### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek noun βοτάνη (botánē, `{{G1008}}`) is derived from the verb βόσκω (boskō, `{{G1006}}`), meaning "to feed," "to graze," or "to pasture." This etymological connection immediately defines its core semantic range as plant life suitable for consumption, particularly by animals, or for human use. It translates as "herbage" or "herb," encompassing various forms of vegetation that serve as food, flavoring, or medicinal purposes. The term inherently suggests natural growth, sustenance, and the provision found in the created order. It typically refers to smaller, ground-level plants rather than larger trees or shrubs.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term βοτάνη (botánē, `{{G1008}}`) appears only once in the New Testament, found in the Gospel of Luke:
* [[Luke 11:42]]: "But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every kind of herb, and neglect justice and the love of God; but these are the things you should have done, without neglecting the others."
In this singular occurrence, botánē is listed alongside specific small, aromatic plants—mint and rue—that the Pharisees meticulously tithed. The context is a severe denunciation by Jesus of the Pharisees' hypocrisy. They were fastidious in observing the minutiae of the Mosaic Law, even to the point of tithing the smallest garden herbs, yet they simultaneously neglected the "weightier matters" of the Law: justice and the love of God. The phrase "every kind of herb" emphasizes the extreme diligence and legalistic precision applied to external religious duties, starkly contrasting with their internal spiritual deficiency. Here, botánē functions not for its intrinsic botanical meaning, but as a symbol of misplaced priorities and the dangers of superficial religious observance.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most direct linguistic relation to βοτάνη is its root verb, βόσκω (boskō, `{{G1006}}`), which signifies the act of feeding or grazing, thereby emphasizing the plant's role as sustenance. Other related Greek terms for vegetation or plant life include:
* χόρτος (chortos, `{{G5528}}`): grass, hay, or fodder, often denoting short-lived or ephemeral plant growth.
* δένδρον (dendron, `{{G1186}}`): tree, representing larger, more enduring plant life.
* σπέρμα (sperma, `{{G4690}}`): seed, referring to the reproductive element of plants.
* φυτόν (phyton, `{{G5451}}`): a general term for a plant, though less frequently used in the New Testament than chortos.
Conceptually, βοτάνη connects to themes of divine provision, agricultural practices, and the specific requirements of Mosaic Law concerning tithing. It also stands in stark contrast to the abstract and profound concepts of "justice" and "the love of God," which Jesus juxtaposes with the tithing of these small herbs.
### Theological Significance
Though βοτάνη (botánē, `{{G1008}}`) is a rare term in the New Testament, its solitary appearance carries profound theological implications.
1. **Divine Provision and Creation:** Fundamentally, as "herbage," botánē points to God's benevolent provision for all living things. Its very existence, suitable for consumption, reflects the Creator's design for sustenance within the created order, echoing the initial divine provision of vegetation for food in the Genesis accounts ([[Genesis 1:29-30]]).
2. **Critique of Legalism and Hypocrisy:** The primary theological significance of botánē in [[Luke 11:42]] lies in its role as a key element in Jesus' scathing critique of the Pharisees. The meticulous tithing of common herbs, no matter how insignificant in scale, becomes an emblem of outward religious observance that utterly misses the heart and spirit of God's Law. Jesus condemns the practice of focusing on the trivial while neglecting the "weightier matters" of justice and the love of God. This passage underscores a crucial theological principle: genuine righteousness is not found in superficial adherence to external rules, but in a heart transformed by love for God and neighbor, expressed through ethical conduct and a pursuit of justice.
3. **Priorities in Faith:** The use of botánē serves as an enduring reminder for all believers to critically examine their spiritual priorities. It warns against the insidious danger of substituting external rituals or minor observances for true piety, genuine ethical living, and a loving, intimate relationship with God. It calls for a faith that prioritizes the internal transformation of the heart over mere outward conformity.
### Summary
The Greek word βοτάνη (botánē, `{{G1008}}`), meaning "herbage" or "herb," derives from a root signifying "to feed" or "to graze." Its single occurrence in the New Testament, found in [[Luke 11:42]], is highly significant. Here, it represents the small, common plants that the Pharisees meticulously tithed, serving as a powerful symbol of their misplaced religious priorities. Jesus uses their scrupulousness in tithing "every kind of herb" to highlight their profound neglect of the "weightier matters of the Law"—justice and the love of God. Theologically, botánē subtly points to God's provision in creation and, more prominently, functions as a critical element in Jesus' condemnation of legalism, calling believers to prioritize genuine righteousness, love, and justice over superficial religious observance.
TRV