How not to pray: Pagans, Heathen, Gentiles, Others (Mat 6:7)

[Leucius Charinus]

A recent article by Jeffrey B Gibson (Harry S. Truman-City Colleges of Chicago, Humanities) just uploaded to Academia.edu contains further research on "The Disciples' Prayer". I am always interested in reading Jeffrey's articles.
https://www.academia.edu/7755693/Revisi ... les_Prayer

Exchanges in these forums have been lively, never dull and always are accompanied by a great deal of "Super Referencing". Anyway, the Disciples' Prayer starts with Matthew 6:7 -- various translations are below.

It seems to start with the advice that "When you pray don't pray like the XXXXXX" where "XXXXXX" is variously translated

* pagans
* heathen
* other religions
* Gentiles
* idolaters
* unbelievers
* worldly
* nations

What's the Greek word underlying these various translations, and is this Greek word attested in all manuscripts, and other questions.

Perhaps the Greek term is "ethnos"?

I'd be interested to know whether "Hellene" is ever attested here.

This seems to be top notch advice by the historical Jesus to his historical Disciples on how NOT to pray.

[In the Greek language ....]


Translations


◄ Matthew 6:7 ►


Parallel Verses

New International Version
And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.

New Living Translation
"When you pray, don't babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again.

English Standard Version
“And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words.

New American Standard Bible
"And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words.

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

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When you pray, don't babble like the idolaters, since they imagine they'll be heard for their many words.

International Standard Version
"When you are praying, don't say meaningless things like the unbelievers do, because they think they will be heard by being so wordy.

NET Bible
When you pray, do not babble repetitiously like the Gentiles, because they think that by their many words they will be heard.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And whenever you are praying, you shall not be verbose like the heathen, for they think that they are heard by speaking much

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"When you pray, don't ramble like heathens who think they'll be heard if they talk a lot.

Jubilee Bible 2000
But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions as the worldly do, for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

King James 2000 Bible
But when you pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

American King James Version
But when you pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

American Standard Version
And in praying use not vain repetitions, as the Gentiles do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

Douay-Rheims Bible
And when you are praying, speak not much, as the heathens. For they think that in their much speaking they may be heard.

Darby Bible Translation
But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as those who are of the nations: for they think they shall be heard through their much speaking.

English Revised Version
And in praying use not vain repetitions, as the Gentiles do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

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

Weymouth New Testament
"And when praying, do not use needless repetitions as the Gentiles do, for they expect to be listened to because of their multitude of words.

World English Bible
In praying, don't use vain repetitions, as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their much speaking.

Young's Literal Translation
'And -- praying -- ye may not use vain repetitions like the nations, for they think that in their much speaking they shall be heard,

[andrewcriddle]

.................................

Exchanges in these forums have been lively, never dull and always are accompanied by a great deal of "Super Referencing". Anyway, the Disciples' Prayer starts with Matthew 6:7 -- various translations are below.

It seems to start with the advice that "When you pray don't pray like the XXXXXX" where "XXXXXX" is variously translated

* pagans
* heathen
* other religions
* Gentiles
* idolaters
* unbelievers
* worldly
* nations

What's the Greek word underlying these various translations, and is this Greek word attested in all manuscripts, and other questions.

Perhaps the Greek term is "ethnos"?

I'd be interested to know whether "Hellene" is ever attested here.

This seems to be top notch advice by the historical Jesus to his historical Disciples on how NOT to pray.

[In the Greek language ....]

Greek EThNIKOI only significant textual variant hUPOKRITAI hypocrites

Andrew Criddle

[Leucius Charinus]

Greek EThNIKOI only significant textual variant hUPOKRITAI hypocrites

Thanks Andrew.

http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lex ... ongs=G1483