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Greek noun (feminine) · G1100

γλῶσσα

glossagloce-sah'

the tongue; a tongue, language

49 uses in the Greek text, one for each word STEP Bible has tagged with this key

Concordance spelling: glōssa

Word page · Part of the concordance, one page for every word of the Hebrew and Greek text. Strong's G1100is this word's number in James Strong's 1890 index of the King James Bible.

  • 10 of 27
    New Testament books
  • 11
    spellings
  • 2
    meanings

The definition in full

Strong's key (1890) · G1100

the tongue; by implication, a language (specially, one naturally unacquired)

The King James renders it: tongue.

James Strong, The Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890), public domain. Strong indexed the King James text, and this site quotes his entry as that index.

Summary

glossa is rendered "the tongue; a tongue, language". It stands 49 times in the Greek text, across ten books.

  • Twenty-one of the uses stand in 1 Corinthians, more than in any other book.
  • The lexicon lists two meanings for it, beginning with "the tongue".
  • Its first use in canonical order opens the ledger below.Mark 7:33So Jesus took him aside privately, away from the crowd, and put His fingers into the man’s ears. Then He spit and touched the man’s tongue.
  • The Greek text spells it eleven different ways.

The first use

So Jesus took him aside privately, away from the crowd, and put His fingers into the man’s ears. Then He spit and touched the man’s tongue.

Mark 7:33γλώσσης

The first use, in the order of the New Testament's books.

Where the word stands

Twenty-one of the word's forty-nine uses are in 1 Corinthians.

The other 17 New Testament books never use the word.

What the word means

The word carries two meanings: the tongue, and a tongue, language.

Each meaning, and the words it is translated by

The English STEP Bible gives each use, word by word, and how many times.
the tongueas the organ of speechTagged as
  • tongue17
  • tongues12
  • in a tongue4
  • of tongues3
  • a tongue2
  • in tongue1
  • with a tongue1
WhereMark 7:33So Jesus took him aside privately, away from the crowd, and put His fingers into the man’s ears…
a tongue, languageAct.2:11; joined with φυλή, λαός, ἔθνος, frequently in pl., Rev.5:9 7:9 10:11 11:9 13:7 14:6 17:15; λαλεῖν ἑτέραις γ., Act.2:4; γ....Tagged as
  • in tongues9
WhereMark 16:17And these signs will accompany those who believe: In My name they will drive out demons…

The words built on the same word-part

Each word below begins with the same letters this one begins with. A shared word-part shows a family. It does not settle what any one of them means, so each word carries its own uses on its own page. Scholars call that shared part the stem.

γλωσσόκομονglossokomonmoneybagUses2

All 49, in canonical order

Every use, in order

Every use, grouped by book, with its verse.

11 spellings and their grammar

STEP Bible tags every word of the Hebrew and Greek text with its spelling and its grammar. Both lists below count the rows printed underneath, written out in English, with the code beside each one as it was tagged.

How it is spelled

  • γλώσσαις14
  • γλῶσσα6
  • γλῶσσαν6
  • γλώσσῃ6
  • γλωσσῶν5
  • γλῶσσαι4
  • γλώσσης4
  • γλῶσσά1
  • γλῶσσάν1
  • γλώσσας1
  • γλώσσῃ.¶1

The grammar of each form

  • noun · dative (“to / for”) · feminine plural14N-DPF
  • noun · accusative (object) · feminine singular7N-ASF
  • noun · dative (“to / for”) · feminine singular7N-DSF
  • noun · nominative (subject) · feminine singular7N-NSF
  • noun · genitive (“of”) · feminine plural5N-GPF
  • noun · genitive (“of”) · feminine singular4N-GSF
  • noun · nominative (subject) · feminine plural4N-NPF
  • noun · accusative (object) · feminine plural1N-APF

Mark

two uses
  • So Jesus took him aside privately, away from the crowd, and put His fingers into the man’s ears. Then He spit and touched the man’s tongue.

    Mark 7:33

    • γλώσσηςglossesnoun · genitive (“of”) · feminine singulartagged: tongue
  • Immediately the man’s ears were opened and his tongue was released, and he began to speak plainly.

    Mark 7:35

    • γλώσσηςglossesnoun · genitive (“of”) · feminine singulartagged: tongue

Luke

two uses
  • Immediately Zechariah’s mouth was opened and his tongue was released, and he began to speak, praising God.

    Luke 1:64

    • γλῶσσαglossanoun · nominative (subject) · feminine singulartagged: tongue
  • So he cried out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. For I am in agony in this fire.’

    Luke 16:24

    • γλῶσσάνglossannoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: tongue

Acts

six uses
  • They saw tongues like flames of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.

    Acts 2:3

    • γλῶσσαιglossainoun · nominative (subject) · feminine pluraltagged: tongues
  • And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

    Acts 2:4

    • γλώσσαιςglossaisnoun · dative (“to / for”) · feminine pluraltagged: tongues
  • both Jews and converts to Judaism; Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!”

    Acts 2:11

    • γλώσσαιςglossaisnoun · dative (“to / for”) · feminine pluraltagged: tongues
  • Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will dwell in hope,

    Acts 2:26

    • γλῶσσάglossanoun · nominative (subject) · feminine singulartagged: tongue
  • For they heard them speaking in tongues and exalting God. Then Peter said,

    Acts 10:46

    • γλώσσαιςglossaisnoun · dative (“to / for”) · feminine pluraltagged: in tongues
  • And when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.

    Acts 19:6

    • γλώσσαιςglossaisnoun · dative (“to / for”) · feminine pluraltagged: in tongues

Romans

two uses
  • “Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.” “The venom of vipers is on their lips.”

    Romans 3:13

    • γλώσσαιςglossaisnoun · dative (“to / for”) · feminine pluraltagged: tongues
  • It is written: “As surely as I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow before Me; every tongue will confess to God.”

    Romans 14:11

    • γλῶσσαglossanoun · nominative (subject) · feminine singulartagged: tongue

1 Corinthians

twenty-one uses
  • to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in various tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.

    1 Corinthians 12:10

    • γλωσσῶνglossonnoun · genitive (“of”) · feminine pluraltagged: of tongues
    • γλωσσῶνglossonnoun · genitive (“of”) · feminine pluraltagged: of tongues
  • And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, and those with gifts of healing, helping, administration, and various tongues.

    1 Corinthians 12:28

    • γλωσσῶνglossonnoun · genitive (“of”) · feminine pluraltagged: of tongues
  • Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?

    1 Corinthians 12:30

    • γλώσσαιςglossaisnoun · dative (“to / for”) · feminine pluraltagged: in tongues
  • If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a ringing gong or a clanging cymbal.

    1 Corinthians 13:1

    • γλώσσαιςglossaisnoun · dative (“to / for”) · feminine pluraltagged: tongues
  • Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be restrained; where there is knowledge, it will be dismissed.

    1 Corinthians 13:8

    • γλῶσσαιglossainoun · nominative (subject) · feminine pluraltagged: tongues
  • For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men, but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries in the Spirit.

    1 Corinthians 14:2

    • γλώσσῃglossenoun · dative (“to / for”) · feminine singulartagged: in a tongue
  • The one who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but the one who prophesies edifies the church.

    1 Corinthians 14:4

    • γλώσσῃglossenoun · dative (“to / for”) · feminine singulartagged: in a tongue
  • I wish that all of you could speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets so that the church may be edified.

    1 Corinthians 14:5

    • γλώσσαιςglossaisnoun · dative (“to / for”) · feminine pluraltagged: in tongues
    • γλώσσαιςglossaisnoun · dative (“to / for”) · feminine pluraltagged: in tongues
  • Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching?

    1 Corinthians 14:6

    • γλώσσαιςglossaisnoun · dative (“to / for”) · feminine pluraltagged: in tongues
  • So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air.

    1 Corinthians 14:9

    • γλώσσηςglossesnoun · genitive (“of”) · feminine singulartagged: tongue
  • Therefore, the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret.

    1 Corinthians 14:13

    • γλώσσῃglossenoun · dative (“to / for”) · feminine singulartagged: in a tongue
  • For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.

    1 Corinthians 14:14

    • γλώσσῃglossenoun · dative (“to / for”) · feminine singulartagged: in a tongue
  • I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.

    1 Corinthians 14:18

    • γλώσσαιςglossaisnoun · dative (“to / for”) · feminine pluraltagged: in tongues
  • But in the church, I would rather speak five coherent words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.

    1 Corinthians 14:19

    • γλώσσῃ.¶glossenoun · dative (“to / for”) · feminine singulartagged: a tongue
  • Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers, but for unbelievers. Prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers.

    1 Corinthians 14:22

    • γλῶσσαιglossainoun · nominative (subject) · feminine pluraltagged: tongues
  • So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and some who are uninstructed or some unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your minds?

