κεράτιον
a husk of the carob
Definition
The Greek word κεράτιον specifically refers to the pod or husk of the carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua). In its sole biblical occurrence in Luke 15:16, it describes the food the Prodigal Son desired to eat while feeding pigs, highlighting a state of extreme destitution. These pods were a coarse, low-nutrition food typically used as fodder for livestock, not for human consumption in normal circumstances. The word does not have other distinct meanings in biblical literature, being a precise botanical term.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the New Testament, in Luke 15:16, within the Parable of the Prodigal Son. It is used in a context of severe famine and desperation, where the younger son, having squandered his wealth, is so hungry he longs to eat the carob pods he is feeding to the pigs. Its usage starkly illustrates the depth of his physical and social degradation.
Etymology
Derived from the Greek word κέρας (keras, G2768), meaning 'horn', due to the horn-like shape of the carob pod. The diminutive form κεράτιον literally means 'little horn'. The carob tree itself was known in Greek as κερατωνία (keratōnia) or κερατέα (keratea).
Semantic Range
While a simple noun, κεράτιον carries significant theological weight in its narrative context. It serves as a powerful symbol of the consequences of sin and rebellion, representing the lowest point of human need and spiritual bankruptcy. The son's desire to eat pig food underscores the utter folly of seeking life apart from the Father's house. This vivid detail enriches the parable's message of repentance and the Father's ready grace, making the subsequent welcome and restoration all the more profound.
In the ancient Mediterranean world, carob pods were widely known as fodder for animals like cattle, donkeys, and pigs. While sometimes consumed by the very poor in times of famine, they were considered a food of last resort due to their low nutritional value and coarse texture. The Prodigal Son's craving for them signals not just hunger, but a complete loss of status and dignity, as he has sunk to the level of the unclean animals he tends.
βρώμα (brōma, G1033) — A general term for 'food' or 'nourishment', not specific to fodder.
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Dodson Greek-English Lexicon, a concise public-domain resource suitable for introductory word study. Brief glosses are supplemented by STEPBible TBESG data (CC BY 4.0). For advanced research, standard scholarly references include BDAG (Danker, 3rd ed.) and LSJ.
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