מָרָד
rebellious
Definition
The Hebrew noun מָרָד (mârâd) specifically means 'rebellious' or 'rebellion.' It describes a state or act of open defiance and insurrection against established authority. In its two biblical occurrences, both in the book of Ezra, it is used by the enemies of the Jews to accuse them of being a 'rebellious and wicked city' (Ezra 4:12) and to claim that Jerusalem has a long history of being 'rebellious and seditious' (Ezra 4:15). The word carries a strong, negative connotation of political and social revolt.
Biblical Usage
This word is used exclusively in the book of Ezra, specifically in the official letters of accusation sent by Rehum and Shimshai to King Artaxerxes. It is employed in a political and legal context to slander the Jewish people who were rebuilding Jerusalem, framing their restoration efforts as an act of treason against the Persian Empire. The usage is polemical, intended to provoke a royal decree to stop the construction work.
Etymology
מָרָד (mârâd) is an Aramaic loanword used in the Hebrew text of Ezra. It derives from the same root as the Hebrew verb מָרַד (mârad, H4775), meaning 'to rebel' or 'to revolt.' This root conveys the core idea of breaking away from or resisting authority. The Aramaic form appears in the official correspondence, fitting the historical context of the Persian administration.
Semantic Range
While the word itself is used as a slanderous accusation, its theological significance lies in the contrast between the world's perception of God's people and their true calling. The Jews were not rebelling against Persia but were obedient to God's command to rebuild (Ezra 1:1-3). This highlights a recurring biblical theme where faithfulness to God can be mislabeled as rebellion by worldly powers. Understanding this term enriches the reading of Ezra by revealing the political tension surrounding the restoration of Jerusalem.
In the context of the Persian Empire, an accusation of being 'rebellious' (mârâd) was a serious legal and political charge, designed to trigger a swift imperial response to maintain control. The accusers leveraged Jerusalem's historical reputation for revolts against empires (like Babylon) to make their case. This reflects the high-stakes nature of imperial governance and the use of language as a tool for political manipulation in the ancient Near East.
פָּשַׁע (pāšaʿ, H6588) — emphasizes transgression or breach of trust, often against God. מְרִי (merî, H4805) — stresses stubbornness and contentious rebellion, frequently in a religious context.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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