Definition and Context:
To defy is to openly resist or challenge authority, often with a sense of boldness or contempt. In the biblical context, defiance is typically portrayed as an act of rebellion against God or His appointed leaders. It is often associated with pride, disobedience, and a lack of faith.

Biblical Instances of Defiance:

1. Pharaoh's Defiance:
One of the most notable examples of defiance in the Bible is Pharaoh's resistance to God's command to let the Israelites go. Despite witnessing numerous plagues, Pharaoh's heart remained hardened. In Exodus 5:2 , Pharaoh responds to Moses and Aaron, saying, "Who is the LORD, that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, and I will not let Israel go." This defiance ultimately led to Egypt's devastation and the liberation of the Israelites.

2. Korah's Rebellion:
In Numbers 16, Korah, along with Dathan, Abiram, and others, defied Moses and Aaron's leadership, questioning their authority. This act of defiance was not just against human leaders but against God's chosen representatives. Numbers 16:3 records their challenge: "You have gone too far! For all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the LORD?" The rebellion resulted in divine judgment, with the earth swallowing the rebels.

3. Goliath's Challenge:
The Philistine giant Goliath defied the armies of Israel, taunting them and challenging them to send a warrior to fight him. In 1 Samuel 17:10 , Goliath declares, "I defy the ranks of Israel this day. Give me a man, and let us fight each other." David, a young shepherd, accepted the challenge, trusting in God's power rather than human strength, and defeated Goliath, demonstrating the futility of defying God's people.

4. King Saul's Disobedience:
King Saul's defiance of God's command through the prophet Samuel is another example. In 1 Samuel 15, Saul was instructed to completely destroy the Amalekites and all they possessed. However, Saul spared King Agag and the best of the livestock. When confronted, Saul attempted to justify his actions, but Samuel rebuked him, saying in 1 Samuel 15:23 , "For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and defiance is as wickedness and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king."

Theological Implications:

Defiance against God or His commands is often rooted in pride and self-reliance. It reflects a heart that is unwilling to submit to divine authority. The Bible consistently portrays defiance as a serious sin, leading to judgment and separation from God's favor. In contrast, humility and obedience are commended as virtues that align believers with God's will and bring about His blessings.

Lessons for Believers:

Believers are called to submit to God's authority and to resist the temptation to defy His commands. James 4:7 advises, "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." This submission is not a sign of weakness but a recognition of God's sovereignty and wisdom. By aligning with God's will, believers can experience His guidance and protection, avoiding the pitfalls of defiance that lead to spiritual and sometimes physical consequences.1. (v. t.) To renounce or dissolve all bonds of affiance, faith, or obligation with; to reject, refuse, or renounce.

2. (v. t.) To provoke to combat or strife; to call out to combat; to challenge; to dare; to brave; to set at defiance; to treat with contempt; as, to defy an enemy; to defy the power of a magistrate; to defy the arguments of an opponent; to defy public opinion.

3. (n.) A challenge.

DEFY

de-fi' (charaph, za`am): In 1 Samuel 17:10, 25, 26, 36, 45 (the story of David and Goliath) and kindred passages, this word is used in its most familiar sense-"to taunt," "challenge to combat" (Hebrew charaph). In Numbers 23:7, 8 "denounce" would be a better translation than "defy" (Hebrew za`am).

2778. charaph. -- to reproach
... 2778a . to reproach. Transliteration: charaph. Phonetic Spelling: (khaw-raf')
Short Definition: betroth. betroth, blaspheme, defy, rail, reproach, upbraid ...
/hebrew/2778.htm - 5k

2194. zaam -- to be indignant
... abhor, abominable, be angry, defy, have indignation. A primitive root; properly,
to foam at the mouth, ie To be enraged -- abhor, abominable ...
/hebrew/2194.htm - 6k

2778a. charaph -- to reproach
... root Definition to reproach NASB Word Usage defied (2), defy (2), despised (1),
insult (1), reproach (7), reproached (8), reproaches (5), revile (2), reviled (1 ...
/hebrew/2778a.htm - 5k

