λαλέω
laléō
G2980 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To speak, to say, to express oneself orally; to articulate words or sounds. The primary sense is the act of speaking, often emphasizing the process or manner of speaking, sometimes with a focus on the act of communicating verbally rather than the content itself. Additional senses include to converse, to talk, to utter, or in some contexts to proclaim or announce aloud.
Semantic Range
to speak, to talk, to utter, to express oneself orally, to converse, to make sounds (as in babbling), to proclaim, to announce aloud
Root / Etymology
From the root λαλ-; related to the act of vocalization or speech. Traditionally considered an onomatopoeic formation, mimicking the sound of chatter or repeated syllables—akin to babbling or speaking. Distinguished from λέγω, which often focuses on the content, thought, or reasoned communication.
Historical & Contextual Notes
λάλέω appears in classical Greek and persists through Koine with the basic sense 'to speak,' but often with a nuance distinct from λέγω. In classical usage, it could carry connotations of babble, prattle, or simply the noise of speech (especially in contrast to articulate, reasoned discourse). By the time of the New Testament and LXX, λαλέω is the primary verb for general oral expression, while λέγω retains nuance for expressing particular statements, narratives, or declarations. In the New Testament, λαλέω is used for a range of speaking activities: everyday speech, proclamations, Spirit-inspired utterance, or even the speaking of inanimate objects (e.g., voices from heaven). English translations such as 'say,' 'speak,' 'talk,' 'utter,' and occasionally 'preach' capture aspects of the lexical range, but can obscure the original nuance, especially where the distinction from λέγω is meaningful. Unlike in English, the Greek does not always imply content-heavy or logical discourse with λαλέω; rather, it covers the broad act of speaking or making vocal sounds. Notably, as an onomatopoeic root, it is also the underlying stem in λάλος ('talkative'), λαλιά ('speech'), and related words. Septuagint usage often parallels the Greek, but sometimes calques Hebrew דָּבַר (dabar, 'to speak'). The distinction between λαλέω and λέγω shrinks in later Koine, and by post-NT literature the terms are sometimes interchangeable.
Translation Consistency
‘Speak’ is the natural, general English verb that best fits the primary SILEX sense (to express oneself orally, utter, converse, proclaim). It is the most flexible and idiomatic choice for all forms (speak, speaks, spoke, spoken) and matches the majority of attested renderings while remaining simple and consistent across contexts.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. utter words:--preach, say, speak (after), talk, tell, utter. Compare λέγω.
Root Family
λαλέω (laleō) — to speak, to utter sounds, to talk, to express oneself orally
Word Forms
55 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2980-06 |
ἐλάλησεν | elalesen | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
spoke | he/she/it spoke | he/she/it spoke | 31 |
G2980-18 |
λαλῆσαι | lalesai | V AOR ACT INF |
to speak | to speak | to speak | 22 |
G2980-12 |
λαλεῖν | lalein | V PRS ACT INF |
to speak | to be speaking | to be speaking | 21 |
G2980-11 |
λαλεῖ | lalei | V PRS ACT IND 3P SG |
speaks | is speaking | is speaking | 21 |
G2980-34 |
λαλῶ | lalo | V PRS ACT IND 1P SG |
I speak | I am speaking | I am speaking | 20 |
G2980-01 |
ἐλάλει | elalei | V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG |
he was speaking | he was speaking | he was speaking | 20 |
G2980-47 |
λαλοῦντος | lalountos | V PRS ACT PTCP GEN M SG |
speaking | of the one speaking | of the one speaking | 18 |
G2980-35 |
λαλῶν | lalon | V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG |
speaking | the one speaking | the one speaking | 16 |
G2980-52 |
λελάληκα | lelaleka | V PRF ACT IND 1P SG |
I have spoken | I have spoken | I have spoken | 11 |
G2980-04 |
ἐλάλησαν | elalesan | V AOR ACT IND 3P PL |
spoke | they spoke | they spoke | 11 |
Occurrences in Scripture
298 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2980-47 |
Matthew 9:18 | λαλοῦντος | lalountos | V PRS ACT PTCP GEN M SG |
was speaking | of the one speaking | of the one speaking |
G2980-06 |
Matthew 9:33 | ἐλάλησεν | elalesen | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
spoke | he/she/it spoke | he/she/it spoke |
G2980-23 |
Matthew 10:19 | λαλήσητε | lalesete | V AOR ACT SUBJ 2P PL |
you are to speak | you (pl.) may speak | you may speak |
G2980-23 |
Matthew 10:19 | λαλήσητε | lalesete-2 | V AOR ACT SUBJ 2P PL |
you are to speak | you (pl.) may speak | you may speak |
G2980-44 |
Matthew 10:20 | λαλοῦντες | lalountes | V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL |
speaking | speaking ones | speaking |
G2980-41 |
Matthew 10:20 | λαλοῦν | laloun | V PRS ACT PTCP NOM N SG |
speaking | speaking | speaking |
G2980-12 |
Matthew 12:22 | λαλεῖν | lalein | V PRS ACT INF |
to speak | to be speaking | to be speaking |
G2980-12 |
Matthew 12:34 | λαλεῖν | lalein | V PRS ACT INF |
to speak | to be speaking | to be speaking |
G2980-11 |
Matthew 12:34 | λαλεῖ | lalei | V PRS ACT IND 3P SG |
speaks | is speaking | is speaking |
G2980-26 |
Matthew 12:36 | λαλήσουσιν | lalesousin | V FUT ACT IND 3P PL |
men shall speak | they will speak | they will speak |