Viewing other people as a threat to oneself in the accomplishment of some aim, or being in active competition with others for recognition or achievement.
Examples of rivalry at a national level
Between Israel and Judah
1 Kings 15:25–31 This is typical of the conflict that existed for 80 years after the division of the kingdom.
Within Israel
At that time the people of Israel were divided: Half of the people supported Tibni son of Ginath as king, and half supported Omri. But the followers of Omri proved stronger than those of Tibni son of Ginath. So Tibni died and Omri became king.
Between Assyria and Judah
See also 2 Chronicles 32:13–22; Isaiah 37:10–13 Assyria claimed that behind the rivalry of the nations lay the rivalry of their gods. The LORD vindicated himself in answer to Hezekiah's prayer (see Isaiah 37:14–38).
Examples of rivalry at an individual level
Between Esau and Jacob
Genesis 25:29–34, Genesis 27:41
Between Peninnah and Hannah
Because the LORD had closed Hannah’s womb, her rival would provoke her viciously to taunt her. And this went on year after year. Whenever Hannah went up to the house of the LORD, her rival taunted her until she wept and would not eat.
Between Saul and David
1 Samuel 18:7–9 See also 1 Samuel 20:31
And as the women danced, they sang out: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.” And Saul was furious and resented this song. “They have ascribed tens of thousands to David,” he said, “but only thousands to me. What more can he have but the kingdom?” And from that day forward Saul kept a jealous eye on David.
Between Absalom and David
Between Rehoboam and Jeroboam
Condemnation of rivalry at an individual level
By the Mosaic law
By Jesus Christ
Luke 9:46–48 parallels Matthew 18:1–4, Mark 9:34–37 See also Matthew 20:20–24 parallel Mark 10:35–41; Matthew 23:8–11
Then an argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest. But Jesus, knowing the thoughts of their hearts, had a little child stand beside Him. And He said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in My name welcomes Me, and whoever welcomes Me welcomes the One who sent Me. For whoever is the least among all of you, he is the greatest.”
By Paul
1 Corinthians 3:3–4 See also 1 Corinthians 1:12–13
for you are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and dissension among you, are you not worldly? Are you not walking in the way of man? For when one of you says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not mere men?
Rivalry between individuals is overcome in Christ
Galatians 3:26–28 See also Mark 10:42–45 parallel Matthew 20:25–28; Philippians 1:15–18
You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.