Word Study for G741 (ἀρτύω) | Strong's Concordance

artýō /ar-too'-o/ Ask about this word

Rootfrom a presumed derivative of αἴρω

Meaningto prepare, i.e. spice (with stimulating condiments)

KJV usageseason.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of artýō — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word artýō, represented by G741, means to prepare, i.e. spice (with stimulating condiments), and is translated as season. This word appears 3 times in 3 unique verses in the Bible. Its usage revolves around the idea of adding value, effectiveness, or flavor, primarily in a figurative sense related to communication and character.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In scripture, G741 is used both literally and figuratively. In the Gospels, it appears in the context of salt losing its defining quality. Both Mark and Luke pose the question: if salt has lost its taste, "wherewith shall it be seasoned?" Luke 14:34 or "wherewith will ye season it?" Mark 9:50. This highlights a state of uselessness. In contrast, Paul uses the term metaphorically in his letter to the Colossians, instructing believers to let their speech be "seasoned with salt" Colossians 4:6, implying that their words should be full of grace and effectiveness.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words clarify the meaning and application of seasoning:

G217 hálas (salt): This is the seasoning agent itself. Its definition includes the figurative sense of prudence. In Mark, believers are told to "Have salt in yourselves" Mark 9:50, linking it to an internal quality.
G3056 lógos (speech, word): This is what is to be seasoned. In Colossians, the instruction is to let your speech be seasoned Colossians 4:6. The word is also central in passages like John 1:1, highlighting its divine importance.
G5485 cháris (grace): This is the essential ingredient that, along with salt, seasons speech. It is defined as graciousness. The mandate in Colossians 4:6 is for speech to "be alway with grace," which in turn enables a proper answer to others.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G741 lies in its application to a believer's conduct and communication.

Purposeful Communication: The primary application is to season speech with grace and salt Colossians 4:6. This is not for its own sake, but so that a believer will "know how ye ought to answer every man," making their witness effective and wise.
Maintaining Spiritual Vitality: The warnings in Mark 9:50 and Luke 14:34 about salt losing its quality serve as a parable for disciples. It is a call to maintain the distinctive, preserving nature of one's faith and character, lest one become ineffective.
Fostering Peace: In Mark 9:50, the concept is directly tied to interpersonal relationships. Having "salt in yourselves" is immediately followed by the command to "have peace one with another," suggesting that this seasoned character is a prerequisite for peaceful community.

Summary

In summary, G741 is a potent verb that moves from the culinary world to the spiritual. While appearing only three times, its meaning is central to the Christian call to be distinct and effective. It illustrates how a believer's inner character ("salt in yourselves") should translate into external actions, particularly in speech that is full of grace. To be seasoned is to be useful, prudent, and prepared to engage the world in a way that preserves peace and offers a wise answer.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 3 occurrences, inflected in 3 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

Future Active Indicative 2nd Plural 1×
Future Passive Indicative 3rd Singular 1×
Perfect Passive Participle Nominative Singular Masculine 1×

Nominative: The subject of the verb.
Singular: One.
Plural: More than one.
Masculine: Masculine grammatical gender.
2nd: Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd: Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Future: Action yet to take place.
Perfect: A completed act whose results continue.
Active: The subject performs the action.
Passive: The subject is acted upon.
Indicative: A plain statement of fact.
Participle: A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 3 verses across 3 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Mark, Luke, and Colossians (1 verse each); never once in the other 24.

Mark

Luke

Colossians

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.