Topical Bible: Rebel

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical context, the term "rebel" refers to an individual or group that resists or defies authority, particularly the authority of God. Rebellion is a recurring theme throughout the Scriptures, often associated with sin, disobedience, and the rejection of divine commandments.

Old Testament Instances

Rebellion against God is first seen in the Garden of Eden, where Adam and Eve disobey God's command not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 3:1-6). This act of rebellion brought sin into the world and resulted in the fall of humanity.

The Israelites frequently exhibited rebellion during their wilderness journey after the Exodus from Egypt. Despite witnessing God's miraculous deliverance and provision, they repeatedly complained and resisted His commands. In Numbers 14:9, Joshua and Caleb urge the people, "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!"

The rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram against Moses and Aaron is another significant example. They challenged the leadership appointed by God, leading to their destruction as a divine judgment (Numbers 16:1-35).

The prophets often addressed the rebellious nature of Israel and Judah. Isaiah 1:2-4 describes the nation as rebellious children: "Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth, for the LORD has spoken: 'I have raised children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against Me. The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master's manger, but Israel does not know; My people do not understand.'"

New Testament Insights

In the New Testament, rebellion is addressed in the context of spiritual defiance against God and His established order. Jesus Christ, in His parables and teachings, often highlighted the consequences of rebellion against God's kingdom. The parable of the tenants (Matthew 21:33-41) illustrates the rejection of God's messengers and ultimately His Son, symbolizing the rebellious nature of those who refuse to accept divine authority.

The Apostle Paul warns against rebellion in Romans 13:1-2, emphasizing submission to governing authorities as ordained by God: "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves."

Spiritual Rebellion

Rebellion is not only a physical act but also a spiritual condition. It is often equated with stubbornness and idolatry. In 1 Samuel 15:23, the prophet Samuel rebukes King 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."

The New Testament further elaborates on spiritual rebellion as a rejection of the truth of the Gospel. In 2 Thessalonians 2:3, Paul speaks of a future rebellion, or apostasy, that will precede the return of Christ: "Let no one deceive you in any way, for it will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness—the son of destruction—is revealed."

Consequences and Redemption

The Bible consistently portrays rebellion as leading to negative consequences, including divine judgment and separation from God. However, it also offers hope for redemption and restoration through repentance. In Ezekiel 18:30-32, God calls His people to turn from their rebellious ways: "Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge each of you according to his ways, declares the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your offenses, so that sin will not be your downfall. Cast away from yourselves all the offenses you have committed, and fashion yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. Why should you die, O house of Israel? For I take no pleasure in anyone's death, declares the Lord GOD. So repent and live!"

Rebellion, while a serious offense against God, is met with the possibility of forgiveness and reconciliation through faith in Jesus Christ, who offers grace and salvation to all who turn from their rebellious ways and seek Him.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

1. (v. i.) Pertaining to rebels or rebellion; acting in revolt; rebellious; as, rebel troops.

2. (n.) One who rebels.

3. (v. i.) To renounce, and resist by force, the authority of the ruler or government to which one owes obedience. See Rebellion.

4. (v. i.) To be disobedient to authority; to assume a hostile or insubordinate attitude; to revolt.

Greek

4714a. stasiastes -- a rebel, revolutionist
... 4714, 4714a. stasiastes. 4714b . a rebel, revolutionist. Transliteration:
stasiastes Short Definition: insurrectionists. Word Origin ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4714a.htm - 5k

4955. sustasiastes -- rebel
... rebel. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: sustasiastes Phonetic Spelling:
(soos-tas-ee-as-tace') Short Definition: a fellow insurgent Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4955.htm - 6k

4714. stasis -- a rebel, revolutionist
... a rebel, revolutionist. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: stasis Phonetic
Spelling: (stas'-is) Short Definition: standing, place, dissension ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4714.htm - 6k

544. apeitheo -- to disobey
... to disobey. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: apeitheo Phonetic Spelling:
(ap-i-theh'-o) Short Definition: I disobey, rebel, am disloyal Definition: I ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/544.htm - 7k

812. atakteo -- to be out of order, be remiss
... atakteo Phonetic Spelling: (at-ak-teh'-o) Short Definition: I behave disorderly
Definition: (lit: I march out of order; then: I riot, rebel), behave disorderly ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/812.htm - 6k

Strong's Hebrew

4775. marad -- to rebel
... marad. 4776 . to rebel. Transliteration: marad Phonetic Spelling: (maw-rad') Short
Definition: rebelled. ... rebellious. A primitive root; to rebel -- rebel(-lious ...
/hebrew/4775.htm - 5k

6586. pasha -- to rebel, transgress
... pasha. 6587 . to rebel, transgress. Transliteration: pasha Phonetic Spelling:
(paw-shah') Short Definition: transgressed. ... offend, rebel, revolt, transgression, ...
/hebrew/6586.htm - 6k

4784. marah -- to be contentious or rebellious
... to be contentious or rebellious NASB Word Usage became disobedient (1), bitter
(1), disobedient (1), disobeyed (2), provocation (1), rebel (6), rebelled (18 ...
/hebrew/4784.htm - 6k

4754. mara -- perhaps to flap (the wings)
... A primitive root; to rebel; hence (through the idea of maltreating) to whip, ie
Lash (self with wings, as the ostrich in running) -- be filthy, lift up self. ...
/hebrew/4754.htm - 6k

4805. meri -- rebellion
... bitter, most rebellion,. From marah; bitterness, ie (figuratively) rebellion;
concretely, bitter, or rebellious -- bitter, (most) rebel(-lion, -lious). ...
/hebrew/4805.htm - 6k

7279. ragan -- to murmur, whisper
... slanderer (1), whisperer (3). murmur. A primitive root; to grumble, ie Rebel --
murmur. 7278, 7279. ragan. 7280 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/7279.htm - 5k

5493. sur -- to turn aside
... call back, decline, depart, eschew, get (you), go (aside), X grievous, lay away
(by), leave undone, be past, pluck away, put (away, down), rebel, remove (to ...
/hebrew/5493.htm - 7k

1121. ben -- son
... X of first, + firstborn, foal, + very fruitful, + postage, X in, + kid, + lamb, (+)
man, meet, + mighty, + nephew, old, (+) people, + rebel, + robber, X ...
/hebrew/1121.htm - 8k

Library

The Rebel's Surrender to Grace. Lord, what Wilt Thou have Me to Do ...
... ACTS Hymn 121 The rebel's surrender to grace. Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?
Acts 9:6. John Newton 8,8,6,8,8,6. The rebel's surrender to grace. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/olney hymns/hymn 121 the rebels surrender.htm

Korah, Dathan, and Abiram
... If men rebel here, in Great Britain or Ireland, we smile at them, and let them off
with a slight imprisonment, because we are not afraid of them. ...
/.../kingsley/the gospel of the pentateuch/sermon xiii korah dathan and.htm

The Destruction of Jerusalem
... (John 6:15.) But He saw that, even from a human standpoint, the nation could not
be helped in this way, and that the Jews would only rebel against the Romans ...
/.../duff/the bible in its making/chapter ix the destruction of.htm

How to Overcome Disappointment
... If we rebel, that will not change the circumstances, but it will change
our feelings. The more we rebel, the more we shall suffer. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/naylor/heart talks/talk forty-two how to overcome.htm

Further, the Martyrdom of Barsamya, the Bishop of the Blessed City ...
... Barsamya be scourged, because he has rebelled against the command of the emperors,
and has caused those also who were obedient to the emperors to rebel with him ...
/.../unknown/the decretals/further the martyrdom of barsamya.htm

Submit Yourselves Therefore to God. James 4:7.
... The man who does not do this is a rebel against God. ... He is a rebel against the
government, and against all the interest which the government is set to promote. ...
/.../finney/lectures to professing christians/submit yourselves therefore to god.htm

Justification by Grace
... process, which of course is impossible with men, become that man; or take that man's
character upon himself; he, the righteous man, putting the rebel in his ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/justification by grace.htm

The Sentence which Condemned the Judges
... That Jews should be taken with such a sudden fit of loyalty as to yell for the death
of a fellow-countryman because he was a rebel against Caesar was too ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/the sentence which condemned the.htm

Continuation: Audacity of Satan.
... Thou, O Belial, dragon, apostate, crooked serpent, rebel against God, outcast from
Christ, alien from the Holy Spirit, exile from the ranks of the angels ...
/.../chapter xi continuation audacity of satan.htm

The Complement of Genesis.
... Nimrod, a great rebel and King, and hidden anti-God, the founder of Babylon
(x.8-10). The Beast, the great Rebel, a King, and manifested ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the complement of genesis.htm

Thesaurus

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

Joab (128 Occurrences)
... to Jerusalem. But the rebel has to remain in his own house, and is not
allowed to see his father (2 Samuel 14:1-24). (b) Absalom ...
/j/joab.htm - 53k

Withstanding (2 Occurrences)
... then pass ye over unto the land of the possession of the LORD, wherein the LORD's
tabernacle dwelleth, and take possession among us: but rebel not against the ...
/w/withstanding.htm - 7k

Tabernacled (6 Occurrences)
... the land of the possession of Jehovah, where the tabernacle of Jehovah hath tabernacled,
and have possession in our midst; and against Jehovah rebel not, and ...
/t/tabernacled.htm - 8k

Revolt (18 Occurrences)
... n.) Hence, to be faithless; to desert one party or leader for another; especially,
to renounce allegiance or subjection; to rise against a government; to rebel...
/r/revolt.htm - 13k

Rebels (20 Occurrences)
... then pass ye over unto the land of the possession of the LORD, wherein the LORD'S
tabernacle dwelleth, and take possession among us; but rebel not against the ...
/r/rebels.htm - 12k

Provocation (20 Occurrences)
... unto love and good works." For "provoke" the Revised Version (British and American)
has "despise" (Numbers 14:11; Numbers 31:20), "rebel against" (Psalm 78:40 ...
/p/provocation.htm - 15k

Provoke (64 Occurrences)
... unto love and good works." For "provoke" the Revised Version (British and American)
has "despise" (Numbers 14:11; Numbers 31:20), "rebel against" (Psalm 78:40 ...
/p/provoke.htm - 31k

Notwithstanding (37 Occurrences)
... then pass ye over unto the land of the possession of the LORD, wherein the LORD's
tabernacle dwelleth, and take possession among us: but rebel not against the ...
/n/notwithstanding.htm - 18k

Dwells (64 Occurrences)
... then pass over to the land of the possession of Yahweh, in which Yahweh's tabernacle
dwells, and take possession among us; but don't rebel against Yahweh, nor ...
/d/dwells.htm - 24k

Resources

If God knew that Satan would rebel, why did He create him? | GotQuestions.org

Why did God allow Satan and the demons to sin? | GotQuestions.org

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

Rebel: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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

Concordance

Rebel (35 Occurrences)

Matthew 5:22
but I -- I say to you, that every one who is angry at his brother without cause, shall be in danger of the judgment, and whoever may say to his brother, Empty fellow! shall be in danger of the sanhedrim, and whoever may say, Rebel! shall be in danger of the gehenna of the fire.
(YLT)

Matthew 10:21
"Brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his child. Children will rise up against parents, and cause them to be put to death.
(See NIV)

Mark 13:12
"Brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his child. Children will rise up against parents, and cause them to be put to death.
(See NIV)

John 19:12
Upon receiving this answer, Pilate was for releasing Him. But the Jews kept shouting, "If you release this man, you are no friend of Caesar's. Every one who sets himself up as king declares himself a rebel against Caesar."
(WEY)

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.
(Root in JPS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Numbers 14:9
Only don't rebel against Yahweh, neither fear the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defense is removed from over them, and Yahweh is with us. Don't fear them."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT 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?
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Joshua 1:18
Whoever rebels against your commandment, and doesn't listen to your words in all that you command him, he shall be put to death. Only be strong and of good courage."
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Joshua 22:16
"Thus says the whole congregation of Yahweh,'What trespass is this that you have committed against the God of Israel, to turn away this day from following Yahweh, in that you have built you an altar, to rebel this day against Yahweh?
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Joshua 22:18
that you must turn away this day from following Yahweh? It will be, seeing that you rebel today against Yahweh, that tomorrow he will be angry with the whole congregation of Israel.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Joshua 22:19
However, if the land of your possession is unclean, then pass over to the land of the possession of Yahweh, in which Yahweh's tabernacle dwells, and take possession among us; but don't rebel against Yahweh, nor rebel against us, in building an altar other than the altar of Yahweh our God.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Joshua 22:29
"Far be it from us that we should rebel against Yahweh, and turn away this day from following Yahweh, to build an altar for burnt offering, for meal offering, or for sacrifice, besides the altar of Yahweh our God that is before his tabernacle!"
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Samuel 12:14
If you will fear Yahweh, and serve him, and listen to his voice, and not rebel against the commandment of Yahweh, and both you and also the king who reigns over you are followers of Yahweh your God, well :
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

1 Samuel 12:15
but if you will not listen to the voice of Yahweh, but rebel against the commandment of Yahweh, then will the hand of Yahweh be against you, as it was against your fathers.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

2 Kings 18:20
You say (but they are but vain words),'There is counsel and strength for war.' Now on whom do you trust, that you have rebelled against me?
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Nehemiah 2:19
But when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arabian, heard it, they ridiculed us, and despised us, and said, What is this thing that you do? will you rebel against the king?
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Nehemiah 6:6
in which was written, It is reported among the nations, and Gashmu says it, that you and the Jews think to rebel; for which cause you are building the wall: and you would be their king, according to these words.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Nehemiah 9:26
Nevertheless they were disobedient, and rebelled against you, and cast your law behind their back, and killed your prophets that testified against them to turn them again to you, and they committed awful blasphemies.
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Job 24:13
"These are of those who rebel against the light. They don't know its ways, nor abide in its paths.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 78:17
Yet they still went on to sin against him, to rebel against the Most High in the desert.
(WEB JPS ASV NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 78:40
How often they rebelled against him in the wilderness, and grieved him in the desert!
(Root in WEB JPS ASV NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 105:28
He sent darkness, and made it dark. They didn't rebel against his words.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 106:43
Many times he delivered them, but they were rebellious in their counsel, and were brought low in their iniquity.
(Root in WEB JPS ASV YLT NAS RSV NIV)

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 RSV NIV)

Isaiah 1:20
but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured with the sword; for the mouth of Yahweh has spoken it."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Isaiah 3:8
For Jerusalem has become feeble, and destruction has come on Judah, because their words and their acts are against the Lord, moving the eyes of his glory to wrath.
(See NAS)

Isaiah 36:5
I say that your counsel and strength for the war are only vain words. Now in whom do you trust, that you have rebelled against me?
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Isaiah 48:8
Truly you had no word of them, no knowledge of them; no news of them in the past had come to your ears; because I saw how false was your behaviour, and that your heart was turned against me from your earliest days.
(See NAS RSV NIV)

Jeremiah 52:3
For through the anger of Yahweh did it happen in Jerusalem and Judah, until he had cast them out from his presence. Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon.
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Ezekiel 2:8
But you, son of man, hear what I tell you; don't be rebellious like that rebellious house: open your mouth, and eat that which I give you.
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Ezekiel 20:8
But they rebelled against me, and would not listen to me; they did not every man cast away the abominations of their eyes, neither did they forsake the idols of Egypt. Then I said I would pour out my wrath on them, to accomplish my anger against them in the midst of the land of Egypt.
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Ezekiel 20:13
But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness: they didn't walk in my statutes, and they rejected my ordinances, which if a man keep, he shall live in them; and my Sabbaths they greatly profaned. Then I said I would pour out my wrath on them in the wilderness, to consume them.
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Ezekiel 20:38
and I will purge out from among you the rebels, and those who disobey against me; I will bring them forth out of the land where they sojourn, but they shall not enter into the land of Israel: and you shall know that I am Yahweh.
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Daniel 11:14
In those times there shall many stand up against the king of the south: also the children of the violent among your people shall lift themselves up to establish the vision; but they shall fall.
(See NIV)

Hosea 7:14
And they have not cried unto me with their heart, when they howled upon their beds: they assemble themselves for corn and wine, and they rebel against me.
(KJV JPS ASV WBS RSV)

Subtopics

Rebel

Related Terms

Rebel (35 Occurrences)

Rebellious (63 Occurrences)

Kadeshbarnea (9 Occurrences)

Kadesh-barnea (9 Occurrences)

Nebuchadnez'zar (55 Occurrences)

Obeys (17 Occurrences)

Joram (26 Occurrences)

Mer'ibah (8 Occurrences)

Strategy (3 Occurrences)