tongue
Glossa denotes the bodily organ of speech, spoken tongues, and language groups named alongside peoples and nations.
The term most often occurs in clauses about speaking, praying, interpreting, or using tongues; it also names the bodily organ involved in speech, language groups listed with peoples and nations, and fire-like tongues appearing to the disciples.
Senses in use
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Tongues used in speaking or prayer · dominant
In 1 Corinthians 14:13 the singular dative form occurs with speaking and interpreting, while 1 Corinthians 14:14 places praying in a tongue alongside the activity of the spirit. Plural forms occur where people speak in tongues in Acts 2:4 and Acts 10:46, and where such speech is regulated in the assembly in 1 Corinthians 14:27.
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The physical organ of speech · common
The singular form names the part touched in Mark 7:33 and the part whose bond was loosed before correct speech in Mark 7:35. It is also the organ to be kept from evil in 1 Peter 3:10, bridled in James 1:26, and cooled in Luke 16:24.
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A language within lists of peoples · occasional
In Revelation 5:9 the singular genitive form stands in a list with tribe, people, and nation; Revelation 7:9 similarly places the plural among nation, tribe, and people. In Revelation 10:11, the APB renders the list with “languages” alongside peoples, nations, and kings.
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Fire-like divided tongues · rare
In Acts 2:3, the plural nominative form identifies the divided appearances described as being like fire and resting upon each person.
In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB commonly presents the term as “tongues” in speech contexts and as “tongue” for the bodily organ; in population lists it uses “language” or “languages.” These renderings confirm the clauses’ broad presentation rather than assign a distinct English equivalent in every occurrence.