Drivel, in a biblical context, refers to foolish or senseless talk, often characterized by a lack of wisdom or understanding. The term is not directly used in most English translations of the Bible, including the Berean Standard Bible , but the concept is addressed through various passages that warn against foolish speech and emphasize the importance of wise and edifying communication.

Biblical References and Context

1. Proverbs on Foolish Speech: The Book of Proverbs frequently addresses the dangers of foolish talk, which can be understood as drivel. Proverbs 10:19 states, "When words are many, sin is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise." This verse highlights the tendency for excessive and thoughtless speech to lead to sin, contrasting it with the wisdom of restraint.

2. The Tongue's Power: James 3:5-6 underscores the power of the tongue, describing it as a small part of the body that can cause great harm: "So too the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things. Consider how small a spark sets a great forest ablaze. The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body." This passage warns believers of the potential destructiveness of careless or foolish speech.

3. Edifying Speech: Ephesians 4:29 encourages believers to use their words for building others up: "Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen." This instruction contrasts drivel with speech that is purposeful and beneficial.

4. Wisdom and Understanding: The Bible consistently associates wisdom with understanding and prudent speech. Proverbs 15:2 states, "The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool spouts folly." Here, folly can be equated with drivel, as it represents speech that lacks substance and wisdom.

5. Jesus on Idle Words: In Matthew 12:36-37 , Jesus warns about the accountability of one's words: "But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned." This teaching emphasizes the seriousness with which God views our speech, urging believers to avoid idle or foolish talk.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, drivel represents a failure to align one's speech with the wisdom and truth of God. The Bible calls believers to be mindful of their words, recognizing that speech reflects the condition of the heart (Luke 6:45: "The good man brings good things out of the good treasure of his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil treasure. For out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks"). Therefore, avoiding drivel is part of the broader Christian call to pursue holiness and reflect Christ-like character in all aspects of life, including communication.

Practical Application

Believers are encouraged to cultivate speech that is thoughtful, wise, and edifying. This involves being intentional about listening, thinking before speaking, and seeking to honor God with one's words. Engaging in regular study of Scripture and prayer can help believers develop the discernment needed to avoid drivel and instead speak words that reflect the wisdom and love of God.1. (v. i.) To slaver; to let spittle drop or flow from the mouth, like a child, idiot, or dotard.

2. (v. i.) To be weak or foolish; to dote; as, a driveling hero; driveling love.

3. (n.) Slaver; saliva flowing from the mouth.

4. (n.) Inarticulate or unmeaning utterance; foolish talk; babble.

5. (n.) A driveller; a fool; an idiot.

6. (n.) A servant; a drudge.

Salvation to the Uttermost
... it is my firm opinion that if we profess to be Christians, we are bound to keep
to Christianity; if we profess to be Christian ministers, we drivel away the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/salvation to the uttermost.htm

Of those who do not Approve of Certain Things which are a Part of ...
... The Manich??ans would not drivel, or rather, rave in such a style as this, if they
believed the nature of God to be, as it is, unchangeable and absolutely ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 22 of those who do.htm

Justification by Grace
... He did not drivel out a part-payment, and then declare that he would come again
to die, or that he would again suffer, or that he would again obey; but down ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/justification by grace.htm

Caspar Schwenckfeld and the Reformation of the "Middle Way"
... But if he won't stop his drivel, let him at least not bother me with the booklets
which the devil spues out of him."[11] At the ministerial Council of ...
/.../chapter v caspar schwenckfeld and.htm

Soul Winning
... salvation by themselves forsooth! Why, sirs, it is surely too late in the
day to come to us with this drivel! Priestcraft, let us ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/soul winning.htm

Easter Tuesday
... heads of the Church and of the people of God, at the same time neither teaching
nor understanding the Scriptures, but offering their own drivel as God's ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/epistle sermons vol ii/easter tuesday 2.htm

Two Ancient Proverbs
... scrabbled on the doors of the gate, and let his spittle fall down upon his beard."
The fear of man had brought down Israel's future monarch to drivel like a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/two ancient proverbs.htm

The Complaint: Or, Night Thoughts.
... All pay themselves the compliment to think. They one day shall not drivel:
and their pride. On this reversion takes up ready praise; ...
/.../young/youngs night thoughts/the complaint or night thoughts.htm

The Master's Profession --The Disciple's Pursuit
... I should not like it, were you fitted to be a missionary, that you should drivel
down into a king; for what are all your kings, what are all your nobles, what ...
/.../the masters professionthe disciples pursuit.htm

Introduction to Oration ii.
... of heaven and seek to be called Rabbi by men; [2658] the letter is nowhere, everything
is to be understood spiritually, and our dreams are utter drivel, and we ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/introduction to oration ii.htm

Drivel (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Drivel (1 Occurrence). Job 6:6 Eaten is an insipid thing
without salt? Is there sense in the drivel of dreams? (YLT). ...
/d/drivel.htm - 7k

Dote (1 Occurrence)
... 4. (vi) To be weak-minded, silly, or idiotic; to have the intellect impaired,
especially by age, so that the mind wanders or wavers; to drivel. ...
/d/dote.htm - 7k

Dreams (34 Occurrences)
... falls on men, (See NIV). Job 6:6 Eaten is an insipid thing without salt?
Is there sense in the drivel of dreams? (YLT). Job 7:14 then ...
/d/dreams.htm - 17k

Driven (128 Occurrences)

/d/driven.htm - 37k

Drive (132 Occurrences)

/d/drive.htm - 38k

Sense (195 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS NAS RSV). Job 6:6 Eaten is an insipid thing
without salt? Is there sense in the drivel of dreams? (YLT). ...
/s/sense.htm - 36k

Drivel: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus