κατάλαλος (G2637) — Greek Lexicon

κατάλαλος

katálalos

G2637 substantive adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

A person who speaks ill of others, especially one who slanders, defames, or maligns someone typically in their absence; one who spreads negative or disparaging reports about others. The term denotes the action or character of someone who engages in calumny or backbiting, often with malicious intent. In some contexts, may refer more broadly to speaking against or denigrating another.

Semantic Range

slanderer, backbiter, one who speaks ill of others, calumniator, malignant gossip, one who talks against or denigrates others

Root / Etymology

Formed from the preposition κατά (against) and the root of λαλέω (to speak), thus signifying 'to speak against'. Related to other compounds with -λαλος denoting ways or manner of speaking.

Historical & Contextual Notes

κατάλαλος is a rare word, attested in Hellenistic and Koine literature and occurring in several moral lists (e.g., Romans 1:30). In classical Greek, λαλέω and its derivatives often mean 'to speak' without necessarily a negative connotation, but the prefix κατά intensifies this to denote hostile or malicious speech. The term was used in lists of vices—often alongside similar words such as ψιθυριστής ('whisperer', 'gossip')—to mark social or moral deviance by speech. In translation, 'backbiter' or 'slanderer' is common, but 'malicious gossip' or 'one who speaks against others' may better capture its semantic breadth. Standard English translations tend to narrow κατάλαλος to only public slander or calumny, while in ancient sources, it could encompass private or whispered disparagement as well.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from κατά and the base of λαλέω; talkative against, i.e. a slanderer:--backbiter.

Root Family

κατάλαλος (katalalos) — to speak against, to slander, to speak ill of

Root κατα-λαλ- to speak, to talk against, to slander

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G2637-01`	καταλάλους	katalalous	`ADJ.S ACC M PL`	slanderers	slanderers	slanderers	1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G2637-01`	Romans 1:30	καταλάλους	katalalous	`ADJ.S ACC M PL`	slanderers	slanderers	slanderers

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