Topical Bible: Rebellion

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Definition and Nature:
Rebellion, in a biblical context, refers to the act of resisting or defying authority, particularly the authority of God. It is often associated with sin, disobedience, and the rejection of divine commandments. Rebellion is portrayed as a serious offense against God, leading to spiritual and sometimes physical consequences.

Biblical Instances:

1. Satan's Rebellion:
The first act of rebellion recorded in the Bible is that of Satan, who sought to exalt himself above God. Isaiah 14:13-14 describes this rebellion: "You said in your heart, 'I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit on the mount of assembly, in the far reaches of the north. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.'"

2. The Fall of Man:
The rebellion of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden is a foundational narrative of human disobedience. By eating the forbidden fruit, they defied God's command, leading to the fall of humanity (Genesis 3:1-6). This act of rebellion introduced sin and death into the world.

3. Israel's Rebellion:
The history of Israel is marked by repeated acts of rebellion against God. In the wilderness, the Israelites frequently complained and disobeyed God's instructions. Numbers 14:9 warns, "Only do not rebel against the LORD, and do not be afraid of the people of the land, for they will be our bread. Their protection has been removed, and the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them!"

4. Korah's Rebellion:
In Numbers 16, Korah, along with Dathan and Abiram, led a rebellion against Moses and Aaron, challenging their God-given authority. This act of defiance resulted in severe judgment, as the earth opened up and swallowed the rebels (Numbers 16:31-33).

5. King Saul's Disobedience:
King Saul's failure to fully obey God's command regarding the Amalekites is another example of rebellion. Samuel rebuked Saul, saying, "For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance is like the wickedness of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king" (1 Samuel 15:23).

Consequences of Rebellion:
Rebellion against God leads to separation from Him and often results in divine judgment. The Bible consistently portrays rebellion as a grave sin with serious repercussions. In Deuteronomy 9:7, Moses reminds the Israelites of their rebellious nature: "Remember this and never forget how you provoked the LORD your God in the wilderness. From the day you left the land of Egypt until you reached this place, you have been rebelling against the LORD."

Call to Repentance:
Despite the severity of rebellion, the Bible also emphasizes God's mercy and the call to repentance. In Isaiah 1:18-20, God invites His people to return to Him: "Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best of the land. But if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken."

New Testament Perspective:
The New Testament continues to address the theme of rebellion, particularly in the context of rejecting Christ. In Acts 7:51, Stephen accuses the Jewish leaders of resisting the Holy Spirit: "You stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit, just as your fathers did." The call to submit to God's authority through Christ is central to the New Testament message.

Conclusion:
Rebellion is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, illustrating the human tendency to resist divine authority. It serves as a warning of the consequences of disobedience and a reminder of the need for repentance and submission to God's will.

Topical Bible Verses

1 Samuel 15:23
For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has also rejected you from being king.
Topicalbible.org

Proverbs 17:11
An evil man seeks only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
Topicalbible.org

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

1. (n.) The act of rebelling; open and avowed renunciation of the authority of the government to which one owes obedience, and resistance to its officers and laws, either by levying war, or by aiding others to do so; an organized uprising of subjects for the purpose of coercing or overthrowing their lawful ruler or government by force; revolt; insurrection.

2. (v. i.) Open resistance to, or defiance of, lawful authority.

Greek

485. antilogia -- gainsaying, contradiction
... Feminine Transliteration: antilogia Phonetic Spelling: (an-tee-log-ee'-ah) Short
Definition: contradiction, contention, rebellion Definition: contradiction ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/485.htm - 7k

3894. parapikrasmos -- provocation
... parapikrasmos Phonetic Spelling: (par-ap-ik-ras-mos') Short Definition: a provocation,
irritation Definition: a provocation, irritation, rebellion. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3894.htm - 6k

4641. sklerokardia -- hardness of heart
... of heart because of a lack of moisture (lubricant); an obstinate, hard heart which
lacks the oil of the Holy Spirit and hence implies rebellion -- ie someone ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4641.htm - 7k

506. anupotaktos -- not subject to rule
... prefix) and hupotasso Definition not subject to rule NASB Word Usage rebellion
(1), rebellious (1), rebellious men (1), subject (1). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/506.htm - 7k

545. apeithes -- disobedient
... Cognate: 545 (an adjective) -- literally, (by God) which shows itself in outward
(outward spiritual rebellion); disobedient because unpersuaded. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/545.htm - 7k

654. apostrepho -- to turn away, turn back
... Word Origin from apo and strepho Definition to turn away, turn back NASB Word Usage
incites...to rebellion (1), put...back (1), remove (1), turn away (4 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/654.htm - 8k

Strong's Hebrew

4776. merad -- rebellion
... 4775, 4776. merad. 4777 . rebellion. Transliteration: merad Phonetic
Spelling: (mer-ad') Short Definition: rebellion. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/4776.htm - 6k

4777. mered -- rebellion, revolt
... 4776, 4777. mered. 4778 . rebellion, revolt. Transliteration: mered Phonetic
Spelling: (meh'-red) Short Definition: rebellion. Word ...
/hebrew/4777.htm - 6k

4805. meri -- rebellion
... 4804, 4805. meri. 4806 . rebellion. Transliteration: meri Phonetic Spelling:
(mer-ee') Short Definition: rebellious. ... bitter, most rebellion,. ...
/hebrew/4805.htm - 6k

4780. marduth -- rebellion, rebelliousness
... 4779b, 4780. marduth. 4781 . rebellion, rebelliousness. Transliteration: marduth
Phonetic Spelling: (mar-dooth') Short Definition: rebellious. ...
/hebrew/4780.htm - 6k

4850. Merathayim -- perhaps "double rebellion," another name for ...
... perhaps "double rebellion," another name for Bab. ... Word Origin perhaps from marah
Definition perhaps "double rebellion," another name for Bab. ...
/hebrew/4850.htm - 6k

5627. sarah -- turning aside, defection, apostasy, withdrawal
... 5626, 5627. sarah. 5628 . turning aside, defection, apostasy, withdrawal.
Transliteration: sarah Phonetic Spelling: (saw-raw') Short Definition: rebellion. ...
/hebrew/5627.htm - 6k

6588. pesha -- transgression
... Word Origin from pasha Definition transgression NASB Word Usage breach of trust
(1), rebellion (6), rebellious (1), rebellious act (2), rebellious acts (2 ...
/hebrew/6588.htm - 6k

6586. pasha -- to rebel, transgress
... root Definition to rebel, transgress NASB Word Usage been in rebellion (1), committed
(1), offended (1), rebel (1), rebelled (6), rebellion (1), revolted (7 ...
/hebrew/6586.htm - 6k

4811. Merayah -- an Israelite priest
... priest NASB Word Usage Meraiah (1). Meraiah. From marah; rebellion; Merajah, an
Israelite -- Meraiah. Compare Yimrah. see HEBREW marah. see HEBREW Yimrah. ...
/hebrew/4811.htm - 6k

849. eshtaddur -- a revolt
... sedition. (Aramaic) from shdar (in a bad sense); rebellion -- sedition. see HEBREW
shdar. 848, 849. eshtaddur. 850 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/849.htm - 6k

Library

Rebellion of Attalus and his General Heraclean; and How He ...
... Book IX. Chapter VIII."Rebellion of Attalus and his General Heraclean; and
how he eventually craved Forgiveness at the Feet of Honorius. ...
/.../chapter viii rebellion of attalus and.htm

Psalm 78:2. Second Part. Israel's Rebellion and Punishment; Or ...
... THE Psalms of David, In Metre. Psalm 78:2. Second Part. Israel's rebellion and
punishment; or, The sins and chastisements of God's people. ...
/.../watts/the psalms of david/psalm 78 2 0 second part israels.htm

Psalm 78 Part 2 Israel's Rebellion and Punishment.
... THE PSALMS OF DAVID PSALM 78 PART 2 Israel's rebellion and punishment. CM Israel's
rebellion and punishment. O What a stiff rebellious house. ...
/.../watts/the psalms and hymns of isaac watts/psalm 78 part 2 israels.htm

Letter xvii. --Remorse and Rebellion.
... Letter XVII."Remorse and Rebellion. To Sister Marie-Anne-Th??r??se de Rosen.
On remorse of conscience and the rebellion of the passions. ...
/.../abandonment to divine providence/letter xvii remorse and rebellion.htm

Will God Suffer Such Disobedience and Rebellion to Go Unpunished?
... Lord's Day 4 Question 10 Will God suffer such disobedience and rebellion to go
unpunished? Will God suffer such disobedience and rebellion to go unpunished? ...
/.../various/the heidelberg catechism /question 10 will god suffer.htm

