Original Word: βατταλογέω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: battalogeó
Pronunciation: bat-tal-og-eh'-o
Phonetic Spelling: (bat-tol-og-eh'-o)
Definition: To babble, to speak vainly, to use empty repetitions
Meaning: I chatter, am long-winded, utter empty words, stammer, repeat.

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

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

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

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.)

Word Origin: Derived from a presumed derivative of Battos (a stammerer) and the verb λέγω (legō), meaning "to speak."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for βατταλογέω, the concept of vain repetition can be related to Hebrew terms that denote empty or vain speech, such as שָׁוְא (shav', Strong's 7723), which means vanity or emptiness, often used in the context of false or meaningless speech.

Usage: This verb is used in the context of prayer, specifically to caution against the use of meaningless repetition or empty phrases.

Context: The term βατταλογέω appears in the New Testament in the context of Jesus' teaching on prayer. In Matthew 6:7, Jesus instructs His followers: "And when you pray, do not babble on like pagans, for they think that by their many words they will be heard." Here, βατταλογέω is translated as "babble on," highlighting the futility of using repetitive, empty phrases in prayer. The term suggests a critique of practices that prioritize quantity of words over sincerity and depth of communication with God. The cultural backdrop of this admonition includes pagan practices where lengthy incantations were believed to invoke divine favor. Jesus contrasts this with the simplicity and sincerity expected in Christian prayer, emphasizing that God values the heart's intent over verbose expressions. This teaching encourages believers to approach God with genuine and thoughtful communication, trusting in His omniscience and benevolence.

βατταλογησητε βατταλογήσητε βαττολογήσητε βδέλλη battalogesete battalogēsēte battalogḗsete battalogḗsēteInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts