International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

mur'-mur, mur'-mur-ingz: The Hebrew word (lun) denotes the semi-articulated mutterings of disaffected persons. It is used in connection with the complaints of the Israelites in the desert against Yahweh on the one hand, and against Moses and Aaron on the other hand (Exodus 16:7, 8 Numbers 14:27, 36; Numbers 16:11; Numbers 17:5). In three places (Deuteronomy 1:27 Psalm 106:25 Isaiah 29:24), "murmur" translates a Hebrew word (raghan) which suggests the malicious whispering of slander.

In the New Testament "murmur" renders two different words, namely, gogguzo, and embrimaomai. The latter word suggests indignation and fault-finding (Mark 14:4 the King James Version). The former word (or a compound of it) is generally used in connection with the complainings of the Pharisees and scribes (Matthew 20:11 Luke 5:30; Luke 15:2; Luke 19:7).

T. Lewis