Lexical Summary teem: Uncleanness, impurity Original Word: טְעַם Strong's Exhaustive Concordance make to eat, feed (Aramaic) corresponding to ta'am; to taste; causatively to feed -- make to eat, feed. see HEBREW ta'am NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) corresponding to taam Definition to feed NASB Translation given to eat (3). Brown-Driver-Briggs [טְעֵם] verb Pa`el feed (Pe`al properly taste, see Biblical Hebrew); — Imperfect3masculine plural, accusative of grass + ל person: יְמַעְ֑מוּן Daniel 4:22; Daniel 4:29, so (suffix person) יְטַעֲמוּנֵהּ Daniel 5:21. Topical Lexicon Taʿam—Reasoned Discernment and Physical TasteOccurrences in Daniel The term surfaces four times, all within the Aramaic paragraphs of Daniel (Daniel 4:25; Daniel 4:32; Daniel 5:2; Daniel 5:21). Twice it describes the literal tasting of wine by Belshazzar, and twice it portrays the return or loss of mental judgment in the experiences of Nebuchadnezzar. Literal and Figurative Senses 1. Physical palate. In Daniel 5:2 the king “tasted the wine,” a mundane act that precipitated the sacrilege of drinking from the temple vessels. The narrative anchors the word in ordinary sensation before pivoting to supernatural judgment. Theological Themes Sovereign discipline. Both kings misuse God-given faculties: Belshazzar abuses physical taste, Nebuchadnezzar abuses moral judgment. Each loses what he refuses to steward. Restoration through acknowledgment. Nebuchadnezzar’s reason is restored only after he “blessed the Most High” (Daniel 4:32). Divine mercy is displayed in the return of taʿam when repentance is expressed. Holiness of vessels. Belshazzar’s casual tasting of wine becomes emblematic of contempt for the holiness of God’s sanctuary (compare Ezra 1:7–8). The same tongue that tasted is later silenced by the writing on the wall. Biblical Motifs Connected to Taste and Discernment Psalm 34:8: “Taste and see that the LORD is good.” What begins as sense experience leads to spiritual insight. Proverbs 2:9–10: true wisdom “will enter your heart,” echoing the move from external to internal perception. 1 Peter 2:3: believers “have tasted that the Lord is good,” employing the physical metaphor to speak of saving knowledge. Practical Ministry Insights • Preaching: Daniel’s dual use of taʿam invites sermons on stewardship of both body and mind. Neglect either faculty and judgment follows; submit both and restoration comes. Christological Reflection Jesus Christ, “full of grace and truth” (John 1:14), embodies perfect taʿam. He “tasted death for everyone” (Hebrews 2:9) so that redeemed people might “have the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16). The reversal of Nebuchadnezzar’s madness anticipates the fuller regeneration of the mind promised in the gospel. Summary Taʿam unites bodily sensation and intellectual discernment, illustrating how Scripture regards humanity as an integrated whole. Through the contrasting accounts of Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar, the word reminds readers that true wisdom and even rational capacity are gifts from God to be used for His glory; to misuse them courts judgment, but humble acknowledgment of the Most High opens the door to gracious restoration. Forms and Transliterations בִּטְעֵ֣ם בטעם יְטַ֣עֲמוּנֵּ֔הּ יְטַֽעֲמ֗וּן יְטַעֲמ֔וּן יטעמון יטעמונה biṭ‘êm biṭ·‘êm bitEm yə·ṭa·‘ă·mūn yə·ṭa·‘ă·mūn·nêh yəṭa‘ămūn yəṭa‘ămūnnêh yetaaMun yeTaamunNehLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Daniel 4:25 HEB: כְתוֹרִ֣ין ׀ לָ֣ךְ יְטַֽעֲמ֗וּן וּמִטַּ֤ל שְׁמַיָּא֙ NAS: of the field, and you be given grass KJV: of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass INT: grass cattle and you be given the dew of heaven Daniel 4:32 Daniel 5:2 Daniel 5:21 4 Occurrences |
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