Dill

6 sources

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature by John McClintock & James Strong (1880)

the marginal and correct rendering at Mat 23:23, for ἄνηθον, where in the text our translators have "anise" — misled, perhaps, by the similarity of anethum and anise. Pliny, however (19:52), carefully distinguishes between anethum and anisum (comp. Theophr. Plantt. 7:1; Dioscor. 3, 461). The Anethum graveolens, or, as it is other wise called, Anethum segetuni, on the assumption that there are two species, is a native of the warmer regions of the south, and is sometimes cultivated in English gardens under the name of "dill." It belongs to that very common natural family the Umbelliferae, which abounds with genera and species that are warmed by a savor of aromatic pungency. The seeds are the parts that are used, whether it be for the purpose of soothing the alimentary system with a warm medicine, or of pleasing the palate with an agreeable condiment. Among the Cossacks, and in other parts of the Russian dominions, the plant is cultivated for the same use as the caraway is among us. Dill, caraway, coriander, and cummin belong to the same natural assemblage of plants, and though the seeds differ in form, and a little in flavor, yet they are employed for the same purposes, and possess virtues very nearly allied to each other. The flowers are yellow, like those of the parsnip; the leaves decompounded into hair-like divisions. The Talmudists describe the plant שָׁבָת, shabath’, as "called in the Roman language anethums," and add that it was tithed whether gathered green or ripe. It was tithed also both as to the seed and the herb itself. That the herb was tithed implies that it was eaten as well as the seeds, and, indeed, this is expressly said; and we are told that it was to be eaten raw, after meat, and not boiled (Kitto, Pict. Bible, note in loc.). SEE ANISE.

Dictionary of the Bible by James Hastings (1909) ↑

DILL.—See Anise.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia by James Orr (ed.) (1915) ↑

See ANISE.

Plants and Animals of the Bible by David Cox (1970) ↑

See Anise; Cumin

Aquifer Open Bible Dictionary by Mission Mutual, adapted from the Tyndale Open Bible Dictionary (2023)

Dill (Anethum graveolens) is a weedy annual plant that looks similar to parsley and fennel. It grows 30.5 to 50.8 centimeters (12 to 20 inches) tall and has yellow flowers. People used dill as a general seasoning, especially for pickles. It also had some medical uses. This plant is grown in many places for its seeds. The seeds have a strong, pleasant smell and help with digestion.

The King James Version translates the Greek word anēthon in Matthew 23:23 as "anise" instead of "dill." This is considered incorrect by most scholars.

Plants and Trees in the Bible (UBS) by United Bible Societies

Reference:”

Greek ἄνηθον (anēthon)

MAT 23:23

Discussion:

KJV translates the Greek word anēthon in MAT 23:23 as “anise,” but scholars now agree that the plant Jesus refers to is the Dill Anethum graveolens, a garden herb. The translation of the Hebrew word qetsach as “dill” by RSV, NEB, and REB in ISA 28:25; ISA 28:27; ISA 28:27 is now seen as erroneous. (see 3.5.9 Nigella (kalonji, black cumin, black seed, charnushka, nutmeg flower).)

Description:

Dill is an annual plant that can reach 50 centimeters (20 inches) in height. Like the carrot, parsley and fennel, it has fine leaves. Its yellow flowers form a shape like a covered cup. The leaves and seeds have a pleasant, spicy smell.

Special significance:

As in the case of cumin (3.5.3) and mint (3.5.7), Jesus used dill to condemn the skewed values of the religious leaders, who were blind to the misfortunes of the poor but fastidiously tithed even small garden seeds.

Translation:

Dill is known in western Asia and in India as well as in Europe and America. Depending on what is done with the other plants in MAT 23:23, namely mint and cumin, the translator may choose to transliterate “dill” from the original Greek anēthon or from a major language (for example, French aneth; Spanish anega, eneldo, aneto; Portuguese endro, aneto, funcho; Arabic bazrul, shibit, sjama). It is debatable whether the context here is rhetorical or not, so transliteration of the three species is acceptable, although substituting cultural equivalents is also possible and effective. It is important to keep in mind the parallel passage of 2KI 6:25, which does not include dill. An American Translation (AT), Mft, and Weymouth use “dill” here, as do the modern English versions.