from מָתַק; a dainty, i.e. (generally) food; feed sweetly.
Transliteration:mâthâq
Pronunciation:maw-thawk'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word `{{H4988}}` (מָתָק, *mâthâq*) is a noun derived from the verb `{{H4985}}` (מָתַק, *mâthaq*), which signifies "to be sweet" or "to be pleasant." Consequently, `{{H4988}}` primarily denotes "sweetness" or "a sweet thing." While its base definition can extend to "a dainty" or "food" in a general sense, implying something pleasant to eat, its actual biblical usage emphasizes the *quality* of being sweet rather than a specific edible item. It functions to describe something that is agreeable, delightful, or alluring to the senses or the mind.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
`{{H4988}}` appears only three times in the Hebrew Bible, each instance offering a distinct contextual nuance:
1. **[[Job 20:12]]**: "Though wickedness be sweet in his mouth, though he hide it under his tongue..." Here, *mâthâq* describes the initial, deceptive allure of wickedness. To the unrighteous, sin may taste pleasant and desirable, much like a sweet morsel, offering immediate gratification. This verse highlights the seductive nature of evil, which is initially palatable but ultimately leads to destruction.
2. **[[Job 21:33]]**: "The clods of the valley shall be sweet unto him, and every man shall draw after him, as there are innumerable before him." In this context, the "sweetness" of the clods of the valley refers to the perceived peacefulness or tranquil rest of the wicked in death. It presents a stark and somewhat ironic image, suggesting that even the grave offers a form of "sweet" oblivion or finality, contrasting with the turmoil of life.
3. **[[Song of Solomon 2:3]]**: "As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste." This passage employs *mâthâq* in a literal sensory description. The "sweetness" of the beloved's fruit symbolizes the profound delight and satisfaction the speaker finds in her beloved. It conveys a sense of pure, unadulterated pleasure and fulfillment.
In all three occurrences, `{{H4988}}` functions adjectivally, emphasizing the quality of "sweetness" or "pleasantness" rather than a concrete object.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary lexical root for `{{H4988}}` is `{{H4985}}` (מָתַק, *mâthaq*), "to be sweet." This root informs the entire semantic range of `{{H4988}}`.
Concepts related to "sweetness" in the Bible often include:
* **Pleasantness/Delight**: Words like `{{H5278}}` (נֹעַם, *no'am*, pleasantness, delight) or `{{H8389}}` (תַּאֲוָה, *ta'avah*, desire, longing, often for pleasant things).
* **Goodness/Desirability**: Often described by `{{H2896}}` (טוֹב, *tov*, good, pleasant).
* **Taste/Sensory Experience**: Connected to terms for honey (e.g., `{{H1706}}`, דְּבַשׁ, *devash*) or other delightful foods.
* **Bitterness**: The antonymic concept, often conveyed by `{{H4846}}` (מָרָה, *marah*, bitter, bitterness), which frequently signifies sorrow, judgment, or unpleasantness.
While `{{H4988}}` itself is not used to describe God's Word, the concept of "sweetness" is profoundly linked to it (e.g., [[Psalm 19:10]], [[Psalm 119:103]]).
### Theological Significance
Though rare, the occurrences of `{{H4988}}` contribute to several theological themes:
1. **The Deceptive Allure of Sin**: The use in [[Job 20:12]] is a potent theological statement. It underscores the biblical truth that sin often presents itself as attractive and desirable, offering immediate gratification or perceived benefit. This "sweetness" is, however, a deceptive facade, masking the bitter and destructive consequences that inevitably follow. It serves as a warning against succumbing to the superficial pleasantness of unrighteousness.
2. **The Nature of Rest and Death**: The "sweetness" of the grave's clods in [[Job 21:33]] offers a somber reflection on the ultimate end of all humanity. For the wicked, it can imply a final, perhaps welcome, cessation of struggle. Theologically, it prompts contemplation on the nature of rest, whether it is a true peace found in God or merely the cessation of earthly existence.
3. **The Delight of Divine Relationship**: In [[Song of Solomon 2:3]], the literal sweetness of fruit serves as a powerful metaphor for the profound delight and satisfaction found in the beloved. Within an allegorical interpretation, this "sweetness" can represent the deep joy, spiritual nourishment, and profound intimacy experienced in the relationship between Christ and His Church, or God and His people. It speaks to the inherent goodness and desirability of divine communion.
### Summary
`{{H4988}}` (מָתָק, *mâthâq*) is a rare Hebrew noun meaning "sweetness" or "a sweet thing," derived from the root `{{H4985}}` ("to be sweet"). Its limited biblical occurrences consistently emphasize the *quality* of sweetness, whether literal or metaphorical. In [[Job 20:12]], it highlights the deceptive pleasantness of sin; in [[Job 21:33]], it describes the perceived tranquility of death; and in [[Song of Solomon 2:3]], it conveys the pure delight found in love. While not extensively used, `{{H4988}}` poignantly contributes to biblical themes concerning the deceptive nature of evil, the finality of existence, and the profound joy of divine and human relationships, all through the lens of inherent pleasantness.
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