Original Word: מָרַד
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: marad
Pronunciation: mah-RAHD
Phonetic Spelling: (maw-rad')
KJV: rebel(-lious)
NASB: rebelled, rebel, rebelling, rebellious, rebels
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. to rebel

rebellious

A primitive root; to rebel -- rebel(-lious).

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to rebel
NASB Translation
rebel (8), rebelled (14), rebelling (1), rebellious (1), rebels (1).

[מָרַד] verb rebel (Late Hebrew id,; Arabic be bold and audacious in acts of rebellion or disobedience; Ethiopic run strenuously, attack; rebellion, Prä^{Beiträge iii. 44}; Sabean מרד rebellion Hal^535,16 SabDenkm³⁸ Hom^{Chrestom. 127}; Aramaic , מְרַד; rebel); —

Qal Perfect3masculine singular מָרָ֑ד2Chronicles 36:13, 2 masculine singular מָרַדְתָּ 2 Kings 18:20 = Isaiah 36:5, etc.; Imperfect וַיִּמְרֹד 2 Kings 18:7 3t., וַיִּמְרָדֿ 2 Kings 24:1; Ezekiel 17:15, etc.; Infinitive construct לִמְרֹד Joshua 22:29, לִמְרוֺד Nehemiah 6:6; Participle plural מֹרְדִים Nehemiah 2:19; Ezekiel 20:38, ׳מוֺ Ezekiel 2:3; construct מֹרדי Job 24:13; — rebel, revolt:

1 against human king, approximately בְּ person 2 Kings 18:7,20 = Isaiah 36:5; 2 Kings 24:1,20 = Jeremiah 52:3, compare Ezekiel 17:15; 2Chronicles 36:13; Nehemiah 9:26; less often (late) with עַל person 2 Chronicles 13:6; Nehemiah 2:19; absolute Genesis 14:4; Nehemiah 6:6.

2 against God, with בְּ Numbers 14:9 (JE), Joshua 22:16,18,19,29 (all P), Ezekiel 2:3 (Co מָרוּ), Daniel 9:9; absolute Ezekiel 2:3 (participle, Co מורים), Ezekiel 20:38; Daniel 9:5.

3 in poetry, against light only מֹרְדֵי אוֺר Job 24:13.

Meaning and Core Concept

The verb carries the idea of deliberate revolt—turning against rightful authority, whether human or divine. Scriptural usage ranges from military uprisings to covenant infidelity, but always presumes willful resistance.

Occurrences and Literary Distribution

Narrative Books: Genesis, Numbers, Joshua, Kings, Chronicles, Nehemiah.

Wisdom Literature: Job.

Prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel.

The word never appears in the Pentateuch’s legal codes; it surfaces when individuals or nations actually transgress.

Historical Patterns of Rebellion

1. International Insurrections
• Genesis 14:4 records the first political revolt when five Canaanite kings “rebelled” after twelve years of tribute.
• Monarchs from Judah later imitate this pattern. Hezekiah’s stand against Assyria (2 Kings 18:7) is counted as rebellion by the Assyrians, though Scripture presents it as reliance on the LORD. Jehoiakim and Zedekiah rebel against Babylon (2 Kings 24:1; 2 Chronicles 36:13), precipitating siege and exile.
2. Domestic Schism
• “Yet Jeroboam son of Nebat, the servant of Solomon … rose up and rebelled against his master” (2 Chronicles 13:6). His uprising launches centuries of divided worship.
3. Allegations against the Faithful
• Nehemiah’s wall-building is branded “rebellion” by Sanballat (Nehemiah 2:19; 6:6), illustrating how righteousness can be misread when earthly powers feel threatened.

Covenant Rebellion against God

Numbers 14:9 voices the heartbeat of the concept: “Only do not rebel against the LORD.” Joshua 22 repeatedly calls the unauthorized altar an act of rebellion against the covenant. Ezekiel is commissioned to “a rebellious nation” (Ezekiel 2:3). Daniel’s penitential prayer—“We have sinned … and rebelled” (Daniel 9:5)—confirms that exile is the fruit of persistent covenant violation.

