לוּן (lun)
lun
to lodge; to grumble
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 67 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb lūn carries two distinct meanings that often appear in the same books: to lodge or stay overnight, and to grumble or complain. In its primary sense, it describes the physical act of stopping for the night, whether in a tent, a city, or a wilderness camp. This usage is frequent in narratives where travel and rest are central, such as when the Israelites pause during their journey through the desert.
The second meaning, to complain, likely arose from the idea of settling down and murmuring while at rest. In the books of Numbers and Judges, lūn frequently appears when the people voice dissatisfaction with their circumstances or leadership. This dual nature allows the word to capture both the literal setting of a camp and the restless discontent that can fester within it.
Translators usually render the first sense as "stay" or "lodge," while the second is often translated as "grumble" or "complain." The context always makes the intended meaning clear, though the proximity of these two ideas in the same texts highlights a recurring theme: the tension between finding rest and maintaining faith. This word reminds readers that physical shelter does not guarantee inner peace.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word lūn carries a quiet duality that reflects our own daily rhythms. It describes the simple act of lodging for the night, finding shelter under the stars or within the walls of a home. This physical rest is often a moment of pause before the next day’s journey begins, as seen when travelers seek refuge in the street or at a stranger’s door.
Yet this same word also captures the sound of murmuring that can arise when we settle into discomfort. In the wilderness narratives, the people used their time of rest to voice complaints against their leaders and God. The tension between these two meanings reminds us that physical shelter does not automatically bring inner peace. Where we stop matters less than how we respond to the circumstances around us.
When life feels uncertain, this word invites a gentle reflection on our own attitudes. Are we resting in trust, or are we using our downtime to nurture discontent? The text suggests that true rest comes not just from stopping our feet, but from aligning our hearts with the One who provides for our needs.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 67 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- it will remain overnight6×
- to/ spend [the] night5×
- and/ they grumbled4×
- spend [the] night3×
- [are] grumbling3×
- you will lodge2×
- you will cause to grumble2×
- to/ stay [the] night2×
- they spend [the] night2×
- it will remain2×
- it lodges2×
- and/ they stayed [the] night2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- לָ/לֽוּן\׃4×
- וַ/יָּלִ֖ינוּ4×
- יָלִ֥ין3×
- יָלִ֣ין3×
- יָלִ֑ינוּ3×
- תָּלִ֥ין2×
- תַלִּ֖ינוּ2×
- יָ֝לִ֗ין2×
- וַ/יָּ֥לֶן2×
- תָּלַֽן\׃1×
- תָּלַ֥ן1×
- תָּלִֽין\׃1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 19:2
and he said, “See now, my lords, please come into your servant’s house, stay all night, wash your feet, and you can rise up early, and go on your way.” They said, “No, but we will stay in the street all night.”
This verse highlights the hospitality aspect of lodging, where the offer to stay overnight serves as a critical test of character in a dangerous situation.
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Exodus 16:7
In the morning, you shall see Yahweh’s glory; because he hears your murmurings against Yahweh. Who are we, that you murmur against us?”
Here the word shifts to its secondary meaning of murmuring, showing how the Israelites interpreted their physical hardship as a personal attack rather than a test of faith.
-
Numbers 14:27
“How long shall I bear with this evil congregation that complain against me? I have heard the complaints of the children of Israel, which they complain against me.
The phrase 'evil congregation that complain' uses this verb to describe a persistent attitude of rebellion that ultimately determined the generation's fate in the wilderness.
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Genesis 28:11
He came to a certain place, and stayed there all night, because the sun had set. He took one of the stones of the place, and put it under his head, and lay down in that place to sleep.
Jacob’s decision to stay for the night at a specific place becomes the setting for a profound divine encounter, linking physical rest with spiritual revelation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does lūn mean in the Bible?
Why does the same word mean both to stay and to complain?
How is lūn different from other words for resting?
Every Occurrence (67 verses across 21 books)
Genesis 6 verses
and he said, “See now, my lords, please come into your servant’s house, stay all night, wash your feet, and you can…
Genesis 24:23and said, “Whose daughter are you? Please tell me. Is there room in your father’s house for us to stay?”
Genesis 24:25She said moreover to him, “We have both straw and feed enough, and room to lodge in.”
Genesis 24:54They ate and drank, he and the men who were with him, and stayed all night. They rose up in the morning, and he said,…
Genesis 28:11He came to a certain place, and stayed there all night, because the sun had set. He took one of the stones of the…
Genesis 31:54Jacob offered a sacrifice in the mountain, and called his relatives to eat bread. They ate bread, and stayed all night…