In the biblical context, the term "rebels" often refers to individuals or groups who resist or defy authority, particularly the authority of God or His appointed leaders. Rebellion is a recurring theme throughout the Scriptures, illustrating the consequences of turning away from divine commandments and the established order.

Old Testament Instances

1. Adam and Eve: The first act of rebellion in the Bible is found in Genesis 3, where Adam and Eve disobey God's command not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. This act of defiance brought sin and death into the world, altering the course of human history.

2. The Israelites in the Wilderness: The Israelites frequently rebelled against God during their journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. In Numbers 14:9, Joshua and Caleb urge the people, "Only do not rebel against the LORD, and do not be afraid of the people of the land, for they will be our bread. Their protection has been removed from them, and the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them!" Despite witnessing numerous miracles, the Israelites' repeated rebellions led to severe consequences, including wandering in the wilderness for forty years.

3. Korah's Rebellion: In Numbers 16, Korah, along with Dathan, Abiram, and 250 other leaders, rebelled against Moses and Aaron, challenging their leadership. This rebellion was met with divine judgment, as the earth opened up and swallowed the rebels, demonstrating God's intolerance for insubordination against His chosen leaders.

4. King Saul: Saul, the first king of Israel, is another example of rebellion. His disobedience to God's commands, such as sparing King Agag and the best of the Amalekite livestock (1 Samuel 15), led to his rejection as king. Samuel rebuked Saul, saying, "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" (1 Samuel 15:23).

New Testament Insights

1. The Parable of the Tenants: In Matthew 21:33-46, Jesus tells the parable of the tenants, who rebel against the landowner by mistreating and killing his servants and son. This parable illustrates the rebellion of the religious leaders against God and His messengers, ultimately leading to their judgment.

2. The Prodigal Son: In Luke 15:11-32, the younger son rebels against his father by demanding his inheritance and squandering it in a distant land. His eventual repentance and return highlight God's grace and willingness to forgive those who turn back to Him.

3. The Rebellion of Humanity: The New Testament also speaks of a future rebellion against God. In 2 Thessalonians 2:3, Paul warns, "Let no one deceive you in any way, for it will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness—the son of destruction—is revealed." This eschatological rebellion is associated with the end times and the rise of the Antichrist.

Theological Implications

Rebellion in the Bible is often equated with sin and is seen as a rejection of God's authority and order. It is portrayed as a serious offense that leads to spiritual and sometimes physical consequences. The biblical narrative consistently calls for submission to God's will and the authorities He establishes, emphasizing the importance of obedience and faithfulness.

Rebellion and Redemption

Despite the prevalence of rebellion, the Bible also offers a message of hope and redemption. Through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, individuals can be reconciled to God, overcoming the rebellious nature inherent in humanity. The account of the prodigal son serves as a powerful reminder of God's readiness to forgive and restore those who return to Him with a contrite heart.4775. marad -- to rebel
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to rebel NASB Word Usage rebel (8), rebelled
(14), rebelling (1), rebellious (1), rebels (1). rebellious. ...
/hebrew/4775.htm - 5k

4805. meri -- rebellion
... Word Origin from marah Definition rebellion NASB Word Usage rebellion (3), rebellious
(16), rebellious man (1), rebellious ones (1), rebels (1). ...
/hebrew/4805.htm - 6k

5637. sarar -- stubborn or rebellious
... Word Origin a prim. root. Definition stubborn or rebellious NASB Word Usage rebellious
(6), rebels (2), stubborn (8), stubbornly rebellious (1). ...
/hebrew/5637.htm - 6k

4784. marah -- to be contentious or rebellious
... Word Usage became disobedient (1), bitter (1), disobedient (1), disobeyed (2),
provocation (1), rebel (6), rebelled (18), rebellious (12), rebels (2), very ...
/hebrew/4784.htm - 6k

Knox's Intrigues, and his Account of Them, 1559
... The position of the Congregation was therefore essentially that of rebels, and,
in the state of opinion at the period, to be rebels was to be self-condemned. ...
/.../lang/john knox and the reformation/chapter xi knoxs intrigues and.htm

I am Told, to Take Another Point, that one of his Followers ...
... We are not like some, who, despising all humility, are eager to buy the episcopate
with gold; nor do we wish, with the minds of rebels, to suppress the Pontiff ...
/.../32 i am told to.htm

A Loyal Vow
... They were loyal amongst rebels, so many Abdiels, 'among the faithless, faithful
only' these, and they avowed their determination to cleave to the sovereign of ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/a loyal vow.htm

Early Missionary Experiences
... A band of rebels, known as the "Red Turbans," had taken possession of the native
city, against which was encamped an Imperial army of from forty to fifty ...
/.../taylor/a retrospect/chapter ix early missionary experiences.htm

With the Rev. William Burns
... The great city of Nan-king had fallen before the invading host; and there, within
two hundred miles of Shanghai, the rebels had established their headquarters ...
//christianbookshelf.org/taylor/a retrospect/chapter xi with the rev.htm

A Call to Backsliders
... second time; what must be the case of him that, after having been freely pardoned
for rebelling against the great King of heaven and earth, rebels against him ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 86 a call to.htm

Laws of the Kingdom
... passage falls into two parts"the description of the subjects of the kingdom and
their blessedness, contrasted with the character of the rebels; and the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/laws of the kingdom.htm

Ephesians vi. 8-May
... Such a child strips himself of his nobility of birth; for he who rebels against
his father is no longer a son; and if he who rebels against his father is not a ...
/.../homily xxii ephesians vi 8-may.htm

How Shall I Put Thee among the Children? Jer 3:19
... And can such sinners be restored,. Such rebels reconciled? Can grace itself the
means afford. ... Redeemed, and saved, by grace. Rebels, in God's own house obtain. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/olney hymns/hymn 29 how shall i.htm

Preaching under Difficulties
... On Friday and Saturday many messengers of lies terrified the poor people of the
town, as if the rebels were just coming to swallow them up. ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/preaching under difficulties.htm

Rebels (20 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Rebels (20 Occurrences). Mark 15:7 There was one
called Barabbas, bound with those who had made insurrection ...
/r/rebels.htm - 12k

Rebel (35 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vi) Pertaining to rebels or rebellion; acting in
revolt; rebellious; as, rebel troops. 2. (n.) One who rebels. ...
/r/rebel.htm - 18k

Rebellious (63 Occurrences)
... (a.) Disposed to rebel; insubordinate; defiant; of the nature of rebels or of
rebellion; resisting government or lawful authority by force. ...
/r/rebellious.htm - 26k

Absalom (93 Occurrences)
... 3. Rebels against His Father: Absalom, again reinstated, lost no opportunity to
regain lost prestige, and having his mind made up to succeed his father upon ...
/a/absalom.htm - 50k

Aaron (343 Occurrences)
... 5. Rebels Against Moses: After the departure of Israel from Sinai, Aaron joined
his sister Miriam in a protest against the authority of Moses (Numbers 12 ...
/a/aaron.htm - 56k

Zadok (50 Occurrences)
... the city, taking with them their two sons, Ahimaaz the son of Zadok, and Jonathan
the son of Abiathar, to act as spies upon the conduct of the rebels and send ...
/z/zadok.htm - 40k

Transgressing (12 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 20:38 And cleared out from you the rebels, And them transgressing against
Me, From the land of their sojournings I bring them out, And unto the land of ...
/t/transgressing.htm - 10k

Rebelling (4 Occurrences)
... Romans 13:2 Therefore the man who rebels against his ruler is resisting God's will;
and those who thus resist will bring punishment upon themselves. (See NIV). ...
/r/rebelling.htm - 7k

Resisting (4 Occurrences)
... Romans 13:2 Therefore the man who rebels against his ruler is resisting God's will;
and those who thus resist will bring punishment upon themselves. (WEY YLT). ...
/r/resisting.htm - 7k

Rebelliously (1 Occurrence)

/r/rebelliously.htm - 6k

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