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

primary "speak" 298 occurrences

‘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.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

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

Root λαλ- to speak, to utter sounds, to talk

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