dill

The King James Version translates the Greek word anēthon in Matthew 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 (קֶצַח) as “dill” by NRSVue and others in Isaiah 28:25 and 27 is now seen as erroneous (see nigella).

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.

As in the case of cumin and mint, 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.

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 Matthew 23:23, namely mint and cumin, the translator may choose to transliterate “dill” from the original Greek anēthon or from a major language. 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 Luke 11:42, which does not include dill.

Dill, Wikimedia Commons

Source: Each According to its Kind: Plants and Trees in the Bible (UBS Helps for Translators)

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