In the biblical context, the act of complaining is often associated with a lack of faith and trust in God's provision and sovereignty. Throughout Scripture, complaining is depicted as a negative behavior that can lead to spiritual and communal consequences.

Old Testament Instances

One of the most notable examples of complaining in the Old Testament is found in the narrative of the Israelites during their exodus from Egypt. Despite witnessing numerous miracles, the Israelites frequently complained about their circumstances. In Exodus 16:2-3 , it is recorded: "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 pattern of complaint continued, as seen in Numbers 11:1 : "Soon the people began to complain about their hardship, and the LORD heard them. When His anger was kindled, and the fire of the LORD burned among them and consumed the outskirts of the camp." Here, the act of complaining is met with divine displeasure, illustrating the seriousness with which God views such behavior.

New Testament Perspective

In the New Testament, the theme of complaining is addressed with a call to contentment and gratitude. The Apostle Paul, writing to the Philippians, exhorts believers to live without grumbling: "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" (Philippians 2:14-15). This passage highlights the importance of maintaining a positive witness in a fallen world.

James 5:9 also warns against complaining: "Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you will not be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!" This admonition underscores the relational aspect of complaining, which can lead to discord within the Christian community.

Theological Implications

From a theological standpoint, complaining is often seen as a manifestation of unbelief and a failure to recognize God's sovereignty and goodness. It reflects a heart that is not fully trusting in God's plan and provision. The biblical narrative consistently encourages believers to cultivate a spirit of gratitude and trust, even in challenging circumstances.

Practical Application

For Christians, the biblical teaching on complaining serves as a call to examine one's heart and attitude. Believers are encouraged to replace complaints with prayers of thanksgiving and to trust in God's faithfulness. By doing so, they align themselves with God's will and demonstrate a mature faith that can withstand trials and tribulations.1. (v. i.) To give utterance to expression of grief, pain, censure, regret. etc.; to lament; to murmur; to find fault; -- commonly used with of. Also, to creak or squeak, as a timber or wheel.

2. (v. i.) To make a formal accusation; to make a charge.

3. (v. t.) To lament; to bewail.

1225. diaballo -- to bring charges (usually with hostile intent)
... usually with hostile intent). Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: diaballo Phonetic
Spelling: (dee-ab-al'-lo) Short Definition: I slander, complain of, accuse ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1225.htm - 7k

1234. diagogguzo -- to murmur among themselves
... 1234 (an onomatopoetic term imitating the sound of cooing doves and humming bees) --
constantly, intensely (grumble, complain) -- an intensified form of 1111 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1234.htm - 7k

5003. talaiporeo -- to suffer hardship or distress
... talaiporeo Phonetic Spelling: (tal-ahee-po-reh'-o) Short Definition: I am miserable,
distressed Definition: I endure severe hardship, am harassed, complain. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5003.htm - 6k

4727. stenazo -- to groan (within oneself)
... Word Origin from steno (to moan, sigh, groan) Definition to groan (within oneself)
NASB Word Usage complain (1), deep sigh (1), grief (1), groan (3). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4727.htm - 7k

596. anan -- to complain, murmur
... 595, 596. anan. 597 . to complain, murmur. Transliteration: anan Phonetic Spelling:
(aw-nan') Short Definition: complain. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/596.htm - 5k

7878. siach -- to muse, complain, talk (of)
... 7877, 7878. siach. 7879 . to muse, complain, talk (of). Transliteration:
siach Phonetic Spelling: (see'-akh) Short Definition: meditate. ...
/hebrew/7878.htm - 6k

7378. rib -- to strive, contend
... root Definition to strive, contend NASB Word Usage argue (2), complain (2), contend
(22), contended (9), contends (1), dispute (1), ever strive (1), filed (1 ...
/hebrew/7378.htm - 6k

1058. bakah -- to weep, bewail
... bewail, complain, make lamentation, more, mourn, sore, with tears,. A primitive
root; to weep; generally to bemoan -- X at all, bewail ...
/hebrew/1058.htm - 6k

2199. zaaq -- to cry, cry out, call
... cry out, call NASB Word Usage assembled (1), assembled together (1), call (2), called
(1), called and together (1), called together (4), complain (1), cried (28 ...
/hebrew/2199.htm - 6k

3885. luwn -- to lodge, pass the night, abide
... to stop (usually over night); by implication, to stay permanently; hence (in a bad
sense) to be obstinate (especially in words, to complain) -- abide (all night ...
/hebrew/3885.htm - 5k

Why Should I Complain?
... III. CONFLICT. Hymn 30 Why should I complain? John Newton 8,8,8,8a. Why
should I complain? When my Savior, my Shepherd is near,. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/olney hymns/hymn 30 why should i.htm

