ἡδύοσμον
hēdýosmon
G2238 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A sweet-scented plant, specifically mint. In Koine Greek, ἡδύοσμον refers to the aromatic herb mint (Mentha spp.), known for its distinctive fragrance and used commonly in cooking, medicine, and as a household plant. The primary meaning is 'mint,' but it also includes the senses of aromatic or fragrant garden herbs, with its value and usage tied to its pleasant smell and culinary medicinal uses.
Semantic Range
mint (Mentha spp.), sweet-scented herb, fragrant garden plant, culinary herb
Root / Etymology
Compound of ἡδύς ('sweet, pleasant') and ὀσμή ('smell, odor'), denoting 'sweet smell.' The form ἡδύοσμον is neuter, with the suffix -ον marking a neuter noun in Greek. It is directly descriptive of the plant's sweet fragrance.
Historical & Contextual Notes
ἡδύοσμον is attested in Hellenistic Greek as the everyday term for mint, a well-known garden and culinary herb in the eastern Mediterranean. In the New Testament (Matthew 23:23; Luke 11:42), it is mentioned as part of a list of garden herbs tithed by some Judeans in scrupulous observance of the law, suggesting its status as a valued, commonplace seasoning and medicinal plant in the period. Septuagint usage is rare; the term’s use in the New Testament reflects social and religious concerns of the time. The English translation as 'mint' is accurate for both botanical and practical purposes. Classical Greek also employed the term with the same basic reference, though other terms (such as μίνθη) could also be used for similar or related mints. There is no significant theological or figurative usage; the word refers concretely to the plant.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
neuter of the compound of the same as ἡδέως and ὀσμή; a sweet-scented plant, i.e. mint:--mint.
Root Family
ἡδύοσμ- (hēdýosmon) — sweet-smelling, fragrant, mint
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2238-01 |
ἡδύοσμον | eduosmon | N ACC N SG |
mint | mint | mint | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2238-01 |
Matthew 23:23 | ἡδύοσμον | eduosmon | N ACC N SG |
mint | mint | mint |
G2238-01 |
Luke 11:42 | ἡδύοσμον | eduosmon | N ACC N SG |
mint | mint | mint |