The Ridiculous Fancies of the Manich??ans About the Motion of ...
... Chapter IX."The Ridiculous Fancies of the Manich??ans About the Motion of Matter
Towards God; God the Author of the Rebellion of Matter in the Manich??an ...
/.../alexander/of the manichaeans/chapter ix the ridiculous fancies of.htm

Conquest of the Sarmatians, Consequent on the Rebellion of their ...
... Book IV. Chapter VI."Conquest of the Sarmatians, consequent on the Rebellion
of their Slaves. With respect to the Sarmatians, God ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter vi conquest of the sarmatians.htm

Man's Disobedience Justly Requited in the Rebellion of his Own ...
... Book I. Chapter 7 [VI.]"Man's Disobedience Justly Requited in the Rebellion of His
Own Flesh; The Blush of Shame for the Disobedient Members of the Body. ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 7 vi mans disobedience justly.htm

Thou Shalt in any Wise Rebuke Thy Neighbor, and not Suffer Sin ...
... 6. To refuse to do it is rebellion against God. For any one to see rebellion and
not to reprove it or lift his hand to oppose it, is itself rebellion. ...
/.../finney/lectures to professing christians/thou shalt in any wise.htm

A Threefold Thought of Sin and Forgiveness
... transgression' seems literally to signify separation, or rending apart, or departure,
and hence comes to express the notion of apostasy and rebellion. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/a threefold thought of sin.htm

Thesaurus

Rebellion (51 Occurrences)
...Rebellion (51 Occurrences). ... (WEB). 2 Thessalonians 3:11 For we hear of some who walk
among you in rebellion, who don't work at all, but are busybodies. (WEB). ...
/r/rebellion.htm - 22k

Transgression (70 Occurrences)
... In the Old Testament pesha`, occurs 80 times, rendered in all versions by
"transgression." Its meaning is "rebellion"; see REBELLION. ...
/t/transgression.htm - 29k

Merathaim (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Double rebellion, probably a symbolical name given to
Babylon (Jeremiah 50:21), denoting rebellion exceeding that of other nations. ...
/m/merathaim.htm - 7k

Perversion (13 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 13:5 And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death,
because he hath spoken rebellion against Jehovah your God, who brought you ...
/p/perversion.htm - 11k

Artaxerxes (14 Occurrences)
... further disturbed by the revolt of Egypt in 460 BC, and by that of Syria about 448
BC The Egyptians were assisted by the Athenians, and their rebellion, led by ...
/a/artaxerxes.htm - 16k

Ahithophel (17 Occurrences)
... Standard Bible Encyclopedia. AHITHOPHEL. a-hith'-o-fel ('achithophel, "brother of
foolishness," perhaps): The real leader of the Absalom rebellion against David ...
/a/ahithophel.htm - 16k

Rebel (35 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vi) Pertaining to rebels or rebellion; acting in revolt;
rebellious; as, rebel troops. 2. (n.) One who rebels. ... See Rebellion. ...
/r/rebel.htm - 18k

Rebellious (63 Occurrences)
... (a.) Disposed to rebel; insubordinate; defiant; of the nature of rebels or of
rebellion; resisting government or lawful authority by force. ...
/r/rebellious.htm - 26k

Gaal (10 Occurrences)
... He undertook to foment and lead a rebellion on the part of the inhabitants of Shechem
against Abimelech, son of Gideon, and his rebellion failed (Judges 9:26-45 ...
/g/gaal.htm - 10k

Wondrous (41 Occurrences)
... 9:17 and refused to hearken, neither were mindful of Thy wonders that Thou didst
among them; but hardened their neck, and in their rebellion appointed a ...
/w/wondrous.htm - 18k

Resources

What does the Bible say about rebellion? | GotQuestions.org

What was the significance of the rebellion of Korah? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Korah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Rebellion: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus

Concordance

Rebellion (51 Occurrences)

Matthew 26:55
In that hour Jesus said to the multitudes, "Have you come out as against a robber with swords and clubs to seize me? I sat daily in the temple teaching, and you didn't arrest me.
(See NIV)

Mark 14:48
Jesus answered them, "Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to seize me?
(See NIV)

Luke 22:52
Jesus said to the chief priests, captains of the temple, and elders, who had come against him, "Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs?
(See NIV)

Luke 23:14
said to them, Ye have brought to me this man as turning away the people to rebellion, and behold, I, having examined him before you, have found nothing criminal in this man as to the things of which ye accuse him;
(DBY NAS NIV)

