βαττολογέω (battologeō)
battologeō
to babble
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb battologeō describes speech that is repetitive and empty, often rendered as babbling or prating. In the New Testament, it appears only once, in Matthew 6:7, where Jesus warns against using "vain repetitions" like the Gentiles who think they will be heard for their many words. The term captures a mechanical, mindless quality to prayer, suggesting that volume or frequency does not compel divine attention.
Its origin is likely onomatopoeic, mimicking the sound of stammering, though ancient scholars also linked it to Battus, a king known for his speech impediment or a poet noted for tedious verbosity. This etymology highlights the word’s focus on the manner of speaking rather than its content. It critiques the assumption that gods require lengthy verbal offerings, contrasting human anxiety with God’s readiness to answer.
Translators typically use "vain repetitions" or "babble" to convey this sense. The passage does not forbid prayer itself but targets a superstitious view of language as a magical force. By using such a vivid term, the text emphasizes that true communication with God relies on sincerity and relationship, not on reciting endless phrases to fill silence.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When we pray, it is natural to feel anxious about saying the right things or offering enough words to be heard. Jesus addresses this tension directly in Matthew 6:7, warning against babbling like those who believe volume compels a response. This teaching invites us to shift our focus from the quantity of our speech to the quality of our relationship with God.
True prayer is not a magical formula or a test of endurance. It is honest conversation with a Father who already knows what you need before you ask. You can bring your fears and hopes simply, without fear that silence or brevity means you are ignored. This freedom allows your heart to rest in His care rather than striving to perform.
Let this word remind you that God values sincerity over spectacle. When you speak to Him, let your words flow from a place of trust, not anxiety. There is peace in knowing that He listens to the quiet whisper of a faithful heart just as clearly as any loud declaration.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- may use vain repetitions1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- βατταλογήσητε1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 6:7
In praying, don’t use vain repetitions as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their much speaking.
This verse defines the term by contrasting mechanical repetition with genuine prayer, showing that God hears sincerity rather than volume.