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ζιζάνιον

zizánion

G2215 noun

SILEX Entry

Root ζιζαν- weed, darnel, false grain

Definition

A species of weed or wild grass (Lolium temulentum, usually known as darnel) that closely resembles wheat during early growth; used metaphorically to designate imitation or corrupt members within a group, particularly in agricultural or moral parables. In the New Testament, primarily signifies weeds that are sown among good grain and are difficult to distinguish until maturity.

Semantic Range

darnel, weed interspersed among grain, false or harmful plants, metaphorically: imposters or corrupt members within a community

Root / Etymology

Etymology uncertain; the term ζιζάνιον is not attested in classical Greek sources prior to the Koine period, and is possibly of Semitic (perhaps Aramaic or Hebrew) origin, though exact derivation cannot be confirmed.

Historical & Contextual Notes

ζιζάνιον is a rare word outside biblical Greek, first attested in the Septuagint and more prominently in the New Testament (notably in Matthew 13:24–30, 36–40). In Roman agriculture, the plant likely refers to darnel, a noxious weed indistinguishable from wheat in its early stages. Its toxic properties if consumed may give additional resonance to its use in parabolic literature as a symbol of harmful imitation. The term does not carry the full range of later metaphorical connotations assigned to 'tares' in English translations; in most ancient sources, it referred concretely to problematic weeds in grain fields. The word has no direct classical Greek parallel, highlighting its technical or regional character.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

of uncertain origin; darnel or false grain:--tares.

Root Family

ζιζάνιον (zizanion) — weed, darnel, false grain

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
G2215-01 ζιζάνια zizania N ACC N PL darnel weeds 7
G2215-02 ζιζανίων zizanion N GEN N PL of darnel weeds 1

Occurrences in Scripture

8 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
G2215-01 Matthew 13:25 ζιζάνια zizania N ACC N PL darnel weeds
G2215-01 Matthew 13:26 ζιζάνια zizania N NOM N PL darnel weeds
G2215-01 Matthew 13:27 ζιζάνια zizania N ACC N PL darnel weeds
G2215-01 Matthew 13:29 ζιζάνια zizania N ACC N PL darnel weeds
G2215-01 Matthew 13:30 ζιζάνια zizania N ACC N PL darnel weeds
G2215-02 Matthew 13:36 ζιζανίων zizanion N GEN N PL of darnel weeds
G2215-01 Matthew 13:38 ζιζάνιά zizania N NOM N PL darnel weeds
G2215-01 Matthew 13:40 ζιζάνια zizania N NOM N PL darnel weeds
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