job 28:26. 6. In theology, predetermined purpose of God; the purpose or determination of an immutable Being, whose plan of operations is, like himself, unchangeable. DECREE, verb transitive 1. To determine judicially; to resolve by sentence; as, the court decreed that the property should be restored; or they decreed a restoration of the property. 2. To determine or resolve legislatively; to fix or appoint; to set or constitute by edict or in purpose. Thou shalt decree a thing, and it shall be established. Job 22:28. Let us not be solicitous to know what God has decreed concerning us.