Definition and Nature:
Murmuring, in the biblical context, refers to the act of grumbling, complaining, or expressing discontent, often in a subdued or secretive manner. It is typically directed against God or His appointed leaders and is characterized by a lack of faith and trust in God's provision and plan.

Biblical Instances:

1. The Israelites in the Wilderness:
The most prominent examples of murmuring in the Bible occur during the Israelites' journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. Despite witnessing God's miraculous deliverance and provision, the Israelites frequently complained against Moses and Aaron, and ultimately against God. In Exodus 16:2-3 , the Israelites grumbled about the 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!'"

2. The Rebellion of Korah:
In Numbers 16, Korah, Dathan, and Abiram led a rebellion against Moses and Aaron, fueled by discontent and murmuring. This act of defiance was not merely against human leaders but against God's chosen order. Numbers 16:11 states, "Therefore it is against the LORD that you and all your followers have banded together. Who is Aaron that you should grumble against him?"

3. The Bronze Serpent Incident:
In Numbers 21:4-5 , the Israelites again murmured against God and Moses due to the hardships of the journey: "Then they set out from Mount Hor by the way of the Red Sea, to bypass the land of Edom; but the people grew impatient on the journey and spoke against God and against Moses: 'Why have you led us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread or water, and we detest this wretched food!'"

Theological Implications:

Murmuring is often seen as a symptom of a deeper spiritual issue—namely, a lack of faith and trust in God's sovereignty and goodness. It reflects a heart that is not content with God's provision and timing. In 1 Corinthians 10:10 , Paul warns the Corinthian church by referencing the Israelites' example: "And do not grumble, as some of them did, and were killed by the destroying angel."

Consequences of Murmuring:

The Bible consistently portrays murmuring as a serious offense against God, often resulting in divine judgment. For instance, the murmuring of the Israelites led to a prolonged wandering in the wilderness, as seen in Numbers 14:27-29 : "How long will this wicked congregation grumble against Me? I have heard the complaints that the Israelites are making against Me. So tell them: As surely as I live, declares the LORD, I will do to you exactly as I heard you say. Your bodies will fall in this wilderness—all who were numbered in the census, everyone twenty years of age or older—because you have grumbled against Me."

Exhortations Against Murmuring:

The New Testament continues to admonish believers to avoid murmuring. Philippians 2:14-15 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."

Conclusion:
While murmuring is a common human response to difficult circumstances, the Bible calls believers to a higher standard of trust and contentment in God's providence. By focusing on gratitude and faith, Christians are encouraged to overcome the temptation to murmur and instead cultivate a spirit of thankfulness and reliance on God.Of the Hebrews in the wilderness, called forth the displeasure of God, which was only averted by the earnest prayer of Moses (Numbers 11:33, 34; 12; 14:27, 30, 31; 16:3; 21:4-6; Psalm 106:25). Forbidden by Paul (1 Corinthians 10:10). 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Murmur.

2. (a. & n.) Uttering murmurs; making low sounds; complaining.

1112. goggusmos -- a muttering, murmuring
... a muttering, murmuring. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: goggusmos
Phonetic Spelling: (gong-goos-mos') Short Definition: murmuring, grumbling ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1112.htm - 6k

1234. diagogguzo -- to murmur among themselves
... Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: diagogguzo Phonetic Spelling: (dee-ag-ong-
good'-zo) Short Definition: I murmur greatly, continue murmuring Definition: I ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1234.htm - 7k

1901. hagig -- a whisper, musing, murmuring
... 1900, 1901. hagig. 1902 . a whisper, musing, murmuring. Transliteration: hagig
Phonetic Spelling: (haw-gheeg') Short Definition: groaning. ...
/hebrew/1901.htm - 6k

8519b. telunah -- a murmuring
telunah or telunnah. 8519a, 8519b. telunah or telunnah. 8520 . a murmuring.
Transliteration: telunah or telunnah Short Definition: grumblings. ...
/hebrew/8519b.htm - 5k

8519. tluwnah -- exalted, lofty
... 8518, 8519. tluwnah. 8519a . exalted, lofty. Transliteration: tluwnah Phonetic
Spelling: (tel-oo-naw') Short Definition: murmuring. murmuring ...
/hebrew/8519.htm - 5k

