### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word χόρτος (chórtos, `{{G5528}}`) is identified as a primary word, carrying a foundational meaning that evolves through contextual usage. Its core sense points to an enclosed space, such as a "court" or "garden." From this initial concept, the word semantically broadens to denote the vegetation found within such spaces, particularly that used for pasture. Thus, it comes to signify "herbage" or "vegetation" in a general sense, encompassing "grass," "hay," or even a single "blade" of grass. This semantic range highlights its connection to both cultivated and natural environments, often emphasizing its commonness and ubiquity in the ancient world. In the Septuagint (LXX), χόρτος frequently translates Hebrew terms like `{{H2682}}` (chatsir), meaning "grass" or "hay," and `{{H3418}}` (yereq), referring to "green herb" or "vegetation," underscoring its consistent usage across the Testaments to describe the green flora of the earth.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
χόρτος appears prominently in the New Testament, often in contexts related to divine provision, the natural world, and the transience of human life.
In the accounts of Jesus feeding the multitudes, χόρτος is used to describe the "green grass" upon which the crowds were instructed to sit, emphasizing the natural setting and the abundance of the provision. Examples include [[Matthew 14:19]], [[Mark 6:39]], [[Luke 9:16]], and [[John 6:10]]. The presence of "much grass" (e.g., [[John 6:10]]) underscores the miraculous nature of the feeding, as it occurred in a place where such a large gathering could be accommodated and fed.
Beyond miraculous provision, χόρτος is powerfully employed by Jesus in His teaching on anxiety and reliance on God. In [[Matthew 6:30]] and [[Luke 12:28]], He contrasts the elaborate clothing of the "grass of the field"—which is here today and "thrown into the oven tomorrow"—with God's care for His human children. This usage highlights the ephemeral nature of earthly things and the superior value of human life in God's eyes.
The theme of human transience is further developed in the Epistles. [[1 Peter 1:24]] directly quotes from [[Isaiah 40:6]], declaring, "All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flower of grass; the grass withers, and the flower falls." This stark imagery contrasts the fleeting nature of human existence and worldly glory with the enduring, eternal Word of God. Similarly, [[James 1:10-11]] uses the metaphor of the rich man fading "like a flower of the grass" when the scorching sun rises, emphasizing the perishable nature of wealth and human pride.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of χόρτος intersects with several related words and concepts, enriching its theological implications.
* **Hebrew Equivalents:** As noted, `{{H2682}}` (chatsir) and `{{H3418}}` (yereq) are common Old Testament counterparts, consistently linking χόρτος to the perishable, yet divinely provided, vegetation of the earth.
* **Greek Terms:**
* `{{G2928}}` (krinon): "Lily," often paired with χόρτος in passages like [[Matthew 6:28]] and [[Luke 12:27]] ("consider the lilies of the field"), further illustrating God's meticulous care for creation.
* `{{G4459}}` (pyr): "Fire," frequently associated with the consumption of grass, underscoring its perishability and ultimate destruction (e.g., [[Matthew 6:30]]).
* `{{G2597}}` (katakaio): "To burn up," often used in conjunction with χόρτος to signify its eventual destruction by fire, emphasizing its temporary nature.
* **Thematic Connections:** The concept of χόρτος is inextricably linked to themes of divine provision, the brevity of human life, the vanity of worldly glory, the humility of creation, and the enduring nature of God's Word. It serves as a powerful natural metaphor for spiritual truths.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of χόρτος is multifaceted, serving as a profound symbol in several key areas.
Firstly, in the context of the feeding miracles, χόρτος speaks to **God's abundant and orderly provision**. The command for the multitudes to sit on the "green grass" not only suggests a natural, peaceful setting but also highlights the divine capacity to provide sustenance even in seemingly barren conditions. It underscores Jesus' power over creation and His role as the provider of life.
Secondly, and perhaps most profoundly, χόρτος serves as a potent metaphor for **human frailty and the transience of earthly existence**. Passages like [[Matthew 6:30]], [[1 Peter 1:24]], and [[James 1:10-11]] leverage the short lifespan and vulnerability of grass to starkly contrast it with the eternal and unchanging nature of God's Word. This comparison serves as a humbling reminder of humanity's dependence on God and the futility of placing ultimate hope in perishable things like wealth, beauty, or human glory. It calls believers to fix their gaze on the eternal rather than the temporal.
Finally, the imagery of χόρτος subtly points to the **humility and commonness of creation**, yet its essential role in sustaining life. It reminds us that even the most ordinary elements of creation are subject to God's sovereign care and serve His purposes, whether in providing food or in illustrating profound spiritual truths.
### Summary
The Greek word χόρτος (chórtos, `{{G5528}}`) fundamentally denotes "herbage" or "vegetation," stemming from an original sense of "court" or "garden." Its biblical usage spans two primary theological domains. First, in the Gospels, it illustrates God's **abundant provision**, particularly in the feeding miracles, where "green grass" signifies a setting of divine sustenance and order. Second, and more pervasively, χόρτος powerfully symbolizes the **transience and fragility of human life and worldly glory**, contrasting it sharply with the enduring, eternal nature of God's Word. This imagery, prominent in Jesus' teachings and the Epistles, serves as a poignant reminder of human mortality and the imperative to seek that which is imperishable. Thus, χόρτος, though seemingly a simple term for vegetation, carries deep theological weight, pointing to both God's faithful care and the brevity of our earthly sojourn.
TRV