divine decree

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "divine decree" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing religious or philosophical concepts, particularly when referring to a command or order believed to come from a deity. Example: "The followers believed that the changes in their community were a result of a divine decree that had been revealed to their leader."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

Jews live in exile by divine decree.

The Washington Post

That there is a kind of divine decree.

The Guardian - Books

It's a divine decree: You shall have french fries for dinner.

The New Yorker

"It is like some divine decree, or curse, has fallen on us," she said.

The New York Times

"Even if he repents and becomes the most pious Muslim on earth, there will be no change in this divine decree," Ayatollah Khamenei said, quoting his predecessor.

The New York Times - Books

"The society of Islam is ultimately based not upon human volition or upon contract but upon divine decree," Mr. Pagden writes.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

How can one be free if divine decrees, issued long before one is born, causally determine what one does?

Yale University

Is such freedom (and is such value) compatible with our actions being determined — either by causal laws or by divine decrees?

Yale University

The movement was named for Jacobus Arminius, a Dutch Reformed theologian of the University of Leiden (1603 09), who became involved in a highly publicized debate with his colleague Franciscus Gomarus, a rigid Calvinist, concerning the Calvinist interpretation of the divine decrees respecting election and reprobation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The movement was named for Jacobus Arminius (q.v ., a Dutch Reformed theologian of the University of Leiden (1603 09), who became involved in a highly publicized debate with his colleague Franciscus Gomarus, a rigid Calvinist, concerning the Calvinist interpretation of the divine decrees respecting election and reprobation.

Britannica

Finally, Edwards doesn't restrict himself to natural causes in explaining events but also appeals to divine decrees and typology.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "divine decree" when specifically referring to a command or order believed to originate from a deity, especially in religious or philosophical contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "divine decree" to describe events that are simply coincidental or the result of human actions. The phrase should be reserved for situations where a direct link to divine intervention is asserted or believed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "divine decree" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig indicates this phrase is correct and usable. It describes a concept related to religious or philosophical beliefs.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Encyclopedias

21%

Science

18%

Less common in

Academia

9%

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "divine decree" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed term, predominantly within religious, philosophical, and historical contexts. As Ludwig AI suggests, its purpose revolves around explaining events as predetermined by a higher power. The analysis of sources reveals that "divine decree" is most commonly found in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Science contexts. When employing this phrase, it's crucial to ensure its relevance to contexts genuinely linked to divine intervention, steering clear of scenarios where attributing events to a "divine decree" would be misapplied or overly coincidental. Consider alternatives like "heavenly ordinance" or "predestination" to provide different shades of meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

divine will

Focuses on the intention or wish of a deity, rather than the formal pronouncement.

divine mandate

Emphasizes the authority and command aspect of the decree.

god's command

Directly attributes the command to God, simplifying the phrase.

heavenly ordinance

Uses more formal and religious terminology.

predestination

Highlights the concept of a predetermined fate.

fate's decision

Replaces "divine" with "fate", shifting the source of the decree.

preordained fate

Combines the ideas of predetermination and destiny.

cosmic law

Presents the decree as a universal principle.

higher power's plan

Generalizes the source to a vague "higher power".

unalterable destiny

Stresses the irrevocability of the predetermination.

FAQs

How can I use "divine decree" in a sentence?

You can use "divine decree" to describe events believed to be ordained by a higher power. For example: "The followers believed their success was a result of a /s/divine+mandate".

What is the difference between "divine decree" and /s/divine+will?

"Divine decree" implies a specific command or order, while /s/divine+will is a more general expression of a deity's intentions or desires.

Which is a more formal term, "divine decree" or /s/god's+command?

"Divine decree" is generally considered more formal and appropriate for academic or religious contexts than /s/god's+command.

What are some alternatives to "divine decree"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "heavenly ordinance", /s/predestination, or /s/fate's+decision.