Something to say about words

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There are (at least) two ancient Greek words for "word".

The ancient Greek word "ῥῆμα" ≈ "spoken word" as in a saying. In grammar it referred to a "verb" and is the source of the English word "rhetoric".
The ancient Greek word "λόγος" ≈ "rational explanation" but is translated as "word" in John 1:1, in the beginning was the "word". It is the source of the English word "logic".

In general, one word means a spoken word and one means a written word but this distinction is not always followed.

There are many verses in the LXX (Septuagint) and GNT (Greek New Testament) that use both words. Such verses may help understand both the similarities and the differences between the two words.

Matthew 12:36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. [kjv]

λεγω δε υμιν οτι παν ρημα αργον ο λαλησουσιν οι ανθρωποι αποδωσουσιν περι αυτου λογον εν ημερα κρισεως [gnt]

The KJV (King James Version) uses "account" but the Greek has "word" as in giving a word or words to account for the "idle words".

Matthew 12:36

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KJV: But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

Greek: λεγω δε υμιν οτι παν ρημα αργον ο εαν λαλησωσιν λαλησουσιν οι ανθρωποι αποδωσουσιν περι αυτου λογον εν ημερα κρισεως

Zechariah 1:13 And the LORD answered the angel that talked with me with good words and comfortable words. [kjv]

και απεκριθη κυριος παντοκρατωρ τω αγγελω τω λαλουντι εν εμοι ρηματα καλα και λογους παρακλητικους [lxx]

In the LXX, Zechariah uses both words in the same verse. Hebrew often uses repeated ideas as a way to express the same idea.

Zechariah 1:13

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KJV: And the LORD answered the angel that talked with me with good words and comfortable words.

Hebrew: ויען יהוה את המלאך הדבר בי דברים טובים דברים נחמים׃

Greek: και απεκριθη κυριος παντοκρατωρ τω αγγελω τω λαλουντι εν εμοι ρηματα καλα και λογους παρακλητικους

Brenton: And the Lord Almighty answered the angel that spoke with me good words and consolatory sayings.

The KJV uses "words" twice but they are different Greek words.

The modern Greek word "ρήμα" (REE-ma) ≈ "verb", a narrowing of the meaning from ancient Greek.
The modern Greek word "λόγος" (LO-gos) ≈ "word" as a unit of language, speech, or reason as in "logic".

Luke 22:61 And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. [kjv]

και στραφεις ο κυριος ενεβλεψεν τω πετρω και υπεμνησθη ο πετρος του ρηματος του κυριου ως ειπεν αυτω οτι πριν αλεκτορα φωνησαι σημερον απαρνηση με τρις [gnt]

Luke 22:61

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KJV: And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.

Greek: και στραφεις ο κυριος ενεβλεψεν τω πετρω και υπεμνησθη ο πετρος του λογου ρηματος του κυριου ως ειπεν αυτω οτι πριν αλεκτορα φωνησαι σημερον απαρνηση με τρις

John 12:48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. [kjv]

ο αθετων εμε και μη λαμβανων τα ρηματα μου εχει τον κρινοντα αυτον ο λογος ον ελαλησα εκεινος κρινει αυτον εν τη εσχατη ημερα [gnt]

John 12:48

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KJV: He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

Greek: ο αθετων εμε και μη λαμβανων τα ρηματα μου εχει τον κρινοντα αυτον ο λογος ον ελαλησα εκεινος κρινει αυτον εν τη εσχατη ημερα

Acts 10:44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. [kjv]

ετι λαλουντος του πετρου τα ρηματα ταυτα επεπεσεν το πνευμα το αγιον επι παντας τους ακουοντας τον λογον [gnt]

Acts 10:44

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KJV: While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.

Greek: ετι λαλουντος του πετρου τα ρηματα ταυτα επεπεσεν το πνευμα το αγιον επι παντας τους ακουοντας τον λογον

Revelation 17:17 For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled. [kjv]

ο γαρ θεος εδωκεν εις τας καρδιας αυτων ποιησαι την γνωμην αυτου και ποιησαι μιαν γνωμην και δουναι την βασιλειαν αυτων τω θηριω αχρι ρημ@CZ(t=[ ατα ]) τελεσθησονται οι λογοι του θεου [gnt]

In this verse, one Greek manuscript use one word and the other uses the other word.

Revelation 17:17

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KJV: For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.

Greek: ο γαρ θεος εδωκεν εις τας καρδιας αυτων ποιησαι την γνωμην αυτου και ποιησαι μιαν γνωμην και δουναι την βασιλειαν αυτων τω θηριω αχρι τελεσθη τα ρηματα τελεσθησονται οι λογοι του θεου

Job 4:12 Now a thing was secretly brought to me, and mine ear received a little thereof. [kjv]

ει δε τι ρημα αληθινον εγεγονει εν λογοις σου ουθεν αν σοι τουτων κακον απηντησεν ποτερον ου δεξεται μου το ους εξαισια παρ αυτου [lxx]

Job 4:12

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KJV: Now a thing was secretly brought to me, and mine ear received a little thereof.

Hebrew: ואלי דבר יגנב ותקח אזני שמץ מנהו׃

Greek: ει δε τι ρημα αληθινον εγεγονει εν λογοις σου ουθεν αν σοι τουτων κακον απηντησεν ποτερον ου δεξεται μου το ους εξαισια παρ αυτου

Job 15:3 Should he reason with unprofitable talk? or with speeches wherewith he can do no good? [kjv]

ελεγχων εν ρημασιν οις ου δει εν λογοις οις ουδεν οφελος [lxx]

Job 15:3

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KJV: Should he reason with unprofitable talk? or with speeches wherewith he can do no good?

Hebrew: הוכח בדבר לא יסכון ומלים לא יועיל בם׃

Greek: ελεγχων εν ρημασιν οις ου δει εν λογοις οις ουδεν οφελος

Job 32:11 Behold, I waited for your words; I gave ear to your reasons, whilst ye searched out what to say. [kjv]

ενωτιζεσθε μου τα ρηματα ερω γαρ υμων ακουοντων αχρι ου ετασητε λογους [lxx]

Job 32:11

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KJV: Behold, I waited for your words; I gave ear to your reasons, whilst ye searched out what to say.

Hebrew: הן הוחלתי לדבריכם אזין עד תבונתיכם עד תחקרון מלין׃

Greek: ενωτιζεσθε μου τα ρηματα ερω γαρ υμων ακουοντων αχρι ου ετασητε λογους

Psalms 56:10 In God will I praise his word: in the LORD will I praise his word. [kjv]

επι τω θεω αινεσω ρημα επι τω κυριω αινεσω λογον [lxx]

Psalms 56:10

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KJV: In God will I praise his word: in the LORD will I praise his word.

Hebrew: באלהים אהלל דבר ביהוה אהלל דבר׃

Greek: επι τω θεω αινεσω ρημα επι τω κυριω αινεσω λογον