Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Usage:Grumbling, in a biblical context, refers to the act of complaining or expressing dissatisfaction, often in a low, muttering manner. It is typically characterized by a lack of faith and trust in God's provision and plan. Grumbling is seen as a negative behavior that reflects a rebellious or ungrateful heart.
Biblical Instances:1.
The Israelites in the Wilderness: One of the most notable examples of grumbling in the Bible is the behavior of the Israelites during their journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. Despite witnessing numerous miracles, the Israelites frequently complained about their circumstances. In
Exodus 16:2-3 , it is recorded, "And there in the desert they all grumbled against Moses and Aaron. 'If only we had died by the LORD’s hand in the land of Egypt,' they said. 'There we sat by pots of meat and ate our fill of bread, but you have brought us into this desert to starve this whole assembly to death!'"
2.
The Consequences of Grumbling: The Israelites' grumbling led to severe consequences. In
Numbers 14:27-29 , God responds to their complaints, saying, "How long will this wicked congregation grumble against Me? I have heard the complaints that the Israelites are making against Me. So tell them: As surely as I live, declares the LORD, I will do to you exactly as I heard you say. Your bodies will fall in this wilderness—all who were numbered in the census, everyone twenty years of age or older—because you have grumbled against Me."
3.
New Testament Warnings: The New Testament also addresses the issue of grumbling. In
Philippians 2:14-15 , Paul exhorts believers, "Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine as lights in the world." This passage highlights the importance of maintaining a positive and faithful attitude as a testimony to others.
4.
Jude's Warning: Jude warns against grumblers in
Jude 1:16 , describing them as "grumblers and faultfinders who follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage." This passage associates grumbling with a broader pattern of sinful behavior and self-centeredness.
Theological Implications:Grumbling is often seen as a symptom of a deeper spiritual issue—namely, a lack of trust in God's sovereignty and goodness. It reflects a heart that is not content with God's provision and timing. The Bible encourages believers to cultivate gratitude and trust, recognizing that God's ways and thoughts are higher than ours (
Isaiah 55:8-9).
Practical Application:Believers are called to replace grumbling with gratitude and trust. This involves a conscious effort to focus on God's faithfulness and blessings, even in difficult circumstances. By doing so, Christians can maintain a testimony that honors God and reflects His light to the world.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. i.) To murmur or mutter with discontent; to make ill-natured complaints in a low voice and a surly manner.
2. (v. i.) To growl; to snarl in deep tones; as, a lion grumbling over his prey.
3. (v. i.) To rumble; to make a low, harsh, and heavy sound; to mutter; as, the distant thunder grumbles.
4. (v. t.) To express or utter with grumbling.
5. (n.) The noise of one that grumbles.
6. (n.) A grumbling, discontented disposition.
Greek
1111. gogguzo -- to mutter, murmur... to mutter, murmur. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: gogguzo Phonetic Spelling:
(gong-good'-zo) Short Definition: I whisper, murmur,
grumble Definition: I
...1234. diagogguzo -- to murmur among themselves
... 1234 (an onomatopoetic term imitating the sound of cooing doves and humming bees) --
constantly, intensely (grumble, complain) -- an intensified form of 1111...
Strong's Hebrew
7279. ragan -- to murmur, whisper... slanderer (1), whisperer (3). murmur. A primitive root; to
grumble, ie Rebel --
murmur. 7278, 7279. ragan. 7280 . Strong's Numbers.
3885b. lun -- to murmur
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to murmur NASB Word Usage growl (1),grumble
(4), grumbled (7), grumbling (2), making (1). 3885a, 3885b. lun. 3886 ....
Library
Freedom.
... When they are sons and daughters, they will no longer complain of the hardships,
and miseries, and troubles of life; no longergrumble at their aches and pains...
Joy, a Duty
... When the Lord sends you affliction, sister, you generallygrumble loudly enough;
when the Lord tries you, my dear brother, you generally speak fast enough...
Election
... But another says, "No; I don't want to be holy; I don't want to give up my lusts
and my vices." Why should yougrumble, then, that God has not elected you to it...
The victory of Faith
... got the money, and repent at your leisure." So saith the world; but you say, "I
cannot do the thing." "Well," says the world, "then groan andgrumble: a good...
Home and the Home-Maker.
... "Home"The father's kingdom, the mother's world, and the child's paradise.
"Home"The place where wegrumble the most and are treated the best....
Self-Inspection.
... courtiers that one of his officers, Nicanor by name, was always speaking evil of
him, that wherever Nicanor was, there he did nothing butgrumble against the...
Moses Striking the Rock.
... God sent them manna, which they gathered every day except the Sabbath; but with
all God's care and kindness the Israelites continued togrumble whenever any...
Jesus at the Well. A Word to Preachers.
... Whygrumble at the few who have come, perhaps a long way? Let us feed these with
the choicest of the wheat. It may be an historic time for anything you know....
Three Tests of Love
... Brother, sister, how does your love stand the test? Love will notgrumble;
it will not complain; it will not shrink from service....
Which is Chaste Love; and How in Some Creatures Such Sensible...
... And peradventure thou mayest be stirred for to love God for them, and that shalt
thou feel by this: if thougrumble overmuch when they be away....
Thesaurus
Grumble (13 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Grumble (13 Occurrences).
... (See NAS). 1 Corinthians 10:10
Neither
grumble, as some of them also grumbled, and perished by the destroyer.
...Grumbled (13 Occurrences)
... stumble? (See NAS). 1 Corinthians 10:10 Neithergrumble, as some of them
also grumbled, and perished by the destroyer. (WEB). Exodus...
Grudge (11 Occurrences)
... gruj (naTar; stenazo, goggusmos): "Grudge" (perhaps a mimetic word, compare Greek
gru) is "togrumble" or "murmur" at any person or thing, to entertain an...
Grudgingly (2 Occurrences)
Destroyer (23 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Destroyer (23 Occurrences). 1 Corinthians 10:10 Neither
grumble, as some of them also grumbled, and perished by the destroyer....
Murmur (23 Occurrences)
... 4. (vi) To utter complaints in a low, half-articulated voice; to feel or express
dissatisfaction or discontent; togrumble; -- often with at or against....
Mutter (6 Occurrences)
... 1. (vi) To utter words indistinctly or with a low voice and lips partly closed;
esp., to utter indistinct complaints or angry expressions; togrumble; to growl...
Perished (76 Occurrences)
... serpents. (WEB ASV DBY). 1 Corinthians 10:10 Neithergrumble, as some of them
also grumbled, and perished by the destroyer. (WEB ASV DBY)....
Content (30 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Contained within limits; hence, having the desires limited by that which
one has; not disposed to repine orgrumble; satisfied; contented; at rest....
Croak (1 Occurrence)
... dismal sound. 2. (vi) To complain; especially, togrumble; to forebode evil;
to utter complaints or forebodings habitually. 3. (vt...
Resources
What does the Bible say about complaining? | GotQuestions.orgWho/what is Marah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Aaron in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgGrumble: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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