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σπερμολόγος

spermológos

G4691 substantive adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

One who picks up seeds, i.e., literally a seed-picker (usually of birds); figuratively, a person who gathers scraps (of information) and repeats them—thus, an idle talker or chatterer, someone who gives the impression of superficial knowledge by collecting and passing on fragments of information, often in a way that lacks depth or originality. Can carry the sense of a scavenger of ideas, a pretender to learning, or, pejoratively, a trifler or pseudo-intellectual.

Semantic Range

seed-picker (of birds), one who picks up scraps, scavenger (metaphorically), collector of fragments, idle talker, pseudo-intellectual, intellectual pretender, babbler (superficially)

Root / Etymology

Formed from σπέρμα (seed) and -λόγος (from λέγω, to speak or collect); originally referencing one who picks up seeds, notably birds like crows. Later applied figuratively to people who pick up scraps of knowledge or information.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Earliest attestation is in classical Greek (e.g., authors like Aristophanes and later Plutarch), where it denotes birds that pick up seeds or someone who picks up small objects from the ground. In Hellenistic and Roman periods, usage shifts metaphorically to describe people who collect scraps of information in a superficial or opportunistic manner. In Acts 17:18 in the New Testament, the term is used derogatorily by philosophers in Athens to describe Paul, implying that he is an intellectual scavenger or peddler of strange ideas, lacking original or coherent teaching. The English translation 'babbler' does not fully capture the nuance, as the primary meaning relates to intellectual pretension or superficiality rather than simply idle talk. This term is not common in the Septuagint or broader Koine literature, and when used, carries a negative connotation of being unoriginal, indiscriminate, or lacking in substance. Related terms include σοφιστής (sophist, wise-man or debater) and φλύαρος (idle talker), but σπερμολόγος focuses on collecting and passing on bits rather than engaging in extended or logical argument.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from σπέρμα and λέγω; a seed-picker (as the crow), i.e. (figuratively) a sponger, loafer (specially, a gossip or trifler in talk):--babbler.

Root Family

σπερμολόγος (spermologos) — seed-picker, scrap-collector, idle talker, superficial speaker

Root σπερμολόγ- to pick up seeds, to speak, to collect

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4691-01 σπερμολόγος spermologos ADJ.S NOM M SG babbler seed-collector talker babbler 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4691-01 Acts 17:18 σπερμολόγος spermologos ADJ.S NOM M SG babbler seed-collector talker babbler
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