Grumbling, often synonymous with murmuring or complaining, is a recurrent theme in the Bible, particularly in the context of the Israelites' journey through the wilderness. It is generally portrayed as a negative behavior that reflects a lack of faith and trust in God's provision and sovereignty.

Old Testament Context

The most notable instances of grumbling occur during the Exodus narrative. After being delivered from slavery in Egypt, the Israelites frequently expressed dissatisfaction with their circumstances. In Exodus 16:2-3 , the Israelites grumble against Moses and Aaron, lamenting their lack of food: "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 grumbling is not merely a complaint about physical needs but is indicative of a deeper spiritual issue—a failure to trust in God's provision. Despite witnessing numerous miracles, including the parting of the Red Sea and the provision of manna, the Israelites repeatedly express doubt and dissatisfaction.

In Numbers 14:27 , God addresses the Israelites' grumbling directly: "How long will this wicked congregation grumble against Me? I have heard the complaints that the Israelites are making against Me." This passage highlights God's displeasure with their lack of faith and the serious consequences of their grumbling, which ultimately leads to a generation being denied entry into the Promised Land.

New Testament Context

The New Testament also addresses the issue of grumbling, urging believers to adopt a different attitude. In Philippians 2:14-15 , the Apostle Paul instructs, "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."

This exhortation emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive and faithful attitude, contrasting the behavior of believers with that of the world. Grumbling is seen as incompatible with the Christian witness and the call to live a life that reflects God's character.

Theological Implications

Grumbling is often viewed as a symptom of a deeper spiritual malaise—namely, a lack of trust in God's goodness and sovereignty. It reflects a heart that is not fully surrendered to God's will and is often linked with other sins such as ingratitude and rebellion. The biblical narrative consistently portrays grumbling as a serious offense, one that can lead to divine judgment and hinder one's spiritual journey.

Practical Application

For believers, the biblical teaching on grumbling serves as a call to cultivate gratitude and trust in God's provision, even in difficult circumstances. It encourages a posture of faith and reliance on God's promises, fostering a spirit of contentment and peace. By avoiding grumbling, Christians are better able to reflect the light of Christ in a world that often defaults to negativity and dissatisfaction.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Grumble.1112. goggusmos -- a muttering, murmuring
... Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: goggusmos Phonetic Spelling:
(gong-goos-mos') Short Definition: murmuring, grumbling Definition: murmuring ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1112.htm - 6k

1111. gogguzo -- to mutter, murmur
... Word Origin onomatop. Definition to mutter, murmur NASB Word Usage did (1), grumble
(2), grumbled (2), grumbling (2), muttering (1). murmur. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1111.htm - 7k

8519. tluwnah -- exalted, lofty
... murmuring Or tlunnah {tel-oon-naw'}; from luwn in the sense of obstinacy; a grumbling --
murmuring. see HEBREW luwn. 8518, 8519. tluwnah. 8519a . ...
/hebrew/8519.htm - 5k

3885b. lun -- to murmur
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to murmur NASB Word Usage growl (1), grumble
(4), grumbled (7), grumbling (2), making (1). 3885a, 3885b. lun. 3886 . ...
/hebrew/3885b.htm - 5k

How a Man Shall Know when his Thought is no Sin; and if it be Sin ...
... is strained thereby: with some manner of liking, if it be a thing that pleaseth
thee or hath pleased thee before, or else with some manner of grumbling, if it ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the tenth chapter.htm

The Holy Communion.
... Because it is good stinging gospel truth, and the grumbling that is going on
is because your consciences really are wincing at what I:say. ...
/.../the village pulpit volume ii trinity to advent/xxxix the holy communion.htm

Fragment ii. Therefore You Ought to Strive to the Utmost of Your ...
... patience of an intimate servant; nor, again, on the other hand, does anything so
much annoy and vex him as the moroseness and impatience and grumbling of his ...
/.../theonas/epistle of phileas/fragment ii therefore you ought.htm

Introduction
... me. Get you gone therefore, for with you I have nothing to do.". Hearing
this he went off grumbling and growling in his rage. And ...
//christianbookshelf.org/singh/at the masters feet/introduction.htm

The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles, Commonly Called the Didache
... Do not be avaricious or vain, for all this breeds thievery. ^6My child,
do not be a grumbler, for grumbling leads to blasphemy. ...
/.../richardson/early christian fathers/the teaching of the twelve.htm

Chapter xxxi
... When they observe that Jacob is growing wealthy, they vent their displeasure in
grumbling remarks, which, perhaps, are not heard by Jacob directly but are ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxi.htm

That Men Should have Great Wariness So that they Understand not ...
... Insomuch, that if counsel will not accord that they shall work in this work, as
soon they feel a manner of grumbling against their counsel, and think"yea and ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the one and 4.htm

Which is Chaste Love; and How in Some Creatures Such Sensible ...
... though it suffer that the body be fed and comforted in the presence of such sweet
feelings and weepings, nevertheless yet it is not grumbling, but full well ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the fiftieth chapter.htm

That a Very Contemplative List not Meddle Him with Active Life ...
... her and let her not so work and travail by herself, she sat full still and answered
not with one word, nor shewed not as much as a grumbling gesture against ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the seventeenth chapter.htm

Sensuality is a Power of Our Soul
... the Sensuality so obedient unto the Will, unto the which it is as it were servant,
that it ministered never unto it any unordained liking or grumbling in any ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the six and 5.htm

Grumbling (13 Occurrences)
... (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Grumble. Multi-Version Concordance Grumbling (13 Occurrences). ...
1 Peter 4:9 Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. (WEB NIV). ...
/g/grumbling.htm - 9k

Grumble (13 Occurrences)
... manner. 2. (vi) To growl; to snarl in deep tones; as, a lion grumbling over his
prey. 3 ... grumbles. 4. (vt) To express or utter with grumbling. 5 ...
/g/grumble.htm - 10k

Growl (11 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vi) To utter a deep guttural sound, as an angry dog;
to give forth an angry, grumbling sound. 2. (vt) To express by growling. ...
/g/growl.htm - 9k

Grumblings (6 Occurrences)

/g/grumblings.htm - 8k

Grumblers (1 Occurrence)

/g/grumblers.htm - 6k

Mumble (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (v.) To speak with the lips partly closed, so as to render the sounds inarticulate
and imperfect; to utter words in a grumbling indistinct manner ...
/m/mumble.htm - 7k

Complaint (29 Occurrences)
... you, so you also do. (WEB ASV DBY NAS RSV). 1 Peter 4:9 Be hospitable to
one another without grumbling. (See NAS). 1 Samuel 1:16 Don ...
/c/complaint.htm - 15k

Practice (71 Occurrences)
... confusion and every evil deed. (See RSV NIV). 1 Peter 4:9 Be hospitable
to one another without grumbling. (See RSV). 2 Peter 1:10 ...
/p/practice.htm - 28k

Hospitable (4 Occurrences)
... upright, saintly, self-controlled; (WEY DBY NAS RSV NIV). 1 Peter 4:9 Be
hospitable to one another without grumbling. (WEB DBY YLT NAS). ...
/h/hospitable.htm - 7k

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Grumbling: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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