a primary verb; to taste; by implication, to eat; figuratively, to experience (good or ill):--eat, taste.
Transliteration:geúomai
Pronunciation:ghyoo'-om-ahee
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb G1089 (γεύομαι, geúomai) is a primary verb with a rich semantic range, moving from the literal to the profoundly figurative. At its most basic level, it signifies "to taste," implying the act of perceiving flavor by putting something into the mouth. This can extend to "to eat" or "to partake of," often implying a small portion or an initial sampling rather than a full meal. Beyond the physical act, geúomai frequently carries a significant figurative meaning: "to experience," "to come to know by experience," or "to undergo." This experiential sense is crucial for understanding its theological depth in the New Testament. The progression from a sensory perception of flavor to a deep, personal encounter highlights the word's capacity to describe both physical and spiritual realities.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
G1089 appears sixteen times in the New Testament, illustrating its diverse applications:
* **Literal Tasting/Eating:** In several instances, geúomai refers to the physical act of tasting or eating. For example, in [[Matthew 27:34]], Jesus is offered wine mixed with gall, which he "tasted" (γεύομαι) but would not drink, indicating a test of its flavor. Similarly, in [[John 2:9]], the master of the feast "tasted" (γεύομαι) the water that had become wine, verifying its quality. [[Luke 14:24]] uses it in a more general sense of partaking in a meal: "For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste (γεύομαι) my supper." These instances ground the word in its most direct, sensory meaning.
* **Figurative - Experiencing Death:** A significant figurative usage of geúomai is in the phrase "to taste death." This appears in [[Matthew 16:28]], [[Mark 9:1]], and [[Luke 9:27]], where Jesus declares that some standing with him will "not taste death" (οὐ μὴ γεύσωνται θανάτου) before seeing the Son of Man coming in his kingdom. Here, "to taste death" means "to experience death." Most profoundly, [[Hebrews 2:9]] states that Jesus "tasted death for everyone" (θανάτου γεύσηται ὑπὲρ παντὸς), emphasizing the reality and completeness of his human experience and sacrificial atonement. His death was not a mere encounter but a full, personal experience of its bitter reality.
* **Figurative - Experiencing Divine Realities:** Perhaps the most profound usage of geúomai is its application to spiritual experience. [[Hebrews 6:4-5]] speaks of those who "have once been enlightened, who have tasted (γευσαμένους) the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted (γευσαμένους) the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age." This is not a superficial acquaintance but a deep, personal, and transformative encounter with divine realities. Similarly, [[1 Peter 2:3]] exhorts believers, "if indeed you have tasted (ἐγεύσασθε) that the Lord is good." This implies a personal, experiential knowledge of God's character, akin to savoring a delightful flavor. It suggests an intimate, confirming encounter with God's grace and goodness, moving beyond mere intellectual assent to a lived reality.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of G1089 intersects with several other Greek words and theological concepts:
* **`{{G2068}}` (esthio):** This verb also means "to eat," but often implies a more substantial or regular consumption, whereas geúomai can imply a mere sampling or testing.
* **`{{G977}}` (broma) / `{{G5176}}` (trophe):** These nouns refer to "food" or "nourishment," the objects of tasting and eating.
* **`{{G1097}}` (ginosko):** "To know," often with the connotation of experiential knowledge. The figurative sense of geúomai ("to experience") closely aligns with ginosko's emphasis on knowing through personal encounter rather than mere intellectual apprehension.
* **`{{G4065}}` (peirao):** "To test, try, or tempt." While geúomai can mean "to test" a flavor, peirao more often carries the sense of putting something to the proof or attempting to do something, sometimes with negative implications.
* **Communion & Participation:** The act of tasting or eating inherently suggests participation and intimacy, especially in the context of a shared meal or a divine encounter.
* **Spiritual Discernment:** The ability to "taste" and discern the goodness of God or the reality of spiritual gifts implies a spiritual sensitivity and discernment.
* **Suffering & Death:** The repeated phrase "to taste death" directly links the word to the profound human experience of mortality and suffering, particularly in Christ's atoning work.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of G1089 is profound, particularly in its experiential dimension:
* **The Reality of Christ's Incarnation and Atonement:** The declaration that Jesus "tasted death for everyone" ([[Hebrews 2:9]]) is a pivotal theological statement. It underscores the full reality of Christ's humanity and his complete identification with human suffering and mortality. He did not merely observe death from a distance; he personally and fully experienced its sting, making his sacrifice truly efficacious and relatable. This "tasting" signifies a comprehensive and personal engagement with the ultimate human experience, crucial for his role as High Priest.
* **The Tangibility of Spiritual Experience:** The use of geúomai to describe the believer's encounter with divine realities (e.g., "tasted the heavenly gift," "tasted the good word of God," "tasted that the Lord is good") emphasizes that faith is not merely an intellectual exercise but a deeply personal, sensory, and transformative experience. It speaks to the immediate and verifiable nature of God's presence and grace in the lives of believers. This "tasting" implies a direct apprehension of spiritual truth and goodness, leading to conviction and assurance.
* **The Call to Personal Encounter:** The invitation to "taste" God's goodness ([[1 Peter 2:3]]) serves as an encouragement for believers to move beyond abstract theological concepts to a vibrant, personal relationship with the Lord. It suggests that the goodness of God is something that can be personally verified and savored.
* **The Gravity of Rejecting God's Invitation:** In contexts like [[Luke 14:24]], the refusal to "taste" the supper highlights the seriousness of rejecting God's gracious invitation to fellowship and salvation. It signifies a complete disinterest in participating in the blessings of the Kingdom.
### Summary
G1089 (γεύομαι) is a versatile Greek verb that moves from the literal act of "tasting" or "eating" to the profound figurative sense of "experiencing" or "undergoing." Its literal usage grounds the word in sensory perception, while its figurative applications elevate it to describe deep personal encounters. Theologically, geúomai is crucial for understanding the full reality of Christ's atonement, as he truly "tasted death" for humanity. Furthermore, it powerfully conveys the tangible and experiential nature of the believer's relationship with God, emphasizing that spiritual realities like the "heavenly gift" and the "goodness of the Lord" are not abstract concepts but can be personally "tasted" and known. This word underscores the call to a deep, personal, and transformative encounter with divine truth and grace.
TRV