Empty words

Ephesians 5:6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. [kjv]

μηδεις υμας απατατω κενοις λογοις δια ταυτα γαρ ερχεται η οργη του θεου επι τους υιους της απειθειας [gnt]

… seducat inanibus verbis … [v]

An empty word (or words) has no grammatical function and, if removed, does not change the meaning of the sentence. Phrases may be referred to as LIC (Low Information Content) expressions or phrases. Saying: Words empty as the wind are best left unsaid.
Paul in Ephesians 5:6 warns of "empty words" used to "deceive". The LXX (Septuagint) in Job 6:6 talks of "empty words" which, in the Hebrew and KJV (King James Version), is "white of an egg".

Job 6:6 Can that which is unsavoury be eaten without salt? or is there any taste in the white of an egg? [kjv]

ει βρωθησεται αρτος ανευ αλος ει δε και εστιν γευμα εν ρημασιν κενοις [lxx]

The LXX in Job 6:6 talks of "empty words" which, in the Hebrew and KJV, is "white of an egg".

More: Salt salted with a salty salt

Job 6:6

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KJV: Can that which is unsavoury be eaten without salt? or is there any taste in the white of an egg?

Hebrew: היאכל תפל מבלי מלח אם יש טעם בריר חלמות׃

Greek: ει βρωθησεται αρτος ανευ αλος ει δε και εστιν γευμα εν ρημασιν κενοις

Brenton: Shall bread be eaten without salt? or again, is there taste in empty words?

Latin: aut poterit comedi insulsum quod non est sale conditum aut potest aliquis gustare quod gustatum adfert mortem

Luther: Kann man auch essen, das ungesalzen ist? Oder wer mag kosten das Weiße um den Dotter?

Matthew 6:7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. [kjv]

προσευχομενοι δε μη βατταλογησητε ωσπερ οι εθνικοι δοκουσιν γαρ οτι εν τη πολυλογια αυτων εισακουσθησονται [gnt]

6:8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. [kjv]

μη ουν ομοιωθητε αυτοις οιδεν γαρ ο θεος ο πατηρ υμων ων χρειαν εχετε προ του υμας αιτησαι αυτον [gnt]

The next verse starts the "Lord's Prayer". How many people, pastors, churches repeat the same thing again and again? There has been a trend in music in general and church music in specific ways for worship songs to use "vain repetition" of "much speaking" or "many words" repetition.

More: Matthew 6: Vain repetitions of vain repetitions

Matthew 6:7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. [kjv]

The 1975 #1 disco hit song, part of which goes "Oh that's the way, uh-huh, uh-huh, I like it. uh-huh uh-huh." (repeat with variations without end) by KC and the Sunshine Band, contains what is, to many, empty words, repeated ad-nauseam

More: Matthew 6: Vain repetitions of vain repetitions

Matthew 6:7

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KJV: But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

Greek: προσευχομενοι δε μη βαττολογησητε βατταλογησητε ωσπερ οι εθνικοι δοκουσιν γαρ οτι εν τη πολυλογια αυτων εισακουσθησονται

Matthew 6:8

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KJV: Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

Greek: μη ουν ομοιωθητε αυτοις οιδεν γαρ ο θεος ο πατηρ υμων ων χρειαν εχετε προ του υμας αιτησαι αυτον

Many English teachers have lists of "empty words" that should be shortened or removed from written work. Here are some from the University of Idaho at https://www.webpages.uidaho.edu/range357/extra-refs/empty-words.htm. (as of 2022-03-27)

actually (X)	due to the fact that (because)	in an effort to (to)
as necessary (X)	during the time that (while)	in fact (X)
at the same time as (while)	end result (result)	in order to (to)
by means of (by)	involves the use of (uses, employs)
connected together (connected)	in an area where (where)

Paul talks of "empty words" and "deception" in Ephesians 5:6.

Ephesians 5:6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. [kjv]

μηδεις υμας απατατω κενοις λογοις δια ταυτα γαρ ερχεται η οργη του θεου επι τους υιους της απειθειας [gnt]

… seducat inanibus verbis … [v]

The KJV uses "vain words" where the Greek has "empty words" but, in general, means "empty reasoning".

