Jump to: Smith's • ATS • ISBE • Easton's • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia Anise, known scientifically as Pimpinella anisum, is a flowering plant native to the eastern Mediterranean region and Southwest Asia. It is an herbaceous annual plant that grows to about 3 feet tall and is known for its aromatic seeds, which have a flavor similar to licorice. Anise has been used since ancient times for both culinary and medicinal purposes.Biblical Reference The term "anise" appears in the New Testament in the context of Jesus' teachings. In Matthew 23:23 , Jesus addresses the Pharisees and teachers of the law, saying: "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill, and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former." In this passage, the Berean Standard Bible uses "dill" instead of "anise," which is a translation choice reflecting the original Greek word "ἄνηθον" (anethon). The King James Version, however, translates this word as "anise." This discrepancy highlights the challenges of translating ancient texts and the variations in plant names over time and across cultures. Cultural and Historical Context In the time of Jesus, the Pharisees were known for their strict adherence to the Mosaic Law, including the practice of tithing. Tithing involved giving a tenth of one's produce to the Temple as an offering to God. The Pharisees extended this practice to include even the smallest of garden herbs, such as mint, dill, and cumin, demonstrating their meticulous observance of the law. Anise, or dill as referred to in the BSB, was a common herb in the ancient Near East, valued for its culinary uses and medicinal properties. It was used to flavor food and as a remedy for various ailments, including digestive issues. The seeds, leaves, and stems of the plant were all utilized, making it a versatile and valuable herb in daily life. Symbolism and Interpretation In Matthew 23:23, Jesus uses the example of tithing herbs to illustrate a broader spiritual principle. He criticizes the Pharisees for their focus on minor legalistic details while neglecting the weightier matters of the law, such as justice, mercy, and faithfulness. This teaching emphasizes the importance of inner righteousness and the spirit of the law over mere external compliance. The mention of anise (or dill) in this context serves as a reminder of the potential for religious practices to become hollow rituals if they are not accompanied by genuine love and compassion. Jesus' rebuke of the Pharisees calls believers to examine their own hearts and priorities, ensuring that their devotion to God is reflected in their treatment of others. Conclusion While the specific plant referred to in Matthew 23:23 may be subject to translation differences, the message remains clear: true faithfulness to God involves both adherence to His commandments and the practice of justice, mercy, and faithfulness. The reference to anise, or dill, serves as a powerful illustration of the need to balance religious observance with the deeper ethical demands of the Gospel. Smith's Bible Dictionary AniseThis word occurs only in (Matthew 23:23) It is by no means a matter of certainty whether the anise (Pimpinella anisum , Lin.) or the dill (Anethum graveolens) is here intended though the probability is more in favor of the latter plant. "Anise is an annual plant growing to the height of one foot, carries a white flower, and blooms from June till August. The seeds are imported and used in large quantities on account of their aromatic and carminative properties. It grows wild in Egypt, in Syria, Palestine and all parts of the Levant. Among the ancients anise seems to have been a common pot-herb in every garden. Although it is less used in medicine by the moderns than by the ancients, it still retains its former reputation as an excellent stomachic, particularly for delicate women and young children. The Romans chewed it in order to keep up an agreeable moisture in the mouth and to sweeten the breath, while some Orientals still do the same." Dill, a somewhat similar plant, is an annual, bearing small aromatic seeds, used also for cookery and medicine. ATS Bible Dictionary AniseA well-known plant, resembling dill, caraway, etc., but more fragrant. The seeds are kept by apothecaries. The plant mentioned in Matthew 23:23 was no doubt the dill, which grows in Palestine, and was tithed by the Jews. Easton's Bible Dictionary This word is found only in Matthew 23:23. It is the plant commonly known by the name of dill, the Peucedanum graveolens of the botanist. This name dill is derived from a Norse word which means to soothe, the plant having the carminative property of allaying pain. The common dill, the Anethum graveolens, is an annual growing wild in the cornfields of Spain and Portugal and the south of Europe generally. There is also a species of dill cultivated in Eastern countries known by the name of shubit. It was this species of garden plant of which the Pharisees were in the habit of paying tithes. The Talmud requires that the seeds, leaves, and stem of dill shall pay tithes. It is an umbelliferous plant, very like the caraway, its leaves, which are aromatic, being used in soups and pickles. The proper anise is the Pimpinella anisum. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) An umbelliferous plant (Pimpinella anisum) growing naturally in Egypt, and cultivated in Spain, Malta, etc., for its carminative and aromatic seeds.2. (n.) The fruit or seeds of this plant. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia ANISE; DILLan'-is, or dil; (RVm, anethon): Not the true anise, Pimpinella anisum, as was supposed by the King James Version translators, but Dill, Anethum graveolens. This is an annual or biennial herb of NO Umbelliferae, growing from one to three feet high, with small yellow flowers and brownish, flattened, oval fruits 1/5 inch long. It grows wild in lands bordering on the Mediterranean. The seeds have an aromatic flavor and are used as condiment in cooking, as carminative in medicine. "Dill water" is a favorite domestic remedy. Jesus said (Matthew 23:23): "Woe unto you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye tithe mint and anise and cummin, and have left undone the weightier matters of the law," etc. In the tract, Ma`aseroth (4 5) it is mentioned that this plant (Hebrew shabhath), its stem, leaves and seed, was subject to tithe. See CUT. Greek 432. anethon -- anise, dill ... anise, dill. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: anethon Phonetic Spelling: (an'-ay-thon) Short Definition: anise, dill Definition: anise, dill. ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/432.htm - 6k Library Good Works On the Words of the Gospel, Luke xi. 39, "Now do Ye Pharisees ... Jesus' Last Public Discourse. Denunciation of Scribes and ... Woes on the Pharisees Hypocrisy But Now, what it is Necessary for Me to Say on the Subject of The. ... Matt. vii. 1 "But if Ye have Bitter Envying and Strife in Your Hearts, Glory ... Parable of the Pharisee and Publican. Discourse of Jesus against the Scribes and Pharisees. Thesaurus Anise (1 Occurrence)... The proper anise is the Pimpinella anisum. Noah Webster's Dictionary. ... 2. (n.) The fruit or seeds of this plant. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ANISE; DILL. ... /a/anise.htm - 9k Dill (3 Occurrences) Cummin (3 Occurrences) Omitted (2 Occurrences) Tithes (23 Occurrences) Rue (1 Occurrence) Medicine (4 Occurrences) Chios (1 Occurrence) Cumin (3 Occurrences) Aside (416 Occurrences) Resources Anise: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Anise (1 Occurrence)Matthew 23:23 Subtopics Anise: A Seed, Used As a Condiment Related Terms |
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