Lexical Summary péganon: Rue Original Word: πήγανον Strong's Exhaustive Concordance rue. From pegnumi; rue (from its thick or fleshy leaves) -- rue. see GREEK pegnumi NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originperhaps from pégnumi Definition rue (a plant with thick, fleshy leaves) NASB Translation rue (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4076: πήγανονπήγανον, πηγανου, τό (thought to be from πήγνυμι to make solid, on account of its thick, fleshy leaves; cf. Vanicek, p. 457), rue: Luke 11:42. (Theophrastus, hist. plant. 1, 3, 4; Dioscorid. 3, 45 (52); Plutarch, others) (B. D., under the word; Tristram, Nat. Hist. etc., p. 478; Carruthers in the Bible Educator, iii. 216f.) Topical Lexicon Botanical Profile Rue is a small, evergreen shrub native to the Mediterranean basin, marked by a strong, bitter aroma and distinctive bluish-green leaves. In antiquity it was prized for culinary seasoning, insect repellent qualities, and a wide range of medicinal uses—especially as an antispasmodic and digestive aid. Because it thrives in rocky, marginal soil, rue was a common household plant and easily cultivated in kitchen gardens surrounding first-century Judean homes. Rue in Ancient Mediterranean Culture • Greek and Roman physicians such as Hippocrates and Dioscorides prescribed it for vision problems, fevers, and as an antidote to poisons. Rue in Second Temple Jewish Practice The Mosaic Law required Israelites to tithe agricultural produce (Leviticus 27:30; Deuteronomy 14:22). By the late Second Temple period, Pharisaic tradition extended the tithe to the smallest garden herbs. Mint, dill, cumin, and rue were therefore carefully weighed and measured, a practice intended to demonstrate meticulous fidelity to the Law, yet one that could drift into legalistic formalism. Rue in the Gospel Tradition (Luke 11:42) “ But woe to you Pharisees! For you pay tithes of mint and rue and every kind of garden herb, yet you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without neglecting the former.” (Luke 11:42) The only New Testament occurrence of the Greek word translated “rue” surfaces in this rebuke. Jesus does not condemn tithing itself—“without neglecting the former”—but exposes the imbalance that elevates meticulous ritual above the weightier matters of covenant faithfulness. Parallel and Contrasting Passages • Matthew 23:23 parallels the woe but lists “mint, dill, and cumin,” underscoring that Luke’s inclusion of rue accentuates the regional flavor of Galilee and Judea where the herb was ubiquitous. Theological and Ethical Themes 1. Proportionality in Obedience—God values comprehensive devotion, not selective hyper-scrupulousness. Symbolic Motifs in Later Literature Early Christian homilies employ rue’s bitterness as a metaphor for repentance. Rabbinic sources cite rue among the “bitter herbs” that could qualify for Passover remembrance, though more often maror refers to other plants. Such parallels hint at a shared cultural vocabulary where rue’s taste evokes the bite of conviction. Ministry and Discipleship Applications • Personal Reflection: Examine whether meticulous church activities mask neglect of compassion, generosity, or social justice. Homiletical Outline Suggestions I. The Herb in the Garden: Everyday Faithfulness (historical background) II. The Woe in the Synagogue: When Detail Replaces Devotion (Luke 11:42) III. The Heart of the Law: Justice and the Love of God (canonical synthesis) IV. Practicing Both: Holding Tithes and Mercy Together (practical application) Related Topics for Further Study Tithing; Pharisees; Justice in Scripture; Ritual and Ethics; Biblical Herbs and Agriculture; Prophetic Critique of Formalism Forms and Transliterations πηγανον πήγανον peganon pēganon pḗganonLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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