Lexical Summary (Not Used): (Not Used) (Not Used)Part of Speech: Transliteration: (Not Used) (Not Used) Topical Lexicon Definition and Concept Strong’s Greek 3296 names an attitude rather than a physical act: the restless grumbler who finds fault with the “portion” assigned by God. Rooted in ideas of blaming or reproaching one’s “lot,” it pictures a habit of discontent that questions divine wisdom. Although the form itself never appears in the Greek New Testament, Scripture repeatedly addresses the spirit it represents—murmuring against God’s providence and resenting the circumstances He ordains. Old Testament Foundations The wilderness generation embodies chronic dissatisfaction. “The whole congregation of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron” (Exodus 16:2). Numbers recounts episode after episode where complaints provoked divine judgment (Numbers 11:1; 14:27-29; 16:41). Their “grumbling” is interpreted by the prophets as unbelief toward God’s covenant care (Psalm 95:8-11). This history supplies the primary backdrop for understanding the folly of a mempsimoiros spirit. New Testament Echoes 1 Corinthians 10:10 treats Israel’s experience as a warning: “And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel.” Philippians 2:14 issues the positive alternative: “Do everything without complaining or arguing.” Jude 16 identifies end-time impostors as “grumblers and fault-finders; they follow after their own evil desires.” Even without employing the exact word numbered 3296, the apostolic writers clearly expose the same spiritual disease. Theological Significance 1. Sovereignty and Providence: Discontent implicitly challenges God’s fatherly rule (Romans 9:20). Spiritual Dangers • Hardened hearts (Hebrews 3:7-12) Positive Counterpoints • Contentment learned in Christ (Philippians 4:11-13) Applications for Ministry Pastoral care: help believers recognize complaint as unbelief, leading them to repentance and fresh trust. Corporate worship: cultivate songs and testimonies of gratitude that replace murmuring with praise. Discipleship: teach spiritual disciplines (scripture meditation, prayer of thanksgiving, service) that form grateful habits. Leadership: address early signs of divisive dissatisfaction to guard the flock (Acts 6:1-4). Historical Notes Early Christian writers such as Clement of Rome urged churches to shun “grumbling” lest they repeat Israel’s errors. Monastic rule often prescribed explicit times of thanksgiving to silence fault-finding. Reformers likewise linked murmuring to a denial of sola gratia, insisting that grace disarms all complaint. Key Passages for Personal Study Exodus 16:1-12; Numbers 11; Psalm 106; Proverbs 19:3; Matthew 20:1-15; 1 Corinthians 10:1-13; Philippians 2:14-16; 1 Timothy 6:6-8; Hebrews 13:5; Jude 16. Summary Strong’s 3296 alerts readers to a heart posture that Scripture everywhere condemns: the refusal to rest content in God’s sovereign allotment. Believers are called instead to trust, gratitude, and joyful submission, knowing that “godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6). Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance μελῶν — 2 Occ.μέλος — 5 Occ. Μελχὶ — 2 Occ. Μελχισεδέκ — 8 Occ. ἔμελεν — 2 Occ. μέλει — 7 Occ. μελέτω — 1 Occ. μεμβράνας — 1 Occ. μέμφεται — 1 Occ. μεμφόμενος — 1 Occ. μὲν — 182 Occ. Μενοῦν — 1 Occ. μενοῦνγε — 2 Occ. μέντοι — 8 Occ. ἐμείναμεν — 2 Occ. ἔμειναν — 2 Occ. ἔμεινεν — 10 Occ. ἔμενεν — 3 Occ. ἔμενον — 1 Occ. μεῖναι — 6 Occ. |
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