Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Context:Murmurings in the Bible refer to the expressions of discontent, complaints, or grumblings, often directed against God or His appointed leaders. This term is frequently associated with the Israelites during their wilderness journey after the Exodus from Egypt. Murmurings are depicted as a lack of faith and trust in God's provision and plan.
Biblical Instances:1.
Exodus and the Wilderness Journey: The Israelites' journey from Egypt to the Promised Land is marked by several instances of murmuring. In
Exodus 15:24, shortly after the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea, the people grumbled against Moses, saying, "What are we to drink?" This pattern continues in
Exodus 16:2-3, where the whole congregation of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness, expressing a desire to return to Egypt due to hunger. The Lord responded by providing manna and quail, demonstrating His provision despite their complaints.
2.
Numbers and Rebellion: The Book of Numbers records further instances of murmuring.
Numbers 11:1 states, "Soon the people began to complain about their hardship, and the LORD heard them." This led to the Lord's anger and the outbreak of fire at the outskirts of the camp. In
Numbers 14:2, after the report of the spies, the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, expressing a desire to return to Egypt rather than face the challenges of conquering the Promised Land. This resulted in God's judgment, condemning that generation to wander in the wilderness for forty years.
3.
Korah's Rebellion:Numbers 16 details the rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, who led a group in murmuring against Moses and Aaron, questioning their leadership. This act of defiance was met with severe judgment as the earth opened up and swallowed the rebels, demonstrating the seriousness of murmuring against God's appointed leaders.
4.
New Testament References: The New Testament also addresses the issue of murmuring. In
John 6:41, the Jews murmured about Jesus because He said, "I am the bread that came down from heaven." The Apostle Paul, in
1 Corinthians 10:10, warns believers not to grumble as some of the Israelites did, resulting in their destruction by the destroyer.
Philippians 2:14 exhorts Christians to "do everything without complaining or arguing," highlighting the call to a life of contentment and trust in God's sovereignty.
Theological Implications:Murmurings are indicative of a heart that lacks faith and gratitude. They reveal a tendency to focus on immediate discomforts rather than God's past faithfulness and future promises. The biblical narrative consistently portrays murmuring as a sin that incurs divine displeasure and judgment. It serves as a warning to believers to cultivate a spirit of trust and thankfulness, recognizing God's sovereignty and provision in all circumstances.
Practical Application:Believers are encouraged to guard against the spirit of murmuring by fostering a heart of gratitude and trust in God's providence. Regular reflection on God's past faithfulness and His promises can help counteract the tendency to complain. Engaging in prayer and thanksgiving, as instructed in
Philippians 4:6, can transform potential murmuring into a testimony of faith and reliance on God.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
MURMUR; MURMURINGSmur'-mur, mur'-mur-ingz: The Hebrew word (lun) denotes the semi-articulated mutterings of disaffected persons. It is used in connection with the complaints of the Israelites in the desert against Yahweh on the one hand, and against Moses and Aaron on the other hand (Exodus 16:7, 8Numbers 14:27, 36;Numbers 16:11;Numbers 17:5). In three places (Deuteronomy 1:27Psalm 106:25Isaiah 29:24), "murmur" translates a Hebrew word (raghan) which suggests the malicious whispering of slander.
In the New Testament "murmur" renders two different words, namely, gogguzo, and embrimaomai. The latter word suggests indignation and fault-finding (Mark 14:4 the King James Version). The former word (or a compound of it) is generally used in connection with the complainings of the Pharisees and scribes (Matthew 20:11Luke 5:30;Luke 15:2;Luke 19:7).
T. Lewis
Library
The Bread of God
... hath brought you out from the land of Egypt: 7. And in the morning, then ye shall
see the glory of the Lord; for that He heareth yourmurmurings against the...
Prayer, Praise and Thanksgiving
... praying. Gratitude and thanksgiving forever stand opposed to allmurmurings
at God's dealings with us, and all complainings at our lot....
Hebrews xii. 28, 29
... "Do all things" (he says) "withoutmurmurings and disputings." ( Philippians 2:14.)
For whatever work a man does with murmuring, he cuts away and loses his...
Philippians ii. 16-Dec
... Do all things withoutmurmurings and disputings: that ye may be blameless and harmless,
children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse...
The Deity of the Holy Spirit.
... subject is found in Exodus 16:7. Here we read, "And in the morning, then ye shall
see the glory of the LORD; for that He heareth yourmurmurings against the...
The Waters of Meribah
... take with the invasion of Canaan. I. We note the oldmurmurings on the
lips of the new generation. The lament of a later prophet...
Prayer and Trouble
... with men, who charge God foolishly when troubles come, and who are tempted to "curse
God." How silly and vain are the complainings, themurmurings and the...
Christ
... sent to arrest him as a disturber of the peace found him in the midst of the people,
speaking words that hushed their tumult, quieted theirmurmurings and gave...
From the Introduction of Methodism into the City of New York, in...
... The spirit of discontent had already begun to vent itself in lowmurmurings and
secret whispers against the supposed wrongs and oppressions of the mother...
Entrance into Rest.
... water from the rock. But, alas! they were not content with this, and their
life was one of want andmurmurings. But in Canaan God...
Thesaurus
Murmurings (8 Occurrences)... MURMUR;
MURMURINGS. mur'-mur, mur'-mur-ingz: The Hebrew word (lun) denotes the
semi-articulated mutterings of disaffected persons.
...Murmurings (8 Occurrences).
...Grumbling (13 Occurrences)
... (WEB NIV). Exodus 16:7 and in the morning, then you shall see the glory
of Yahweh; because he hears yourmurmurings against Yahweh....
Grumblings (6 Occurrences)
... Grumblings (6 Occurrences). Exodus 16:7 and in the morning, then you shall see the
glory of Yahweh; because he hears yourmurmurings against Yahweh....
Murmur (23 Occurrences)
... MURMUR;MURMURINGS.... Exodus 16:7 and in the morning, then you shall see the glory
of Yahweh; because he hears yourmurmurings against Yahweh....
Murmuring (14 Occurrences)
... 16:8 Moses said, "Now Yahweh shall give you meat to eat in the evening, and in the
morning bread to satisfy you; because Yahweh hears yourmurmurings which you...
Grumble (13 Occurrences)
... (WEB RSV NIV). Exodus 16:7 and in the morning, then you shall see the glory
of Yahweh; because he hears yourmurmurings against Yahweh....
Numbers (136 Occurrences)
... 2. An account of the journey from Sinai to Moab, the sending out of the spies and
the report they brought back, and themurmurings (eight times) of the people...
Satisfy (32 Occurrences)
... 16:8 Moses said, "Now Yahweh shall give you meat to eat in the evening, and in the
morning bread to satisfy you; because Yahweh hears yourmurmurings which you...
Satiety (12 Occurrences)
... And Moses saith, 'In Jehovah's giving to you in the evening flesh to eat, and bread
in the morning to satiety -- in Jehovah's hearing yourmurmurings, which ye...
Evening (163 Occurrences)
... 16:8 Moses said, "Now Yahweh shall give you meat to eat in the evening, and in the
morning bread to satisfy you; because Yahweh hears yourmurmurings which you...
Resources
What is the Wilderness of Sin? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
