Topical Bible: Disobedience

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Definition and Nature:
Disobedience, in a biblical context, refers to the act of defying or refusing to comply with God's commands and instructions. It is considered a fundamental aspect of sin, reflecting a willful departure from the divine will. Disobedience is often portrayed as a rebellion against God's authority and a rejection of His sovereignty.

Biblical Instances of Disobedience:

1. Adam and Eve:
The first act of disobedience recorded in the Bible is that of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. God commanded them not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. However, they succumbed to the serpent's temptation and ate the forbidden fruit. This act of disobedience brought sin and death into the world. Genesis 3:6 states, "When the woman saw that the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eyes, and that it was desirable for obtaining wisdom, she took the fruit and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it."

2. Israel's Rebellion:
Throughout the Old Testament, the nation of Israel repeatedly disobeyed God's commands, despite His continuous guidance and provision. One notable instance is their refusal to enter the Promised Land due to fear and lack of faith, as recorded in Numbers 14. This disobedience resulted in a 40-year period of wandering in the wilderness. Numbers 14:22-23 says, "Not one of the men who have seen My glory and the signs I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness, yet have tested Me and disobeyed Me these ten times—not one will ever see the land I swore to give their fathers. None of those who have treated Me with contempt will see it."

3. King Saul:
King Saul's disobedience is another significant example. God commanded Saul to completely destroy the Amalekites and all they possessed. However, Saul spared King Agag and the best of the livestock. This act of disobedience led to God rejecting Saul as king. 1 Samuel 15:22-23 records the prophet Samuel's rebuke: "But Samuel declared: 'Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams. 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.'"

Consequences of Disobedience:

Disobedience to God often results in severe consequences, both spiritually and physically. It leads to separation from God, loss of blessings, and sometimes divine judgment. The Bible consistently warns of the dangers of disobedience and the importance of adhering to God's commands.

· Separation from God: Disobedience creates a barrier between humanity and God. Isaiah 59:2 states, "But your iniquities have built barriers between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear."

· Loss of Blessings: Disobedience can result in the forfeiture of God's blessings. Deuteronomy 28 outlines the blessings for obedience and the curses for disobedience, emphasizing the importance of following God's laws.

· Divine Judgment: Disobedience can lead to divine judgment, as seen in the accounts of the Flood (Genesis 6-9) and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19).

Call to Obedience:

The Bible calls believers to a life of obedience, emphasizing that it is a demonstration of love and faithfulness to God. Jesus Himself highlighted the importance of obedience in John 14:15 : "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments." Obedience is not only a duty but a response to God's grace and love, leading to a deeper relationship with Him and the fulfillment of His purposes in one's life.

Topical Bible Verses

1 Corinthians 6:18
Flee fornication. Every sin that a man does is without the body; but he that commits fornication sins against his own body.
Topicalbible.org

Galatians 5:19-21
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Topicalbible.org

Colossians 3:20
Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing to the Lord.
Topicalbible.org

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

(n.) Neglect or refusal to comply with authority; violation of a command or prohibition.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

DISOBEDIENCE; DISOBEDIENT

dis-o-be'-di-ens, (marah; apeitheo, parakouo): The word used chiefly in the New Testament has the general meaning of a lack of regard for authority or rulership. The stronger meaning of actual stubbornness or violence is perhaps conveyed in the Old Testament (1 Kings 13:26 Nehemiah 9:26; compare 1 Kings 13:21).

In the New Testament there seem to be two rather clearly defined uses of the word, one objective and practical, the other ethical and psychological. The first refers more to conduct, the second to belief and one's mental attitude toward the object of disobedience. To the first belong such passages as refer to the overt act of disobedience to one's parents (Romans 1:30 2 Timothy 3:2). Illustrating this more fully, the translation according to the King James Version of 1 Timothy 1:9 is given as "unruly" in the Revised Version (British and American). By far the greater emphasis, however, is placed upon the distinctly ethical quality in which disobedience is really an attitude of the mind and finds its essence in a heart of unbelief and unfaithfulness (1 Peter 2:7, 8 Ephesians 2:2; Ephesians 5:6 Colossians 3:6). In the latter three references "children (sons) of disobedience" are mentioned, as if one should become the very offspring of such an unhappy and unholy state of mind. The classic phrase of New Testament literature (Acts 26:19) contains both the practical and the ethical aspects. Paul's convictions were changed by the vision and his conduct was made to conform immediately to it.

Walter G. Clippinger

Greek

3876. parakoe -- a hearing amiss, by impl. disobedience
... disobedience. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: parakoe Phonetic Spelling:
(par-ak-o-ay') Short Definition: disobedience Definition: disobedience ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3876.htm - 7k

543. apeitheia -- disobedience
... disobedience. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: apeitheia Phonetic
Spelling: (ap-i'-thi-ah) Short Definition: willful unbelief, obstinacy ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/543.htm - 7k

570. apistia -- unbelief
... unbelief. From apistos; faithlessness, ie (negatively) disbelief (lack of Christian
faith), or (positively) unfaithfulness (disobedience) -- unbelief. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/570.htm - 7k

485. antilogia -- gainsaying, contradiction
... contradiction, strife. From a derivative of antilego; dispute, disobedience --
contradiction, gainsaying, strife. see GREEK antilego. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/485.htm - 7k

458. anomia -- lawlessness
... Feminine Transliteration: anomia Phonetic Spelling: (an-om-ee'-ah) Short Definition:
lawlessness, iniquity Definition: lawlessness, iniquity, disobedience, sin ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/458.htm - 7k

545. apeithes -- disobedient
... Word Origin from alpha (as a neg. prefix) and peitho Definition disobedient NASB
Word Usage disobedience (1), disobedient (6). disobedient. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/545.htm - 7k

Library

Obedient Disobedience
... OBEDIENT DISOBEDIENCE. 'But Peter and John answered and said unto them,
Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/obedient disobedience.htm

Whether Disobedience is a Mortal Sin?
... OF DISOBEDIENCE (TWO ARTICLES) Whether disobedience is a mortal sin? Objection
1: It seems that disobedience is not a mortal sin. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether disobedience is a mortal.htm

Whether Disobedience is the Most Grievous of Sins?
... OF DISOBEDIENCE (TWO ARTICLES) Whether disobedience is the most grievous of sins?
Objection 1: It seems that disobedience is the most grievous of sins. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether disobedience is the most.htm

Of Disobedience (Two Articles)
... OF DISOBEDIENCE (TWO ARTICLES). We must now consider disobedience, under which head
there are two points of inquiry: (1) Whether it is a mortal sin? ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/of disobedience two articles .htm

That the Disobedience of the First Man Would have Plunged all Men ...
... Chapter 1."That the Disobedience of the First Man Would Have Plunged All Men into
the Endless Misery of the Second Death, Had Not the Grace of God Rescued ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 1 that the disobedience of.htm

What Constitutes Disobedience to Moral Law?
... LECTURE XVI. WHAT CONSTITUTES DISOBEDIENCE TO MORAL LAW? In discussing this question,
I will, I. Show in what disobedience to moral law cannot consist. ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xvi what constitutes disobedience.htm

Danger of Disobedience.
... Homily III. Chapter LXVI."Danger of Disobedience. "And your work is to
order what things are proper; and that of the brethren ...
/.../unknown/the clementine homilies/chapter lxvi danger of disobedience.htm

Will God Suffer Such Disobedience and Rebellion to Go Unpunished?
... Lord's Day 4 Question 10 Will God suffer such disobedience and rebellion to go
unpunished? Will God suffer such disobedience and rebellion to go unpunished? ...
/.../various/the heidelberg catechism /question 10 will god suffer.htm

Warning against Disobedience. Prayer.
... The First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians. Chapter LIX."Warning Against
Disobedience. Prayer. If, however, any shall disobey ...
/.../the epistles of clement/chapter lix warning against disobedience prayer.htm

Disobedience Causeth God's Name to be Blasphemed.
... The Homily. Chap. xiii."disobedience causeth god's name to be blasphemed.
Therefore, brethren, [3933] let us now at length repent ...
/.../the second epistle of clement/chap xiii disobedience causeth gods name.htm

Thesaurus

Disobedience (49 Occurrences)
...DISOBEDIENCE; DISOBEDIENT. ... The first refers more to conduct, the second to belief
and one's mental attitude toward the object of disobedience. ...
/d/disobedience.htm - 23k

Disobedient (30 Occurrences)
...DISOBEDIENCE; DISOBEDIENT. ... The first refers more to conduct, the second to belief
and one's mental attitude toward the object of disobedience. ...
/d/disobedient.htm - 17k

Monthly (11 Occurrences)
... While at table the old prophet is given a message to declare that death will
follow the southerner's disobedience to the first command. ...
/m/monthly.htm - 93k

Rebellion (51 Occurrences)
... Exodus 34:7 keeping loving kindness for thousands, forgiving iniquity and disobedience
and sin; and that will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the ...
/r/rebellion.htm - 22k

Obey (219 Occurrences)
... On the other hand misfortune, calamity, distress and famine are due to their
disobedience and distrust of Yahweh. See DISOBEDIENCE. ...
/o/obey.htm - 39k

Steadfast (194 Occurrences)
... Hebrews 2:2 For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every
transgression and disobedience received a just recompense; (WEB WBS). ...
/s/steadfast.htm - 33k

Offense (44 Occurrences)
... Romans 5:14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those whose
sins weren't like Adam's disobedience, who is a foreshadowing of him who ...
/o/offense.htm - 18k

Imputation
... It does this by showing how these evils came upon Adam as a punishment for his
disobedience, and the subsequent history shows that his posterity were subjected ...
/i/imputation.htm - 39k

Forgive (81 Occurrences)
... Genesis 50:17 'You shall tell Joseph, "Now please forgive the disobedience of your
brothers, and their sin, because they did evil to you."' Now, please forgive ...
/f/forgive.htm - 33k

Visiting (10 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Exodus 34:7 keeping loving kindness for thousands, forgiving iniquity and
disobedience and sin; and that will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the ...
/v/visiting.htm - 10k

Resources

When is civil disobedience allowed for a Christian? | GotQuestions.org

What are the curses God promised Israel for disobedience? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about disobedient children? | GotQuestions.org

Disobedience: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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

Concordance

Disobedience (49 Occurrences)

Romans 2:23
You who glory in the law, through your disobedience of the law do you dishonor God?
(WEB)

Romans 4:15
For the law works wrath, for where there is no law, neither is there disobedience.
(WEB)

Romans 5:14
Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those whose sins weren't like Adam's disobedience, who is a foreshadowing of him who was to come.
(WEB)

Romans 5:19
For as through the one man's disobedience many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the one, many will be made righteous.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Romans 11:30
For as you in time past were disobedient to God, but now have obtained mercy by their disobedience,
(WEB ASV NAS RSV NIV)

Romans 11:32
For God has shut up all to disobedience, that he might have mercy on all.
(WEB ASV NAS RSV NIV)

2 Corinthians 10:6
and being in readiness to avenge all disobedience, when your obedience will be made full.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Ephesians 2:2
in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the children of disobedience;
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Ephesians 5:6
Let no one deceive you with empty words. For because of these things, the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Colossians 3:6
for which things' sake the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS)

1 Timothy 2:14
Adam wasn't deceived, but the woman, being deceived, has fallen into disobedience;
(WEB)

Hebrews 2:2
For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense;
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Hebrews 4:6
Seeing therefore it remains that some should enter therein, and they to whom the good news was before preached failed to enter in because of disobedience,
(WEB WEY ASV NAS RSV NIV)

Hebrews 4:11
Let us therefore give diligence to enter into that rest, lest anyone fall after the same example of disobedience.
(WEB ASV NAS RSV NIV)

2 Peter 2:16
but he was rebuked for his own disobedience. A mute donkey spoke with a man's voice and stopped the madness of the prophet.
(WEB)

Genesis 50:17
'You shall tell Joseph, "Now please forgive the disobedience of your brothers, and their sin, because they did evil to you."' Now, please forgive the disobedience of the servants of the God of your father." Joseph wept when they spoke to him.
(WEB)

Exodus 23:21
Pay attention to him, and listen to his voice. Don't provoke him, for he will not pardon your disobedience, for my name is in him.
(WEB)

Exodus 34:7
keeping loving kindness for thousands, forgiving iniquity and disobedience and sin; and that will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, and on the children's children, on the third and on the fourth generation."
(WEB)

Numbers 14:18
'Yahweh is slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness, forgiving iniquity and disobedience; and that will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and on the fourth generation.'
(WEB)

Joshua 22:22
"The Mighty One, God, Yahweh, the Mighty One, God, Yahweh, he knows; and Israel shall know: if it was in rebellion, or if in trespass against Yahweh (don't save us this day),
(See NIV)

Joshua 24:19
Joshua said to the people, "You can't serve Yahweh; for he is a holy God. He is a jealous God. He will not forgive your disobedience nor your sins.
(WEB)

1 Samuel 24:11
Moreover, my father, behold, yes, see the skirt of your robe in my hand; for in that I cut off the skirt of your robe, and didn't kill you, know and see that there is neither evil nor disobedience in my hand, and I have not sinned against you, though you hunt for my life to take it.
(WEB)

1 Chronicles 9:1
So all Israel were reckoned by genealogies; and behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel: and Judah was carried away captive to Babylon for their disobedience.
(WEB)

Job 7:21
Why do you not pardon my disobedience, and take away my iniquity? For now shall I lie down in the dust. You will seek me diligently, but I shall not be."
(WEB)

Job 8:4
If your children have sinned against him, He has delivered them into the hand of their disobedience.
(WEB)

Job 13:23
How many are my iniquities and sins? Make me know my disobedience and my sin.
(WEB)

Job 14:17
My disobedience is sealed up in a bag. You fasten up my iniquity.
(WEB)

Job 33:9
'I am clean, without disobedience. I am innocent, neither is there iniquity in me.
(WEB)

Job 34:6
Notwithstanding my right I am considered a liar. My wound is incurable, though I am without disobedience.'
(WEB)

Psalms 32:1
By David. A contemplative psalm. Blessed is he whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
(WEB)

Psalms 36:1
For the Chief Musician. By David, the servant of Yahweh. An oracle is within my heart about the disobedience of the wicked: "There is no fear of God before his eyes."
(WEB)

Psalms 59:3
For, behold, they lie in wait for my soul. The mighty gather themselves together against me, not for my disobedience, nor for my sin, Yahweh.
(WEB)

Psalms 107:17
Fools are afflicted because of their disobedience, and because of their iniquities.
(WEB)

Proverbs 10:19
In the multitude of words there is no lack of disobedience, but he who restrains his lips does wisely.
(WEB)

Proverbs 17:19
He who loves disobedience loves strife. One who builds a high gate seeks destruction.
(WEB)

Isaiah 24:20
The earth will stagger like a drunken man, and will sway back and forth like a hammock. Its disobedience will be heavy on it, and it will fall and not rise again.
(WEB)

Isaiah 53:8
He was taken away by oppression and judgment; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living and stricken for the disobedience of my people?
(WEB)

Isaiah 57:4
Against whom do you sport yourselves? Against whom do you make a wide mouth, and stick out your tongue? Aren't you children of disobedience, a seed of falsehood,
(WEB)

Isaiah 58:1
"Cry aloud, don't spare, lift up your voice like a trumpet, and declare to my people their disobedience, and to the house of Jacob their sins.
(WEB)

Isaiah 59:20
"A Redeemer will come to Zion, and to those who turn from disobedience in Jacob," says Yahweh.
(WEB)

Jeremiah 43:7
and they came into the land of Egypt; for they didn't obey the voice of Yahweh: and they came to Tahpanhes.
(See NIV)

Ezekiel 33:12
You, son of man, tell the children of your people, The righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver him in the day of his disobedience; and as for the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall thereby in the day that he turns from his wickedness; neither shall he who is righteous be able to live thereby in the day that he sins.
(WEB)

Daniel 8:12
The army was given over to it together with the continual burnt offering through disobedience; and it cast down truth to the ground, and it did its pleasure
(WEB)

Daniel 8:13
Then I heard a holy one speaking; and another holy one said to that certain one who spoke, How long shall be the vision concerning the continual burnt offering, and the disobedience that makes desolate, to give both the sanctuary and the army to be trodden under foot?
(WEB)

Daniel 9:24
Seventy weeks are decreed on your people and on your holy city, to finish disobedience, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most holy.
(WEB)

Micah 1:5
"All this is for the disobedience of Jacob, and for the sins of the house of Israel. What is the disobedience of Jacob? Isn't it Samaria? And what are the high places of Judah? Aren't they Jerusalem?
(WEB)

Micah 3:8
But as for me, I am full of power by the Spirit of Yahweh, and of judgment, and of might, to declare to Jacob his disobedience, and to Israel his sin.
(WEB)

Micah 6:7
Will Yahweh be pleased with thousands of rams? With tens of thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my disobedience? The fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
(WEB)

Micah 7:18
Who is a God like you, who pardons iniquity, and passes over the disobedience of the remnant of his heritage? He doesn't retain his anger forever, because he delights in loving kindness.
(WEB)

Subtopics

Disobedience

Disobedience to God in Making Excuses when Commissioned to Deliver Lsrael

Disobedience to God in offering a Sacrifice

Disobedience to God in Refusing to Enter the Promised Land

Disobedience to God in Sparing Agag and the Spoils of the Amalekites

Disobedience to God of a Man of Israel, Who Refused to Strike the Prophet

Disobedience to God of Aaron, at the Hitting of the Rock by Moses

Disobedience to God of Achan, in Hiding the Wedge of Gold and the Babylonian Garnient

Disobedience to God of Adam and Eve, Eating the Forbidden Fruit

Disobedience to God of Ahab, in Suffering the King of Assyria to Escape out of his Hands

Disobedience to God of Balaam, in Accompanying the Messengers from Balak