### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek term κύμινον (kýminon), Strong's number `{{G2951}}`, refers to "cummin," a small, aromatic, seed-bearing plant (Cuminum cyminum) belonging to the parsley family. Its definition indicates a foreign origin, drawing a clear parallel to the Hebrew word כַּמֹּן (kammon), Strong's number `{{H3646}}`. Cummin was a common spice and medicinal herb in the ancient Near East, widely cultivated for its pungent seeds, which were used to flavor food, particularly bread and stews. Beyond its culinary use, it held economic significance as an agricultural product, often subject to taxation or tithing. The semantic range is quite narrow, firmly rooted in its botanical identity as a specific plant and its resulting product.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term κύμινον (kýminon) appears only once in the New Testament, specifically in the Gospel of Matthew:
* **[[Matthew 23:23]]**: "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others."
In this singular occurrence, Jesus employs κύμινον (kýminon) as part of a sharp rebuke against the scribes and Pharisees. The context is a denouncement of their hypocrisy, highlighting their meticulous adherence to minor religious obligations while simultaneously neglecting the foundational principles of God's law. Cummin, along with mint (`{{G2237}}`, *hēdyosmon*) and dill/anise (`{{G458}}`, *anēthon*), represents the smallest, most insignificant agricultural produce that, according to the Mosaic Law (cf. [[Deuteronomy 14:22-23]]), was subject to tithing. The Pharisees, in their scrupulous legalism, went to great lengths to ensure even these tiny herbs were accurately tithed, demonstrating an outward show of piety. However, Jesus exposes this as a superficial religiosity, starkly contrasting their meticulousness with their neglect of "the weightier matters of the law"—justice, mercy, and faithfulness. The mention of cummin here serves as a powerful illustration of misplaced priorities, where external ritual overshadows internal righteousness and genuine ethical conduct.
### Related Words & Concepts
The direct Hebrew parallel to κύμινον (kýminon) is כַּמֹּן (kammon), Strong's number `{{H3646}}`, which also denotes "cummin" and appears in the Old Testament, notably in [[Isaiah 28:25]] and [[Isaiah 28:27]], describing agricultural practices related to its cultivation and threshing.
In [[Matthew 23:23]], κύμινον (kýminon) is closely associated with other small herbs:
* **Mint (`{{G2237}}`, *hēdyosmon*)**: Another common garden herb, also tithable.
* **Dill/Anise (`{{G458}}`, *anēthon*)**: A third minor herb, completing the trio of small produce meticulously tithed by the Pharisees.
The broader concepts related to this word's usage include:
* **Tithing**: The religious obligation to give a tenth of one's produce or income.
* **Legalism**: Strict adherence to the letter of the law, often to the exclusion of its spirit or intent.
* **Hypocrisy**: The practice of claiming to have moral standards or beliefs to which one's own behavior does not conform.
* **Spiritual Priorities**: The critical distinction between external religious observance and the internal, transformative principles of God's will.
* **"Weightier Matters of the Law"**: A phrase emphasizing the foundational ethical and relational aspects of God's commandments (justice, mercy, faithfulness) over ceremonial minutiae.
### Theological Significance
While κύμινον (kýminon) itself is a humble plant, its singular appearance in the New Testament carries profound theological weight. It becomes a potent symbol in Jesus' teaching, representing the dangers of a distorted religiosity that prioritizes outward conformity over inward transformation. The meticulous tithing of cummin, a seemingly pious act, is exposed as an empty ritual when divorced from the core demands of God's character: justice, mercy, and faithfulness.
Theological significance can be drawn in several areas:
1. **Critique of Legalism**: Jesus' use of cummin underscores His consistent critique of legalism. True righteousness, according to the Kingdom of God, is not found in scrupulous adherence to minor regulations, but in a heart that seeks to embody God's character in its dealings with others.
2. **Emphasis on Inner Righteousness**: The contrast between tithing cummin and neglecting justice, mercy, and faithfulness highlights the New Covenant's emphasis on the spirit of the law over the letter. God desires genuine love for Him and for others, expressed through ethical action and compassionate living, rather than mere outward displays of piety.
3. **Holistic Obedience**: While Jesus does not dismiss the tithing of cummin ("These you ought to have done"), His primary concern is the neglect of the "weightier matters." This teaches that obedience to God's law must be holistic, embracing both the minor and major commands, but always with a proper understanding of their relative importance and underlying purpose. The lesser should not eclipse the greater.
4. **Authenticity in Faith**: The word serves as a reminder that authentic faith is not measured by the visible performance of religious duties, but by the unseen condition of the heart and the fruit it produces in righteous living.
### Summary
The Greek word κύμινον (kýminon), Strong's number `{{G2951}}`, refers to "cummin," a common spice and herb of foreign origin, paralleling the Hebrew `{{H3646}}`. Its sole New Testament occurrence is in [[Matthew 23:23]], where Jesus uses it as a poignant example in His denunciation of the scribes and Pharisees. By meticulously tithing even the smallest herbs like cummin while neglecting the fundamental principles of justice, mercy, and faithfulness, they exemplified a profound spiritual hypocrisy. The theological significance of κύμινον (kýminon) thus lies not in the plant itself, but in its role as a powerful symbol of misplaced religious priorities, highlighting Jesus' call for a faith rooted in internal righteousness and holistic obedience rather than superficial legalism. It serves as a timeless reminder that God values a heart committed to His character above all external displays of piety.
TRV