ἀρτύω
artýō
G741 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To season, flavor, or make palatable (chiefly with salt or spices); to prepare or render food agreeable to the taste. In broader contexts, to furnish, arrange, or make something suitable or fit for use. Most frequently refers to the act of seasoning food to improve or alter its taste, but by extension, it may denote making something appropriate through preparation.
Semantic Range
to season (with salt or spices), to flavor, to make palatable, to prepare food, to render suitable by preparation (in culinary contexts)
Root / Etymology
Related to ἄρτυμα (seasoning, condiment) and possibly connected with the root ἀραρίσκω (to fit, join), but exact derivation is uncertain—sometimes associated with, but not conclusively derived from, αἴρω. Forms part of the culinary vocabulary of Koine Greek.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical and Hellenistic Greek, ἀρτύω primarily referred to the culinary action of seasoning food, especially with salt or aromatic condiments (e.g., herbs, spices). In the Septuagint and New Testament, it appears in connection with the act of making food more palatable. Its use is generally concrete and literal, rarely metaphorical. English Bible translations typically render ἀρτύω as "season" or "salt," but this does not fully capture its broader association with food preparation and improvement of flavor. Unlike related terms such as ἁλίζω (to salt) or καταρτίζω (to prepare, equip), ἀρτύω retains a specifically culinary focus. The term is rare in the New Testament (occurring in Mark 9:50 and related contexts).
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from a presumed derivative of αἴρω; to prepare, i.e. spice (with stimulating condiments):--season.
Root Family
ἀρτύω (artyō) — to season, to prepare, to make fit
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G741-03 |
ἠρτυμένος | ertumenos | V PRF PASS PTCP NOM M SG |
seasoned | having been seasoned | having been seasoned | 1 |
G741-01 |
ἀρτύσετε | artusete | V FUT ACT IND 2P PL |
will you season | you will season | will you season | 1 |
G741-02 |
ἀρτυθήσεται | artuthesetai | V FUT PASS IND 3P SG |
will-it-be-seasoned | will be seasoned | will it be seasoned | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G741-01 |
Mark 9:50 | ἀρτύσετε | artusete | V FUT ACT IND 2P PL |
will you season | you will season | will you season |
G741-02 |
Luke 14:34 | ἀρτυθήσεται | artuthesetai | V FUT PASS IND 3P SG |
will-it-be-seasoned | will be seasoned | will it be seasoned |
G741-03 |
Colossians 4:6 | ἠρτυμένος | ertumenos | V PRF PASS PTCP NOM M SG |
seasoned | having been seasoned | having been seasoned |