But Why do I Complain that You have Disregarded the Insults ...
... 34 But why do I complain that you have disregarded the insults offered to the other? ...
[4250] Lit., "complain of the neglected insults of the other gods.". ...
/.../arnobius/the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/34 but why do i.htm

The Jews Greatly Complain of Archelaus and Desire that they May be ...
... CHAPTER 6. The Jews Greatly Complain Of Archelaus And Desire That They May
Be Made Subject To Roman Governors. But When Caesar Had ...
/.../chapter 6 the jews greatly.htm

That those who Complain of Christianity Really Desire to Live ...
... The City of God.Book I. Chapter 30."That Those Who Complain of Christianity
Really Desire to Live Without Restraint in Shameful Luxury. ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 30 that those who complain.htm

Complain Then no More of Atheists, Infidels, and Such Like Open ...
... Address 149: Complain then no more of atheists, infidels, and such like open
enemies to the gospel? Complain then no more of atheists ...
/.../address 149 0 0 complain then no.htm

How that yet unto this Day all Actives Complain of Contemplatives ...
... HERE BEGINNETH THE EIGHTEENTH CHAPTER How that yet unto this day all actives
complain of contemplatives as Martha did of Mary. Of ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the eighteenth chapter.htm

In that Case, You Say, Why do You Complain of Our Persecutions? ...
... Chapter L. In that case, you say, why do you complain of our persecutions? You ought
rather? In that case, you say, why do you complain of our persecutions? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/apology/chapter l in that case.htm

The Blessing Secured
... You are a parent, and you want your children blessed and converted, and
you complain that you haven't power to bless them. You say ...
/.../murray/the deeper christian life/v the blessing secured.htm

The True Gentleman
... As much as to say, I do not complain of any of you for trying to be the best that
you can, for trying to be as wise as you can be, as eloquent as you can be ...
/.../kingsley/sermons for the times/sermon xx the true gentleman.htm

Of the Weakness of Man.
... Chap. IV."Of the Weakness of Man. They also complain that man is liable
to diseases, and to untimely death. They are indignant ...
/.../lactantius/on the workmanship of god/chap iv of the weakness of.htm

Complain (19 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To lament; to bewail. Multi-Version Concordance Complain (19 Occurrences). ...
Luke 19:7 When they all saw this, they began to complain with indignation. ...
/c/complain.htm - 12k

Grudge (11 Occurrences)
... 3. (vi) To be covetous or envious; to show discontent; to murmur; to complain; to
repine; to be unwilling or reluctant. 4. (vi) To feel compunction or grief. ...
/g/grudge.htm - 13k

Notorious (16 Occurrences)
... Luke 15:2 and this led the Pharisees and the Scribes indignantly to complain, saying,
"He gives a welcome to notorious sinners, and joins them at their meals ...
/n/notorious.htm - 11k

Moan (13 Occurrences)
... DBY). Psalms 55:17 Evening, and morning, and at noonday, will I complain,
and moan; And he will hear my voice. (See JPS ASV DBY RSV). ...
/m/moan.htm - 10k

Complaint (29 Occurrences)
... Psalms 55:17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I complain, and moan; and He
hath heard my voice. (See RSV). Psalms 64:1 For the Chief Musician. ...
/c/complaint.htm - 15k

Voluntarily (6 Occurrences)
... Judges 21:22 It shall be, when their fathers or their brothers come to complain
to us, that we will say to them,'Grant them graciously to us, because we didn't ...
/v/voluntarily.htm - 8k

Noonday (13 Occurrences)
... (KJV JPS DBY NAS RSV NIV). Psalms 55:17 Evening, and morning, and at noonday,
will I complain, and moan; And he will hear my voice. (ASV). ...
/n/noonday.htm - 10k

Overwhelmed (33 Occurrences)
... none. (DBY). Psalms 77:3 I remember God, and I groan. I complain, and my
spirit is overwhelmed. Selah. (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS). Psalms ...
/o/overwhelmed.htm - 15k

Overshadow (4 Occurrences)
... reply has been, "My grace suffices for you, for power matures in weakness." Most
gladly therefore will I boast of my infirmities rather than complain of them ...
/o/overshadow.htm - 7k

Joins (8 Occurrences)
... Luke 15:2 and this led the Pharisees and the Scribes indignantly to complain, saying,
"He gives a welcome to notorious sinners, and joins them at their meals ...
/j/joins.htm - 8k

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

Why did the Israelites need manna if they had flocks/herds of animals that they could eat? | GotQuestions.org

What is up with Millennials? | GotQuestions.org

Complain: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus