### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun mered (מֶרֶד, `{{H4777}}`) directly derives from the verbal root marad (מָרַד, `{{H4775}}`), which means "to rebel," "to be rebellious," or "to revolt." As a noun, mered denotes the *act* or *state* of rebellion, insurrection, or revolt. Its semantic range is tightly focused on the concept of defiance against an established authority or order. It implies a deliberate breaking away from allegiance and often carries a connotation of insubordination and resistance, particularly in a political or governmental context. Unlike more general terms for sin or disobedience, mered specifically points to an organized or overt act of uprising against a ruling power.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The occurrences of mered (מֶרֶד, `{{H4777}}`) are found in the book of Ezra, specifically within the Aramaic sections, where it is used to describe the city of Jerusalem:
* [[Ezra 4:15]]: In a letter from Rehum and Shimshai to King Artaxerxes, they accuse Jerusalem: "This city is a rebellious city, causing damage to kings and provinces, and they have carried on rebellion within it from ancient times." Here, mered directly charges the inhabitants with a history of political revolt.
* [[Ezra 4:19]]: King Artaxerxes, after investigating, confirms the accusations: "And I issued a decree, and they searched and found that this city from ancient times has risen up against kings, and rebellion and revolt have been carried on in it." The king's findings corroborate the historical reputation of Jerusalem as a center of mered.
In both instances, mered is used in a highly charged political context. The Samaritans and other adversaries of the Jews were attempting to halt the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls and temple by portraying the city as a persistent threat to imperial stability. The term highlights a perceived pattern of sedition and resistance to foreign rule, justifying their plea for the king to cease the reconstruction efforts. The context underscores the gravity of such an accusation in the eyes of an imperial power, as rebellion was met with severe consequences.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most immediate and significant related word is the verbal root marad (מָרַד, `{{H4775}}`), from which mered is derived. This verb appears frequently throughout the Old Testament, describing Israel's rebellion against God ([[Numbers 14:9]], [[Deuteronomy 9:7]]), as well as political uprisings ([[2 Kings 18:7]]).
Other related Hebrew terms that convey concepts of disobedience, transgression, or defiance include:
* pesha (פֶּשַׁע, `{{H6588}}`): "transgression, rebellion, revolt." Often used in a moral or theological sense against God, but can also denote political revolt. While mered is more specifically about overt uprising, pesha has a broader range, including breaking a covenant.
* meri (מְרִי, `{{H4784}}`): "rebelliousness, rebellion." This noun, also from the root marad, often describes the disposition or character of being rebellious, particularly in the prophetic books concerning Israel's attitude toward God.
* ma'al (מַעַל, `{{H4604}}`): "treachery, unfaithfulness, trespass." This term implies a breach of trust or covenant, often in a religious context.
* sarar (סָרַר, `{{H5637}}`): "to be rebellious, stubborn." This verb often describes a persistent, obstinate refusal to obey.
The concept of mered is closely tied to insubordination, sedition, and the breaking of allegiance, whether to a human king or, by extension, to divine authority.
### Theological Significance
While mered (מֶרֶד, `{{H4777}}`) is explicitly used in the Bible in a political sense concerning human authority, its underlying concept of rebellion carries profound theological weight. The broader theme of rebellion against God is central to the biblical narrative, beginning with the fall of humanity in [[Genesis 3:1]] and continuing through Israel's history. The verb marad (מָרַד, `{{H4775}}`), the root of mered, is frequently applied to Israel's repeated acts of disobedience and defiance against Yahweh's covenant and commands (e.g., [[Numbers 20:10]], [[Isaiah 1:20]], [[Jeremiah 28:16]]).
In a theological sense, rebellion against God is depicted as a fundamental rejection of His sovereignty, His benevolent rule, and His established order. It is an act of spiritual insubordination that breaks covenant relationship and invites divine judgment. The accusations of mered against Jerusalem in Ezra, though political in nature, resonate with a deeper spiritual truth about the city's (and Israel's) historical tendency toward spiritual rebellion. The political subjugation and exile were often understood as divine consequences for such theological mered—a breaking of the divine covenant. Thus, while mered itself describes earthly revolt, it serves as a stark reminder of the ultimate and more grievous rebellion against the Creator.
### Summary
The Hebrew noun mered (מֶרֶד, `{{H4777}}`) denotes "rebellion" or "revolt," stemming directly from the verb marad (מָרַד, `{{H4775}}`). Its primary occurrences in the biblical text are found in the book of Ezra ([[Ezra 4:15]], [[Ezra 4:19]]), where it is used in accusations against Jerusalem, portraying the city as historically prone to political insurrection against imperial authority. Mered highlights overt acts of defiance and insubordination against established human rule. While its direct biblical usage is confined to political contexts, the underlying concept of rebellion is a pervasive and profoundly significant theological theme throughout the Old Testament, representing a deliberate rejection of God's sovereignty and His divine order, leading to broken covenant and judgment.
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