rebellion

Everyday

1. A rebellion is when a group of people fight against or refuse to obey the people in power, such as a ruler or government. tree →
2. Rebellion is also refusing to obey rules or do what is expected, like a teenager's rebellion against parents. tree →

In the lessons

In history lessons, famous rebellions include Boudicca's rebellion against the Romans, the Peasants' Revolt, the Jacobite rebellions in Scotland, the Easter Rising in Ireland and the Eureka Rebellion in Australia; pupils ask why people rebelled and what happened afterwards. In stories, a rebellion against an unfair ruler is a common plot. In everyday life, «a bit of rebellion» is breaking small rules. Phrases: «lead a rebellion», «crush a rebellion», «rise in rebellion», «act of rebellion».

Examples

• Boudicca led a rebellion against the Romans. tree →
• The king's army crushed the rebellion. tree →
• The peasants' rebellion began because of unfair taxes. tree →
• Dyeing his hair green was his little act of rebellion. tree →
• In the story, the animals started a rebellion against the farmer. tree →
• Many rebellions in history ended in failure. tree →
• Some time after a rebellion broke out among the subjects of his father-in-law. tree →

Note

Verb: «rebel» (re-BEL), «rebelled», «rebelling»; person: «a rebel» (REB-el); adjective: «rebellious». Spelled with double l. A rebellion is smaller or less successful than a revolution, which changes who rules.

In Jewish tradition

Samuel says rebellion is like the sin of witchcraft. In Ezra, officials write that Jerusalem has long made rebellion against kings. Job's friends say that he adds rebellion to his sin.

Interpretation. Moses warns in his last speech that the people's stiff-necked nature will show after his death; the tradition reads this as a warning to stay faithful. Samuel's words are read as showing that disobeying God is among the worst sins.

Examples

• For I know thy rebellion, and thy stiff neck; behold, while I am yet alive with you this day, ye have been rebellious against the LORD; and how much more after my death? (Torah DEU.31.27, JPS 1917) tree →
• For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as idolatry and teraphim. (Prophets 1SA.15.23, JPS 1917) tree →
• For he addeth rebellion unto his sin, he clappeth his hands among us, and multiplieth his words against God. (Writings JOB.34.37, JPS 1917) tree →
• And I decreed, and search hath been made, and it is found that this city of old time hath made insurrection against kings, and that rebellion and sedition have been made therein. (Writings EZR.4.19, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Verb: «rebel» (re-BEL), «rebelled», «rebelling»; person: «a rebel» (REB-el); adjective: «rebellious». Spelled with double l. A rebellion is smaller or less successful than a revolution, which changes who rules.