λάχανον (G3001) — Greek Lexicon

λάχανον

láchanon

G3001 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A cultivated plant, particularly those used as food; generally denotes garden vegetables or edible plants but can refer, in certain contexts, to any green plant or herb. In the New Testament, refers to plants grown for consumption, especially in the context of dietary practice.

Semantic Range

vegetable, edible plant, garden herb, food plant

Root / Etymology

Derived from the Greek root λαχ- (meaning to obtain by lot or to seize), possibly related to λαχανίζω (to dig, to plant), but exact etymological relationship is debated. Some trace the root to a connection with digging or tilling the soil for vegetables, but this is not certain. Original relationship with the action of 'digging' as in planting is likely, but etymology remains somewhat uncertain.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, λάχανον was used broadly for edible plants, especially those cultivated in gardens. By the Hellenistic and Koine periods, it often specifically referred to vegetables in contrast with wild plants or cereal grains. In the Septuagint and New Testament, the term appears rarely but typically denotes vegetable foods distinguished from meat or special festival foods (e.g., Romans 14:2, where eating only "herbs" [λάχανα] indicates a dietary choice or practice). English translations as 'herbs' can be misleading, as it refers more generally to edible garden plants rather than culinary herbs specifically. The term does not carry religious or ethnic connotations, but may be contextually important in discussions of dietary practices within Judean or Greco-Roman communities.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from (to dig); a vegetable:--herb.

Root Family

λάχανον (lachanon) — edible plant, vegetable, green herb

Root λαχ- edible plant, vegetable, green herb

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G3001-02`	λαχάνων	lachanon	`N GEN N PL`	garden plants	of vegetables	of vegetables	3
`G3001-01`	λάχανα	lachana	`N ACC N PL`	vegetables	edible plants	vegetables	1

Occurrences in Scripture

4 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G3001-02`	Matthew 13:32	λαχάνων	lachanon	`N GEN N PL`	garden plants	of vegetables	of vegetables
`G3001-02`	Mark 4:32	λαχάνων	lachanon	`N GEN N PL`	plants	of vegetables	plants
`G3001-02`	Luke 11:42	λάχανον	lachanon	`N ACC N SG`	herb	of vegetables	vegetable
`G3001-01`	Romans 14:2	λάχανα	lachana	`N ACC N PL`	vegetables	edible plants	vegetables

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