Lexical Summary anéthon: Dill Original Word: ἄνηθον Strong's Exhaustive Concordance dillProbably of foreign origin; dill -- anise. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain origin Definition anise, dill NASB Translation dill (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 432: ἄνηθονἄνηθον, ἀνηθου, τό, dill, anise ((?); cf. BB. DD., under the word; Tristram, Nat. Hist. of the Bible, p. 419f): Matthew 23:23. (Aristophanes nub. 982; (Aristotle, others); often in Theophrastus, hist. pl.) Topical Lexicon Botanical Identification Ἄνηθον refers to the garden herb commonly known today as dill (Anethum graveolens). Characterized by its feathery leaves, yellow umbel flowers, and pungent aroma, it was prized in the ancient Mediterranean world as a seasoning, fragrance, and medicinal plant. Cultivation and Everyday Use in the Ancient Near East Dill thrived in the well-drained soils of Judea and Galilee and was harvested multiple times a year. Ancient cooks sprinkled its leaves over fish and vegetables; apothecaries steeped its seeds to soothe digestive ailments. Its value lay not in bulk but in flavor and perceived therapeutic benefit, making even small amounts noteworthy. Position within Mosaic Tithing Practice The Mosaic Law required a tenth of “all the produce of the land” to be dedicated to the Lord (Leviticus 27:30; Deuteronomy 14:22). While grain, wine, and oil dominated such offerings, rabbinic discussion later debated whether tiny herbs like dill demanded the same rigor. The Mishnah (Maʿaserot 4:5) records that the Pharisees, intent on exhaustive obedience, included dill among titheable items. Jesus’ Rebuke in Matthew 23:23 Matthew 23:23 captures the single New Testament mention: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill and cumin, but you have neglected the weightier matters of the Law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.” Here ἄνηθον serves as an emblem of meticulous external conformity. Jesus does not denigrate the tithe itself—“without neglecting the former”—but exposes a spiritual imbalance: precision in minor acts coupled with indifference to the core ethical imperatives of the Law. Theological Emphasis on Inner Righteousness The Lord’s censure establishes a hierarchy of obedience. Ceremonial details have value when integrated with “justice, mercy and faithfulness” (compare Micah 6:8). Dill thus becomes a pedagogical tool: the smallest herb can highlight a heart’s disproportionate focus on ritual when detached from love for God and neighbor. Historical Reception and Patristic Commentary Origen noted that the Pharisees “tired themselves with trifles, counting, as it were, the very leaves of herbs,” while neglecting the poor in their midst. Jerome similarly contrasted their scrupulosity with the gospel’s call to mercy. The Fathers uniformly read ἄνηθον as an example of the minutiae that can distract from the essence of the faith. Practical Ministry Applications 1. Personal Examination: Believers are invited to review their own “dill-level” disciplines—Bible-reading schedules, giving records, service routines—to ensure these expressions flow from and lead to justice, mercy, and faithfulness. Conclusion Ἄνηθον appears only once in the New Testament, yet its lesson is enduring. The humble dill plant, plucked and counted by Pharisees, reminds every generation that authentic righteousness marries detailed obedience with the grand virtues that mirror God’s own heart. Forms and Transliterations ανηθον άνηθον ἄνηθον ανήκοοι ανήκοος ανηκόων anethon anēthon ánethon ánēthonLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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