κερᾱτ-ιον G2769
Carob pods, the fruit of the carob tree eaten by animals and the desperately poor
This diminutive noun primarily refers to carob pods, the edible fruit of the carob tree that served as animal fodder and famine food. Luke 15:16 depicts the prodigal son so destitute he longed to eat these pods meant for pigs. The Spanish 'algarrobas' and French 'caroube' both specify the carob fruit. This detail emphasizes the depths of his degradation—craving the food of unclean animals he tended.
Senses
1. sense 1 — Denotes the seed pods of the carob tree, typically used as pig feed and considered poverty food. The prodigal's desire for these pods marks the nadir of his journey—a Jewish son reduced to envying swine their meals, unable even to obtain this lowest sustenance, which drives him toward repentance and return. 1×
AR["خُرُّوبِ"]·ben["শিঙের"]·DE["κερατίων"]·EN["pods"]·FR["caroube"]·heb["חֲרוּבִים"]·HI["फलियों"]·ID["polong"]·IT["keration"]·jav["ampas-kulit"]·KO["쫓정이-꼼의"]·PT["alfarrobas"]·RU["стручков"]·ES["algarrobas"]·SW["maganda"]·TR["keciboynuzlarından"]·urd["چھلکوں"]
Related Senses
H0376 1. man, person, human male (2130×)H0251 1. brother (blood sibling) (573×)H0120 1. man, human being (individual/generic) (527×)H0802 1. woman, female person (519×)H0802 2. wife, spouse (255×)H0517 1. mother, female parent (217×)G0435 1. man, male person (202×)G1135 1. woman, adult female (190×)H2233 1. offspring, descendants (172×)H0001 2. ancestor, forefather (146×)H5288 1. Youth, young man (122×)H0269 1. sister (female sibling) (113×)H1755 1. generation, contemporaries (96×)G5043 1. child, offspring (89×)G0444 2. people, humankind (86×)H3206 1. child, boy, youth (86×)H2145 1. male (human being) (79×)G3384 1. mother (77×)H6485a 1. Qal passive participle: numbered ones, enrollment (76×)H1397 1. man (strong/mighty) (65×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
κερᾱτ-ιον, τό, diminutive of κέρας, small horn, Refs 4th c.BC+ __2 of the antennae of the κάραβος, Refs 4th c.BC+; of the hermit-crab,Refs __3 in plural, curved ends of the womb Refs __4 musical instrument, perhaps fife or clarionet, Refs 2nd c.BC+ __II carat, 1/1728 of a pound, Refs 2nd c.BC+; = Latin siliqua, Refs 5th c.AD+ __III ={κερατωνία}, Refs __IV see at {κεράτια}.