What does it mean for a people to be "rebellious" in the biblical sense?

In the biblical sense, being "rebellious" (Hebrew: mᵉrîy) signifies more than just occasional disobedience; it describes a deep-seated, stubborn, and often bitter opposition to God's authority and His revealed will. It implies an entrenched attitude of defiance, a refusal to submit to divine instruction or covenant obligations. This rebellion is often rooted in a lack of trust in God and a preference for human wisdom or self-reliance, as seen in Judah's decision to seek an alliance with Egypt instead of trusting the Lord for protection (see Isaiah 30:1-3). It's a fundamental posture of the heart that actively resists God's rightful claim as sovereign.

How does "lying children" relate to "will not hear the law of the LORD"?

The phrase "lying children" (Hebrew: kechâsh bên) describes the character of the people, indicating their inherent untrustworthiness, deceitfulness, and spiritual infidelity. This moral corruption directly contributes to their unwillingness to "hear" (Hebrew: shâmaʻ) God's law. A heart that is prone to falsehood and deceit is naturally resistant to truth and divine instruction. Their "lying" nature manifests as a deliberate rejection of God's clear and truthful "law" (Torah), which is meant to guide them in righteousness. It suggests that their internal spiritual state of deceit makes them spiritually deaf and unwilling to genuinely engage with or obey God's voice, leading to a cycle of disobedience and unfaithfulness (compare with Proverbs 28:9).

30:8 30:8

Isaiah 30:9

30:10 30:10

Bible Versions

That this [is] a rebellious people, lying children, children [that] will not hear the law of the LORD:

That this is a rebellious {H4805} people {H5971}, lying {H3586} children {H1121}, children {H1121} that will {H14} not hear {H8085} the law {H8451} of the LORD {H3068}:

For this is a rebellious people; they are lying children, children who refuse to hear the Torah of ADONAI.

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

For it is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of Jehovah;

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Verse Lookup

Cross-References

Isaiah 30:1

¶ Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin:
Zechariah 1:4

Be ye not as your fathers, unto whom the former prophets have cried, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye now from your evil ways, and [from] your evil doings: but they did not hear, nor hearken unto me, saith the LORD.
Zechariah 1:6

But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not take hold of your fathers? and they returned and said, Like as the LORD of hosts thought to do unto us, according to our ways, and according to our doings, so hath he dealt with us.
Zephaniah 3:2

She obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in the LORD; she drew not near to her God.
Acts 7:51

¶ Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers [did], so [do] ye.
Zechariah 7:11

But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear.
Zechariah 7:12

Yea, they made their hearts [as] an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the LORD of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the LORD of hosts.

Bible Versions

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