Hebrew word · H4805

מְרִי

meri

rebellion

Rebellion, defiance, contentious stubbornness; from the root marah, "to be rebellious, to defy," used especially of defying a superior's word. As a noun in a "X of rebellion" phrase it describes a group by its defining trait.

Appears 23 times in 21 verses of the Hebrew Old Testament. ·

What it means

1) rebellion

1a) rebellion

1b) rebellious (in construct)

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 Isaiah 30:9

Range of meaning

Rebellion, defiance, contentious stubbornness; from the root marah, "to be rebellious, to defy," used especially of defying a superior's word. As a noun in a "X of rebellion" phrase it describes a group by its defining trait.

Against the English

English "rebellious" (all major versions) is accurate. What it loses is the noun form: "a people of rebellion" says rebellion has become their identity, not just their mood or one act.

Used elsewhere in the period

Numbers 17:10 (Heb 17:25) calls the wilderness generation benei-meri, "sons of rebellion", almost the same title as here. Deuteronomy 31:27: Moses says "I know your rebellion (meri) and your stiff neck," in the very passage where the Song is written down as a witness against Israel. Ezekiel repeatedly calls Israel beit meri, "house of rebellion" (Ezek 2:5–8; 3:9). In Isaiah the verb is paired with refusing to listen: "if you refuse and rebel (meritem)…" (Isa 1:20).

From the study of Ezekiel 12:2

Range of meaning

From the root m-r-h, "to be defiant, contentious, refractory", usually toward someone who has rightful authority: a father, a covenant lord, God. Meri is the noun: defiance, rebelliousness, a contentious refusal to submit.

Against the English

"Rebellious" is accurate. Modern English, though, tends to hear rebellion as youthful nonconformity or political uprising, and sometimes as something admirable. The Hebrew word is the defiance of a son against his father or a vassal against his treaty lord, and it is never admirable.

How it drifted

Over time English "rebel" picked up romantic overtones: the rebel hero, the rebellious teenager finding themselves. The Hebrew word has no positive side.

Used elsewhere in the period

The root sits behind the "stubborn and rebellious son" (sorer umoreh) of Deut 21:18–20. Moses calls Israel "rebels" (hammorim) at Meribah (Num 20:10), and in Deut 31:27 he says "I know your rebelliousness (meri) and your stiff neck." 1 Sam 15:23 pairs rebellion (meri) with divination. Ezekiel turns the phrase "house of meri" into a fixed title for Israel, using it about a dozen times (2:5–8; 3:9, 26–27; 12:2, 3, 9, 25; 17:12; 24:3; cf. 44:6, "to the rebellion, to the house of Israel").

From the study of Proverbs 17:11

Range of meaning

Rebellion, defiance, contrariness. It comes from the verb marah, "to be rebellious, to defy", and is used for refusing to submit to someone with a rightful claim: Israel against God, a son against his parents (the related verb in Deut 21:18), a subject against his king.

Against the English

English "rebellion" now often sounds romantic or harmless: the teenage rebel, the brave nonconformist. Merî carries none of that. It is always a moral charge: breaking faith with someone you owe loyalty to.

How it drifted

Modern culture has made "rebel" largely positive (resisting unjust power, being authentic). The biblical word assumes the authority being defied is legitimate.

Used elsewhere in the period

Deut 31:27 ("I know your rebellion and your stiff neck"); 1 Sam 15:23 ("rebellion is as the sin of divination"); Ezekiel's repeated name for Israel, "house of rebellion" (bêt merî, Ezek 2:5-8; 3:9). In Ezek 2:8 the word stands for a person ("do not be merî"), which shows it can mean "a rebel" as well as "rebellion".

Where it appears

Numbers · 1

  1. Numbers 17:10 מֶ֑רִי rebellion

    The LORD said to Moses, “Put Aaron’s staff back in front of the Testimony, to be kept as a sign for the rebellious, so that you may put an end to their grumbling against Me, lest they die.”

    Here: Open, stubborn defiance of authority (compare Deut 31:27; Ezekiel's 'house of rebellion'). The word names the people as a whole after the Korah revolt, not only a few ringleaders.

Deuteronomy · 1

  1. Deuteronomy 31:27 מֶרְיְךָ֔ rebellion your

    For I know how rebellious and stiff-necked you are. If you are already rebelling against the LORD while I am still alive, how much more will you rebel after my death!

    Here: 'Your defiance': a settled disposition of resisting authority. 'Your' is singular, so the whole nation is addressed as one person.

1 Samuel · 1

  1. 1 Samuel 15:23 מֶ֔רִי rebellion

    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.”

    Here: Deliberate, defiant resistance to a known command. This is the word used for Israel's defiance in the wilderness. Grammatically it is the subject the line is defining: rebellion *is* (or counts as) the sin of divination.

Nehemiah · 1

  1. Nehemiah 9:17 בְּמִרְיָ֑ם in rebellion their

    They refused to listen and failed to remember the wonders You performed among them. They stiffened their necks and appointed a leader to return them to their bondage in Egypt. But You are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in loving devotion, and You did not forsake them.

    Here: 'In their rebellion,' meaning defiant resistance to authority. The Greek translation read 'in Egypt' here instead (see textual notes).

Job · 1

  1. Job 23:2 מְרִ֣י [the] rebellion of

    “Even today my complaint is bitter. His hand is heavy despite my groaning.

    Here: As the Hebrew text is written: 'defiant', meaning a protest that refuses to back down. Many read it as, or emend it to, 'bitter' (from the related root mrr). Either way the complaint is not softened.

Proverbs · 1

  1. Proverbs 17:11 מְרִ֥י rebellion

    An evil man seeks only rebellion; a cruel messenger will be sent against him.