The Magnificence of Prayer
... a past eternity and a coming eternity, and the revelation thereof that is made to
us in the Word of God, and in the hearts of His people"and I defy you to ...
/.../whyte/lord teach us to pray/i the magnificence of prayer.htm

Discipline
... They were always physically strong enough to defy it, if they chose. They
did not defy it, because they believed in it, and felt ...
/.../kingsley/discipline and other sermons/sermon i discipline.htm

David.
... As he came before the two camps, he cried out: "I defy the armies of Israel
this day; give me a man, that we may fight together!". ...
//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/wee ones bible stories/david.htm

Upon the Character of Balaam. Preached the Second Sunday after ...
... his parable, and said, Balak the king of Moab hath brought me from Aram, out of
the mountains of the east, saying, Come, curse me Jacob, and come, defy Israel. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/butler/human nature/sermon vii upon the character.htm

Another Portrait Gallery
... It takes more faith than a Westerner can realise, to defy the legions of gwei which
at that time threaten your home and its inhabitants with numberless ills ...
/.../chapter xxi another portrait gallery.htm

Celts and Celtophiles
... Celticism. Who were the Celts? I defy anybody to say. Who are the Irish? I
defy any one to be indifferent, or to pretend not to know. Mr ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chesterton/heretics/xiii celts and celtophiles.htm

From the Second to the Fourth Commandment
... blaspheme. We can blaspheme also by actions. To defy God by a sign or action,
to dare Him to strike us dead, etc., would be blasphemy. We ...
/.../kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 32 from the second.htm

The Witness of Balaam to Israel
... From Aram hath Balak brought me, The king of Moab from the mountains of
the East: Come, curse me Jacob, And come, defy Israel. How ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/ii the witness of balaam.htm

Conclusion
... That God will yet permit the Devil to bring forth his satanic Masterpiece, who shall
defy God and persecute His people, should scarcely be surprising. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/conclusion.htm

The Jewish War and the Destruction of Jerusalem. AD 70
... To defy Rome in that age, without a single ally, was to defy the world in arms;
but religious fanaticism, inspired by the recollection of the heroic ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 38 the jewish war.htm

Defy (10 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To provoke to combat or strife; to call out to combat; to challenge; to
dare; to brave; to set at defiance; to treat with contempt; as, to defy an enemy ...
/d/defy.htm - 10k

Taunt (38 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 17:10 And the Philistine said, I defy the armies of Israel this
day; give me a man, that we may fight together. (See JPS). ...
/t/taunt.htm - 18k

Killeth (23 Occurrences)
... surely to defy Israel is he come up: and it shall be, that the man who killeth him,
the king will enrich him with great riches, and will give him his daughter ...
/k/killeth.htm - 13k

Rab-shakeh (14 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 19:4 It may be Jehovah thy God will hear all the words of Rabshakeh, whom
the king of Assyria his master hath sent to defy the living God, and will ...
/r/rab-shakeh.htm - 10k

Execrate (4 Occurrences)
... he took up his parable, and said, From Aram hath Balak brought me, The king of Moab
from the mountains of the East: Come, curse me Jacob, And come, defy Israel ...
/e/execrate.htm - 7k

Dare (19 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To have courage for; to attempt courageously; to venture to do or
to undertake. 3. (vt) To challenge; to provoke; to defy. ...
/d/dare.htm - 12k

Smites (10 Occurrences)
... for to defy Israel is he come up: and it shall be, that the man who smites him,
him will the king enrich with great riches, and will give him his daughter, and ...
/s/smites.htm - 9k

Mock (43 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 19:4 It may be Yahweh your God will hear all the words of Rabshakeh, whom
the king of Assyria his master has sent to defy the living God, and will ...
/m/mock.htm - 23k

Kills (38 Occurrences)
... He has surely come up to defy Israel. ... For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that
he should defy the armies of the living God?" (WEB NAS RSV NIV). ...
/k/kills.htm - 17k

Rabshakeh (15 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 19:4 It may be Yahweh your God will hear all the words of Rabshakeh, whom
the king of Assyria his master has sent to defy the living God, and will ...
/r/rabshakeh.htm - 14k

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