In biblical terms, the word "babbler" is used to describe someone who engages in idle talk or speaks without wisdom or understanding. The term appears in both the Old and New Testaments, often carrying a negative connotation associated with foolishness or lack of substance.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the concept of a babbler is often linked to the idea of foolish speech. Proverbs, a book known for its wisdom literature, frequently contrasts wise and foolish speech. While the specific term "babbler" may not appear in the Berean Standard Bible's Old Testament, the idea is encapsulated in verses that warn against the dangers of idle or foolish talk. For example, Proverbs 10:19 states, "When words are many, sin is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise." This verse highlights the importance of measured and thoughtful speech, contrasting it with the empty chatter of a babbler.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the term "babbler" is explicitly used in Acts 17:18. Here, the Apostle Paul is in Athens, engaging with philosophers at the Areopagus. The Berean Standard Bible records, "Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also began to debate with him. Some of them asked, 'What is this babbler trying to say?' Others said, 'He seems to be advocating foreign gods,' because he was proclaiming the good news of Jesus and the resurrection." In this context, "babbler" is a derogatory term used by the philosophers to describe Paul. The Greek word used here is "σπερμολόγος" (spermologos), which literally means "seed picker" and figuratively refers to someone who picks up scraps of knowledge and presents them without understanding.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, the use of the term "babbler" in Acts 17:18 highlights the tension between worldly wisdom and divine revelation. The philosophers, relying on human wisdom, dismiss Paul's message as incoherent babble. However, Paul's proclamation of the Gospel, though perceived as foolishness by some, is the power of God for salvation (1 Corinthians 1:18). This incident underscores the biblical theme that true wisdom comes from God and is often at odds with human understanding.

Practical Application

For believers, the biblical portrayal of a babbler serves as a caution against engaging in idle or thoughtless speech. Christians are encouraged to speak with wisdom and grace, as instructed in Colossians 4:6: "Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." The call is to avoid the empty chatter of a babbler and instead speak words that edify and reflect the wisdom of God.

In summary, the term "babbler" in the Bible is associated with foolish and idle talk, contrasting with the wise and purposeful speech that believers are called to exhibit. Through the example of Paul and the teachings of Scripture, Christians are reminded to seek divine wisdom in their words and actions.1. (n.) An idle talker; an irrational prater; a teller of secrets.

2. (n.) A hound too noisy on finding a good scent.

3. (n.) A name given to any one of family (Timalinae) of thrushlike birds, having a chattering note.

BABBLER

bab'-ler ba`al ha-lashon; the King James Version of Ecclesiastes 10:11 literally, "master of the tongue"; the Revised Version (British and American) CHARMER; lapistes, the King James Version of Ecclesiasticus 20:7; the Revised Version (British and American) BRAG; spermologos; the King James Version and the Revised Version (British and American) of Acts 17:18: The latter Greek word is used of birds, such as the crow, that live by picking up small seeds (sperma, "20 seed," legein, "to gather"), and of men, for "hangers on" and "parasites" who obtained their living by picking up odds and ends off merchants' carts in harbors and markets. It carries the "suggestion of picking up refuse and scraps, and in the literature of plagiarism without the capacity to use correctly" (Ramsay). The Athenian philosophers in calling Paul a spermologos, or "ignorant plagiarist," meant that he retailed odds and ends of knowledge which he had picked up from others, without possessing himself any system of thought or skill of language-without culture. In fact it was a fairly correct description of the Athenian philosophers themselves in Paul's day.

Ramsay, Paul the Traveler and Roman Citizen, 141.

