### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **mᵉrîy**, represented by `{{H4805}}`, primarily describes **rebellion** and bitterness. It appears 23 times across 21 unique verses, stemming from the root `{{H4784}}`, which means to be bitter or to provoke. This term is used to characterize a state of defiance and resistance, often against God's authority.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the biblical narrative, `{{H4805}}` is most frequently used by God to describe the nation of Israel. The prophet Ezekiel is repeatedly told he is being sent to a "rebellious house" ([[Ezekiel 2:5]], [[Ezekiel 12:2]]), a people who have eyes and ears but refuse to see or hear God's message. This rebellion is not a new phenomenon; it characterized Israel's history, as seen in their refusal to obey in the wilderness [[Nehemiah 9:17]] and their "stiff neck" [[Deuteronomy 31:27]]. The term carries immense weight, with the prophet Samuel equating rebellion `{{H4805}}` to the sin of witchcraft [[1 Samuel 15:23]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words help define the nature of rebellion:
* `{{H4784}}` **mârâh** (to rebel or provoke): This is the root verb from which `{{H4805}}` is derived, signifying the act of being disobedient. It is used alongside `{{H4805}}` to describe how Israel has been rebellious against the LORD [[Deuteronomy 31:27]].
* `{{H7186}}` **qâsheh** (severe, hard, stiffnecked): This adjective often describes the attitude behind the rebellion, such as having a "stiff neck" that refuses to bow to God's authority [[Deuteronomy 31:27]].
* `{{H6203}}` **ʻôreph** (the back of the neck): This word is used figuratively to describe a stiff-necked posture, a physical metaphor for the spiritual act of rebellion and stubbornness [[Nehemiah 9:17]].
* `{{H3988}}` **mâʼaç** (to spurn, despise, reject): Rebellion is often the result of rejecting God's word. In Saul's case, his rebellion `{{H4805}}` was defined by his having rejected `{{H3988}}` the LORD's command [[1 Samuel 15:23]].
* `{{H6484}}` **pâtsar** (stubbornness): This term is paired directly with rebellion, showing that stubbornness is as offensive to God as iniquity and idolatry [[1 Samuel 15:23]].
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H4805}}` is significant, highlighting key aspects of sin and God's response.
* **Corporate Defiance:** The term "rebellious house," used repeatedly in Ezekiel, emphasizes that rebellion can be a collective identity, not just an individual failure. God deals with Israel as a people characterized by this trait [[Ezekiel 12:9]].
* **Rejection of God's Word:** At its core, rebellion `{{H4805}}` is a refusal to hear and obey God's commands. It is linked to being "lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD" [[Isaiah 30:9]].
* **An Internal Posture:** The connection to having a "stiff neck" [[Deuteronomy 31:27]] and a forehead made like "adamant" [[Ezekiel 3:9]] illustrates that rebellion is an internal condition of hardness and stubbornness that manifests in outward disobedience.
* **The Gravity of Sin:** By equating rebellion with witchcraft and idolatry [[1 Samuel 15:23]], scripture places it among the most serious offenses against God, as it is a direct challenge to His sovereignty.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H4805}}` is far more than simple disobedience. It denotes a deep-seated bitterness, stubbornness, and defiant rejection of divine authority. Its frequent use to describe Israel as a "rebellious house" provides a stark picture of humanity's tendency to resist its Creator. The word is a cornerstone for understanding the nature of sin as a hardened posture of the heart that refuses to submit to God's loving and righteous rule.
TRV