1902. higgayon -- resounding music, meditation, musing
... Intensive from hagah; a murmuring sound, ie A musical notation (probably similar
to the modern affettuoso to indicate solemnity of movement); by implication, a ...
/hebrew/1902.htm - 6k

And Jesus Knew Within Himself that his Disciples were Murmuring ...
... The Text of the Diatessaron. Section XX. And Jesus knew within himself
that his disciples were murmuring because of? [1] [1402 ...
/.../hogg/the diatessaron of tatian/section xx and jesus knew.htm

Marah; Or, the Bitter Waters Sweetened
... sweet.""Exodus 15:23-25. WHAT A SUDDEN CHANGE from the sound of the timbrel
to the voice of murmuring! You saw the maidens dancing ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/marah or the bitter waters.htm

Acts VI
... (1) "Now, in those days, the disciples having multiplied, there arose a murmuring
of the Hellenist against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts vi.htm

Philippians ii. 16-Dec
... For he has taken occasion to insinuate pride or vainglory, or if none of
these things, then murmuring, or, if not this, misgivings. ...
/.../homily viii philippians ii 16-dec.htm

Jesus Discussed in Jerusalem.
... And there was much murmuring among the multitudes concerning Him: some said, He
is a good man; others said, Not so, but He leadeth the multitude astray. ...
/.../xvi jesus discussed in jerusalem.htm

The Seven Deacons
... In those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring
of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 9 the seven deacons.htm

John vi. 41, 42
... They still reverenced Him, because the miracle of the loaves was recent, and therefore
they did not openly gainsay Him, but by murmuring expressed their ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xlvi john vi 41.htm

Of Meditation --The First Degree of Prayer or Mystical Theology.
... notice of it, the young swallows open their beaks very wide in their chirping, and,
on the contrary, doves, above all birds, make their murmuring with their ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter ii of meditationthe first.htm

Jesus at the Feast of Tabernacles.
... The Jews therefore sought him at the feast, and said, "Where is he?" And there was
much murmuring among the multitudes concerning him: some said, "He is a good ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his life/jesus at the feast of.htm

Of the Meaning of the Seven Nations of Whose Lands Israel Took ...
... filthy conversation, lies, perjury, foolish talking, scurrility, restlessness,
greediness, bitterness, clamour, wrath, contempt, murmuring, temptation, despair ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xvi of the meaning.htm

Murmuring (14 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Murmuring (14 Occurrences). Matthew 20:11 and having received
'it', they were murmuring against the householder, saying, (YLT). ...
/m/murmuring.htm - 11k

Grudge (11 Occurrences)
... grudge," "Grudge not one against another, brethren," the Revised Version (British
and American) "murmur not"; goggusmos, "a murmuring" (compare John 7:12; Acts ...
/g/grudge.htm - 13k

Whispering (7 Occurrences)
... 2. (a. & n.) from Whisper. Multi-Version Concordance Whispering (7 Occurrences).
John 7:12 There was much murmuring among the multitudes concerning him. ...
/w/whispering.htm - 8k

Muttering (3 Occurrences)
... (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Mutter. Multi-Version Concordance Muttering (3 Occurrences).
John 7:12 There was much murmuring among the multitudes concerning him. ...
/m/muttering.htm - 7k

Pur (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (vi) To utter a low, murmuring, continued sound, as
a cat does when pleased. 2. (vt) To signify or express by purring. ...
/p/pur.htm - 15k

Complaints (6 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Numbers 14:27 Until when hath this evil company that which they are
murmuring against Me? the murmurings of the sons of Israel ...
/c/complaints.htm - 8k

Complaint (29 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Expression of grief, regret, pain, censure, or
resentment; lamentation; murmuring; accusation; fault-finding. ...
/c/complaint.htm - 15k

Murmurings (8 Occurrences)

/m/murmurings.htm - 10k

Community (77 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Numbers 14:27 Until when hath this evil company that which they
are murmuring against Me? the murmurings of the sons of ...
/c/community.htm - 32k

Nay (92 Occurrences)
... (WEY). John 7:12 And there was much murmuring among the people concerning him: for
some said, He is a good man: others said, Nay; but he deceiveth the people. ...
/n/nay.htm - 34k

What is glossolalia? | GotQuestions.org

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Who was Korah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Murmuring: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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