Anise; Dill
What Is Anise (Dill)?
The plant referred to as "anise" in older English translations of the Bible is actually dill (Anethum graveolens), not true anise (Pimpinella anisum). This annual herb belongs to the Umbelliferae family and grows one to three feet tall, producing small yellow flowers and flat, oval seeds about one-fifth of an inch long. Dill grows wild across the Mediterranean region and has been cultivated for thousands of years for its aromatic seeds and leaves, used both as a cooking spice and a medicinal remedy.
Dill in the Words of Jesus
The only direct biblical reference to this plant appears in Jesus' sharp rebuke of the scribes and Pharisees: "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness" (Matthew 23:23). Jesus did not condemn the practice of tithing herbs; in fact, He affirmed it by saying, "These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others." His criticism targeted the distorted priorities that elevated minor observances above the heart of God's law.
Tithing Herbs in Jewish Law
According to the Mishnah (Ma'aseroth 4:5), dill was subject to the tithe in all its parts — the seeds, stems, and leaves. The Jewish law required that a tenth of all agricultural produce be set aside, and the Pharisees extended this meticulously to even the smallest garden plants. While the Torah specified tithing of grain, wine, and oil (Deuteronomy 14:22-23), the rabbinical tradition expanded this to include every edible plant. The fact that dill was tithed in its entirety — not just the seeds — shows how thorough this practice had become.
The Lesson of the Dill
Jesus used dill alongside mint and cumin as examples of how religious devotion can become distorted. These were not expensive spices but common garden herbs, grown in small quantities. The image is almost comical: religious leaders carefully counting out a tenth of their dill seeds while overlooking acts of injustice and cruelty. The parallel passage in Luke 11:42 substitutes "rue" for dill but carries the same message. The point is not that small acts of obedience are unimportant, but that they must never replace the core demands of the law — loving God and loving neighbor.
Dill in the Ancient World
Dill was widely used throughout the ancient Near East and the Mediterranean. Its seeds served as a carminative in medicine, and "dill water" was a popular household remedy for digestive ailments. In cooking, dill flavored bread, fish, and vegetables. The Romans valued it highly, and it appears in many ancient recipes. Its widespread availability made it a fitting example of the everyday items the Pharisees were tithing — it was not a luxury but a basic garden herb that anyone might grow.
Biblical Context
Dill (translated 'anise' in the KJV) appears in Matthew 23:23, within Jesus' series of woes against the scribes and Pharisees. It is part of the Olivet discourse section where Jesus confronts religious hypocrisy. The parallel passage in Luke 11:42 carries the same theme but names rue instead of dill. The context is Jesus' teaching about the true meaning of the law and what God truly requires.
Theological Significance
The mention of dill in Jesus' teaching highlights the danger of legalism — the tendency to focus on the letter of the law while missing its spirit. Jesus affirmed that obedience in small matters is good, but it must accompany the greater virtues of justice, mercy, and faithfulness. This teaching reveals God's priorities: He desires hearts transformed by love, not merely outward compliance with rules. The dill becomes a symbol of how religious practice, when divorced from compassion and integrity, becomes empty and hypocritical.
Historical Background
Dill (Anethum graveolens) has been cultivated in the Mediterranean and Near Eastern regions for millennia. Archaeological evidence from ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia confirms its use as both a culinary and medicinal herb. The Mishnah records detailed tithing regulations for dill, including all parts of the plant. In the Greco-Roman world, dill was valued for its digestive properties and was a common ingredient in cooking. Its inclusion in Jesus' rebuke reflects the everyday agricultural practices of first-century Palestine, where even small herb gardens were subject to religious taxation.