T. Rees

4691. spermologos -- a seed picker, fig. one who picks up scraps ...
... up scraps of knowledge. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: spermologos Phonetic
Spelling: (sper-mol-og'-os) Short Definition: a babbler Definition: a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4691.htm - 6k

5396. phluareo -- to talk nonsense
... disparage. From phluaros; to be a babbler or trifler, ie (by implication) to berate
idly or mischievously -- prate against. see GREEK phluaros. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5396.htm - 7k

3956. lashon -- tongue
... 1), tongue (84), tongues (5), word (1). babbler, evil speaker, language,
talker, tongue, wedge. Or lashon {law-shone'}; also (in ...
/hebrew/3956.htm - 6k

1167. baal -- owner, lord
... 1), wrathful* (1). archer, babbler, bird, captain, chief man, confederate,
have to do, dreamer,. From ba'al; a master; hence, a husband ...
/hebrew/1167.htm - 6k

Paul in Athens.
... "The Stoics and Epicureans, therefore, encountered him: and some said, what will
this babbler say?" It is unnecessary to detail the criticisms of learned men ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xx paul in athens.htm

The Ministry of Paul in Thessalonica, Berea, Athens, and Corinth.
... innovator. "Certain philosophers of the Epicureans and of the Stoics
encountered him; and some said"What will this babbler say? ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter vii the ministry of.htm

Acts xvii. 16, 17
... did. "And some said, What does this babbler mean to say?" insolently, on
the instant: [868] "this is far from philosophy. "Other ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xxxviii acts xvii 16.htm

Berea and Athens
... the apostle as one who was far beneath them both socially and intellectually, and
these said jeeringly among themselves, "What will this babbler say?" Others ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 23 berea and athens.htm

It is Said that on a Recent Occasion Where the Letters of ...
... man of the highest culture and eloquence; otherwise such silly verbosity as he imputes
is the part, one would think, of a pettifogger and a babbler rather than ...
/.../14 it is said that.htm

The Lord Our Righteousness
... If any Arians of Socinians are drawn by curiosity to hear what the babbler has to
say, let them be ashamed of denying the divinity of that Lord, who has bought ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/the lord our righteousness.htm

That the Preceding Desire Will Much Increase the Union of the ...
... is yet so little satisfied with it that he weeps for sorrow that he cannot have
the other worlds which the foolish persuasion of a wretched babbler made him ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter x that the preceding.htm

What Kind of Things Even their Worshippers have Owned they have ...
... and earth, as that author argues, but to Him who has made heaven and earth; because
these superstitions, which that Balbus, like a babbler, [185] scarcely ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 30 what kind of things.htm

Acts XVII
... (18) "The certain of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers encountered him,
and some said, What will this babbler say? And others ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xvii.htm

Whether Negligence is Opposed to Prudence?
... On the contrary, It is written (Ecclus.20:7): "A babbler and a fool [imprudens]
will regard no time." Now this is due to negligence. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether negligence is opposed to.htm

Babbler (4 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. BABBLER. ... Ramsay, Paul the Traveler and Roman Citizen,
141. T. Rees. Multi-Version Concordance Babbler (4 Occurrences). ...
/b/babbler.htm - 9k

Wrapping (3 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 22:18 And thy coverer covering, wrapping round, Wrappeth thee round, O babbler,
On a land broad of sides -- there thou diest, And there the chariots of ...
/w/wrapping.htm - 7k

Wrappeth (5 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 22:18 And thy coverer covering, wrapping round, Wrappeth thee round, O babbler,
On a land broad of sides -- there thou diest, And there the chariots of ...
/w/wrappeth.htm - 8k

Idle (33 Occurrences)
... 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. ...
/i/idle.htm - 18k

Foreign (65 Occurrences)
... 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. ...
/f/foreign.htm - 27k

Talker (3 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) A loquacious person, male or female; a prattler; a babbler; also, a boaster;
a braggart; -- used in contempt or reproach. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/t/talker.htm - 7k

Remarked (2 Occurrences)
... 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. ...
/r/remarked.htm - 7k

Encountered (7 Occurrences)
... Acts 17:18 Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks,
encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? ...
/e/encountered.htm - 8k

Epicurean (1 Occurrence)
... 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. ...
/e/epicurean.htm - 7k

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