Theological Themes

• Authority: Earthly authorities may be rejected when their demands defy God (as implied in Hezekiah), yet rebellion against God Himself is never condoned.
• Corporate Solidarity: One generation’s revolt invites national judgment (Ezekiel 20:38).
• Repentance: Confession (Daniel 9) stands as the only remedy; God remains “compassionate and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against Him” (Daniel 9:9).
• Typology: Israel’s rebellion foreshadows humanity’s universal resistance, setting the stage for the obedient Servant, Jesus Christ, who submits fully to the Father and bears the penalty of rebellion.

Pastoral and Ministry Significance

1. Preaching and Teaching

Highlight the contrast between human insurrection and divine governance. Biblical history warns contemporary believers against dismissing divine instruction.
2. Discipleship

Rebellion is rarely an isolated act; it forms when trust erodes. Cultivate communities of faith that prize obedience, open confession, and accountability.
3. Leadership

Leaders must discern when civil disobedience aligns with godly fidelity (Acts 5:29 echoes the principle behind Hezekiah’s stand) and when personal ambition masquerades as righteous resistance, as with Jeroboam.
4. Prayer and Intercession

Daniel 9 provides a model: identify with the people’s sin, appeal to God’s mercy, and expect restoration grounded in His character.

Key Texts for Study

• Numbers 14:9 — an explicit command not to rebel.
• Joshua 22:16-19 — tribal concern for covenant purity.
• 2 Kings 18:7, 20 — political rebellion interpreted through faith.
• Ezekiel 2:3 — prophetic diagnosis of Israel.
• Daniel 9:5-9 — liturgy of confession.

Summary

Across Scripture the verb exposes humanity’s bent toward self-rule and underscores God’s relentless call to repentant obedience. Political defiance and spiritual apostasy often intertwine, yet hope persists: the Lord disciplines rebellion but also extends forgiveness and renewal to those who turn back to Him.

בְּֽמֹרְדֵ֫י־ במרדי־ הַמֹּרְדִ֤ים הַמּוֹרְדִ֖ים המורדים המרדים וַֽיִּמְרְד֜וּ וַיִּמְרָד־ וַיִּמְרֹ֖ד וַיִּמְרֹ֥ד וּמָרָ֑דְנוּ וימרד וימרד־ וימרדו ומרדנו לִמְר֔וֹד לִמְרָדְכֶ֥ם לִמְרֹ֣ד למרד למרדכם למרוד מָרְדוּ־ מָרַ֖דְנוּ מָרַ֖דְתָּ מָרָ֔ד מָרָֽדוּ׃ מֹרְדִֽים׃ מרד מרדו־ מרדו׃ מרדים׃ מרדנו מרדת תִּמְרְד֤וּ תִּמְרֹ֔דוּ תִּמְרֹ֗דוּ תִּמְרֹדוּ֒ תמרדו bə·mō·rə·ḏê- bəmōrəḏê- bemoreDei ham·mō·rə·ḏîm ham·mō·wr·ḏîm hammorDim hammoreDim hammōrəḏîm hammōwrḏîm lim·rā·ḏə·ḵem lim·rō·wḏ lim·rōḏ limradeChem limrāḏəḵem limRod limrōḏ limrōwḏ mā·rā·ḏū mā·rāḏ mā·raḏ·nū mā·raḏ·tā mā·rə·ḏū- maRad mārāḏ maRadnu māraḏnū maRadta māraḏtā maRadu mārāḏū maredu mārəḏū- mō·rə·ḏîm moreDim mōrəḏîm tim·rə·ḏū tim·rō·ḏū timreDu timrəḏū timroDu timrōḏū ū·mā·rā·ḏə·nū umaRadenu ūmārāḏənū vaiyimreDu vaiyimRod way·yim·rāḏ- way·yim·rə·ḏū way·yim·rōḏ wayyimrāḏ- wayyimrəḏū wayyimrōḏInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts