βαττολογέω
battologéō
G945 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To repeat the same words or phrases needlessly or meaninglessly; to babble, speak in a rambling or verbose manner, often with an implication of formulaic or empty repetition. In some contexts, suggests speaking without thoughtful content, or employing idle, mechanically repetitive speech, especially in prayer or religious utterance.
Semantic Range
to stammer, to use meaningless repetition, to babble, to prattle tediously, to speak at length without substance, to repeat the same phrases mechanically
Root / Etymology
Formed from βαττο- (battō-, possibly imitative of stammering or onomatopoeic in origin, or a reference to a proverbial Battos known for garrulous speech) and λέγω (to speak, say) or λόγος (word, speech). The precise derivation of the βαττο- element is uncertain, but likely connected to notions of stammering, babbling, or verbose chatter.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Attested only rarely in Hellenistic Greek, βαττολογέω is best known from its sole NT occurrence (Matthew 6:7), where it warns against empty or mechanical repetition in prayer, contrasting with thoughtful or meaningful speech. The term is considered by some scholars to be coined for rhetorical effect, drawing on the nature of onomatopoeic verbs and possible allusions to proverbial figures for stammering or babble (Battos). In Greek literature, similar concepts are expressed by βατταρίζω (to babble) or λαλεῖν μακρά (to speak at length). English translations typically render it as 'use vain repetitions' or 'babble,' but this can obscure the specific connotation of verbose or formalistic repetition. The word is virtually unattested outside the NT and rare lexicographical citations, and should not be equated with deliberate, meaningful repetition as in poetic parallelism or liturgical refrain.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from (a proverbial stammerer) and λόγος; to stutter, i.e. (by implication) to prate tediously:--use vain repetitions.
Root Family
βαττολογέω (battologeō) — to babble, to chatter, to repeat words aimlessly
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G945-01 |
βατταλογήσητε | battalogesete | V AOR ACT SUBJ 2P PL |
you should babble repetitiously | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G945-01 |
Matthew 6:7 | βατταλογήσητε | battalogesete | V AOR ACT SUBJ 2P PL |
you should babble repetitiously |