Word Study for G1111 (γογγύζω)

gongýzō /gong-good'-zo/ Ask about this word

Rootof uncertain derivation

Meaningto grumble

KJV usagemurmur.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of gongýzō — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word gongýzō, represented by G1111, means to grumble or murmur. With a definition of uncertain derivation, this term appears 8 times across 7 unique verses in the Bible. It consistently describes an act of discontented muttering or complaining, often in response to divine authority or actions.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, G1111 is used to express disapproval and resistance. The Jews murmured at Jesus because of his claim to be the bread that came down from heaven John 6:41. Similarly, his own disciples murmured at his teachings, finding them difficult to accept John 6:61. The scribes and Pharisees also murmured against His disciples for eating and drinking with publicans and sinners Luke 5:30. The word captures the sound of a crowd's discontent, as when the Pharisees heard the people murmured such things concerning Jesus John 7:32.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words provide context for the act of murmuring:

G3366 mēdé (but not, not even; in a continued negation, nor): This word is used to issue a direct prohibition against murmuring. It appears in the warning, "Neither murmur ye," which links the act directly to divine judgment 1 Corinthians 10:10.
G3004 légō (to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words...); by implication, to mean:--ask, bid, boast, call, describe... say, speak, tell, utter): This verb for speaking often accompanies an act of murmuring, clarifying the content of the complaint. For instance, the scribes and Pharisees murmured, "saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners?" Luke 5:30.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G1111 is significant, highlighting a specific kind of sinful attitude.

Rejection of Authority: Murmuring is consistently directed against Jesus or his representatives. It is an audible sign of a heart that questions or rejects divine claims and teachings, as seen when the Jews murmured about His heavenly origin John 6:41.
A Prohibited Act: The act of murmuring is explicitly forbidden. Paul warns the Corinthians, "Neither murmur ye," reminding them that this very act led to destruction in the past 1 Corinthians 10:10. Jesus Himself commands his followers, "Murmur not among yourselves" John 6:43.
Discontent with Grace: The term is used in the parable of the laborers, where those who worked all day murmured against the landowner's decision to pay everyone equally, showing discontent with his sovereign generosity Matthew 20:11.

Summary

In summary, G1111 is not merely a word for simple complaining. It is a term that signifies a deep-seated spiritual problem—a grumbling discontent aimed at God's authority, his grace, and his appointed messengers. The scriptures portray murmuring as a dangerous act that is directly forbidden and associated with judgment, serving as a powerful warning about the posture of one's heart toward God.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 8 occurrences, inflected in 5 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

Imperfect Active Indicative 3rd Plural 3×
Present Active Imperative 2nd Plural 2×
Aorist Active Indicative 3rd Plural 1×
Present Active Indicative 3rd Plural 1×
Present Active Participle Genitive Singular Masculine 1×

Genitive: Possession or source — often "of".
Singular: One.
Plural: More than one.
Masculine: Masculine grammatical gender.
2nd: Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd: Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Present: Action in progress or repeated — happening now or continually.
Imperfect: Ongoing or repeated action in the past — "was doing".
Aorist: Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Active: The subject performs the action.
Indicative: A plain statement of fact.
Imperative: A command or entreaty.
Participle: A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 7 verses across 4 of the 27 books. Most frequent in John (4 verses); never once in the other 23.

Matthew

Luke

John

1 Corinthians

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.