John 18:40
Then they all shouted again, saying, "Not this man, but Barabbas!" Now Barabbas was a robber.
(See NIV)

2 Thessalonians 2:3
Let no one deceive you in any way. For it will not be, unless the departure comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of destruction,
(See RSV NIV)

2 Thessalonians 3:6
Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw yourselves from every brother who walks in rebellion, and not after the tradition which they received from us.
(WEB)

2 Thessalonians 3:11
For we hear of some who walk among you in rebellion, who don't work at all, but are busybodies.
(WEB)

Titus 1:6
if anyone is blameless, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, who are not accused of loose or unruly behavior.
(See NAS)

Hebrews 3:8
don't harden your hearts, as in the rebellion, like as in the day of the trial in the wilderness,
(WEB RSV NIV)

Hebrews 3:15
while it is said, "Today if you will hear his voice, don't harden your hearts, as in the rebellion."
(WEB RSV NIV)

Jude 1:11
Woe to them! For they went in the way of Cain, and ran riotously in the error of Balaam for hire, and perished in Korah's rebellion.
(WEB WEY NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 23:21
Take heed of him, and hearken unto his voice; be not rebellious against him; for he will not pardon your transgression; for My name is in him.
(See NIV)

Exodus 34:7
keeping loving kindness for thousands, forgiving iniquity and disobedience and sin; and that will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, and on the children's children, on the third and on the fourth generation."
(See NIV)

Leviticus 16:16
and he shall make atonement for the Holy Place, because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions, even all their sins; and so he shall do for the Tent of Meeting, that dwells with them in the midst of their uncleanness.
(See NIV)

Leviticus 16:21
Aaron shall lay both his hands on the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions, even all their sins; and he shall put them on the head of the goat, and shall send him away into the wilderness by the hand of a man who is in readiness.
(See NIV)

Numbers 14:18
'Yahweh is slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness, forgiving iniquity and disobedience; and that will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and on the fourth generation.'
(See NIV)

Numbers 17:10
Yahweh said to Moses, "Put back the rod of Aaron before the testimony, to be kept for a token against the children of rebellion; that you may make an end of their murmurings against me, that they not die."
(WEB ASV DBY YLT)

Deuteronomy 13:5
That prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death, because he has spoken rebellion against Yahweh your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to draw you aside out of the way which Yahweh your God commanded you to walk in. So you shall put away the evil from the midst of you.
(WEB ASV NAS RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 31:27
For I know your rebellion, and your stiff neck: behold, while I am yet alive with you this day, you have been rebellious against Yahweh; and how much more after my death?
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS)

Joshua 22:16
Thus saith the whole congregation of the LORD: What treachery is this that ye have committed against the God of Israel, to turn away this day from following the LORD, in that ye have builded you an altar, to rebel this day against the LORD?
(See RSV NIV)

Joshua 22:22
"The Mighty One, God, Yahweh, the Mighty One, God, Yahweh, he knows; and Israel shall know: if it was in rebellion, or if in trespass against Yahweh (don't save us this day),
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Joshua 24:19
Joshua said to the people, "You can't serve Yahweh; for he is a holy God. He is a jealous God. He will not forgive your disobedience nor your sins.
(See NIV)

1 Samuel 15:23
For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as idolatry and teraphim. Because you have rejected the word of Yahweh, he has also rejected you from being king."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Samuel 24:11
Moreover, my father, behold, yes, see the skirt of your robe in my hand; for in that I cut off the skirt of your robe, and didn't kill you, know and see that there is neither evil nor disobedience in my hand, and I have not sinned against you, though you hunt for my life to take it.
(See NAS NIV)

1 Kings 12:19
So Israel rebelled against the house of David, unto this day.
(See NAS RSV NIV)

1 Kings 16:20
Now the rest of the acts of Zimri, and his treason that he did, aren't they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
(See NIV)

2 Kings 8:22
So Edom revolted from under the hand of Judah to this day. Then did Libnah revolt at the same time.
(See NIV)

2 Chronicles 10:19
So Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day.
(See NAS RSV NIV)

2 Chronicles 21:10
So Edom revolted from under the hand of Judah to this day: then did Libnah revolt at the same time from under his hand, because he had forsaken Yahweh, the God of his fathers.
(See NIV)