"λόγος" ≈ "rational explanation, word"

Ephesians 5:6

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KJV: Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

Greek: μηδεις υμας απατατω κενοις λογοις δια ταυτα γαρ ερχεται η οργη του θεου επι τους υιους της απειθειας

Latin: nemo vos seducat inanibus verbis propter haec enim venit ira Dei in filios diffidentiae

Wycliffe: No man disseyue you bi veyn wordis; for whi for these thingis the wraththe of God cam on the sones of vnbileue.

Spanish: Nadie os engañe con palabras vanas; porque por estas cosas viene la ira de Dios sobre los hijos de desobediencia.

Portuguese: Ninguém vos engane com palavras ocas; pois são estas coisas que provocam a ira de Deus contra os rebeldes.

Might these "vain words" or "empty words" be related to "idle words"?

More: Matthew 12: Pardon the idle word counting

*G2756 *18 κενός (ken-os') : apparently a primary word; empty (literally or figuratively):--empty, (in) vain.

Usage

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κενον *9

Mark 12:3 ... him, and sent him away empty.
Luke 20:10 ... him, and sent him away empty.
Luke 20:11 ... him shamefully, and sent him away empty.
1 Corinthians 15:14 ... is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.
2 Corinthians 6:1 ... the grace of God in vain.
Galatians 2:2 ... or had run, in vain.
Philippians 2:16 ... run in vain, neither laboured in vain.
1 Thessalonians 3:5 ... labour be in vain.

κενη *3

1 Corinthians 15:10 ... me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly ...
1 Corinthians 15:14 ... is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.
1 Thessalonians 2:1 ... that it was not in vain:

κενους

Luke 1:53 ... and the rich he hath sent empty away.

κενα

Acts 4:25 ... and the people imagine vain things?

κενος

1 Corinthians 15:58 ... labour is not in vain in the Lord.

κενοις

Ephesians 5:6 ... deceive you with vain words: for because of these things ...

κενης

Colossians 2:8 ... through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition ...

κενε

James 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith ...

Words: κενα κενε κενη=3 κενης κενοις κενον=9 κενος κενους

*G2756 *18 κενός (ken-os') : apparently a primary word; empty (literally or figuratively):--empty, (in) vain.

Exodus 5:9 Let there more work be laid upon the men, that they may labour therein; and let them not regard vain words. [kjv]

βαρυνεσθω τα εργα των ανθρωπων τουτων και μεριμνατωσαν ταυτα και μη μεριμνατωσαν εν λογοις κενοις [lxx]

Deuteronomy 32:47 For it is not a vain thing for you; because it is your life: and through this thing ye shall prolong your days in the land, whither ye go over Jordan to possess it. [kjv]

οτι ουχι λογος κενος ουτος υμιν οτι αυτη η ζωη υμων και ενεκεν του λογου τουτου μακροημερευσετε επι της γης εις ην υμεις διαβαινετε τον ιορδανην εκει κληρονομησαι αυτην [lxx]

Exodus 5:9 uses "empty words".

Exodus 5:9

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KJV: Let there more work be laid upon the men, that they may labour therein; and let them not regard vain words.

Hebrew: תכבד העבדה על האנשים ויעשו בה ואל ישעו בדברי שקר׃

Greek: βαρυνεσθω τα εργα των ανθρωπων τουτων και μεριμνατωσαν ταυτα και μη μεριμνατωσαν εν λογοις κενοις

Brenton: Let the works of these men be made grievous, and let them care for these things, and not care for vain words.

Latin: opprimantur operibus et expleant ea ut non adquiescant verbis mendacibus

Wycliffe: be thei oppressid bi werkis, and fille thei tho, that thei assente not to the false wordis.

Luther: Man drücke die Leute mit Arbeit, daß sie zu schaffen haben und sich nicht kehren an falsche Rede!

Spanish: Agrávese la servidumbre sobre ellos, para que se ocupen en ella, y no atiendan a palabras de mentira.

