Bible Encyclopedias
Rue

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

rōō ( πήγανον , pḗganon ): One of the plants mentioned in Luke 11:42 as subject to tithe: in the parallel passage, Matthew 23:23 , anise and cummin are mentioned. Ruta graveolens (Natural Order, Rutaceae ) is the official rue, and a very similar species, R. chalepensis , is indigenous. Rue is a small shrub growing 2 to 4 ft. high with a heavy odor, disagreeable to Westerners, but a favorite with Orientals. A sprig of rue is often fixed on a child's cap or clothes as a kind of charm.