The term "discontented" refers to a state of dissatisfaction or restlessness, often arising from unmet desires or expectations. In the biblical context, discontentment is frequently portrayed as a spiritual issue, reflecting a lack of trust in God's provision and sovereignty.

Biblical Examples:

1. The Israelites in the Wilderness: One of the most prominent examples of discontentment in the Bible is the behavior of the Israelites during their journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. Despite God's miraculous deliverance and provision, the Israelites frequently grumbled and expressed dissatisfaction. 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.'"

2. Korah's Rebellion: In Numbers 16, Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, along with 250 community leaders, expressed discontentment with Moses and Aaron's leadership. Their rebellion was rooted in a desire for power and recognition, leading to severe consequences. Numbers 16:11 states, "Therefore it is against the LORD that you and all your followers have conspired. Who is Aaron that you should grumble against him?"

3. King Saul: Saul, the first king of Israel, exhibited discontentment with God's timing and instructions. His impatience and desire for control led him to offer sacrifices unlawfully, resulting in God's rejection of his kingship. 1 Samuel 13:13-14 records Samuel's rebuke: "You have acted foolishly," Samuel declared. "You have not kept the command that the LORD your God gave you; if you had, the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time."

Teachings on Contentment:

1. Contentment as a Virtue: The Bible encourages believers to cultivate contentment as a virtue. In Philippians 4:11-13 , the Apostle Paul writes, "I am not saying this out of need, for I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances. I know how to live humbly, and I know how to abound. I am accustomed to any and every situation—to being filled and being hungry, to having plenty and having need. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength."

2. Trust in God's Provision: Contentment is closely linked to trust in God's provision. Jesus taught His followers to rely on God for their needs, as seen in Matthew 6:31-33 : "Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles strive after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you."

3. Warnings Against Greed: Discontentment often stems from greed and the desire for more. Hebrews 13:5 warns, "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said: 'Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.'"

Spiritual Implications:

Discontentment can lead to spiritual unrest and a distancing from God. It reflects a heart that is not fully surrendered to God's will and timing. The Bible calls believers to cultivate a spirit of gratitude and trust, recognizing that true satisfaction comes from a relationship with God rather than material possessions or earthly circumstances.1. (imp. & p. p.) of Discontent.

2. (p. p. & a.) Dissatisfied; uneasy in mind; malcontent.

3202. mempsimoiros -- complaining of one's fate
... one's fate. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: mempsimoiros Phonetic Spelling:
(mem-psim'-oy-ros) Short Definition: discontented, complaining Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3202.htm - 7k4751. mar -- bitter, bitterness
... Origin from marar Definition bitter, bitterness NASB Word Usage bitter (15), bitter
thing (1), bitterly (4), bitterness (11), discontented* (1), embittered (1 ...
/hebrew/4751.htm - 6k

5315. nephesh -- a soul, living being, life, self, person, desire ...
... corpse (2), creature (6), creatures (3), dead (1), dead person (2), deadly (1),
death (1), defenseless* (1), desire (12), desire* (2), discontented* (1), endure ...
/hebrew/5315.htm - 7k

The Peace of God
... And the noble and peace-bringing discontent is to be discontented with
ourselves, as very few are. And the mean peace-destroying ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon xxv the peace of.htm

The Words of Our Lips.
... Another which we must guard against is the discontented word. ... Let to-day be ever
so bright and prosperous, the discontented forsees trouble to-morrow. ...
/.../the life of duty a years plain sermons v 2/sermon xl the words of.htm

On the Feast of the Holy Martyr, St Laurence
... wherever, He may lead them. Of the causes of wandering thoughts and a
discontented mind on account of outward things. How a man in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tauler/the inner way/sermon xvi on the feast.htm

The Divine Discontent. July 22.
... I should like to make every one I meet discontented with themselves; I should like
to awaken in them, about their physical, their intellectual, their moral ...
/.../kingsley/daily thoughts /the divine discontent july 22.htm

Rest of the Soul.
... ever so much. Those who are always contented and happy are a most gracious
contribution from God to a discontented world. This sin ...
/.../orr/food for the lambs or helps for young christians/rest of the soul.htm

The Plagues
... "A pest on the ban," she exclaimed. "Look at the Marsh of the Discontented Soul. ...
Was not this a tomb? She was in the Tomb of the Discontented Soul! ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxix the plagues.htm

Again on the Calamity of the City of Antioch. ...
... 4. For this then let us be thankful, and let us not be petulant or discontented;
for that fear is a good thing, what we have said hath made manifest. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily xv again on the.htm

Psalm C.
... Every land is full of the discontented murmurs of the wicked, and of the
jubilance of the good. What then is it, "to jubilate"? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm c.htm

Why all Things Work for Good
... (6). Learn how little cause we have then to be discontented at outward trials and
emergencies! What! Discontented at that which shall do us good! ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a divine cordial/why all things work for.htm

The Divine Hunger and Thirst
... I say man ought to be always hungering and thirsting for something better. I do
not mean by that that he ought to be discontented. Nothing less. ...
/.../kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon ii the divine hunger.htm

Discontented (2 Occurrences)
...Discontented (2 Occurrences). 1 Corinthians 10:10 And do not be discontented, as
some of them were, and they were destroyed by the Destroyer. (WEY). ...
/d/discontented.htm - 7k

Discontent (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Not content; discontented; dissatisfied. ... 4. (n.)
A discontented person; a malcontent. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/d/discontent.htm - 7k

Grumble (13 Occurrences)
... 4. (vt) To express or utter with grumbling. 5. (n.) The noise of one that grumbles.
6. (n.) A grumbling, discontented disposition. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/g/grumble.htm - 10k

Gaal (10 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Loathing, the son of Ebed, in whom the Shechemites "placed
their confidence" when they became discontented with Abimelech. ...
/g/gaal.htm - 10k

Restless (6 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Not satisfied to be at rest or in peace; averse to repose or quiet; eager
for change; discontented; as, restless schemers; restless ambition; restless ...
/r/restless.htm - 8k

Resorted (10 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 22:2 And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt,
and every one that was discontented, resorted to him; and he became a captain ...
/r/resorted.htm - 9k

Ephraim (168 Occurrences)
... During the time of the judges and the first stage of the monarchy this tribe
manifested a domineering and haughty and discontented spirit. ...
/e/ephraim.htm - 56k

Discontinue (1 Occurrence)

/d/discontinue.htm - 7k

Bitter (203 Occurrences)
... nes (mar, or marah = "bitter" (literally or figuratively); also (noun) "bitterness"
or (adverb) "bitterly"; "angry," "chafed," "discontented," "heavy" (Genesis ...
/b/bitter.htm - 42k

Bitterness (37 Occurrences)
... nes (mar, or marah = "bitter" (literally or figuratively); also (noun) "bitterness"
or (adverb) "bitterly"; "angry," "chafed," "discontented," "heavy" (Genesis ...
/b/bitterness.htm - 21k

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

Why is "You shall not covet" in the Ten Commandments? | GotQuestions.org

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

Discontented: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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