χόρτος

grass, hay

Definition

The Greek word χόρτος primarily refers to vegetation that is green and growing, such as grass or herbage (Matthew 6:30, Luke 12:28). It can also denote cultivated grain or cereal crops while they are still in the field, as seen in the parable of the wheat and tares where the 'blade' and the 'full grain in the ear' develop (Mark 4:28). In its harvested and dried state, χόρτος means hay or straw, used metaphorically for perishable building materials in 1 Corinthians 3:12. Thus, its meaning spans the entire lifecycle of plant life, from fresh growth to dried fodder.

Biblical Usage

Χόρτος is used 13 times in the New Testament, appearing in the Gospels and one Pauline epistle. In the Synoptic Gospels, it frequently illustrates the transient nature of earthly life and God's providential care, as when Jesus teaches not to worry because God clothes the grass of the field (Matthew 6:30, Luke 12:28). It also appears in narrative settings describing the green grass where crowds sat (Mark 6:39, John 6:10). Its sole non-Gospel use is in 1 Corinthians 3:12, where 'hay' (χόρτος) symbolizes flimsy, impermanent work in contrast to lasting materials like gold or silver.

Etymology

Derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *gʰer- meaning 'to grow, become green,' χόρτος is a native Greek word for an enclosure, fodder, or grass. It is cognate with Latin 'hortus' (garden) and English words like 'yard' and 'garden.' In Greek, its core meaning centered on vegetation used as feed, which expanded to include general grass and grain.

Semantic Range

Χόρτος is theologically significant as a symbol of transience and divine provision. Jesus uses it to contrast the fleeting beauty of grass, which is here today and thrown into the furnace tomorrow, with God's faithful care for His people (Matthew 6:30). This underscores the doctrine of God's providence and calls for trust over anxiety. In 1 Corinthians 3:12, it represents human works that cannot endure testing, highlighting the importance of building one's life and ministry on the lasting foundation of Christ.

In an agrarian society, grass and hay were directly tied to survival, feeding livestock. The rapid withering of grass under the hot Mediterranean sun (James 1:11, 1 Peter 1:24, which use a different Greek word) was a proverbial image for the brevity of human life. Understanding χόρτος as fodder, not just lawn grass, enriches passages about God's care, as He provides even for livestock and the basic agricultural cycle.

βοτάνη (botanē, G1008) — a more general term for plants, herbs, or vegetation. λάχανον (lachanon, G3001) — specifically denotes a garden herb or vegetable, edible plants. πόα (poa, G5527) — a less common synonym for grass, used in James 1:10-11 and 1 Peter 1:24 to emphasize withering.

Word Details

Scripture References