UBS Greek Dictionary Article

Form 1

Part of speech: adjc.

Inflections: σπερμολόγος; -ου

Constructions: σπερμολόγος; σπείρω; λέγω

Sense 1: ignorant show-off, charlatan

Semantic entry: 27.19

Semantic domains: Learn

Subdomains: Learn

Definition: (a figurative extension of meaning of a term based on the practice of birds in picking up seeds) one who acquires bits and pieces of relatively extraneous information and proceeds to pass them on with pretense and show

Notes: The term σπερμολόγος is semantically complex in that it combines two quite distinct phases of activity: (1) the acquiring of information and (2) the passing on of such information. Because of the complex semantic structure of σπερμολόγος, it may be best in some languages to render it as ‘one who learns lots of trivial things and wants to tell everyone about his knowledge,’ but in most languages there is a perfectly appropriate idiom for ‘a pseudo-intellectual who insists on spouting off.’ For a different focus on the meaning of σπερμολόγος in RV ACT 17:18 · LV ACT 17:18 · Read together ACT 17:18, see 33.381: σπερμολόγος.

ACT 17:18: RV ACT 17:18 · LV ACT 17:18 · Read together ACT 17:18

Show passage in OET

OET-RV ACT 17:18

18 Some of the Epikoureios and Stoikos philosophers enjoyed discussing things with him, but others just mocked him, “What does this babbler want to talk about now?”
¶ But others said, “Seems that he’s talking about strange demons,” because he was preaching the good message about Yeshua (Jesus; Grk. Yesus) and coming back to life.

OET-LV ACT 17:18

18 On _the _other _hand some also of _the Epikoureios and Stōikos philosophers were _conferring with _him, and some were _saying:
What wishfully might_ this - _be _wanting babbler to _be _saying?
But the others:
He _is _supposing to _be a_proclaimer of _strange demons, because he _was _good _message _preaching the Yaʸsous/(Yəhōshūˊa) and the resurrection.

Sense 2: foolish babbler

Semantic entry: 33.381

Semantic domains: Communication

Subdomains: Foolish Talk

Definition: (a figurative expression, literally: one who picks up seed; originally a reference to birds picking up seed, but figuratively applied to a person who is an information scavenger) one who is not able to say anything worthwhile in view of his miscellaneous collection of tidbits of information

Notes: For another interpretation of σπερμολόγος in RV ACT 17:18 · LV ACT 17:18 · Read together ACT 17:18, see 27.19: σπερμολόγος.