Growing Grass: χόρτος (Strong’s G5528: chortos) Illustrates God’s Faithful Care

Strong’s G5528: A noun denoting grass, hay, or vegetation, derived from Proto-Indo-European *gher- (to grow). In biblical usage, it symbolizes both the transient nature of earthly life and God’s providential care for His creation, particularly evident in Jesus’ teachings about God’s provision.

U- Unveiling the Word

The word χόρτος (chortos) carries profound significance in biblical literature, representing both literal vegetation and metaphorical meanings. As a basic term for grass or fodder, it appears in contexts highlighting God’s provision and the temporary nature of earthly existence. In the Messiah’s teachings, particularly the Sermon on the Mount, χόρτος becomes a powerful symbol of Divine care, illustrating how God tends to even the most humble elements of creation. The early church understood this word as a reminder of both God’s providence and human mortality, drawing parallels between the grass that withers and the fleeting nature of worldly glory, while emphasizing the eternal nature of God’s Word and promises.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: χόρτος, chortos, /ˈxortos/
• Detailed pronunciation: KHOR-tos (aspirated ‘kh’ sound, rolled ‘r’, stress on first syllable)
• Part of Speech: Noun

Etymology:

• Root: From Proto-Indo-European *gher- meaning “to grow”
• No prefixes or suffixes
• Simple nominal form indicating the result of growth

D – Defining Meanings

• Primary fodder or food for animals
• Grass or vegetation
• Hay (when dried)

For compound words: Not applicable as χόρτος is a simple noun

Translation Options:

• “Grass” – Most common usage, especially in natural settings
• “Fodder” – When referring to animal feed
• “Vegetation” – In broader botanical contexts

E – Exploring Similar Words

• βοτάνη (botane) /bo-TAH-nay/ – Refers specifically to plants for food or medicine See G1008
• πόα (poa) /POH-ah/ – General term for grass or herbage See G4169

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Noun Morphological Features:

• Case: Nominative, Genitive, Dative, Accusative
• Number: Singular, Plural
• Gender: Masculine
• Declension: Second declension

Examples:

• Nominative singular: χόρτος
• Genitive singular: χόρτου
• Dative singular: χόρτῳ
• Accusative singular: χόρτον

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG and Thayer’s lexicons emphasize χόρτος as primarily referring to grass or vegetation, while acknowledging its broader usage for fodder. LSJ extends the meaning to include enclosed feeding grounds. Vine’s highlights its metaphorical usage in Scripture to illustrate human frailty. Strong’s connects it to the concept of a court or garden. Moulton and Milligan’s papyri findings show its common usage in agricultural contexts, particularly in receipts and contracts for fodder. The word maintains remarkable semantic consistency across various contexts, from classical Greek through Koine usage.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:

“If that is how God clothes the grass [χόρτος] of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will He not much more clothe you—you of little faith?” Matthew 6:30

Additional References:
Matthew 13:26, Mark 6:39, John 6:10, James 1:10, 1 Peter 1:24

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

The word χόρτος serves as a powerful reminder of God’s providential care in the Gospel narrative. When Jesus points to the grass of the field, He uses this common word to illustrate extraordinary truth about our Father’s love. The temporal nature of χόρτος, which grows and withers, contrasts beautifully with God’s eternal care for His children. This seemingly simple word carries profound theological weight, reminding us that if God so carefully tends to temporary grass, how much more will He care for those made in His image and redeemed by His Son?

D – Did You Know?

• χόρτος appears in some of the earliest Greek agricultural treatises
• The word influenced modern botanical terminology
• In Byzantine Greek, it developed specialized meanings related to garden enclosures

Strong’s G5528: A noun denoting grass, hay, or vegetation, derived from Proto-Indo-European *gher- (to grow). In biblical usage, it symbolizes both the transient nature of earthly life and God’s providential care for His creation, particularly evident in Jesus’ teachings about God’s provision.

Part of speech: Noun

Tags: grass, vegetation, provision, creation, divine care, temporality, nature, agriculture, metaphor, biblical botany​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​