Lexical Summary diatagma: Decree, ordinance, command Original Word: διάταγμα Strong's Exhaustive Concordance commandment. From diatasso; an arrangement, i.e. (authoritative) edict -- commandment. see GREEK diatasso NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom diatassó Definition an edict, mandate NASB Translation edict (1). Topical Lexicon Overview Strong’s Greek 1297 refers to a public decree or royal edict. In Scripture it draws special attention to the clash between human authority and the purposes of God. Although the term appears only once in the Greek New Testament, its single placement in Hebrews 11:23 summons a rich biblical tapestry that reaches back to Pharaoh’s oppressive mandate in Exodus and forward to every situation in which believers must weigh obedience to God against coercive commands of men. Old Testament Background Hebrews 11:23 presupposes the events of Exodus 1–2, where Pharaoh ordered that every Hebrew male infant be cast into the Nile. This decree was meant to extinguish the covenant people, yet it became the very context in which God preserved His chosen deliverer. Scripture frequently records similar edicts: • Exodus 8:27 – Pharaoh’s permissions and retractions concerning Israel’s worship. Each narrative demonstrates that earthly decrees, though seemingly absolute, remain subordinate to the sovereign plan of the LORD. Septuagint Usage In the Greek Old Testament, διάταγμα describes imperial proclamations (for example, Daniel 6:26) as well as God-given statutes (Psalm 148:6). This dual usage highlights a contrast: human edicts are temporal and often unjust, whereas the divine decree stands forever and accomplishes salvation. Hebrews 11:23 – Faith over Fear “By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.” (Hebrews 11:23) The epistle treats the edict as the crisis that reveals genuine faith. Amram and Jochebed assessed Pharaoh’s command in light of God’s covenant promises and chose fearless obedience to the higher authority. Their act prefigures later apostolic assertions: “We must obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29) Divine versus Human Decrees Scripture distinguishes between the immutable counsel of God (Ephesians 1:11) and the fluctuating decrees of rulers (Proverbs 19:21). Human edicts can be: 1. Just instruments in God’s hand (Ezra 1:1–4 – Cyrus’s proclamation). Believers are called to honor governing authorities (Romans 13:1-7) yet remain prepared to disobey commands that contradict God’s Word (Daniel 3:16-18). Patterns of Faithful Response 1. Discernment – testing every command against Scripture. Christological Reflections The rescue of Moses under an infanticidal decree anticipates the preservation of the Messiah from Herod’s similar edict (Matthew 2:13-15). Both accounts emphasize that no earthly power can thwart the redemptive plan culminating in Jesus Christ. Ministry Applications • Pro-life advocacy: Pharaoh’s edict targeted the unborn and newborn; believers contend for the sanctity of life. Related Concepts and Cross References Dogma (Greek 1378) – civil decrees (Luke 2:1) and legal demands (Colossians 2:14). Entolē (Greek 1785) – divine command (John 14:15). Prothesis (Romans 8:28) – God’s purpose that renders unjust edicts ultimately powerless. Forms and Transliterations διαταγμα διάταγμα διατάγματος διατάξει διατάξεως διάταξιν diatagma diátagmaLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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