Bible Encyclopedias
Repetitions

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

rep - ḗ - tish´unz : In Matthew 6:7 only, "Use not vain repetitions," for βατταλογέω , battalogéō (so Codex Sinaiticus and Codex Vaticanus), a word found nowhere else and spelled variously in the manuscripts, battologeō in Codices K, L, M; etc., batologeō in Codices F G , blattologeō in Codex Bezae (probably influenced by the Latin blatero , "talk idly"); presumably connected with βατταρίζω , battarı́zō , "stammer," and perhaps formed under the influence of the Aramaic betā' , "speak carelessly," or bāṭēl , "useless." Whether, however battalogeō means the constant repetition of the same phrase or the mechanical recitation of a long series of obscure or meaningless formulas (if, indeed, a distinction between the acts was thought of) cannot be determined. Either practice is abundantly evidenced as a "heathen" custom of the day, and either can be classed as "much speaking." See PRAYER .