Anise

Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament

Anise —‘Anise’ is the translation given in Authorized Version and Revised Version NT 1881, OT 1885 of ἄνηθον ( Matthew 23:23): the marginal rendering ‘dill’ is the correct one. The true anise is the plant Pimpinclla anisum , which is quite distinct from Anethum graveolens , the anise of the Bible.

By the Jews dill was cultivated as a garden plant, but in Egypt and Southern Europe, to which it was indigenous, it is often found growing wild in the cornfields. It possesses valuable carminative properties, and in the East the seeds are eaten with great relish as a condiment. It is a hardy annual or biennial umbellifer, and grows to a height of one, two, or even three feet. The stem is round, jointed, and striated; the leaves are finely divided; the flowers, which are small, are yellow; the fruits are brown, oval, and flat.

In  Matthew 23:23 dill is represented as subject to tithe. That is in strict accord with the provision of the Law ( Leviticus 27:30,  Deuteronomy 14:22), and is corroborated by the express statement of the Mishna ( Ma‘ascroth iv. 5). See, further, art. Rue; and cf. note by Nestle in Expos. Times , Aug. 1904, p. 528b.

Hugh Duncan.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Anise. This word occurs only in  Matthew 23:23. It is by no means a matter of certainty whether the anise ( Pimpinella anisum ) or the dill ( Anethum graveolens ) is here intended, though the probability is more in favor of the latter plant.

"Anise is an annual plant growing to the height of one foot, carries a white flower, and blooms from June till August. The seeds are imported and used in large quantities on account of their aromatic and carminative properties. It grows wild in Egypt, in Syria, Palestine and all parts of the Levant. Among the ancients anise seems to have been a common pot-herb in every garden.

Although it is less used in medicine by the moderns than by the ancients, it still retains its former reputation as an excellent stomachic, particularly for delicate women and young children. The Romans chewed it in order to keep up an agreeable moisture in the mouth and to sweeten the breath, while some Orientals still do the same." Dill, a somewhat similar plant, is an annual, bearing small aromatic seeds, used also for cookery and medicine.

Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words

1: Ἄνηθον (Strong'S #432 — Noun Neuter — anethon — an'-ay-thon )

"dill, anise," was used for food and for pickling,  Matthew 23:23 .

King James Dictionary

AN'ISE, n. an'nis. L. anisum Gr.

An annual plant, placed by Linne under the genus Pimpinella. It grows naturally in Egypt, and is cultivated in Spain and Malta, whence the seeds are imported. The stalk rises a foot and a half high, dividing into slender branches, garnished with narrow leaves, cut into three or four narrow segments. The branches terminate in large loose umbels, composed of smaller umbels or rays, on long footstalks. The flowers are small and of a yellowish white the seeds oblong and swelling. Anise seeds have an aromatic smell, and a pleasant warm taste they are useful in warming the stomach and expelling wind.

Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary

an annual umbeliferous plant, the seeds of which have an aromatic smell, a pleasant warm taste, and a carminative quality, But by ανηθον ,  Matthew 23:23 , the dill is meant. Our translators seem to have been first misled by a resemblance of the sound. No other versions have fallen into the mistake. The Greek of anise is ανισον ; but of dill, ανηθον .

Fausset's Bible Dictionary

Some think the Pimpinella anisum, others more probably the dill, Anethrum graveolens, of the order Umbelliferae; the seeds used in medicine as carminatives, in cookery as condiments, like caraway seed. "Anise" is from the Greek not conquerable ( Aniketon ) in its healing power; "dill" from the Norse, the soothing herb. The seeds, the leaves, and the stem of dill are (says Rabbi Eliezer) subject to tithe ( Matthew 23:23).

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

ANISE (RV [Note: Revised Version.] ‘ dill ,’   Matthew 23:23 ) is the familiar plant Anethum graveolens , one of the Umbelliferæ. It is indigenous in Palestine, and is extensively used both in cooking and in the form of ‘dill water’ as a domestic remedy for flatulence. It is expressly stated in Jewish writers that the dill was subject to tithe.

E. W. G. Masterman.

Morrish Bible Dictionary

Probably ἄνησον refers to the common 'dill,' which is different from the ἄνισον the 'anise.' Both the plant and seed were and still are used as a condiment in the east, and are found in the modern materia medica. The Pharisees were careful to pay tithes of such things while they omitted the weightier matters of the law,  Matthew 23:23 .

People's Dictionary of the Bible

Anise, a well-known annual herb, resembling caraway, etc., but more fragrant. The plant mentioned in  Matthew 23:23 was no doubt the Dill, which grows in Palestine, and was tithed by scrupulous Jews.

Webster's Dictionary

(1): (n.) An umbelliferous plant (Pimpinella anisum) growing naturally in Egypt, and cultivated in Spain, Malta, etc., for its carminative and aromatic seeds.

(2): (n.) The fruit or seeds of this plant.

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

A well-known plant, resembling dill, caraway, etc., but more fragrant. The seeds are kept by apothecaries. The plant mentioned in  Matthew 23:23 was no doubt the dill, which grows in Palestine, and was tithed by the Jews.

Holman Bible Dictionary

 Matthew 23:23 Isaiah 28:25 28:27Fitches

Easton's Bible Dictionary

 Matthew 23:23

The Nuttall Encyclopedia

An umbelliferous plant, the seed of which is used as a carminative and in the preparation of liqueurs.