Lexical Summary ragan: To murmur, to slander, to whisper Original Word: רָגַן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance murmur A primitive root; to grumble, i.e. Rebel -- murmur. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina 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. 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). Practical Ministry Applications • Pastoral Diagnosis: Recurring grumbling may indicate deeper unbelief that sermons and counseling must address with gospel promises rather than mere moralism. 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. 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 wərōwḡnîmLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman'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 Isaiah 29:24 3 Occurrences |
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