In the biblical context, complaints often refer to expressions of dissatisfaction or grievances, typically directed towards God or leaders. The Bible provides numerous examples of complaints, illustrating both the human tendency to grumble and the divine response to such attitudes.

Old Testament Instances

1. Israelites in the Wilderness: One of the most prominent examples of complaints in the Bible is the Israelites' behavior during their journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. Despite witnessing God's miraculous deliverance, the Israelites frequently complained about their circumstances. In Exodus 16:2-3 , the whole congregation of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron, lamenting their lack of food: "The entire congregation of the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. 'If only we had died by the LORD’s hand in the land of Egypt,' they said, 'where we sat by pots of meat and ate our fill of bread. But you have brought us into this wilderness to starve this whole assembly to death!'"

2. Miriam and Aaron's Complaint: In Numbers 12, Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of his Cushite wife and questioned his unique role as God's prophet. This complaint led to God's direct intervention, resulting in Miriam's temporary leprosy as a punishment (Numbers 12:1-10).

3. Korah's Rebellion: Numbers 16 recounts the rebellion led by Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, who complained against Moses and Aaron's leadership. Their challenge to God's appointed leaders resulted in divine judgment, as the earth swallowed them and their followers (Numbers 16:31-33).

New Testament Perspective

1. Pharisees and Scribes: The New Testament also records complaints, particularly from the religious leaders of the time. The Pharisees and scribes often complained about Jesus' actions, such as His association with sinners and tax collectors. In Luke 5:30 , they grumbled, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?"

2. Early Church: In Acts 6:1 , a complaint arose within the early church: "In those days, as the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenistic Jews among them began to grumble against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food." This led to the appointment of deacons to ensure fair distribution and maintain unity.

Theological Insights

Complaints in the Bible often reveal a lack of faith and trust in God's provision and plan. They can lead to divine discipline, as seen in the wilderness wanderings, where the Israelites' complaints resulted in a prolonged journey and the death of an entire generation (Numbers 14:26-35).

However, the Bible also acknowledges the human condition and the struggles that lead to complaints. The Psalms, for example, contain numerous laments where the psalmists express their grievances to God. These laments, while honest about suffering, often conclude with a reaffirmation of trust in God's faithfulness and sovereignty (e.g., Psalm 13).

Practical Application

Believers are encouraged to bring their concerns to God in prayer rather than grumbling. Philippians 2:14-15 exhorts Christians: "Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine as lights in the world."

In summary, while complaints are a natural human response to difficult circumstances, the biblical narrative encourages a posture of trust and gratitude, recognizing God's ultimate authority and care.8519b. telunah -- a murmuring
... Word Origin from lun Definition a murmuring NASB Word Usage complaints (1), grumblings
(7). 8519a, 8519b. telunah or telunnah. 8520 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/8519b.htm - 5k

Let us not Sink in Hopeless Sorrow, or Break Out into Clamorous ...
... 3. LET us not sink in hopeless Sorrow, or break out into clamorous Complaints,
if GOD has brought this heavy Affliction upon us. ...
/.../submission to divine providence in the death of children/3 let us not sink.htm

An Embassage in Cyrene and Asia to Caesar, Concerning the ...
... CHAPTER 6. An Embassage In Cyrene And Asia To Caesar, Concerning The Complaints
They Had To Make Against The Greeks; With Copies Of The Epistles Which Caesar ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 6 an embassage in.htm

"There is Therefore Now no Condemnation to them which are in ...
... How quickly would a song of triumph in him swallow up all your present complaints
and lamentations! ... What a perfect answer to all your complaints! ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon i there is therefore.htm

Thus Far I have Made Answer About My Crimes, and Indeed in Defence ...
... I have done so not as well as I ought but as I was able, putting a check upon my
complaints, for my object has been not so much to accuse others as to defend ...
/.../1 thus far i have.htm

Preface.
... Victorian! Far more so if, as here, such writer rebukes this tendency!
"Altogether unkingly sound the complaints in chap. iii.17 ...
//christianbookshelf.org/jennings/old groans and new songs/preface.htm

Of Querulousness.
... For alas, what tragical complaints do men make of their infelicity, when perhaps
their prosperity is as much the envious outcry of others? ...
/.../allestree/the government of the tongue/section x of querulousness.htm

George Buchanan, Scholar
... The complaints which he so often uttered concerning the cruelty of fortune, the
fickleness of princes and so forth, were probably no more just then than such ...
/.../kingsley/historical lectures and essays/george buchanan scholar.htm

"Jesus or Barabbas. "
... Then said Pilate, "Ye brought me this man as an agitator and see, I have heard your
complaints, and I have myself examined him, and have not found anything in ...
/.../stead/king of the jews/chapter viii jesus or barabbas.htm

Article xxviii (xiv): of Ecclesiastical Power.
... by princes. But would that the adversaries would hear, on the other hand,
the complaints of the churches and of godly minds! The ...
/.../the apology of the augsburg confession/part 36 article xxviii xiv .htm

John Christopher Hartwick.
... rise to dissatisfaction. Complaints were lodged against him with Berkenmeyer,
who finally wrote against him publicly. In 1750 Muhlenberg ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bente/american lutheranism/john christopher hartwick.htm

Complaints (6 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Complaints (6 Occurrences). Acts 6:1 About this
time, as the number of disciples was increasing, complaints...
/c/complaints.htm - 8k

Murmur (23 Occurrences)
... 4. (vi) To utter complaints in a low, half-articulated voice; to feel or express
dissatisfaction or discontent; to grumble; -- often with at or against. ...
/m/murmur.htm - 15k

Jeremiah (141 Occurrences)
... The enmity to which he fell a victim, on account of his declaration of nothing but
the truth, he deeply felt; see his complaints (9:1;; 12:5; 15:10; 17:14-18 ...
/j/jeremiah.htm - 75k

Complaint (29 Occurrences)

/c/complaint.htm - 15k

Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences)
... First, complaints broke out among the people, probably at the heat, the toil, and
the privations of the march; and then God at once punished them by lightning ...
/k/kibroth-hattaavah.htm - 10k

Kibrothhattaavah (5 Occurrences)
... First, complaints broke out among the people, probably at the heat, the toil, and
the privations of the march; and then God at once punished them by lightning ...
/k/kibrothhattaavah.htm - 10k

Needless (3 Occurrences)
... Proverbs 23:29 Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints?
Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? (WEB NIV). ...
/n/needless.htm - 7k

Overlooked (10 Occurrences)
... Acts 6:1 About this time, as the number of disciples was increasing, complaints
were made by the Greek-speaking Jews against the Hebrews because their widows ...
/o/overlooked.htm - 9k

Lament (44 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To mourn for; to bemoan; to bewail. 3. (v.) Grief or sorrow expressed in
complaints or cries; lamentation; a wailing; a moaning; a weeping. ...
/l/lament.htm - 20k

Grumble (13 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vi) To murmur or mutter with discontent; to make
ill-natured complaints in a low voice and a surly manner. ...
/g/grumble.htm - 10k

What does the Bible say about complaining? | GotQuestions.org

Why do many of the psalms of David sound so sad? | GotQuestions.org

Letter from the President of Got Questions Ministries | GotQuestions.org

Complaints: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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