Lexical Summary merad: rebellion Original Word: מַרְד Strong's Exhaustive Concordance rebellion (Aramaic) from a root corresponding to marad; rebellion -- rebellion. see HEBREW marad NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) from a root corresponding to marad Definition rebellion NASB Translation rebellion (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs מְרַד noun [masculine] rebellion (see Biblical Hebrew); — absolute ׳מ Ezra 4:19. Topical Lexicon Mard – the charge of rebellionBiblical context The single canonical appearance of מַרְד occurs in Ezra 4:19, within the Persian royal archives. Opponents of the returning exiles, seeking to halt the rebuilding of Jerusalem, accuse the city of a history of “rebellion and sedition.” Their memorandum prompts King Artaxerxes to suspend construction. Thus, the term surfaces not as God’s verdict but as a political allegation leveled against the covenant community. Historical setting After the decree of Cyrus allowed the first return (Ezra 1), successive waves of exiles set about restoring temple and city. The local Samarian–Ammonite coalition feared the resurgence of a Judah loyal to its own God rather than to imperial interests. To persuade the king, they framed Jerusalem’s past—particularly the reigns of David and the independent monarchs that followed—as chronic insurgency against empire (Ezra 4:15–16). The archives would indeed reveal episodes such as Hezekiah’s refusal to pay tribute to Assyria (2 Kings 18:7) and Zedekiah’s revolt against Babylon (2 Kings 24:20), but the correspondence ignored that those uprisings flowed from fidelity to the Lord rather than mere political ambition. Theological significance 1. Earthly rebellion versus godly allegiance Scripture distinguishes unlawful insurrection from obedience to God when earthly commands conflict with divine mandate (Acts 5:29). While the letter to Artaxerxes treats Jerusalem’s loyalty to Yahweh as sedition, the narrative of Ezra and Nehemiah portrays the returning remnant as submissive citizens who appeal lawfully to the Persian throne (Ezra 5:7–17). 2. Misrepresentation of God’s people Accusations of מַרְד anticipate later distortions of the gospel community: “We have found this man to be a troublemaker, stirring up riots among all the Jews” (Acts 24:5). The motif warns believers that fidelity may invite slander, yet vindication rests with the Lord. 3. Divine sovereignty over imperial edicts Artaxerxes’ initial suspension (Ezra 4) is later reversed (Ezra 6:14), illustrating that God “changes times and seasons; He removes kings and establishes them” (Daniel 2:21). Even hostile decrees become instruments in the larger redemptive plan. Ministry applications • Expect accusation. Faithful ministry can be branded rebellious when it challenges prevailing idols or cultural pressures. Related passages on rebellion • Numbers 14:9; 1 Samuel 15:23 – rebellion against the Lord. Summary Mard encapsulates how the faithful are sometimes branded as rebels in the courts of men. Ezra 4:19 reminds readers that accusations do not define identity; covenant loyalty does. The Church is called to steadfast obedience to Christ, confident that the Judge of all will ultimately overturn every unjust verdict. Forms and Transliterations וּמְרַ֥ד ומרד ū·mə·raḏ umeRad ūməraḏLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ezra 4:19 HEB: מַלְכִ֖ין מִֽתְנַשְּׂאָ֑ה וּמְרַ֥ד וְאֶשְׁתַּדּ֖וּר מִתְעֲבֶד־ NAS: days, that rebellion and revolt KJV: kings, and [that] rebellion and sedition INT: the kings has risen rebellion and revolt have been made 1 Occurrence |
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