Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Context:The term "murmured" in the Bible typically refers to the act of complaining or expressing discontent in a low, muttering voice. It often implies a rebellious or disobedient attitude towards God or His appointed leaders. Murmuring is depicted as a lack of faith and trust in God's provision and plan.
Old Testament References:Murmuring is prominently featured in the narrative of the Israelites during their exodus from Egypt. Despite witnessing God's miraculous deliverance, the Israelites frequently murmured against Moses and Aaron, and by extension, against God Himself.
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Exodus 15:24 : "So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, 'What are we to drink?'" This instance occurs shortly after the crossing of the Red Sea, highlighting the Israelites' quickness to doubt God's provision.
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Exodus 16:2-3 : "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.'" This passage illustrates the Israelites' longing for the comforts of Egypt, despite their bondage there, and their lack of trust in God's promise to sustain them.
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Numbers 14:2 : "All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole congregation said to them, 'If only we had died in the land of Egypt, or if only we had died in this wilderness!'" This murmuring occurs after the negative report from the spies sent to Canaan, demonstrating a refusal to believe in God's promise of the Promised Land.
New Testament References:In the New Testament, murmuring is addressed as a behavior to be avoided among believers, emphasizing unity and contentment.
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John 6:41 : "At this, the Jews began to grumble about Jesus because He had said, 'I am the bread that came down from heaven.'" This passage shows the Jews' resistance to Jesus' teachings and their struggle to accept His divine origin.
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Philippians 2:14 : "Do everything without complaining or arguing." The Apostle Paul instructs the Philippians to live in a manner that reflects their faith, avoiding the pitfalls of murmuring that characterized the Israelites.
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1 Corinthians 10:10 : "And do not grumble, as some of them did, and were killed by the destroying angel." Paul warns the Corinthian church by referencing the consequences faced by the Israelites for their murmuring, urging them to learn from these past mistakes.
Theological Implications:Murmuring is often seen as a symptom of a deeper spiritual issue—namely, a lack of faith and gratitude. It reflects a heart that is not fully trusting in God's sovereignty and goodness. The Bible consistently portrays murmuring as a serious offense, often leading to divine judgment or discipline. It serves as a cautionary example for believers to cultivate a spirit of thankfulness and trust in God's provision, regardless of circumstances.
Practical Application:Believers are encouraged to examine their own attitudes and speech, ensuring that they do not fall into the pattern of murmuring. Instead, they are called to foster a heart of gratitude, contentment, and trust in God's perfect plan. This involves actively choosing to focus on God's faithfulness and promises, even in challenging situations.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
imp. & p. p.) of Murmur.
Library
If the Head had not Been Right, --Haply the Members hadMurmured...
... If the head had not been right,"haply the members hadmurmured:"for when because
of a perverse head"the course of the members is put astray,"they are...
John vi. 41, 42
... john. Homily XLVI. John vi. 41, 42. John vi.41, 42 "The Jews thenmurmured at Him,
because He said, I am the Bread... What then said He when theymurmured? Ver.44....
Human Responsibility
... When Israel of old despised Moses andmurmured against him, Moses meekly said,
"Ye have notmurmured against us, but ye havemurmured against the Lord God of...
Answer to the Jewish Rabby's Letter.
... parallel. Moses was the greatest prophet, and meekest man, they ever had among
them, except Jesus, and they oftenmurmured against him....
The Hand Felt Its Way up his Arm, And...
... "Oh, North Wind!" hemurmured, but the words vanished from his lips as he had seen
the soap-bubbles that burst too soon vanish from the mouth of his pipe....
The Displeasure of Jesus.
... The only place in the gospel where it is used of any but the Lord is Mark 14:5.
Here both versions say of the disciples that they 'murmured at' the waste of...
Regeneration
... No onemurmured that the subject of the price of bread was frequently on the lips
of men at a time of scarcity, because they felt that the subject was one of...
The Story of David
... "Surely this is he,"murmured Samuel to himself. But God's answer came quickly....
[Illustration: "Surely this is he,"murmured Samuel to himself.]....
The Disappointment of the People.
... The Jews thereforemurmured concerning him, because he said, "I am the bread which
came down out of heaven." And they said, "Is not this Jesus, the son of...
The Unmistakable Honesty of the Writers of the Bible Attests to...
... Trying circumstances had banished the Living God from their thoughts. They
complained of their lot andmurmured against Moses. Yet...
Thesaurus
Murmured (21 Occurrences)...Murmured (21 Occurrences). Matthew 20:11 When they received it, they
murmured against the master of the household, (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS).
...Grumbled (13 Occurrences)
... (WEB). John 6:61 But Jesus knowing in himself that his disciplesmurmured at
this, said to them, "Does this cause you to stumble? (See NAS)....
Murmur (23 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV). John 6:61 But Jesus knowing in himself that his
disciplesmurmured at this, said to them, "Does this cause you to stumble?...
Grumble (13 Occurrences)
... Luke 15:2 The Pharisees and the scribesmurmured, saying, "This man welcomes sinners,
and eats with them." The Good News According to John (See NAS)....
Grumbling (13 Occurrences)
... Luke 5:30 Their scribes and the Phariseesmurmured against his disciples, saying,
"Why do you eat and drink with the tax collectors and sinners?" (See NAS)....
Sinners (132 Occurrences)
... Luke 5:30 Their scribes and the Phariseesmurmured against his disciples, saying,
"Why do you eat and drink with the tax collectors and sinners?" (WEB KJV WEY...
Teachers (87 Occurrences)
... Luke 5:30 Their scribes and the Phariseesmurmured against his disciples, saying,
"Why do you eat and drink with the tax collectors and sinners?" (See NIV)....
Wilderness (304 Occurrences)
... Exodus 16:2 The whole congregation of the children of Israelmurmured against Moses
and against Aaron in the wilderness; (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)....
Eat (690 Occurrences)
... Luke 5:30 Their scribes and the Phariseesmurmured against his disciples, saying,
"Why do you eat and drink with the tax collectors and sinners?" (WEB KJV WEY...
Kadesh (30 Occurrences)
... Here the peoplemurmured for want of water, as their forefathers had done formerly
at Rephidim; and Moses, irritated by their chidings, "with his rod smote the...
Resources
How can we enter into God's rest? | GotQuestions.orgWhy is a bronze serpent used to save the Israelites in Numbers 21:8-9? | GotQuestions.orgHow should a Christian respond to all the negativity out there? | GotQuestions.orgMurmured: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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