"the tongue, Mk. 7:33, 35, et al.; meton. speech, talk, 1 Jn. 3:18; a tongue, language, Acts 2:11; 1 Cor. 13:1, et al.; meton. a language not proper to a speaker, a gift or faculty of such language, Mk. 16:17; 1 Cor. 14:13, 14, 26, et al.; from Hebrew, a nation, as defined by its ..."
Definition and meaning
the tongue, Mk. 7:33, 35, et al.; meton. speech, talk, 1 Jn. 3:18; a tongue, language, Acts 2:11; 1 Cor. 13:1, et al.; meton. a language not proper to a speaker, a gift or faculty of such language, Mk. 16:17; 1 Cor. 14:13, 14, 26, et al.; from Hebrew, a nation, as defined by its language, Rev. 5:9, et al.; lit. a tongue-shaped flail, Acts 2:3
In the original Greek the word is written: γλῶσσα
Historical context
The Gospel of Mark moves urgently — the word "immediately" appears over 40 times. It was written for a Roman audience familiar with power and action. Jesus is portrayed as a man who acts, heals, and commands authority that the Roman world had never seen from a Jewish teacher.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of glossa (G1100) across the King James Bible.
And he took him aside from the multitude, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue;
And straightway his ears were opened, and the string of his tongue was loosed, and he spake plain.
And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God.
And he 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 tormented in this flame.
And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.
Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:
For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
Refiner gives you the full lexicon entry, AI-powered verse insight, historical commentary, cross-references, and voice study — all in one place.
Free to start · Disciple $4.99/mo · Shepherd $9.99/mo
Common questions
Strong's G1100 (glossa) is a Greek word that means: the tongue, Mk. 7:33, 35, et al.; meton. speech, talk, 1 Jn. 3:18; a tongue, language, Acts 2:11; 1 Cor. 13:1, et al.; meton. a language not proper to a speaker, a gift or faculty of such language, Mk... It appears 47 times in the King James Bible.
The word glossa (G1100) appears 47 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G1100 is glossa, a Greek word defined as: the tongue, Mk. 7:33, 35, et al.; meton. speech, talk, 1 Jn. 3:18; a tongue, language, Acts 2:11; 1 Cor. 13:1, et al.; meton. a language not proper to. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
glossa is a Greek word found in the New Testament.