Strong's Lexicon phluaros: Gossip, babbler, slanderer Original Word: φλύαρος Word Origin: Derived from the Greek verb φλυαρέω (phluareo), meaning "to babble" or "to talk nonsense." Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for "phluaros," similar concepts can be found in words like רָכִיל (rakil), meaning "slanderer" or "talebearer," as seen in Proverbs 11:13 and Leviticus 19:16. Usage: The term "phluaros" is used to describe someone who engages in idle talk, spreading rumors, or speaking maliciously about others. It conveys the idea of speaking without substance, often with the intent to harm or defame. In the New Testament, it is used to caution against the destructive nature of gossip and slander within the Christian community. Cultural and Historical Background: In the Greco-Roman world, rhetoric and speech were highly valued, and the ability to speak well was often associated with wisdom and social status. However, idle talk and gossip were seen as detrimental to personal honor and community harmony. In Jewish and early Christian teachings, speech was considered a reflection of one's character, and believers were encouraged to use their words to edify and build up others rather than to tear them down. HELPS Word-studies 5397 phlýaros (an adjective, derived from phlyō, "to boil, bubble over") – properly, what bubbles over (like a seething, boiling pot). 5397 (phlýaros) is only used in 1 Tim 5:13. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom phluó (to babble) Definition babbling NASB Translation gossips (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5397: φλύαροςφλύαρος, φλυαρον (φλύω, 'to boil up,' 'throw up bubbles', of water; and since bubbles are hollow and useless things, 'to indulge in empty and foolish talk'); of persons, uttering or doing silly things, garrulous, babbling (A. V. tattlers): 1 Timothy 5:13 (Dionysius Halicarnassus, de comp. verb. 26, vol. 5:215, 3; others); of things, foolish, trifling, vain: φιλοσοφία, 4 Macc. 5:10. (Plato, Josephus, Vita §31; often in Plutarch; Aeschylus dial. Socrates 3, 13; others.) Strong's Exhaustive Concordance tattler. From phluo (to bubble); a garrulous person, i.e. Prater -- tattler. Forms and Transliterations εφοβέρισέ φλυαροι φλύαροι φλυκτίδες φοβερίζοντές φοβερίζουσιν φοβερίσαι φοβερισμοί phluaroi phlyaroi phlýaroiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |