Hebrew word · H4777
מֶ֫רֶד
bemered
rebellion
Revolt or rebellion, especially a subordinate throwing off allegiance to a superior. The related verb marad is used of vassal kings revolting against an overlord (Gen 14:4; 2 Kgs 18:7, Hezekiah against Assyria; 2 Kgs 24:1, 20).
Appears once in the Hebrew Old Testament. ·
What it means
Abridged from Brown, Driver and Briggs, A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament (1906), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).
In depth
From the study of Joshua 22:22
- Range of meaning
Revolt or rebellion, especially a subordinate throwing off allegiance to a superior. The related verb marad is used of vassal kings revolting against an overlord (Gen 14:4; 2 Kgs 18:7, Hezekiah against Assyria; 2 Kgs 24:1, 20).
- Against the English
All major versions say 'rebellion', which is accurate. The modern ear may hear only a rebellious attitude, where the Hebrew means an act of political disloyalty.
- Used elsewhere in the period
The noun is rare; the verb is common in treaty and political settings. Its use for Israel's relation to Yahweh (Num 14:9, 'do not rebel against the LORD'; Ezek 2:3) draws on the picture of Yahweh as the great King and Israel as his bound vassal.
Where it appears
Joshua · 1
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Joshua 22:22 בְּמֶ֤רֶד in rebellion
“The LORD, the Mighty One, is God! The LORD, the Mighty One, is God! He knows, and may Israel also know. If this was in rebellion or breach of faith against the LORD, do not spare us today.
Here: Rebellion as revolt against an overlord, the word used of vassal kings throwing off their master. It answers the charge in vv. 16 and 19, 'you rebelled' (from the related verb).
Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.