Topical Encyclopedia Definition: To disobey is to fail or refuse to follow a command, law, or instruction. In the biblical context, disobedience primarily refers to the failure to adhere to God's commands and instructions as revealed in Scripture. Biblical Context: Disobedience is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, often highlighting the consequences of turning away from God's will. It is depicted as a fundamental aspect of human sinfulness and rebellion against divine authority. Old Testament Examples: 1. Adam and Eve: The first act of disobedience in the Bible occurs in Genesis 3 when Adam and Eve eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, directly contravening God's command. This act of disobedience introduces sin into the world and results in the fall of humanity. Genesis 3:17 states, "To Adam He said, 'Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat, cursed is the ground because of you; through toil you will eat of it all the days of your life.'" 2. Israelites in the Wilderness: The Israelites frequently disobeyed God during their journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. One notable instance is their refusal to enter Canaan due to fear, despite God's promise of victory. Numbers 14:22-23 records God's response: "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 that I swore to give their fathers. None of those who have treated Me with contempt will see it." 3. King Saul: Saul, the first king of Israel, disobeyed God's command to completely destroy the Amalekites and their possessions. Instead, he spared King Agag and the best of the livestock. This act of disobedience led to God's rejection of Saul as king. 1 Samuel 15:22-23 states, "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.'" New Testament Teachings: 1. Jesus' Teachings: Jesus emphasized the importance of obedience to God's commandments. In John 14:15 , He states, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments." This underscores the connection between love for God and obedience to His will. 2. Parable of the Two Sons: In Matthew 21:28-32, Jesus tells the parable of the two sons to illustrate obedience. One son initially refuses to work in the vineyard but later repents and goes, while the other son agrees to go but does not. Jesus uses this parable to highlight that true obedience is demonstrated through actions, not just words. 3. Apostolic Teachings: The apostles also stressed the importance of obedience. In Romans 5:19 , Paul contrasts the disobedience of Adam with the obedience of Christ: "For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous." Consequences of Disobedience: The Bible consistently portrays disobedience as leading to negative consequences, both spiritually and materially. Disobedience results in separation from God, loss of blessings, and, ultimately, divine judgment. Hebrews 2:2-3 warns, "For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every transgression and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?" Call to Obedience: Scripture calls believers to a life of obedience, aligning their actions with God's will. James 1:22 exhorts, "Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves." Obedience is presented as a pathway to spiritual growth, blessing, and a deeper relationship with God. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (v. t.) Not to obey; to neglect or refuse to obey (a superior or his commands, the laws, etc.); to transgress the commands of (one in authority); to violate, as an order; as, refractory children disobey their parents; men disobey their Maker and the laws.2. (v. i.) To refuse or neglect to obey; to violate commands; to be disobedient. Greek 544. apeitheo -- to disobey ... to disobey. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: apeitheo Phonetic Spelling: (ap-i-theh'-o) Short Definition: I disobey, rebel, am disloyal Definition: I ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/544.htm - 7k 3878. parakouo -- to overhear, to hear amiss, to take no heed 3876. parakoe -- a hearing amiss, by impl. disobedience 569. apisteo -- to disbelieve, be faithless Strong's Hebrew 4784. marah -- to be contentious or rebellious... bitter, change, be disobedient, disobey, grievously, provocation, provoking. A primitive root; to be (causatively, make) bitter (or ... /hebrew/4784.htm - 6k Library The Disciple, -- Master, it is Clear to Almost Everyone that to ... Celsus Goes on to Say: "We must not Disobey the Ancient Writer... What Death God Intended, when He Threatened Our First Parents with ... Whether Disobedience is the Most Grievous of Sins? A Command to be Obeyed. On Our First Parents and their Fall On the Attributes and Marks of the Church On the Unity and Trinity of God "In the Spirit and Power of Elias" Man's Bad Break. Thesaurus Disobey (15 Occurrences)... or his commands, the laws, etc.); to transgress the commands of (one in authority); to violate, as an order; as, refractory children disobey their parents; men ... /d/disobey.htm - 11k Disobeyed (11 Occurrences) Tradition (13 Occurrences) Prosper (91 Occurrences) Disobedient (30 Occurrences) Violate (14 Occurrences) Lawless (16 Occurrences) Fury (152 Occurrences) Resolved (15 Occurrences) Rebels (20 Occurrences) Resources Why did God allow Solomon to have 1,000 wives and concubines? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the story of the Old Testament? | GotQuestions.org What does the Bible say about underage drinking? | GotQuestions.org Disobey: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Disobey (15 Occurrences)Matthew 15:2 Matthew 15:3 Romans 1:30 Romans 2:8 1 Peter 2:8 Numbers 14:41 Deuteronomy 11:28 Joshua 23:16 1 Samuel 2:24 2 Chronicles 24:20 Esther 3:3 Psalms 17:3 Proverbs 24:21 Jeremiah 42:13 Ezekiel 20:38 Subtopics Related Terms |
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