Lexical Summary marad: To rebel, revolt Original Word: מָרָד Strong's Exhaustive Concordance rebellious (Aramaic) from the same as mrad; rebellious -- rebellious. see HEBREW mrad Brown-Driver-Briggs [מָרָד K§ 59 d)] adjective rebellious; — of city, feminine absolute מָרָדָא Ezra 4:15, emphatic מָרָֽדְתָּא (Kib.) Ezra 4:12. מָרֵה see מָרֵא. above Topical Lexicon Meaning and Scope Though occurring only twice in Scripture, מָרָד captures the wider biblical idea of rebellion, revolt, or insurrection against established authority. In Ezra it is applied to Jerusalem’s past political uprisings, yet the same principle pervades the Old Testament’s description of humanity’s spiritual defiance against God. Scriptural Occurrences Ezra 4:12, 4:15 record Persian officials accusing the returned exiles of rebuilding “the rebellious and wicked city.” The charge relies on Jerusalem’s earlier history under kings who had broken vassal treaties (for example, Zedekiah in 2 Chronicles 36:13). By labeling Jerusalem with מָרָד, the accusers aim to halt the temple and wall projects through fear that another insurrection will arise. Historical Context The Aramaic correspondence in Ezra 4 lies between 536 – 520 BC. Persia had inherited Babylon’s provinces and expected tribute and loyalty. Any perceived revolt threatened imperial stability, so Artaxerxes was predisposed to caution. The officials exploit archives that documented prior Judean revolts against Assyria and Babylon (2 Kings 18:7; 2 Chronicles 36:13). Their appeal to historical precedent demonstrates the long-standing tension between covenant loyalty to God and political subservience to foreign powers. Rebellion as a Motif in Ezra–Nehemiah Ezra–Nehemiah repeatedly contrasts covenant faithfulness with accusations of sedition. While hostile neighbors frame obedience to God as political treachery, the narrative insists true allegiance to the LORD never contradicts legitimate civil submission (compare Ezra 6:6–12). Thus, מָרָד serves rhetorically: what Persia fears in Judah is not anarchy but a restored people under divine rule that supersedes pagan authority when the two conflict. Theological Implications 1 Samuel 15:23 links rebellion with occult sin: “For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance is like the wickedness of idolatry”. Scripture therefore treats מָרָד not merely as social unrest but as moral opposition to God. Deuteronomy 9:24 likewise indicts Israel: “You have been rebellious against the LORD from the day I knew you.” The prophets trace every national calamity to this root attitude (Isaiah 1:2, Jeremiah 6:28). In Ezra 4 the word is hurled at the remnant, yet the true rebels were their forefathers who violated covenant terms (Ezra 9:7). The returned exiles repent precisely to avoid repeating that pattern. Thus the passage reminds readers that repentance breaks the cycle of rebellion. Christological Perspective The Messianic hope answers humanity’s rebellion. Isaiah 53:5 depicts the Servant pierced “for our transgressions,” bringing peace where enmity once reigned (Romans 5:10). Jesus’ obedient life and sacrificial death satisfy divine justice, enabling rebels to become sons (Galatians 4:4-7). The accusation of sedition made against Him (Luke 23:2) mirrors Ezra’s narratives: earthly powers misinterpret God’s kingdom, yet His reign advances through humility, not revolt. Ministry Applications 1. Discern False Accusations: God’s people may be branded “rebellious” when they prioritize obedience to Scripture. Believers must remain blameless in civil matters while holding fast to gospel truth (Philippians 2:15). Correlation with Other Biblical Themes • Covenant faithfulness versus national apostasy (Deuteronomy 31:16-18). The limited appearances of מָרָד in Ezra highlight a pervasive biblical truth: rebellion—whether political or spiritual—brings judgment, but repentance and covenant fidelity invite God’s favor and advance His redemptive plan. Forms and Transliterations מָֽרָדְתָּ֤א מָֽרָדָ֗א מרדא מרדתא mā·rā·ḏā mā·rā·ḏə·tā maraDa mārāḏā maradeTa mārāḏətāLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ezra 4:12 HEB: לִירוּשְׁלֶ֑ם קִרְיְתָ֨א מָֽרָדְתָּ֤א וּבִֽאישְׁתָּא֙ בָּנַ֔יִן NAS: they are rebuilding the rebellious and evil KJV: building the rebellious and the bad INT: Jerusalem city the rebellious and evil are rebuilding Ezra 4:15 2 Occurrences |
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