Bible Dictionary

Disobedience

Failure or refusal to obey a command, instruction, or authority.

Quick Reference

Total Entries

516

Entry Position

136 of 516

Letter

D

Meaning

Failure or refusal to obey a command, instruction, or authority.

Key Scriptures

  • Deuteronomy 9:7-24
  • 1 Samuel 15:22-23
  • Nehemiah 9:16-17
  • Psalm 78:10
  • Isaiah 50:5
  • Jeremiah 7:23-24
  • Romans 5:19
  • Romans 11:30-32
  • Ephesians 2:2
  • Ephesians 5:6
  • Hebrews 2:2
  • Hebrews 4:6
  • Hebrews 4:11
  • 1 Peter 2:8
  • 1 Peter 3:20

Also Called

disobey disobedient

Original Language

Hebrew

מֶרִי

meri

rebellion; disobedience

Greek

ἀπείθεια

apeitheia

disobedience; unbelief

Meaning

Disobedience is failure or refusal to obey a command, instruction, or authority.

Biblical Usage

In Scripture, disobedience is failure or refusal to obey a command or authority.

The term is frequently used of refusing God’s word or commandments.

Scripture also uses disobedience in relation to unbelief, rebellion, and refusal to submit to God’s will.

Key References

  • Deuteronomy 9:7-24
  • 1 Samuel 15:22-23
  • Nehemiah 9:16-17
  • Psalm 78:10
  • Isaiah 50:5
  • Jeremiah 7:23-24
  • Romans 5:19
  • Romans 11:30-32
  • Ephesians 2:2
  • Ephesians 5:6
  • Hebrews 2:2
  • Hebrews 4:6
  • Hebrews 4:11
  • 1 Peter 2:8
  • 1 Peter 3:20
  • Rebellion
  • Unbelief
  • Disobedient
  • Transgression
  • Sin
  • Obedience
  • Commandment
  • Law

Study More

Continue your Bible study by exploring related Scriptures, dictionary terms, and connected topics.

Scriptures

  • Deuteronomy 9:7-24
  • 1 Samuel 15:22-23
  • Nehemiah 9:16-17
  • Psalm 78:10
  • Isaiah 50:5
  • Jeremiah 7:23-24
  • Romans 5:19
  • Romans 11:30-32
  • Ephesians 2:2
  • Ephesians 5:6
  • Hebrews 2:2
  • Hebrews 4:6
  • Hebrews 4:11
  • 1 Peter 2:8
  • 1 Peter 3:20

Related Terms

rebellion unbelief disobedient transgression sin

Study Topics

concepts sin obedience rebellion unbelief