Portuguese: Que se torne pesada a servidão sobre esses homens, para que se ocupem nela, e não dêem ouvidos a palavras mentirosas. »

Deuteronomy 32:47

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KJV: For it is not a vain thing for you; because it is your life: and through this thing ye shall prolong your days in the land, whither ye go over Jordan to possess it.

Hebrew: כי לא דבר רק הוא מכם כי הוא חייכם ובדבר הזה תאריכו ימים על האדמה אשר אתם עברים את הירדן שמה לרשתה׃

Greek: οτι ουχι λογος κενος ουτος υμιν οτι αυτη η ζωη υμων και ενεκεν του λογου τουτου μακροημερευσετε επι της γης εις ην υμεις διαβαινετε τον ιορδανην εκει κληρονομησαι αυτην

Brenton: For this is no vain word to you; for it is your life, and because of this word you° shall live long upon the land, into which you° go over Jordan to inherit it.

Nehemiah 5:13 Also I shook my lap, and said, So God shake out every man from his house, and from his labour, that performeth not this promise, even thus be he shaken out, and emptied. And all the congregation said, Amen, and praised the LORD. And the people did according to this promise. [kjv]

και την αναβολην μου εξετιναξα και ειπα ουτως εκτιναξαι ο θεος παντα ανδρα ος ου στησει τον λογον τουτον εκ του οικου αυτου και εκ κοπου αυτου και εσται ουτως εκτετιναγμενος και κενος και ειπεν πασα η εκκλησια αμην και ηνεσαν τον κυριον και εποιησεν ο λαος το ρημα τουτο [lxx]

Nehemiah uses both words in the same verse but not together.

Nehemiah 5:13

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KJV: Also I shook my lap, and said, So God shake out every man from his house, and from his labour, that performeth not this promise, even thus be he shaken out, and emptied. And all the congregation said, Amen, and praised the LORD. And the people did according to this promise.

Hebrew: גם חצני נערתי ואמרה ככה ינער האלהים את כל האיש אשר לא יקים את הדבר הזה מביתו ומיגיעו וככה יהיה נעור ורק ויאמרו כל הקהל אמן ויהללו את יהוה ויעש העם כדבר הזה׃

Greek: και την αναβολην μου εξετιναξα και ειπα ουτως εκτιναξαι ο θεος παντα ανδρα ος ου στησει τον λογον τουτον εκ του οικου αυτου και εκ κοπου αυτου και εσται ουτως εκτετιναγμενος και κενος και ειπεν πασα η εκκλησια αμην και ηνεσαν τον κυριον και εποιησεν ο λαος το ρημα τουτο

Brenton: And I shook out my garment, and said, So may God shake out every man who shall not keep to this word, from his house, and from his labours, he shall be even thus shaken out, as an outcast and empty. And all the congregation said, Amen, and they praised the Lord: and the people did this thing.

1 Corinthians 1:17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. [kjv]

ου γαρ απεστειλεν με χριστος βαπτιζειν αλλα ευαγγελιζεσθαι ουκ εν σοφια λογου ινα μη κενωθη ο σταυρος του χριστου [gnt]

Philippians 2:16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. [kjv]

λογον ζωης επεχοντες εις καυχημα εμοι εις ημεραν χριστου οτι ουκ εις κενον εδραμον ουδε εις κενον εκοπιασα [gnt]

Paul uses both words in several places but not together.

The next verse uses a "double negative" which, in English, is changed to a "single negative".

More: Do not no way use double negatives

1 Corinthians 1:17

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KJV: For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

Greek: ου γαρ απεστειλεν με χριστος βαπτιζειν αλλ αλλα ευαγγελιζεσθαι ουκ εν σοφια λογου ινα μη κενωθη ο σταυρος του χριστου

Philippians 2:16

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KJV: Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

Greek: λογον ζωης επεχοντες εις καυχημα εμοι εις ημεραν χριστου οτι ουκ εις κενον εδραμον ουδε εις κενον εκοπιασα