Brief Overview of Βάρβαρος (G915: Barbaros)

1. Overview

Βάρβαρος (Barbaros) is a Greek word that has historically been used to describe a person who is not of Greek origin, often implying that such a person is foreign, uncivilized, or speaks a language incomprehensible to Greeks. The word Barbaros is onomatopoeic in origin, mimicking the sound of non-Greek languages to Greek ears, which to them sounded like “bar-bar.” This term was initially a neutral descriptor but gradually acquired a pejorative connotation, signifying a person considered uncultured or uncivilized. The primary meanings of Barbaros include “foreigner,” “non-Greek,” and “one who does not speak Greek.”

2. Lexical Details

In BDAG (Bauer-Danker Lexicon), Barbaros is defined as someone who is not Greek in language, culture, or outlook, emphasizing its use to describe foreigners, particularly those perceived as outsiders to Greek culture. Thayer’s Lexicon and Vine’s Expository Dictionary agree with this definition, further elaborating that the term was used to differentiate between Greek-speaking people and those who were not part of the Hellenistic world. LSJ (Liddell-Scott-Jones Lexicon) also highlights the term’s evolution from a neutral description to a word with negative connotations.

Biblical references:

• Romans 1:14: “I am under obligation both to Greeks and to Barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish.” Here, Barbaros is used to refer to non-Greeks in a neutral sense, illustrating the apostle Paul’s mission to spread the Gospel to all people, regardless of their cultural background.
• 1 Corinthians 14:11: “But if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a foreigner (Barbaros) to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner (Barbaros) to me.” This verse emphasizes the idea of mutual incomprehension due to language differences.

3. Classical Usage

In classical Greek literature, Barbaros was used by prominent authors like Herodotus and Xenophon to describe non-Greek peoples, especially Persians and Egyptians.

1. Herodotus, “Histories”: Herodotus frequently used Barbaros to describe the Persians during the Greco-Persian Wars, highlighting the cultural and linguistic divide between Greeks and non-Greeks.
2. Xenophon, “Anabasis”: Xenophon used Barbaros to refer to the various non-Greek peoples encountered during the march of the Ten Thousand, illustrating the diversity of cultures and languages.
3. Aristophanes, “The Acharnians”: In this comedic play, Barbaros is used to mock non-Greek characters, emphasizing their perceived lack of sophistication and Greekness.

4. Summary

The term Βάρβαρος (Barbaros) has its roots in ancient Greek culture, originally used to describe anyone who did not speak Greek. Over time, the term evolved to carry a more negative connotation, often used to depict foreigners as uncivilized or inferior to Greeks. In the New Testament, however, the term is used neutrally to signify cultural and linguistic differences without the associated disdain found in earlier classical Greek usage. Barbaros thus serves as a significant cultural marker, distinguishing between the Greek-speaking world and those outside of it, and reflecting the complex attitudes towards “the other” in both ancient and biblical contexts.