1510. gezerah
Lexical Summary
gezerah: decree

Original Word: גְּזֵרָה
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: gzerah
Pronunciation: geh-zeh-RAH
Phonetic Spelling: (ghez-ay-raw')
KJV: decree
NASB: decree
Word Origin: [(Aramaic) from H150 (אֲדַרכּוֹן - darics)5 (as H1504 (גָּזַר - cut off))]

1. a decree

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
decree

(Aramaic) from gzar (as gazar); a decree -- decree.

see HEBREW gzar

see HEBREW gazar

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
(Aramaic) from gezar
Definition
a decree
NASB Translation
decree (2).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
[גְּזֵרָה] noun feminine decree (ᵑ7 גְּזֵירָא, Syriac ); — construct גְּזֵרַת Daniel 4:14; Daniel 4:21.

Topical Lexicon
Definition and Conceptual Scope

Gĕzērāh denotes a decree, verdict, or irrevocable decision issued by an authority. Although the term appears only twice, both instances show that it is not merely a statement but an authoritative, effectual determination that shapes history.

Occurrences in Scripture

1. Daniel 4:17 – “This matter is by the decree of the watchers and the command of the holy ones, so that the living will know that the Most High rules over the kingdom of men. He gives it to whom He wishes and sets over it the lowliest of men.”
2. Daniel 4:24 – “This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the Most High that has come upon my lord the king:”

Historical Setting

Both occurrences arise within Daniel’s record of King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of the felled tree. Babylon, at the height of its power, is confronted by a divine ruling that will humble its monarch. The decree is delivered first through angelic “watchers” (Daniel 4:17) and then confirmed by Daniel (Daniel 4:24), highlighting a coordinated heavenly and prophetic witness.

Theological Significance

1. Divine Sovereignty: The Most High’s authority supersedes all earthly rule. Gĕzērāh emphasizes that God’s decisions stand unchallenged, fulfilling His purposes in the rise and fall of kings (compare Proverbs 21:1).
2. Moral Accountability: The decree responds to Nebuchadnezzar’s pride, illustrating that divine judgments are not arbitrary but morally grounded (see also Psalm 75:7).
3. Certainty of Fulfillment: Once issued, a divine decree moves inexorably toward completion, reinforcing the reliability of every word spoken by God (Isaiah 55:11).

Intertestamental and Later Jewish Reflection

Rabbinic literature broadens the concept, speaking of heavenly decrees that shape individual and national destinies. The Daniel passages provided a paradigm: even angelic beings participate in announcing and carrying out God’s rulings, yet always under His ultimate authority.

Christological and Eschatological Foreshadowing

The idea of an unalterable heavenly decree anticipates New Testament teaching on the “times and seasons” set by the Father (Acts 1:7) and the final judgments described in Revelation. The same God who decreed Nebuchadnezzar’s humbling has decreed the universal exaltation of Jesus Christ (Philippians 2:9–11).

Implications for Ministry

1. Preaching: Gĕzērāh provides a powerful framework for proclaiming God’s sovereignty over political events and personal lives.
2. Pastoral Care: Believers facing uncertainty can rest in the certainty of divine decrees that govern history and individual destiny (Romans 8:28–30).
3. Discipleship: The term motivates humility, reminding disciples that human power is temporary, but obedience to God’s determinations brings enduring blessing (1 Peter 5:6).

Practical Application

• Prayer: Intercession aligns with divine decrees, seeking insight and readiness rather than resistance (Daniel 2:18–19).
• Worship: Adoration of God’s majesty grows when recognizing that every earthly empire is subject to His word (Psalm 103:19).
• Mission: Confidence in evangelism flows from knowing that God’s redemptive plan—another divine decree—cannot fail (Matthew 28:18–20).

Conclusion

Though rare in occurrence, גְּזֵרָה stands as a profound witness to the decisive, sovereign, and moral rulings of the Most High, encouraging reverence, humility, and unwavering trust in every generation.

Forms and Transliterations
בִּגְזֵרַ֤ת בגזרת וּגְזֵרַ֤ת וגזרת biḡ·zê·raṯ bigzeRat biḡzêraṯ ū·ḡə·zê·raṯ ugezeRat ūḡəzêraṯ
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Daniel 4:17
HEB: בִּגְזֵרַ֤ת עִירִין֙ פִּתְגָמָ֔א
NAS: This sentence is by the decree of the [angelic] watchers
KJV: This matter [is] by the decree of the watchers,
INT: the decree of the watchers sentence

Daniel 4:24
HEB: פִשְׁרָ֖א מַלְכָּ֑א וּגְזֵרַ֤ת [עִלָּיָא כ]
NAS: and this is the decree of the Most High,
KJV: and this [is] the decree of the most High,
INT: is the interpretation king is the decree high and this

2 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 1510
2 Occurrences


biḡ·zê·raṯ — 1 Occ.
ū·ḡə·zê·raṯ — 1 Occ.

1509
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