rep-eÌ„Ì-tish´unz: In only, “Use not vain repetitions,†for βατταλογεÌω, battalogeÌoÌ„ (so Codex Sinaiticus and Codex Vaticanus), a word found nowhere else and spelled variously in the manuscripts, battologeoÌ„ in Codices K, L, M; etc., batologeoÌ„ in Codices F G, blattologeoÌ„ in Codex Bezae (probably influenced by the Latin blatero, “talk idlyâ€); presumably connected with βατταÏιÌζω, battarıÌzoÌ„, “stammer,†and perhaps formed under the influence of the Aramaic betaÌ„', “speak carelessly,†or baÌ„tÌ£eÌ„l, “useless.†Whether, however battalogeoÌ„ 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.