    1 Corinthians 14:23

    • γλώσσαιςglossaisnoun · dative (“to / for”) · feminine pluraltagged: in tongues
  • What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a psalm or a teaching, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. All of these must be done to build up the church.

    1 Corinthians 14:26

    • γλῶσσανglossannoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: a tongue
  • If anyone speaks in a tongue, two, or at most three, should speak in turn, and someone must interpret.

    1 Corinthians 14:27

    • γλώσσῃglossenoun · dative (“to / for”) · feminine singulartagged: with a tongue
  • So, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.

    1 Corinthians 14:39

    • γλώσσαιςglossaisnoun · dative (“to / for”) · feminine pluraltagged: in tongues

Philippians

one use
  • and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

    Philippians 2:11

    • γλῶσσαglossanoun · nominative (subject) · feminine singulartagged: tongue

James

five uses
  • If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his heart and his religion is worthless.

    James 1:26

    • γλῶσσανglossannoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: tongue
  • In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things. Consider how small a spark sets a great forest ablaze.

    James 3:5

    • γλῶσσαglossanoun · nominative (subject) · feminine singulartagged: tongue
  • The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

    James 3:6

    • γλῶσσαglossanoun · nominative (subject) · feminine singulartagged: tongue
    • γλῶσσαglossanoun · nominative (subject) · feminine singulartagged: tongue
  • but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

    James 3:8

    • γλῶσσανglossannoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: tongue

1 Peter

one use
  • For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.

    1 Peter 3:10

    • γλῶσσανglossannoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: tongue

1 John

one use
  • Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth.

    1 John 3:18

    • γλώσσῃglossenoun · dative (“to / for”) · feminine singulartagged: in tongue

Revelation

eight uses
  • And they sang a new song: “Worthy are You to take the scroll and open its seals, because You were slain, and by Your blood You purchased for God those from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.

    Revelation 5:9

    • γλώσσηςglossesnoun · genitive (“of”) · feminine singulartagged: tongue
  • After this I looked and saw a multitude too large to count, from every nation and tribe and people and tongue, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands.

    Revelation 7:9

    • γλωσσῶνglossonnoun · genitive (“of”) · feminine pluraltagged: tongues
  • And they told me, “You must prophesy again about many peoples and nations and tongues and kings.”

    Revelation 10:11

    • γλώσσαιςglossaisnoun · dative (“to / for”) · feminine pluraltagged: tongues
  • For three and a half days all peoples and tribes and tongues and nations will view their bodies and will not permit them to be laid in a tomb.

    Revelation 11:9

    • γλωσσῶνglossonnoun · genitive (“of”) · feminine pluraltagged: tongues
  • Then the beast was permitted to wage war against the saints and to conquer them, and it was given authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation.

    Revelation 13:7

    • γλῶσσανglossannoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: tongue
  • Then I saw another angel flying overhead, with the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation and tribe and tongue and people.

    Revelation 14:6

    • γλῶσσανglossannoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: tongue
  • And the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and its kingdom was plunged into darkness, and men began to gnaw their tongues in anguish

    Revelation 16:10

    • γλώσσαςglossasnoun · accusative (object) · feminine pluraltagged: tongues
  • Then the angel said to me, “The waters you saw, where the prostitute was seated, are peoples and multitudes and nations and tongues.

    Revelation 17:15

    • γλῶσσαιglossainoun · nominative (subject) · feminine pluraltagged: tongues

Where it leads

How the numbers are counted

Every count on this page comes from STEP Bible's tagged Hebrew and Greek text, the same text the ledger prints. A use is counted once each time the tagging marks a word with this key.

Spellings are counted as the Greek text spells them, with the sentence's own punctuation taken off the word first, so a form that ends a clause is not counted as a second spelling.

The words it stands beside are the nouns, verbs and adjectives immediately before or after it, counted in every verse where the word stands. The article, the conjunctions and the prepositions are left out, because they stand beside every word.

The family is read from the lexicon by the stem the two words share, with the accents off, and a person or a place named on the stem is left out.

Hebrew and Greek text, word tagging and grammar: STEP Bible (www.STEPBible.org), Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0. Their grammar codes are written out in English here and shown as tagged beside each one.

Meaning and senses: STEP Bible TBESG (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0), the Brief lexicon based on Abbott-Smith (1922).

Dictionary key: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890, public domain). English verse text: Berean Standard Bible (public domain, 2023).

Revised 2026-09-05. Every cited work, the sources registry →