945. battalogeó
Lexical Summary
battalogeó: To babble, to speak vainly, to use empty repetitions

Original Word: βατταλογέω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: battalogeó
Pronunciation: bat-tal-og-eh'-o
Phonetic Spelling: (bat-tol-og-eh'-o)
KJV: use vain repetitions
NASB: use meaningless repetition
Word Origin: [from Battos "a proverbial stammerer" and G3056 (λόγος - word)]

1. to stutter
2. (by implication) to talk repetitiously and tediously

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
use vain repetitions.

From Battos (a proverbial stammerer) and logos; to stutter, i.e. (by implication) to prate tediously -- use vain repetitions.

see GREEK logos

HELPS Word-studies

945 battologéō – properly, to blubber nonsensical repetitions; to chatter (be "long-winded"), using empty (vain) words (Souter).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from battos (stammerer) and logos
Definition
to stammer
NASB Translation
use meaningless repetition (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 945: βαττολογέω

βαττολογέω (T WH βατταλογέω (with א B, see WH's Appendix, p. 152)), βαττολόγω: 1 aorist subjunctive βαττολογήσω;

a. to stammer, and, since stammerers are accustomed to repeat the same sounds,

b. to repeat the same things over and over, to use many and idle words, to babble, prate; so Matthew 6:7, where it is explained by ἐν τῇ πολυλογία, (Vulg.multumloqui; (A. V. to use vain repetitions)); cf. Tholuck at the passage Some suppose the word to be derived from Battus, a king of Cyrene, who is said to have stuttered (Herodotus 4, 155); others from Battus, an author of tedious and wordy poems; but comparing βατταρίζειν, which has the same meaning, and βάρβαρος (which see), it seems fax more probable that the word is onomatopoetic. (Simplicius, in Epictetus (ench. 30 at the end), p. 340, Schweigh edition.)

Topical Lexicon
Overview of the Term

Strong’s Greek 945 appears only once in the New Testament and depicts speech that is empty, mechanical, or mindlessly repetitive. The single occurrence in Matthew 6:7 serves as a deliberate warning from Jesus regarding the way His followers are to approach God in prayer.

Biblical Context: The Sermon on the Mount and Prayer

Matthew 6:7–8 situates the word within Jesus’ broader teaching on authentic righteousness. Immediately before presenting the model prayer (Matthew 6:9-13), Jesus contrasts two opposing approaches:
• “And when you pray, do not babble on like the pagans, for they think that by their many words they will be heard.” (Matthew 6:7)
• “Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.” (Matthew 6:8)

The warning against “babbling” underscores the relational nature of prayer; it is communion with a Father who already knows and cares, not a ritualistic technique to manipulate a reluctant deity.

Contrast with Authentic Prayer

1. Substance over length: Jesus does not condemn lengthy prayers per se (Luke 6:12; Acts 1:14) but denounces verbosity devoid of heart engagement.
2. Faith over formula: Biblical prayer expresses trust (Philippians 4:6-7) rather than reliance on verbal formulas.
3. Persistence without mindlessness: Scripture encourages importunate prayer (Luke 18:1-8) while forbidding empty repetition. Persistence is purposeful; babbling is pointless.

Historical Insights: Pagan Prayer Practices in the First Century

Greco-Roman religion commonly employed:
• Incantations composed of long lists of divine names.
• Magical papyri featuring repetitive syllables believed to coerce gods.
• Votive rituals where quantity of words or offerings aimed to secure favor.

Jewish contemporaries occasionally adopted similar habits, prompting rabbinic cautions against “vain repetitions” in the Amidah. Jesus’ admonition therefore addressed both Gentile and Jewish tendencies toward performance-oriented prayer.

Development in Early Church Teaching

Early Christian writers echoed the Lord’s injunction:
• Tertullian urged brevity patterned after the Lord’s Prayer (On Prayer 1).
• Origen warned against “vain phrases…that show no reverence toward God” (On Prayer 2.2).
• The Didache (chapter 8) instructs believers to recite the Lord’s Prayer thrice daily yet avoids advocating mindless recitation.

The apostolic and patristic witness maintains the balance between structured prayers and Spirit-led spontaneity (Ephesians 6:18).

Practical Ministry Implications

1. Corporate Worship: Liturgical elements gain value when congregants engage their hearts (Psalm 47:7).
2. Private Devotion: Prayer journals, silence, and Scripture-based petitions help prevent mechanical speech.
3. Counseling: Believers struggling with perceived divine distance can be guided to honest, concise prayers grounded in God’s character.
4. Teaching: Emphasize the Father-child relationship rather than formulaic utterance.

Homiletic and Discipleship Applications

• Illustrate with 1 Kings 18:26-29 (prophets of Baal) versus Elijah’s simple petition (1 Kings 18:36-37).
• Contrast the Pharisee’s self-congratulatory prayer with the tax collector’s humble cry in Luke 18:11-13.
• Encourage memorization of the Lord’s Prayer as a framework, not a substitute, for personal communion.

Related Biblical Themes and Passages

• Sincerity in worship: Isaiah 29:13; John 4:23-24
• God’s omniscience: Psalm 139:1-4; Matthew 6:8
• Effective prayer: James 5:16; 1 John 5:14-15

Summary

Strong’s Greek 945 serves as a singular yet powerful reminder that prayer is not a performance but a heartfelt conversation with the living God. In rejecting hollow repetition, Jesus directs His disciples toward reverent, thoughtful, and faith-filled communion that aligns with the character of the Father who already knows—and lovingly provides for—their needs.

Forms and Transliterations
βατταλογησητε βατταλογήσητε βαττολογήσητε βδέλλη battalogesete battalogēsēte battalogḗsete battalogḗsēte
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Matthew 6:7 V-ASA-2P
GRK: δὲ μὴ βατταλογήσητε ὥσπερ οἱ
NAS: And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles
KJV: not vain repetitions, as
INT: moreover not do use vain repetitions as the

Strong's Greek 945
1 Occurrence


βατταλογήσητε — 1 Occ.

944
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