βαττο-λογέω G0945
to babble, use vain repetitions; to repeat words mindlessly or stammer
This rare verb means 'to babble' or 'use vain repetitions,' describing speech characterized by meaningless repetition or stammering. Jesus uses it in the Sermon on the Mount (Matt 6:7): 'When you pray, do not babble (μὴ βατταλογήσητε) like the Gentiles, for they think they will be heard for their many words.' The term critiques pagan prayer practices that rely on verbal volume or magical formulas rather than genuine communion with a Father who knows what His children need. Classical usage suggests stammering or saying the same thing over and over. Jesus calls for simplicity and sincerity, not ritualistic verbosity.
Senses
1. sense 1 — The translations (English 'babble,' Spanish 'usen vanas repeticiones,' French 'balbutier') all capture the idea of empty repetition. Matthew 6:7 uses βατταλογήσητε to warn against the pagan assumption that prayer effectiveness depends on word count or formulaic recitation—true prayer is relational conversation with a loving Father, not a magical incantation aimed at a distant deity. 1×
AR["تُكَرِّروا"]·ben["বকবক-কর,"]·DE["βατταλογήσητε"]·EN["babble"]·FR["balbutier"]·heb["תְלַטְטְלוּ"]·HI["बकबक-करो"]·ID["mengulang-ulang-kata-kata-kosong"]·IT["battalogesete"]·jav["ngandika-tanpa-isi"]·KO["되풀이하라"]·PT["useis-de-vãs-repetições"]·RU["повторяйте-пустословие"]·ES["usen-vanas-repeticiones"]·SW["rudie-rudie"]·TR["boş-sözler-söyleyin"]·urd["بکواس-کرنا"]
Related Senses
H0559 1. say, speak, tell (5297×)G3004 1. say, tell, speak (2226×)H1696 1. speak, say, tell (Piel) (1105×)H7121 1. call, summon, name (575×)H6680 1. command, order, charge (483×)H6030b 1. answer, respond, reply (289×)G2980 1. speak, talk (277×)H5046 1. Hifil: to tell, report (237×)G0611 1. answer or respond verbally (232×)H1288 1. Piel: bless, invoke blessing (227×)H7650 1. swear, take an oath (Niphal) (154×)H3789 1. Qal passive participle: written, recorded (112×)H1984b 1. praise, laud (Piel) (111×)H7592 1. ask, inquire, question (96×)H3034 1. give thanks, praise (Hifil) (94×)G1321 1. teach, instruct actively (92×)H3789 2. Qal active: write, compose (89×)G1125 1. to write, compose (a letter or document) (84×)H5046 2. Hifil: to declare, proclaim (79×)H7892a 1. song, musical composition (78×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
βαττο-λογέω, ={βατταρίζω}, speak stammeringly, say the same thing over and over again, NT+6th c.AD+