טְעֵם (te.em)
te.em
command
A:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 23 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:N-M
Word Overview
The Aramaic noun te.em begins with a concrete image: taste or flavor. In Daniel 5:2, it describes King Belshazzar enjoying the wine’s taste, capturing a sensory experience. From this physical sense of savoring, the word naturally expands to mean judgment or discretion, as when wise men are asked to give an account of their understanding in Daniel 2:14.
In the books of Ezra and Daniel, however, te.em settles into its most common role: a royal decree. It refers to the official commands issued by Persian kings that governed Jewish life and temple rebuilding. The text frequently mentions these edicts as binding legal orders, such as the mandate in Ezra 6:1 or the prohibition in Daniel 3:10. Translators consistently render it "decree" to reflect this authoritative, administrative weight.
This shift from tasting to commanding highlights how ancient languages often link perception with authority. To have "taste" implies good judgment; to issue a "command" is to enforce that judgment. The word bridges the gap between personal discernment and state power, showing how royal will was understood as a form of decisive, unchangeable truth in the imperial context.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word te-em primarily refers to a royal decree or command issued by a king. In the books of Ezra and Daniel, it describes the official edicts of Persian rulers like Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes. These were not mere suggestions but binding legal orders that governed the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s temple and protected the Jewish community from interference.
While these decrees came from earthly monarchs, they often served as instruments of God’s providence. For instance, Cyrus issued a decree allowing the Jews to return and rebuild (Ezra 6:3), fulfilling earlier prophecy. This shows that even when political powers seem distant or hostile, God can use their commands to advance His purposes for His people.
Understanding this word reminds us that authority on earth is temporary, yet God’s word endures forever. When we face external pressures or legal hurdles in our lives, we can trust that the Lord is sovereign over all rulers and their decisions. His plans cannot be stopped by any human decree.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 23 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- a decree14×
- command3×
- [the] decree of2×
- in/ [the] taste of1×
- discretion1×
- decree/ the1×
- and/ discretion1×
- and/ according to/ [the] decree of1×
- [is] a decree1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- טְעֵם֒6×
- טְעֵ֔ם5×
- טְעֵ֗ם4×
- טַ֙עַם֙2×
- טְּעֵם֒1×
- טְּעֵ֔ם1×
- טַעְמָ֥/א1×
- טְעֵם֙1×
- טְעֵ֑ם1×
- וּ/מִ/טְּעֵם֙1×
- וּ/טְעֵ֔ם1×
- בִּ/טְעֵ֣ם1×
Key Verses
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Ezra 6:3
In the first year of Cyrus the king, Cyrus the king made a decree: Concerning God’s house at Jerusalem, let the house be built, the place where they offer sacrifices, and let its foundations be strongly laid, with its height sixty cubits and its width sixty cubits;
This verse records Cyrus's specific decree detailing the dimensions and materials for rebuilding the temple, showing how royal authority facilitated God's plan.
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Ezra 6:12
May the God who has caused his name to dwell there overthrow all kings and peoples who stretch out their hand to alter this, to destroy this house of God which is at Jerusalem. I Darius have made a decree. Let it be done with all diligence.
Darius issues a severe warning against altering this decree, highlighting the binding nature of the command to protect the house of God.
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Daniel 3:29
Therefore I make a decree that every people, nation, and language which speak anything evil against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill, because there is no other god who is able to deliver like this.”
Nebuchadnezzar makes a decree protecting those who honor Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego's God, demonstrating how even pagan kings can acknowledge divine power.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word te-em mean?
Where is te-em used in the Bible?
How is te-em different from other words for law?
Every Occurrence (23 verses across 2 books)
Ezra 18 verses
Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king as follows.
Ezra 4:9Then Rehum the chancellor, Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their companions, the Dinaites, and the…
Ezra 4:17Then the king sent an answer to Rehum the chancellor, and to Shimshai the scribe, and to the rest of their companions…
Ezra 4:19I decreed, and search has been made, and it was found that this city has made insurrection against kings in the past,…
Ezra 4:21Make a decree now to cause these men to cease, and that this city not be built until a decree is made by me.
Ezra 5:3At the same time Tattenai, the governor beyond the River, came to them, with Shetharbozenai and their companions, and…
Ezra 5:9Then we asked those elders, and said to them thus, “Who gave you a decree to build this house, and to finish this wall?”
Ezra 5:13But in the first year of Cyrus king of Babylon, Cyrus the king made a decree to build this house of God.
Ezra 5:17Now therefore, if it seems good to the king, let a search be made in the king’s treasure house, which is there at…
Ezra 6:1Then Darius the king made a decree, and the house of the archives, where the treasures were laid up in Babylon, was…
Ezra 6:3In the first year of Cyrus the king, Cyrus the king made a decree: Concerning God’s house at Jerusalem, let the house…
Ezra 6:8Moreover I make a decree regarding what you shall do for these elders of the Jews for the building of this house of…
Ezra 6:11I have also made a decree that whoever alters this message, let a beam be pulled out from his house, and let him be…
Ezra 6:12May the God who has caused his name to dwell there overthrow all kings and peoples who stretch out their hand to alter…
Ezra 6:14The elders of the Jews built and prospered, through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of…
Ezra 7:13I make a decree that all those of the people of Israel and their priests and the Levites in my realm, who intend of…
Ezra 7:21I, even I, Artaxerxes the king, make a decree to all the treasurers who are beyond the River, that whatever Ezra the…
Ezra 7:23Whatever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it be done exactly for the house of the God of heaven; for why should…