The Hebrew word mâthâq, represented by H4988, is a term for a dainty or to feed sweetly. It appears just 1 time in 1 unique verse, making its singular appearance highly specific in its biblical application.
The sole appearance of H4988 is in Job 24:20, where it is used to describe the grim fate of the wicked. The verse states that after being forgotten by the womb H7358 that bore him, "the worm shall feed sweetly on him." This powerful image portrays a final, ignominious end where the wicked person is not only dead but is utterly and completely consumed. The context makes it clear that he will be "no more remembered" H2142, with his demise being as final as wickedness H5766 being broken like a tree H6086.
Several related words from its only context in Job 24:20 help clarify its meaning:
- H7415 rimmâh (worm): This word for a maggot is the agent performing the action of H4988. It is associated with decay and the grave, as seen when Job says he has called "to the worm, Thou art my mother, and my sister" Job 17:14.
- H7911 shâkach (forget): This root means to be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention. In the verse, the womb will forget the wicked man, signifying a complete separation from his origin Job 24:20. This state of being forgotten is a key part of the judgment.
- H5766 ʻevel (wickedness): Defined as moral evil or iniquity, this is the reason for the man's judgment. The passage culminates with the statement that wickedness itself "shall be broken" Job 24:20, a fate directly linked to the man being consumed.
The theological weight of H4988 is tied entirely to its vivid use in illustrating divine judgment.
- The Finality of Judgment: The phrase "feed sweetly" implies a complete and effortless consumption. The wicked person becomes a "dainty" for the worm H7415, signifying an irreversible and final state of destruction where their wickedness H5766 is broken H7665.
- The Consequence of Oblivion: The verse links physical decay with being forgotten H7911 by one's origin—the womb H7358—and being "no more remembered" H2142. This presents a stark picture where the end of the wicked is not just death, but total oblivion.
- The Breaking of Evil: The individual's demise serves as a metaphor for a greater principle: "wickedness shall be broken as a tree" Job 24:20. The breaking of a tree H6086 is a definitive action, suggesting that the influence and structure of evil will ultimately be shattered.
In summary, H4988 is a uniquely descriptive word used once to illustrate the ultimate end of the ungodly. Its meaning, "feed sweetly," adds a grim finality to the imagery of the worm H7415 consuming the forgotten wicked in Job 24:20. It is a cornerstone of a passage that powerfully connects physical decay with the state of being forgotten H7911 and the ultimate breaking H7665 of wickedness H5766, demonstrating how a single, rare word can convey a profound theological statement about justice.
TRV