    Here: Stubborn defiance of rightful authority. The word is used for Israel's rebellion against God, and it fits rebellion against a king just as well. The word is abstract, but Hebrew can use such a word for the person who embodies it ("a rebel"), and that is why the verse can be read two ways (see debates).

Isaiah · 1

  1. Isaiah 30:9 מְרִי֙ rebellion

    These are rebellious people, deceitful children, children unwilling to obey the LORD’s instruction.

    Here: A noun, not an adjective: literally "a people of rebellion." In Hebrew, "X of rebellion" means rebellion is the thing that marks them. The word recalls Israel's defiance in the wilderness.

Ezekiel · 16

  1. Ezekiel 2:5 מְרִ֖י rebellion

    And whether they listen or refuse to listen—for they are a rebellious house—they will know that a prophet has been among them.

    Here: A noun, not an adjective: they are 'a house of defiance', as if defiance were their family name. It recalls Israel's defiance of God in the wilderness.

  2. Ezekiel 2:6 מְרִ֖י rebellion

    But you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words. Do not be afraid, though briers and thorns surround you, and you dwell among scorpions. Do not be afraid of their words or dismayed by their presence, though they are a rebellious house.

    Here: Defiance, stubborn contentiousness against God. The phrase replaces 'house of Israel' with 'house of Rebellion', as if that were the family's real name.

  3. Ezekiel 2:7 מְרִ֖י [are] rebellious

    But speak My words to them, whether they listen or refuse to listen, for they are rebellious.

    Here: A noun, not an adjective: 'they are rebellion.' Calling people by the abstract quality makes them the embodiment of defiance. The word recalls Israel's defiance of God in the wilderness.

  4. Ezekiel 2:8 מֶ֖רִי הַמֶּ֑רִי rebellious, <the> rebellion

    And you, son of man, listen to what I tell you. Do not be rebellious like that rebellious house. Open your mouth and eat what I give you.”

    Here: A noun used where English expects an adjective: literally 'do not be rebellion.' He is not to be defiance in person, as the people are (v. 7, 'they are rebellion').

  5. Ezekiel 3:9 מְרִ֖י rebellion

    I will make your forehead like a diamond, harder than flint. Do not be afraid of them or dismayed at their presence, even though they are a rebellious house.”

    Here: 'Rebellion.' It comes from mārâ, 'to defy, be contrary,' the word for Israel's defiance in the wilderness (Num 20:10; Deut 9:7, 24). Calling them a 'house of defiance' instead of 'house of Israel' is Ezekiel's signature label.

  6. Ezekiel 3:26 מְרִ֖י rebellion

    I will make your tongue stick to the roof of your mouth, and you will be silent and unable to rebuke them, though they are a rebellious house.

    Here: Stubborn defiance of rightful authority, the word family used of a son who defies his parents (Deuteronomy 21:18). Ezekiel's signature label for his audience.

  7. Ezekiel 3:27 מְרִ֖י rebellion

    But when I speak with you, I will open your mouth, and you are to tell them, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says.’ Whoever listens, let him listen; and whoever refuses, let him refuse, for they are a rebellious house.

    Here: "Rebellion." It means defiance of rightful authority, the word used for a defiant son (Deut 21:18) and for the wilderness rebels. 'House of rebellion' is a household defined by defiance.

  8. Ezekiel 12:2 הַמֶּ֖רִי מְרִ֖י <the> rebellion, rebellion

    “Son of man, you are living in a rebellious house. They have eyes to see but do not see, and ears to hear but do not hear, for they are a rebellious house.

    Here: "The rebellion", with the definite article: the household known for defying its rightful authority. This is Ezekiel's signature label for his people.

  9. Ezekiel 12:3 מְרִ֖י rebellion

    Therefore, son of man, pack your bags for exile. In broad daylight, set out from your place and go to another as they watch. Perhaps they will understand, though they are a rebellious house.

    Here: Stubborn, contrary defiance. 'House of rebellion' renames the 'house of Israel' by its defining trait.

  10. Ezekiel 12:9 הַמֶּ֑רִי <the> rebellion

    “Son of man, hasn’t the rebellious house of Israel asked you, ‘What are you doing?’

  11. Ezekiel 12:25 הַמֶּ֗רִי <the> rebellion

    because I, the LORD, will speak whatever word I speak, and it will be fulfilled without delay. For in your days, O rebellious house, I will speak a message and bring it to pass, declares the Lord GOD.’”

    Here: 'The rebellion.' 'House of rebellion' is Ezekiel's standing name for his audience: a household whose defining trait is defying its Lord's word.

  12. Ezekiel 17:12 הַמֶּ֔רִי <the> rebellion

    “Now say to this rebellious house: ‘Do you not know what these things mean?’ Tell them, ‘Behold, the king of Babylon came to Jerusalem, carried off its king and officials, and brought them back with him to Babylon.

    Here: 'The rebellion.' This is a noun, not an adjective: they are literally a 'house of defiance', a people whose defining trait is stubborn resistance to God. The label goes back to Ezekiel's call (2:5–8; 3:9, 26–27).

  13. Ezekiel 24:3 הַמֶּ֙רִי֙ <the> rebellion

    Now speak a parable to this rebellious house and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Put the pot on the fire; put it on and pour in the water.

    Here: 'The rebellion': a noun, not an adjective. The people are named by their defiance, 'house of Rebellion', Ezekiel's standing name for his audience since his call (2:5–8).

  14. Ezekiel 44:6 מֶ֙רִי֙ rebellion

    Tell the rebellious house of Israel that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘I have had enough of all your abominations, O house of Israel.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.