neuter of the compound of the same as ἡδέως and ὀσμή; a sweet-scented plant, i.e. mint:--mint.
Transliteration:hēdýosmon
Pronunciation:hay-doo'-os-mon
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word ἡδύοσμον (hēdýosmon, `{{G2238}}`) is a compound noun derived from ἡδέως (hēdeōs), meaning "sweetly" or "pleasantly," and ὀσμή (osmē, `{{G3744}}`), meaning "smell" or "fragrance." Thus, its etymological root points to something with a "sweet smell" or "pleasant aroma." The base definition explicitly identifies this sweet-scented plant as "mint." As a botanical term, its semantic range is quite narrow, referring specifically to the herb *Mentha*, known for its aromatic properties and common use in ancient cuisine and medicine. It does not carry broader metaphorical or abstract meanings beyond its literal identification as the plant itself.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term ἡδύοσμον (hēdýosmon, `{{G2238}}`) appears twice in the New Testament, both times in parallel accounts of Jesus' woes against the Pharisees:
* **[[Matthew 23:23]]**: "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone."
* **[[Luke 11:42]]**: "But woe to you, Pharisees! For you pay tithe of mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone."
In both passages, mint (along with other small garden herbs like anise/dill `{{G432}}`, cummin `{{G2951}}`, and rue `{{G4076}}`) is presented as an example of the Pharisees' meticulous adherence to the minutiae of the Law, particularly regarding tithing. While the Mosaic Law (e.g., [[Deuteronomy 14:22-23]]) mandated tithing of grain, new wine, and oil, the Pharisees had extended this requirement to even the smallest garden herbs, demonstrating an extreme scrupulousness in outward religious observance. Jesus contrasts this zealous attention to minor details with their profound neglect of the "weightier matters" of the Law: justice (`{{G2920}}`), mercy (`{{G1656}}`), faith (`{{G4102}}`), and the love of God (`{{G26}}`). The context is a severe condemnation of hypocrisy, where outward piety masks an inward spiritual void and a failure to grasp the true spirit of God's commandments.
### Related Words & Concepts
The biblical usage of ἡδύοσμον (hēdýosmon, `{{G2238}}`) is intrinsically linked to several key concepts and other terms:
* **Other Tithable Herbs:** ἄνηθον (anēthon, anise/dill, `{{G432}}`), κύμινον (kyminon, cummin, `{{G2951}}`), and πήγανον (pēganon, rue, `{{G4076}}`). These herbs collectively represent the "small things" that the Pharisees meticulously tithed.
* **Tithing:** The verb δεκατεύω (dekateuō, to tithe, `{{G1183}}`) is central to the action described. The concept of tithing itself is rooted in Old Testament law (e.g., [[Leviticus 27:30]], [[Deuteronomy 14:22]]).
* **Weightier Matters of the Law:** These are the counterpoints to the tithing of herbs: κρίσις (krisis, justice, `{{G2920}}`), ἔλεος (eleos, mercy, `{{G1656}}`), πίστις (pistis, faith, `{{G4102}}`), and ἀγάπη (agapē, love, `{{G26}}`). These terms highlight the ethical and spiritual core of God's demands.
* **Hypocrisy:** The Pharisees (`{{G5330}}`) are explicitly labeled ὑποκριταί (hypokritai, hypocrites, `{{G5273}}`), emphasizing the disconnect between their outward display of piety and their inward spiritual state.
* **Legalism:** The passages illustrate the dangers of legalism, where adherence to the letter of the law, especially self-imposed interpretations, overshadows the spirit and intent of God's commands.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of ἡδύοσμον (hēdýosmon, `{{G2238}}`) in the Gospels is profound, serving primarily as an object lesson in spiritual priorities and the nature of true righteousness.
1. **Critique of Hypocrisy:** Mint becomes a symbol of religious hypocrisy. The Pharisees' meticulous tithing of insignificant herbs while neglecting fundamental virtues like justice, mercy, and faith reveals a superficial piety focused on outward appearance rather than genuine devotion. Jesus exposes this as a distortion of true worship and obedience.
2. **Emphasis on the Heart:** The contrast between tithing mint and practicing justice/mercy/faith underscores the biblical emphasis on the internal disposition of the heart over mere external observances. God desires a transformed heart that loves Him and others, not just a scrupulous adherence to rules, especially those of human origin or exaggerated interpretation.
3. **Balanced Obedience:** Crucially, Jesus does not condemn the act of tithing mint itself ("These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone"). The issue is the *neglect* of the "weightier matters." This teaches that outward acts of obedience are not inherently wrong but become so when they become an end in themselves or are pursued at the expense of more foundational spiritual and ethical duties. True righteousness involves both the minor details and the major principles, with correct prioritization.
4. **Misplaced Priorities:** The passages serve as a timeless warning against misplaced priorities in faith. Believers are called to discern what truly matters to God, focusing on the character of God and His kingdom values rather than becoming entangled in trivialities or self-serving displays of religiosity.
### Summary
Hēdýosmon (`{{G2238}}`), meaning "mint," is a specific aromatic herb mentioned twice in the Gospels ([[Matthew 23:23]], [[Luke 11:42]]). In both instances, it features in Jesus' strong condemnations of the Pharisees, serving as a concrete example of their meticulous tithing practices, even for the smallest garden herbs. This scrupulousness in minor, often self-imposed, religious duties is sharply contrasted with their neglect of the "weightier matters of the Law"—justice (`{{G2920}}`), mercy (`{{G1656}}`), faith (`{{G4102}}`), and the love of God (`{{G26}}`). The theological significance of mint in these contexts is profound: it highlights the dangers of religious hypocrisy, the critical importance of spiritual priorities, and the biblical emphasis on inward righteousness over mere external observance. While Jesus did not forbid the tithing of such herbs, His primary concern was the Pharisees' failure to grasp the spirit of the Law and their prioritizing of trivialities over the foundational principles of God's character and commands. The word thus serves as a powerful reminder for believers to seek a balanced faith, valuing both outward obedience and, more importantly, the transformative work of God in the heart that leads to genuine love, justice, and mercy.
TRV