7279. ragan
Lexical Summary
ragan: To murmur, to slander, to whisper

Original Word: רָגַן
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: ragan
Pronunciation: rah-GAHN
Phonetic Spelling: (raw-gan')
KJV: murmur
NASB: whisperer, grumbled, criticize, slanderer
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. to grumble, i.e. rebel

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
murmur

A primitive root; to grumble, i.e. Rebel -- murmur.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to murmur, whisper
NASB Translation
criticize (1), grumbled (2), slanderer (1), whisperer (3).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
רָגַן verb murmur, whisper (Late Hebrew id.; ᵑ7 Ithpe`el bickbite, slander); —

1 murmur (rebelliously): —

Qal Participle plural רוֺגְנִים Isaiah 29:24 murmurers;

Niph`al Imperfect3masculine plural וַיֵּרָֽגְנוּ Psalm 106:25 and they murmured in their tents, so 2 masculine plural וַתֵּרָֽגְנוּ Deuteronomy 1:27.

2 whisper (maliciously), backlite, slander:,

Niph`al Participle נִרְגָּן backbiter Proverbs 16:28; Proverbs 18:8; Proverbs 26:20,22.

Topical Lexicon
Overview

Strong’s Hebrew 7279, רָגַן (ragan), portrays the destructive habit of murmuring, whispering complaints, or back-talking against divine or human authority. Though the term occurs only three times, it captures a spiritual posture that Scripture everywhere warns against: a heart that resists God’s providence by grumbling instead of trusting.

Old Testament Usage

Deuteronomy 1:27 records Israel’s first deployment of זה־רגן: “You grumbled in your tents and said, ‘Because the LORD hates us…’ ” Their private tents became echo chambers of unbelief, turning fear into outright accusation against God’s character.
Psalm 106:25 recalls the same wilderness generation: “They grumbled in their tents and did not listen to the voice of the LORD.” The psalmist links רָגַן directly to disobedience; murmuring anesthetizes the conscience so that divine commands no longer pierce the heart.
Isaiah 29:24 anticipates a future reversal: “Those who go astray in spirit will gain understanding, and those who complain will accept instruction.” Here רָגַן marks an attitude that must be—and can be—replaced by teachability when God’s redemptive work renews the nation.

Historical Setting

In the wilderness era, murmuring erupted whenever circumstances clashed with expectations—lack of water, diet of manna, intimidating reports of Canaan. By the eighth century B.C., Isaiah still confronted a culture in Jerusalem that whispered criticisms of God’s dealings (Isaiah 29:16). Thus רָגַן spans Israel’s account from Exodus to Exile as a recurring spiritual virus.

Theological Significance

1. An Index of Unbelief: Grumbling verbalizes distrust (Hebrews 3:7-19 echoes Deuteronomy’s narrative to warn the church).
2. A Form of Rebellion: Murmuring is not benign venting; it challenges God’s wisdom and goodness (Numbers 14:27-29).
3. A Barrier to Rest: The generation characterized by רָגַן forfeited entry into the land; likewise, restless complaining forfeits enjoyment of God’s promises.
4. A Reversible Condition: Isaiah 29:24 assures that repentant murmurers can become students of truth, foreshadowing the new covenant work of the Spirit (Jeremiah 31:33-34).

Practical Ministry Applications

• Pastoral Diagnosis: Recurring grumbling may indicate deeper unbelief that sermons and counseling must address with gospel promises rather than mere moralism.
• Corporate Worship: Thanksgiving counters רָגַן; liturgies rich in recounting God’s deeds recalibrate congregational speech.
• Family Discipleship: Tents have been replaced by homes, offices, and online spaces; leaders must cultivate godly conversation where private murmuring often festers.
• Church Discipline: Persistent whispering that sows discord (Romans 16:17) requires loving confrontation to protect unity.

New Testament Parallels

Philippians 2:14 commands, “Do all things without grumbling,” echoing רָגַן’s wilderness backdrop while anchoring obedience in Christ’s humility (Philippians 2:5-11). James 5:9 warns believers, “Do not complain about one another, brothers, so that you will not be judged.” Both writers treat murmuring as inconsistent with the gospel’s transforming power.

Christological Reflection

Jesus, the true Israel, never murmured. When tested in His own wilderness, He answered with Scripture rather than complaint (Matthew 4:1-11). In Gethsemane He voiced honest lament yet submitted: “Not as I will, but as You will” (Matthew 26:39). His sinless speech secures righteousness for those who believe, and His Spirit empowers believers to replace רָגַן with praise.

Contemporary Lessons

1. Cultivate Gratitude: Regular recounting of God’s acts combats the reflex to grumble.
2. Guard Private Speech: Much murmuring occurs “in tents,” unseen by leaders but fully known to God (Psalm 139:4).
3. Embrace Instruction: Isaiah’s promise shows that teachability is the antidote to complaint; seekers of truth must surrender grumbling to gain wisdom.
4. Proclaim Hope: Preaching that highlights God’s covenant faithfulness equips saints to trust rather than whisper against providence.

Rָגַן’s sparse appearances belie its profound diagnostic value: speech reveals heart. By heeding Scripture’s warnings and relying on Christ’s finished work, believers can exchange murmuring for doxology, thereby displaying the transformed tongue that befits the redeemed people of God.

Forms and Transliterations
וְרוֹגְנִ֖ים וַיֵּרָגְנ֥וּ וַתֵּרָגְנ֤וּ וירגנו ורוגנים ותרגנו vaiyerageNu vatterageNu verogNim wat·tê·rā·ḡə·nū wattêrāḡənū way·yê·rā·ḡə·nū wayyêrāḡənū wə·rō·wḡ·nîm wərōwḡnîm
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Englishman's Concordance
Deuteronomy 1:27
HEB: וַתֵּרָגְנ֤וּ בְאָהֳלֵיכֶם֙ וַתֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ
NAS: and you grumbled in your tents
KJV: And ye murmured in your tents,
INT: grumbled your tents and said

Psalm 106:25
HEB: וַיֵּרָגְנ֥וּ בְאָהֳלֵיהֶ֑ם לֹ֥א
NAS: But grumbled in their tents;
KJV: But murmured in their tents,
INT: grumbled their tents did not

Isaiah 29:24
HEB: ר֖וּחַ בִּינָ֑ה וְרוֹגְנִ֖ים יִלְמְדוּ־ לֶֽקַח׃
NAS: the truth, And those who criticize will accept
KJV: to understanding, and they that murmured shall learn
INT: mind the truth criticize will accept instruction

3 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 7279
3 Occurrences


way·yê·rā·ḡə·nū — 1 Occ.
wat·tê·rā·ḡə·nū — 1 Occ.
wə·rō·wḡ·nîm — 1 Occ.

7278
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