Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the term "uprising" can refer to a rebellion or revolt against established authority, often seen as a challenge to divinely instituted order. Throughout the Scriptures, uprisings are depicted as significant events that reveal the hearts of individuals and nations, often leading to divine intervention or judgment.
Old Testament Instances1.
Korah's Rebellion: One of the most notable uprisings in the Old Testament is the rebellion led by Korah, Dathan, and Abiram against Moses and Aaron. This event is recorded in
Numbers 16. Korah, a Levite, along with 250 community leaders, challenged the leadership of Moses and Aaron, questioning their authority. The Lord's response was swift and decisive, as the earth opened up and swallowed the rebels, demonstrating that rebellion against God's chosen leaders was tantamount to rebellion against God Himself.
Numbers 16:32 states, "And the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them and their households, all Korah’s men and all their possessions."
2.
Absalom's Revolt: Another significant uprising is the revolt led by Absalom, the son of King David. This account is found in
2 Samuel 15-18. Absalom's rebellion was marked by deceit and ambition, as he sought to usurp his father's throne. Despite his initial success in winning the hearts of the people, Absalom's uprising ultimately failed, leading to his death. This event underscores the biblical theme that rebellion against God's anointed king leads to destruction.
3.
Jeroboam's Revolt: The division of the united monarchy under Solomon's son, Rehoboam, was precipitated by an uprising led by Jeroboam. This is detailed in
1 Kings 12. Jeroboam's revolt resulted in the split of Israel into two kingdoms: Israel in the north and Judah in the south. This division had long-lasting consequences for the people of God, illustrating the destructive nature of rebellion against divinely established order.
New Testament Context1.
Barabbas and the Insurrection: In the New Testament, the figure of Barabbas is associated with an uprising. During the trial of Jesus, the crowd chose to release Barabbas, a known insurrectionist, instead of Jesus.
Mark 15:7 notes, "And a man named Barabbas was imprisoned with the rebels who had committed murder during the insurrection." This choice highlights the rejection of the true Messiah in favor of a political revolutionary, reflecting the misplaced hopes of those seeking earthly liberation rather than spiritual salvation.
2.
The Zealots: The Zealots were a Jewish political movement in the first century that sought to overthrow Roman rule in Judea. While not directly mentioned in the Gospels, their ideology and actions provide a backdrop to the political tensions of the time. One of Jesus' disciples, Simon the Zealot, was likely associated with this group, indicating the diverse backgrounds of those who followed Christ.
Theological ImplicationsFrom a theological perspective, uprisings in the Bible often serve as a backdrop for God's sovereignty and justice. They reveal the human tendency to resist divine authority and the consequences of such rebellion. The biblical narrative consistently portrays God as the ultimate authority, whose plans and purposes cannot be thwarted by human insurrection. Rebellion against God's order, whether through personal sin or collective uprising, leads to judgment and calls for repentance and submission to His will.
In summary, uprisings in the Bible are significant events that illustrate the tension between human ambition and divine authority. They serve as reminders of the importance of obedience to God's established order and the futility of resisting His sovereign will.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) Act of rising; also, a steep place; an ascent.
2. (n.) An insurrection; a popular revolt.
Greek
4714. stasis -- a rebel, revolutionist... From the base of histemi; a standing (properly, the act), ie (by analogy) position
(existence); by implication, a popular
uprising; figuratively, controversy
...Strong's Hebrew
4864. maseth -- anuprising, utterance, burden, portion... 4863, 4864. maseth. 4865 . an
uprising, utterance, burden, portion.
Transliteration: maseth Phonetic Spelling: (mas-ayth') Short Definition: cloud.
...7613. seeth -- exaltation, dignity, swelling,uprising
... 7612, 7613. seeth. 7614 . exaltation, dignity, swelling,uprising. Transliteration:
seeth Phonetic Spelling: (seh-ayth') Short Definition: swelling....
Library
Concerning Our Lord's Praying.
... Book III. Chapter XXIV."Concerning our Lord's Praying. Prayer is anuprising
of the mind to God or a petitioning of God for what is fitting....
God's Exhaustive Knowledge of Man.
... PSALM cxxxix. I-6.""O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my
down-sitting and mineuprising, thou understandest my thought afar off....
The Presence of God.
... heard the Divine voice calling to him in the darkness of the night;"in each case
it was the awakening or the reawakening of the soul"theuprising of the...
Those in the Palace.
... It is possible that the account of the Metaphrast is authentic, and that theuprising
referred to here is to be identified with it, but more than that cannot...
Its Problem
... me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mineuprising, Thou
understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path...
Our Deliverance from the Boxers (1900)
... MANY times we were asked in the homeland to tell the story of our escape during
the Boxeruprising, and often the question was put, "If it was really God's...
Arise, and Go into the City
... the courageous lawyer was defeated, and without the aid of the women of the streets,
the affair was one of many which presaged theuprising that eventually...
The Fift Part.
... know, that wee are such as have prayer sayd or read in our families and housholds;
or else we say some to our selves at our lying downe, anduprising and more...
The Abiding of the Spirit the Glory of the Church
... A spiritual temple is to be builded for the Most High, and if by any means the evil
one can delay itsuprising he will stick at nothing: if he can take us off...
The Anti-Missionary Agitation.
... of their folds. Perhaps the most widespread anti-missionaryuprising in China
occurred during the years 1870 and 1871. It was during...
Thesaurus
Uprising (4 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Uprising (4 Occurrences).
... Psalms 139:2 Thou knowest my
downsitting and mine
uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.
...Uprights (20 Occurrences)
Hezekiah (124 Occurrences)
... the "plotters of sedition" (compare COT, 100); while the increasing prosperity and
strength of his realm marked him for a leading role in an eventualuprising....
Uprisings (1 Occurrence)
Understandest (10 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Psalms 139:2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mineuprising, thou
understandest my thought afar off. (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS)....
Token (24 Occurrences)
... Luke 2:34 Symeon blessed them and said to Mary the mother, "This child is appointed
for the falling and theuprising of many in Israel and for a token to be...
Rebellion (51 Occurrences)
... to which one owes obedience, and resistance to its officers and laws, either by
levying war, or by aiding others to do so; an organizeduprising of subjects...
Revolt (18 Occurrences)
... 6. (n.) The act of revolting; anuprising against legitimate authority; especially,
a renunciation of allegiance and subjection to a government; rebellion; as...
Downsitting (1 Occurrence)
... Downsitting (1 Occurrence). Psalms 139:2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine
uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. (KJV JPS ASV)....
Down-sitting (1 Occurrence)
... Down-sitting (1 Occurrence). Psalms 139:2 Thou knowest my down-sitting and mine
uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off; (DBY WBS)....
Resources
What is the meaning of the Parable of the Vineyard? | GotQuestions.orgShould the Hebrew midwives be commended for lying? | GotQuestions.orgWho was John Knox? | GotQuestions.orgUprising: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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