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.