מָרָה (ma.rah)
ma.rah
to rebel
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 38 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb marah describes a state of being contentious or refractory, essentially meaning to rebel against authority. It conveys more than simple disobedience; it suggests a stubborn resistance that refuses to yield. The word appears frequently in the Psalms and historical books to characterize Israel’s recurring pattern of rejecting divine guidance.
Its root imagery connects to bitterness or harshness, implying that rebellion creates an unpleasant rupture in relationships. This nuance is visible when the text describes the people as "rebelling against the mouth of the Lord," a phrase found in Numbers 20:24 and 1 Samuel 12:15. Such language paints rebellion not just as an error, but as a direct confrontation with God’s spoken word.
Translators often render marah as "rebel" or "disobey," though the Hebrew carries a weight of active defiance. In Deuteronomy 9:24, for instance, it describes the Israelites as consistently rebellious since leaving Egypt, highlighting a persistent attitude rather than isolated mistakes. This distinction helps readers grasp the depth of the covenant breach described in these passages.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word marah describes a deep-seated stubbornness that goes beyond simple mistake or error. It captures a heart that actively resists authority, often creating bitterness in relationships. When Scripture uses this term for Israel, it highlights a pattern of refusing to yield to God’s guidance despite clear evidence of His care.
Understanding this word helps us recognize the danger of hardening our hearts over time. Rebellion is rarely a single act; it is usually a persistent attitude that grows from unbelief. Moses’ address to the assembly as "rebels" in Numbers 20:10 shows how this spirit affects community life and trust in divine provision.
Yet the Bible does not leave us in despair when we see our own stubbornness. The same God who calls out rebellion also offers restoration. By acknowledging our resistance, we open the door for His grace to soften our hearts and realign us with His will.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 38 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ rebellious4×
- I have been rebellious3×
- you rebelled against2×
- they rebelled2×
- rebellious2×
- rebelling2×
- and/ you rebelled against2×
- you will rebel against1×
- you have been disobedient to1×
- to/ rebel toward1×
- they rebelled toward1×
- they rebelled against/ him1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מָרִ֑יתִי3×
- מַמְרִ֥ים2×
- הִמְר֥וּ2×
- תַמְר֖וּ1×
- מֹרֶ֣ה1×
- מָרָ֖תָה1×
- מָרָ֖ה1×
- מָרִ֙יתָ֙1×
- מָר֥וּ1×
- מָר֖וֹ1×
- מָ֝ר֗וּ1×
- מָ֙רָה֙1×
Key Verses
-
Numbers 20:10
Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock, and he said to them, “Hear now, you rebels! Shall we bring water out of this rock for you?”
Moses uses this term to address the assembly, showing how rebellion disrupts communal trust and misrepresents God’s power.
-
Deuteronomy 9:24
You have been rebellious against Yahweh from the day that I knew you.
This verse emphasizes the persistent nature of the sin, describing it as a continuous state from the day they left Egypt rather than isolated incidents.
-
Psalms 78:8
and might not be as their fathers— a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation that didn’t make their hearts loyal, whose spirit was not steadfast with God.
The psalmist uses this word to define a generational character flaw, linking stubbornness directly to a lack of loyalty and steadfast spirit.
-
I Samuel 12:15
But if you will not listen to Yahweh’s voice, but rebel against the commandment of Yahweh, then Yahweh’s hand will be against you, as it was against your fathers.
Samuel warns that rebellion against God’s command brings divine opposition, contrasting it with the blessing of serving Him faithfully.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word marah mean?
How is marah different from simple disobedience?
Where does this word appear most frequently?
Every Occurrence (38 verses across 12 books)
Numbers 3 verses
Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock, and he said to them, “Hear now, you rebels! Shall we…
Numbers 20:24“Aaron shall be gathered to his people; for he shall not enter into the land which I have given to the children of…
Numbers 27:14because in the strife of the congregation, you rebelled against my word in the wilderness of Zin, to honor me as holy…