γλῶσσα
glōssa
tongue
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek word γλῶσσα (glōssa) is defined as "tongue," encompassing the physical organ of speech as well as the language itself. With 50 occurrences in the Bible, this word holds significant importance in the context of speech and communication. The range of usage for γλῶσσα is broad, covering various aspects of language and speech. It can refer to the physical act of speaking, as in the phrase "to speak with the tongue" (e.g., Matthew 15:11). It can also denote the language or dialect spoken by a particular group, such as the "tongue" of the Gentiles (e.g., Acts 2:11). Furthermore, γλῶσσα can convey the idea of a person's native language or dialect, as in the phrase "to speak with one's own tongue" (e.g., Acts 2:6). The significance of γλῶσσα lies in its connection to the idea of communication and understanding. In the biblical context, the ability to speak and be understood is often seen as a gift and a blessing (e.g., Acts 2:7-11). The word γλῶσσα highlights the importance of language and speech in facilitating relationships, conveying ideas, and building communities.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
50 total occurrences across the text
He took him aside from the multitude, privately, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat, and touched his tongue.
Mark 7:35Immediately his ears were opened, and the impediment of his tongue was released, and he spoke clearly.
Mark 16:17These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new languages;
Luke 1:64His mouth was opened immediately and his tongue freed, and he spoke, blessing God.
Luke 16:24He cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue! For I am in anguish in this flame.’
Acts 2:3Tongues like fire appeared and were distributed to them, and one sat on each of them.
Acts 2:4They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other languages, as the Spirit gave them the ability to speak.
Acts 2:11Cretans and Arabians: we hear them speaking in our languages the mighty works of God!”
Acts 2:26Therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced. Moreover my flesh also will dwell in hope;
Acts 10:46For they heard them speaking in other languages and magnifying God. Then Peter answered,
Acts 19:6When Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them and they spoke with other languages and prophesied.
Romans 3:13“Their throat is an open tomb. With their tongues they have used deceit.” “The poison of vipers is under their lips.”
Romans 14:11For it is written, “ ‘As I live,’ says the Lord, ‘to me every knee will bow. Every tongue will confess to God.’ ”
1 Corinthians 12:10and to another workings of miracles; and to another prophecy; and to another discerning of spirits; to another different kinds of languages; and to another the interpretation of languages.
1 Corinthians 12:10and to another workings of miracles; and to another prophecy; and to another discerning of spirits; to another different kinds of languages; and to another the interpretation of languages.
1 Corinthians 12:28God has set some in the assembly: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracle workers, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, and various kinds of languages.
1 Corinthians 12:30Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with various languages? Do all interpret?
1 Corinthians 13:1If I speak with the languages of men and of angels, but don’t have love, I have become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal.
1 Corinthians 13:8Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will be done away with. Where there are various languages, they will cease. Where there is knowledge, it will be done away with.
1 Corinthians 14:2For he who speaks in another language speaks not to men, but to God; for no one understands; but in the Spirit he speaks mysteries.
1 Corinthians 14:4He who speaks in another language edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the assembly.
1 Corinthians 14:5Now I desire to have you all speak with other languages, but rather that you would prophesy. For he is greater who prophesies than he who speaks with other languages, unless he interprets, that the assembly may be built up.
1 Corinthians 14:5Now I desire to have you all speak with other languages, but rather that you would prophesy. For he is greater who prophesies than he who speaks with other languages, unless he interprets, that the assembly may be built up.
1 Corinthians 14:6But now, brothers, if I come to you speaking with other languages, what would I profit you, unless I speak to you either by way of revelation, or of knowledge, or of prophesying, or of teaching?
1 Corinthians 14:9So also you, unless you uttered by the tongue words easy to understand, how would it be known what is spoken? For you would be speaking into the air.
1 Corinthians 14:13Therefore let him who speaks in another language pray that he may interpret.
1 Corinthians 14:14For if I pray in another language, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.
1 Corinthians 14:18I thank my God, I speak with other languages more than you all.
1 Corinthians 14:19However in the assembly I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I might instruct others also, than ten thousand words in another language.
1 Corinthians 14:22Therefore other languages are for a sign, not to those who believe, but to the unbelieving; but prophesying is for a sign, not to the unbelieving, but to those who believe.
1 Corinthians 14:23If therefore the whole assembly is assembled together and all speak with other languages, and unlearned or unbelieving people come in, won’t they say that you are crazy?
1 Corinthians 14:26What is it then, brothers? When you come together, each one of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has another language, or has an interpretation. Let all things be done to build each other up.
1 Corinthians 14:27If any man speaks in another language, let it be two, or at the most three, and in turn; and let one interpret.
1 Corinthians 14:39Therefore, brothers, desire earnestly to prophesy, and don’t forbid speaking with other languages.
Philippians 2:11and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
James 1:26If anyone among you thinks himself to be religious while he doesn’t bridle his tongue, but deceives his heart, this man’s religion is worthless.
James 3:5So the tongue is also a little member, and boasts great things. See how a small fire can spread to a large forest!
James 3:6And the tongue is a fire. The world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature, and is set on fire by Gehenna.
James 3:6And the tongue is a fire. The world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature, and is set on fire by Gehenna.
James 3:8but nobody can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
Revelation 11:9From among the peoples, tribes, languages, and nations, people will look at their dead bodies for three and a half days, and will not allow their dead bodies to be laid in a tomb.
1 Peter 3:10For, “He who would love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit.
1 John 3:18My little children, let’s not love in word only, or with the tongue only, but in deed and truth.
Revelation 5:9They sang a new song, saying, “You are worthy to take the book and to open its seals: for you were killed, and bought us for God with your blood out of every tribe, language, people, and nation,
Revelation 7:9After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude, which no man could count, out of every nation and of all tribes, peoples, and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, dressed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands.
Revelation 10:11They told me, “You must prophesy again over many peoples, nations, languages, and kings.”
Revelation 13:7It was given to him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them. Authority over every tribe, people, language, and nation was given to him.
Revelation 14:6I saw an angel flying in mid heaven, having an eternal Good News to proclaim to those who dwell on the earth, and to every nation, tribe, language, and people.
Revelation 16:10The fifth poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom was darkened. They gnawed their tongues because of the pain,
Revelation 17:15He said to me, “The waters which you saw, where the prostitute sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and languages.