4777. mered
Lexical Summary
mered: rebellion

Original Word: מֶרֶד
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: mered
Pronunciation: meh'-red
Phonetic Spelling: (meh'-red)
KJV: rebellion
NASB: rebellion
Word Origin: [from H4775 (מָרַד - rebelled)]

1. rebellion

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
rebellion

From marad; rebellion -- rebellion.

see HEBREW marad

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from marad
Definition
rebellion, revolt
NASB Translation
rebellion (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
I. מֶ֫רֶד noun [masculine] rebellion, revolt, against ׳י, וְאִםבְּֿמַעַל ביהוה ׳אִם בְּמ Joshua 22:24 (P; compare מָרַד 2).

Topical Lexicon
Overview

מֶרֶד denotes overt rebellion or revolt against rightful authority. It embodies a willful breach of covenant fidelity, a theme that reverberates throughout Scripture as a grave moral failure and a perilous communal contagion.

Canonical Context and Usage

The term appears once in the Hebrew text, occurring in Joshua 22:22. On the eastern side of the Jordan, the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh erect a large altar. The western tribes suspect apostasy and march to the brink of civil war. In their defense the eastern tribes protest, “If this has been in rebellion or in breach of faith against the LORD, do not spare us this day” (Joshua 22:22). By naming the mere possibility of מֶרֶד, they acknowledge that rebellion against God warrants severe judgment. Their appeal exposes the seriousness with which Israel is to guard covenant purity and illustrates how quickly the charge of rebellion can fracture the unity of God’s people.

Historical Significance

1. Covenant Integrity: The incident occurs after Israel has settled in Canaan. A united response to perceived rebellion underscores that the land itself is to be governed by corporate loyalty to the LORD.
2. Tribal Solidarity: The western tribes’ readiness to discipline rebellion highlights the interdependence of the covenant community; sin in one part threatens all (compare Joshua 7:1, 1 Corinthians 5:6).
3. Conflict Resolution: The narrative shows godly due process—investigation before violence. Phinehas’ delegation listens, weighs evidence, and spares innocent brethren, revealing the wisdom of measured leadership when rebellion is alleged.

Theological Emphasis

1. Rebellion Equals Treason against God
1 Samuel 15:23 declares, “For rebellion is like the sin of divination.” mֶrֶd therefore aligns a rebel with occult defiance.
Psalm 78:8 warns against becoming “a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation whose heart was not loyal to God.”

2. Holiness and Judgment
• The Mosaic Law mandates swift retribution for rebellion lest it spread (Deuteronomy 13:5, Deuteronomy 21:18-21).
Joshua 22 reveals the community’s readiness to act, reflecting that God’s holiness tolerates no rebels in the camp.

3. Foreshadowing the Need for a New Heart
• Israel’s history is punctuated with cycles of rebellion (Nehemiah 9:26). The prophetic promise of an internalized law and a new heart (Jeremiah 31:33, Ezekiel 36:26) answers this recurrent מֶרֶד.

Christological Fulfillment

Though sinless, Jesus is numbered with rebels (Isaiah 53:12; Luke 22:37) and bears their guilt on the cross, satisfying divine justice and offering reconciliation. His obedience unto death stands in stark contrast to mankind’s persistent rebellion, opening a path for the indwelling Spirit to produce covenant loyalty (Romans 8:3-4).

New Testament Echoes

The Greek noun ἀποστασία and verb ἀφίστημι mirror the concept of מֶרֶד. Acts 21:21 records the accusation that Paul teaches “all the Jews … to forsake (ἀποστασία) Moses.” 2 Thessalonians 2:3 predicts a future rebellion before the man of lawlessness is revealed. These texts continue the warning that revolt against God will characterize the last days, urging vigilance.

Pastoral and Ministry Applications

• Guarding the Flock: Leaders must address doctrinal and moral rebellion promptly, following the pattern of investigation, confrontation, and, if necessary, discipline (Titus 1:10-13).
• Pursuing Unity: Just as the Jordan stood between the tribes, geographical and cultural distances in congregations can breed suspicion. Open communication anchored in shared reverence for God averts unnecessary division.
• Cultivating Obedience: Preaching should emphasize that true worship involves covenant faithfulness; mere forms, such as altars or rituals, never substitute for obedience (Matthew 15:8-9).
• Gospel Invitation: Proclaim that Christ’s redemptive work rescues rebels, transforming enemies into sons (Romans 5:10). The call to repentance remains urgent for any who persist in מֶרֶד against the living God.

Summary

מֶרֶד, though occurring only once, crystallizes a crucial biblical theme: rebellion severs fellowship with God and endangers the community. Joshua 22 illustrates the seriousness with which the covenant people must guard against it, while the whole canon points to Christ as the ultimate remedy for the rebel heart.

Forms and Transliterations
בְּמֶ֤רֶד במרד bə·me·reḏ beMered bəmereḏ
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Joshua 22:22
HEB: יֵדָ֑ע אִם־ בְּמֶ֤רֶד וְאִם־ בְּמַ֙עַל֙
NAS: If [it was] in rebellion, or if
KJV: he shall know; if [it be] in rebellion, or if in transgression
INT: know If rebellion if an unfaithful

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 4777
1 Occurrence


bə·me·reḏ — 1 Occ.

4776
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