Ezra 4:15
that search may be made in the book of the records of thy fathers; so shalt thou find in the book of the records, and know that this city is a rebellious city, and hurtful unto kings and provinces, and that they have moved sedition within the same of old time; for which cause was this city laid waste.
(See NIV)

Ezra 4:19
I decreed, and search has been made, and it is found that this city of old time has made insurrection against kings, and that rebellion and sedition have been made therein.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Nehemiah 9:17
and refused to obey, neither were mindful of your wonders that you did among them, but hardened their neck, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage. But you are a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness, and didn't forsake them.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NIV)

Job 13:23
How many are my iniquities and sins? Make me know my disobedience and my sin.
(See NAS)

Job 23:2
"Even today my complaint is rebellious. His hand is heavy in spite of my groaning.
(See NAS)

Job 34:37
For he adds rebellion to his sin. He claps his hands among us, and multiplies his words against God."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 106:43
Many times did He deliver them; but they were rebellious in their counsel, and sank low through their iniquity.
(See NIV)

Proverbs 17:11
An evil man seeks only rebellion; therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV NIV)

Proverbs 28:2
In rebellion, a land has many rulers, but order is maintained by a man of understanding and knowledge.
(WEB)

Isaiah 1:5
Why will you have more and more punishment? why keep on in your evil ways? Every head is tired and every heart is feeble.
(See NAS NIV)

Isaiah 24:20
The earth will be moving uncertainly, like a man overcome by drink; it will be shaking like a tent; and the weight of its sin will be on it, crushing it down so that it will not get up again.
(See NIV)

Isaiah 57:4
Of whom do you make sport? against whom is your mouth open wide and your tongue put out? are you not uncontrolled children, a false seed,
(See NAS)

Isaiah 58:1
Make a loud cry, do not be quiet, let your voice be sounding like a horn, and make clear to my people their evil doings, and to the family of Jacob their sins.
(See NIV)

Jeremiah 5:6
And so a lion from the woods will put them to death, a wolf of the waste land will make them waste, a leopard will keep watch on their towns, and everyone who goes out from them will be food for the beasts; because of the great number of their sins and the increase of their wrongdoing.
(See NIV)

Jeremiah 28:16
Therefore thus says Yahweh, Behold, I will send you away from off the surface of the earth: this year you shall die, because you have spoken rebellion against Yahweh.
(WEB KJV ASV WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Jeremiah 29:32
therefore thus says Yahweh, Behold, I will punish Shemaiah the Nehelamite, and his seed; he shall not have a man to dwell among this people, neither shall he see the good that I will do to my people, says Yahweh, because he has spoken rebellion against Yahweh.
(WEB KJV ASV WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Jeremiah 33:8
And I will cleanse them from all their iniquity, whereby they have sinned against Me; and I will pardon all their iniquities, whereby they have sinned against Me, and whereby they have transgressed against Me.
(See RSV NIV)

Jeremiah 50:21
Go up against the land of double rebellion, against it, and against the inhabitants of visitation; waste and utterly destroy after them, saith Jehovah, and do according to all that I have commanded thee.
(DBY)

Ezekiel 21:24
Therefore thus says the Lord Yahweh: Because you have made your iniquity to be remembered, in that your transgressions are uncovered, so that in all your doings your sins appear; because you have come to memory, you shall be taken with the hand.
(See NIV)

Daniel 8:13
Then I heard a holy one speaking; and another holy one said to that certain one who spoke, How long shall be the vision concerning the continual burnt offering, and the disobedience that makes desolate, to give both the sanctuary and the army to be trodden under foot?
(See NIV)

Micah 1:5
"All this is for the disobedience of Jacob, and for the sins of the house of Israel. What is the disobedience of Jacob? Isn't it Samaria? And what are the high places of Judah? Aren't they Jerusalem?
(See NAS)

Subtopics

Rebellion

Rebellion Against God: Connected With: Contempt of God

Rebellion Against God: Connected With: Injustice and Corruption

Rebellion Against God: Connected With: Man is Prone To

Rebellion Against God: Connected With: Stubbornness

Rebellion Against God: Connected With: The Heart is the Seat of

Rebellion Against God: Exhibited in Departing from Him

Rebellion Against God: Exhibited in Departing from his Instituted Worship

Rebellion Against God: Exhibited in Departing from his Precepts

Rebellion Against God: Exhibited in Despising his Counsels

Rebellion Against God: Exhibited in Despising his Law