In the context of the Bible, the term "defied" often refers to acts of open resistance or bold disobedience against God, His commandments, or His chosen representatives. This defiance is typically characterized by a deliberate challenge to divine authority and is frequently met with severe consequences.

Old Testament Instances

1. Goliath's Defiance: One of the most notable instances of defiance in the Old Testament is the Philistine giant Goliath, who openly defied the armies of Israel and, by extension, the God of Israel. In 1 Samuel 17:10 , Goliath declares, "I defy the ranks of Israel this day. Give me a man to fight!" This act of defiance is met by David, a young shepherd who, empowered by his faith in God, defeats Goliath with a sling and a stone, demonstrating that defiance against God leads to downfall.

2. King Sennacherib's Defiance: Another example is King Sennacherib of Assyria, who defied the God of Israel by besieging Jerusalem and mocking the Lord. In 2 Kings 19:22 , the prophet Isaiah relays God's message to Sennacherib: "Whom have you taunted and blasphemed? Against whom have you raised your voice and lifted your eyes in pride? Against the Holy One of Israel!" Sennacherib's defiance results in the miraculous destruction of his army by an angel of the Lord, as recorded in 2 Kings 19:35.

3. Korah's Rebellion: In Numbers 16, Korah, along with Dathan, Abiram, and others, defies the leadership of Moses and Aaron, challenging their God-given authority. This rebellion is seen as a direct defiance against God's established order. Numbers 16:11 states, "Therefore it is against the LORD that you and all your followers have conspired." The earth opens up and swallows the rebels, serving as a stark warning against defying God's appointed leaders.

New Testament Context

1. The Pharisees and Sadducees: In the New Testament, the religious leaders, particularly the Pharisees and Sadducees, often defy Jesus Christ, questioning His authority and seeking to undermine His ministry. In Matthew 16:1 , they test Jesus by asking for a sign from heaven, despite the numerous miracles He had already performed. Their persistent defiance and refusal to accept Jesus as the Messiah ultimately lead to their spiritual blindness and judgment.

2. Herod Agrippa I: In Acts 12, King Herod Agrippa I defies God by accepting worship from the people, who declare, "This is the voice of a god, not a man!" (Acts 12:22). His failure to give glory to God results in his immediate punishment, as he is struck down by an angel of the Lord and dies a gruesome death, as described in Acts 12:23.

Theological Implications

Defiance in the biblical narrative is often portrayed as a grave sin, rooted in pride and rebellion against divine authority. It serves as a cautionary theme throughout Scripture, illustrating the futility and peril of opposing God. The Bible consistently emphasizes that God is sovereign and that His will cannot be thwarted by human defiance. Those who defy God, whether individuals or nations, ultimately face His judgment, while those who submit to His authority find favor and blessing.(imp. & p. p.) of Defy.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

7185. qashah -- to be hard, severe or fierce
... root Definition to be hard, severe or fierce NASB Word Usage became stubborn* (2),
cruel (1), defied* (1), hard (1), hard thing (1), hard-pressed (1), harden (2 ...
/hebrew/7185.htm - 6k

413. el -- to, into, towards
... 5), before (11), before* (4), behind* (2), beside (3), beside* (3), between* (2),
carried (1), concerning (31), corresponding* (1), defied* (1), everywhere* (1 ...
/hebrew/413.htm - 6k

Satan Considering the Saints
... like an impregnable castle, garrisoned by integrity, and held with perfect loyalty
as the possession of the King of Heaven; the evil one defied Jehovah to try ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 11 1865/satan considering the saints.htm

The Power of a Pebble.
... him. He defied Israel every morning and evening for forty days, and no
one was found who would dare to go out alone to fight him. ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xx the power of.htm

The victory of Unarmed Faith
... Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall
be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.37. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the victory of unarmed faith.htm

From the Flood to Abraham
... are at cross purposes with God. It was an act that defied God and showed
the need of punishment. It is not unlikely that idolatry ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter iii from the flood.htm

A Miracle of Grace
... He defied his mother to attempt such a thing; and after having stripped her, and
stripped the little estate of all there was that was worth the having, he has ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 62 1916/a miracle of grace.htm

The Lutheran Church.
... Our martyred sires defied the fires For Christ the Crucified; The once-delivered
faith to keep They burned, they bled, they died. My Church! my Church! ...
/.../gerberding/the way of salvation in the lutheran church/the lutheran church.htm

Preface
... pride. It has defied the life-long strivings of men whom the world recognizes
as beings of superior wisdom and power of will. The ...
/.../kane/greater things the story of saint stanislaus kostka /preface.htm

David.
... answered: "Thou comest against me with a sword and a shield; but I come against
thee trusting in the Lord of Hosts, the God of Israel, whom thou hast defied.". ...
//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/wee ones bible stories/david.htm

The Preacher as a Man of the Word.
... of all things; yet out of it breaks the forked lightning, which rives the giant
of the forest, and overturns the tower which has defied ten thousand assailants ...
/.../stalker/the preacher and his models/lecture iv the preacher as.htm

Upon the Character of Balaam. Preached the Second Sunday after ...
... come, defy Israel. How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed? Or how
shall I defy, whom the Lord hath not defied? For from the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/butler/human nature/sermon vii upon the character.htm

Defied (20 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Defied (20 Occurrences). Numbers 23:8 How shall I curse
whom God has not cursed? How shall I defy whom Yahweh has not defied? ...
/d/defied.htm - 13k

Taunted (18 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 17:36 Thy servant smote both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised
Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the ...
/t/taunted.htm - 12k

Goliath (6 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Great. (1.) A famous giant of Gath, who for forty days
openly defied the armies of Israel, but was at length slain by David with a ...
/g/goliath.htm - 12k

Innermost (22 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 19:23 By your messengers you have defied the Lord, and have said,'With the
multitude of my chariots, I have come up to the height of the mountains, to ...
/i/innermost.htm - 13k

Fir-trees (11 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 19:23 By thy messengers thou hast defied the Lord, and hast said, With the
multitude of my chariots am I come up to the height of the mountains, to the ...
/f/fir-trees.htm - 9k

Shimea (6 Occurrences)
... Shimea (6 Occurrences). 2 Samuel 21:21 And when he defied Israel, Jonathan the son
of Shimeah the brother of David slew him. (Root in KJV JPS DBY WBS YLT NIV). ...
/s/shimea.htm - 9k

Blasphemed (28 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS NIV). 2 Kings 19:22 Whom have you defied and
blasphemed? ... Isaiah 37:23 Whom have you defied and blasphemed? ...
/b/blasphemed.htm - 15k

Mocked (40 Occurrences)
... (See NAS). 2 Kings 19:22 Whom have you defied and blasphemed? Against whom
have you exalted your voice and lifted up your eyes on high? ...
/m/mocked.htm - 18k

Cedars (37 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 19:23 By your messengers you have defied the Lord, and have said,'With the
multitude of my chariots, I have come up to the height of the mountains, to ...
/c/cedars.htm - 18k

Farthest (33 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 19:23 By your messengers you have defied the Lord, and have said,'With the
multitude of my chariots, I have come up to the height of the mountains, to ...
/f/farthest.htm - 17k

Who was David in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What are the consequences of nations turning away from God? | GotQuestions.org

What is the Feast of Dedication? | GotQuestions.org

Defied: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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