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χόρτος

chórtos

G5528 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Plant material, particularly grass or herbage that grows in the open fields; by extension, any green vegetation suitable for grazing. In most contexts, especially in the New Testament and Septuagint, refers specifically to wild grass or meadow plants, but can also encompass hay, pasture, or vegetation in a general sense. The meaning focuses on that which is quickly grown, often emphasizing its transitory or perishable nature in metaphorical uses.

Semantic Range

grass, herbage, hay, pasture, meadow plants, green vegetation, cultivated green plots (rare); by extension, metaphor for something transient or perishable

Root / Etymology

Root is χορτ-, regarded as a primary Greek substratum word, not analyzable into simpler components. Related to Latin 'hortus' (garden) and English 'herb', possibly indicating a shared Indo-European root referring to cultivated or green vegetation, though this is debated. The word is attested in early Greek literature.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Septuagint, χόρτος renders several Hebrew terms for grass or field vegetation, indicating its use for natural, uncultivated green growth, especially as sustenance for animals. In the New Testament, χόρτος commonly appears in contexts emphasizing the fleeting nature of human life (e.g., the grass withers), leveraging its typical association with quickly growing, quickly perishing field plants. While classical Greek can occasionally use χόρτος for cultivated plots or garden greenery, by the Koine period it overwhelmingly indicates wild or uncultivated grass—distinct from terms denoting tended gardens (e.g., κῆπος). English translations like 'grass', 'hay', or 'herbage' capture the basic referent but may miss the extended metaphorical use or the total inclusivity of all field vegetation in the original.

Translation Consistency

primary "grass" 15 occurrences

Most natural and frequent English equivalent across contexts (especially wild/meadow vegetation). ‘Grass’ covers the typical senses in the SILEX range—meadow plants, herbage, pasture and quickly grown/transitory vegetation—so it ensures consistent, natural rendering for all forms of G5528.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

apparently a primary word; a "court" or "garden", i.e. (by implication, of pasture) herbage or vegetation:--blade, grass, hay.

Root Family

χόρτος (chortos) — grass, green vegetation, herbage, meadow growth

Root χορτ- to grow, to be green, vegetation, grass

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G5528-02 χόρτον chorton N ACC M SG grass green vegetation green grass 6
G5528-03 χόρτος chortos N NOM M SG grass green grass grass 5
G5528-04 χόρτου chortou N GEN M SG grass of green vegetation of grass 3
G5528-01 χόρτῳ chorto N DAT M SG grass to grass grass 1

Occurrences in Scripture

15 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G5528-02 Matthew 6:30 χόρτον chorton N ACC M SG grass green vegetation green grass
G5528-03 Matthew 13:26 χόρτος chortos N NOM M SG wheat green grass grass
G5528-04 Matthew 14:19 χόρτου chortou N GEN M SG grass of green vegetation of grass
G5528-02 Mark 4:28 χόρτον chorton N ACC M SG blade green vegetation green grass
G5528-01 Mark 6:39 χόρτῳ chorto N DAT M SG grass to grass grass
G5528-02 Luke 12:28 χόρτον chorton N ACC M SG grass green vegetation green grass
G5528-03 John 6:10 χόρτος chortos N NOM M SG grass green grass grass
G5528-02 1 Corinthians 3:12 χόρτον chorton N ACC M SG hay green vegetation green grass
G5528-04 James 1:10 χόρτου chortou N GEN M SG of the grass of green vegetation of grass
G5528-02 James 1:11 χόρτον chorton N ACC M SG grass green vegetation green grass
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