(Aramaic) from the same as מְרַד; rebellious; rebellious.
Transliteration:mârâd
Pronunciation:maw-rawd'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Aramaic word H4779 (מָרָד, mârâd) serves as an adjective meaning "rebellious." It is derived from the same root as the Hebrew verb H4775 (מָרַד, mârad), "to rebel," and the noun H4775 (מֶרֶד, mered), "rebellion." This etymological connection underscores its core meaning: a state or characteristic of active insubordination, defiance, and revolt against established authority. The semantic range of mârâd thus encompasses not merely passive disobedience but an active, often aggressive, posture of resistance, typically against governmental or royal power, but implicitly against any legitimate authority. It denotes a character marked by a propensity for uprising and opposition.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term H4779 (mârâd) appears exclusively in the book of Ezra, specifically in the Aramaic sections, consistently applied to the city of Jerusalem. Its usage highlights the political accusations leveled against the Jewish returnees by their adversaries.
* In [[Ezra 4:12]], the adversaries write to King Artaxerxes, accusing the Jews of rebuilding a "rebellious and wicked city." This accusation serves to prejudice the king against the reconstruction efforts, linking the present activity to a past history of disloyalty.
* The charge is reiterated in [[Ezra 4:15]], where the accusers warn the king that Jerusalem "has been a rebellious city and hurtful to kings and provinces" from ancient times. They emphasize that its rebuilding would lead to the king losing control over the region, portraying Jerusalem as inherently seditious.
* King Artaxerxes confirms this assessment in [[Ezra 4:19]], stating that he has found through investigation that Jerusalem "has been rebellious and hurtful to kings and provinces, and that rebellion has been stirred up in it of old." This royal decree, based on historical records, validates the accusers' claims, leading to the order to halt the rebuilding of the Temple and city walls.
In each instance, H4779 describes Jerusalem's historical and perceived character as a center of political defiance against imperial rule. The term is used to justify the cessation of rebuilding efforts, framing the city as a persistent threat to the stability and authority of the Persian Empire.
### Related Words & Concepts
The Aramaic H4779 (mârâd) is intimately linked to its Hebrew cognates, which broaden the understanding of rebellion in the biblical context. The primary related terms are:
* H4775 (מָרַד, mârad): The Hebrew verb "to rebel," which describes the action of revolt. This verb is used extensively throughout the Old Testament to denote rebellion against human authorities (e.g., [[1 Kings 12:19]]) and, crucially, against God Himself (e.g., [[Numbers 14:9]], [[Deuteronomy 9:7]]).
* H4775 (מֶרֶד, mered): The Hebrew noun "rebellion" or "revolt," referring to the act or state of rebellion (e.g., [[Joshua 22:22]]).
Other semantically related concepts include:
* H6588 (פֶּשַׁע, pesha'): "Transgression," often implying a breaking of a covenant or a deliberate revolt against God's law.
* H4784 (מְרִי, meri): "Rebellion," often used in parallel with H4775 to describe a spirit of stubborn resistance, particularly against divine instruction (e.g., [[Ezekiel 2:5]]).
* H6586 (פָּשַׁע, pasha'): The verb "to transgress," "to rebel," often against a superior.
These terms collectively paint a picture of insubordination, disloyalty, and defiance, whether against human rulers or, more profoundly, against the divine King.
### Theological Significance
While H4779 (mârâd) is used in Ezra in a purely political context, describing Jerusalem's historical defiance against earthly kings, its connection to the broader biblical concept of rebellion (from the root *marad*) carries profound theological weight. The "rebellious city" of Jerusalem, though politically defiant, often mirrored a deeper spiritual rebellion against the covenant God of Israel.
Biblically, rebellion is not merely a political act but a fundamental rejection of divine authority and order. Israel's history is frequently depicted as a cycle of rebellion against Yahweh's commands, leading to judgment and discipline (e.g., the wilderness generation, the period of the judges, the exile). The destruction of Jerusalem and the subsequent exile, which form the backdrop for Ezra's narrative, are understood by biblical authors as the direct consequences of Israel's persistent rebellion against God's covenant.
Thus, the charge of being "rebellious" in Ezra, though leveled by foreign adversaries, resonates with the prophetic understanding of Jerusalem's spiritual state. A city that is politically "rebellious" against earthly kings is often, by extension, spiritually "rebellious" against the King of kings. This highlights the serious nature of insubordination in biblical thought, whether directed at human institutions ordained by God or directly at God Himself. Rebellion leads to broken covenants, societal instability, and ultimately, divine judgment.
### Summary
H4779 (מָרָד, mârâd) is an Aramaic adjective meaning "rebellious," derived from the root signifying "to rebel." Its primary biblical occurrences are in the book of Ezra, where it is consistently applied to Jerusalem. In these contexts, the term describes Jerusalem's historical character as a "rebellious" city, prone to political insubordination and defiance against imperial authority, serving as a justification for halting its rebuilding efforts. While used in a political sense, H4779 is deeply connected to the broader biblical concept of rebellion (H4775), which often carries profound theological implications, representing a rejection of divine authority and leading to severe consequences. The term thus underscores the gravity of defiance and insubordination within the biblical worldview.
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