מָתוֹק (ma.toq)
ma.toq
sweet
H:AQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 8 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:A
Word Overview
The adjective matōq describes something that is literally sweet to the taste, such as honey or sugary food. In the Hebrew Bible, this physical sensation often serves as a metaphor for spiritual or emotional delight. When wisdom is called "sweet" in Proverbs 24:13-14, it suggests that God’s instruction brings genuine pleasure and satisfaction, much like fine honey nourishes the body.
Its usage extends beyond food to describe pleasant experiences or words. In Judges 14:14, Samson uses the image of a lion’s carcass filled with honey to illustrate how something seemingly harsh can contain hidden sweetness. Similarly, Isaiah 55:1-3 invites people to come and buy wine and milk without money, emphasizing that God’s ways offer a deeper, lasting delight than material goods.
The word appears eight times in Scripture, primarily in poetic books like Proverbs and Isaiah, where sensory language helps convey theological truths. Translators typically render it as "sweet" or "sweetness," preserving the connection between physical taste and spiritual joy. This linguistic choice highlights how ancient Hebrew thought linked bodily experience with moral and divine reality.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When we encounter the Hebrew word matōq, it first describes something pleasant to the palate, like fresh honey or ripe fruit. Yet in Scripture, this physical sweetness often points to a deeper spiritual reality. It suggests that God’s wisdom and presence can bring genuine delight, satisfying the soul in ways that mere material comfort cannot.
This word reminds us that faith is not just about duty but also about joy. When Proverbs describes pleasant words as sweet to the soul, it highlights how kindness and truth nourish our inner lives. Even in difficult seasons, like Samson’s riddle, hidden sweetness can emerge from unexpected places, offering hope when things seem harsh.
Ultimately, matōq invites us to appreciate the goodness God has woven into creation and His Word. It encourages a heart that finds satisfaction not only in earthly pleasures but also in the lasting delight of knowing Him. May you find moments where His truth tastes sweet to your own soul today.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 8 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [is] sweet3×
- a sweet [thing]2×
- into/ sweet1×
- and/ sweet1×
- and/ [is] sweet1×
- [was] sweet1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מָת֥וֹק2×
- מָּת֣וֹק1×
- מָתֽוֹק\׃1×
- מָת֑וֹק1×
- מָ֝ת֗וֹק1×
- לְ/מָת֖וֹק1×
- וּ/מָת֥וֹק1×
- וּ/מָת֖וֹק1×
Key Verses
-
Proverbs 24:13
My son, eat honey, for it is good, the droppings of the honeycomb, which are sweet to your taste;
This verse directly links the physical sweetness of honey to the spiritual good of wisdom, suggesting that God's instruction brings true satisfaction.
-
Proverbs 16:24
Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
Here, sweet words are compared to a honeycomb, showing how gentle speech nourishes the soul and promotes well-being.
-
Judges 14:14
He said to them, “Out of the eater came out food. Out of the strong came out sweetness.” They couldn’t in three days declare the riddle.
Samson uses this word in a riddle about honey from a lion’s carcass, illustrating how hidden sweetness can arise from seemingly harsh or unexpected situations.