πήγανον
pḗganon
G4076 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A plant known as 'rue,' recognized for its aromatic, bitter leaves and use as a culinary herb or medicinal plant; in Greco-Roman and Judean contexts, refers specifically to the common rue (Ruta graveolens). The term designates the plant itself and by extension, its leaves used for seasoning or ritual, rather than a derivative product. In the New Testament, appears in the context of tithing garden herbs.
Semantic Range
the herb rue, rue plant, aromatic and medicinal herb, plant used for seasoning or ritual purposes
Root / Etymology
From the Greek root πηγ- (to fasten, make firm, fix), possibly by reference to the plant’s thick or sturdy nature, or its strong growth. There may also be a folk etymological association for Greek speakers. The plant is known from ancient botanical sources as πήγανον. Connection to πήγνυμι (to make firm, fix) is traditional but not philologically certain.
Historical & Contextual Notes
πήγανον appears rarely in Greek literature but is the standard name for the actual rue herb in classical, Hellenistic, and early Roman periods (cf. Theophrastus, Dioscorides). In the New Testament (Luke 11:42, parallel to Matt 23:23 with ἄνηθον), it is used as an example of a garden herb tithed by religiously observant Judeans, indicating attention to detailed observance of legal requirements. Ancient Greek sources present rue as used for medicinal purposes (remedy for various ailments) and as a culinary seasoning with a sharp, pungent flavor profile. While English translations usually simply render as 'rue,' in antiquity the plant was much more familiar as a common garden and medicinal herb. The term is botanical rather than symbolic or metaphoric in its biblical usage. In the LXX (Septuagint), πήγανον does not occur with the same meaning. Usage outside the NT is consistent across Greek literary and medical sources. There is no evidence for the word referring to a broader plant category or metaphorical meaning in primary sources.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from πήγνυμι; rue (from its thick or fleshy leaves):--rue.
Root Family
πηγ- (pḗganon) — to make firm, thick, fixed (root); a particular herb, rue
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| G4077 | πηγή | springs |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4076-01 |
πήγανον | peganon | N ACC N SG |
rue | rue plant | rue | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4076-01 |
Luke 11:42 | πήγανον | peganon | N ACC N SG |
rue | rue plant | rue |