Decree
Decree [1]
(properly דָּת dath [ Daniel 2:9; Daniel 2:13; Daniel 2:15, elsewhere "law"], δόγμα [ Luke 2:1; Acts 16:4; Acts 17:7, elsewhere "ordinance"], an edict; also גָּזִר, gazar' [ Esther 2:1, κρίνω [ 1 Corinthians 7:37, elsewhere usually "judge"], to determine; but represented by several other Heb. words), an official resolution passed by magisterial authority (see Crabbe's Engl. Synonymes, s.v.). Among the Orientals the enactments of the kings were proclaimed publicly by criers ( Jeremiah 34:8-9; Jonah 3:5-7), who are designated in Daniel ( Daniel 3:4; Daniel 5:29) by the term כָּרוֹזָא, karoza', the herald. They were made known in distant provinces, towns, and cities by messengers sent for that purpose ( 1 Samuel 11:7; Ezra 1:1; Amos 4:5). The message thus to be communicated in any town or city was publicly announced when the messenger had arrived in the gate of the city, or in some other public place. At Jerusalem it was announced in the Temple, where there were always a great many persons present. It was for the same reason that the prophets were accustomed to utter their prophecies in the Temple. (See Proclamation).
