International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: Repetitions

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International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: Repetitions


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rep-ḗ-tish´unz: In 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.