σπερμολόγος (spermologos)
spermologos
babbler
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek word spermologos literally describes a bird that picks up scattered seeds, such as a crow or sparrow foraging in fields. In ancient Athenian slang, it evolved into an insult for an idler who loitered in the marketplace, scavenging scraps from merchants’ loads to survive. This imagery captures someone who collects trivialities without substance, living off whatever chance encounters provide.
The New Testament uses this term only once, when philosophers in Athens mock Paul as a spermologos because he preached about Jesus and the resurrection (Acts 17:18). To these listeners, his message sounded like a jumble of foreign ideas picked up from nowhere, much like a bird gathering random seeds. The word implies not just ignorance, but a careless, superficial engagement with truth.
Though rare in Scripture, spermologos offers a vivid picture of how serious ideas can be dismissed as mere chatter. It reminds readers that the gospel is often misunderstood by those who approach it without seeking depth, reducing profound claims to idle gossip or philosophical noise.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word spermologos paints a picture of someone picking up scattered seeds without understanding their purpose. In Acts, it was used to dismiss Paul’s message as mere chatter. This reminds us that truth is often misunderstood by those who approach it with superficial curiosity. The gospel calls for deeper engagement than idle gossip.
When we encounter ideas that challenge our assumptions, it is easy to label them as nonsense. Yet this word invites reflection on how we listen. Are we gathering scraps of information, or are we seeking the substance behind the words? Faith requires more than surface-level interest; it asks for a willingness to explore what truly matters.
May we approach Scripture and one another with care, avoiding the trap of dismissing what we do not immediately grasp. Let us seek understanding rather than quick judgments, trusting that God’s wisdom often exceeds our limited perspectives.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- babbler1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- σπερμολόγος1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 17:18
Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also were conversing with him. Some said, “What does this babbler want to say?” Others said, “He seems to be advocating foreign deities,” because he preached Jesus and the resurrection.
This verse captures the insult's origin, showing how Paul's preaching about Jesus and resurrection was reduced to meaningless chatter by skeptical philosophers.