What does מָתַק mean in the Bible?
מָתַק is a Hebrew word meaning "to suck , by implication, to relish , or (intransitively) be sweet".
Hebrew · H4985
מָתַק
To suck , by implication, to relish , or (intransitively) be sweet
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מָתַקH4985
What does מָתַק mean in the Bible?
מָתַק is a Hebrew word meaning "to suck , by implication, to relish , or (intransitively) be sweet".
Full entry for מָתַק (H4985) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render H4985?
The BSB source-word alignment has 6 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include is sweet (2), are sweet (1), feeds on them (1), shared sweet (1), were sweetened (1).
Where does מָתַק appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Exodus 15:25. Its strongest book concentrations include Job (3), Exodus (1), Proverbs (1), Psalms (1).
Source Word Evidence
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders Itis sweet2×Job 20:12, Proverbs 9:17
are sweet1×Job 21:33
feeds on them1×Job 24:20
shared sweet1×Psalms 55:14
were sweetened1×Exodus 15:25
Show sample aligned rows
Exodus 15:25וַֽיִּמְתְּק֖וּtowere sweetenedConjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine pluralJob 20:12תַּמְתִּ֣יקtois sweetVerb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person feminine singularJob 21:33מָֽתְקוּ־toare sweetVerb - Qal - Perfect - third person common pluralJob 24:20מְתָ֘ק֤וֹtofeeds on themVerb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singularPsalms 55:14נַמְתִּ֣יקtoshared sweetVerb - Hifil - Imperfect - first person common pluralProverbs 9:17יִמְתָּ֑קוּtois sweetVerb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned rowExodus 15:25
Aligned rows6
Books represented4
Exodus1Job3Psalms1Proverbs1
Source forms
וַֽיִּמְתְּק֖וּ1xway·yim·tə·qūExodus 15:25
יִמְתָּ֑קוּ1xyim·tā·qūProverbs 9:17
מְתָ֘ק֤וֹ1xmə·ṯā·qōwJob 24:20
מָֽתְקוּ־1xmā·ṯə·qū-Job 21:33
נַמְתִּ֣יק1xnam·tîqPsalms 55:14
תַּמְתִּ֣יק1xtam·tîqJob 20:12
Parsing patterns
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural1xExodus 15:25
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - first person common plural1xPsalms 55:14
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person feminine singular1xJob 20:12
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural1xProverbs 9:17
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural1xJob 21:33
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular1xJob 24:20
Evidence Summary
Hebrew word. to suck , by implication, to relish , or (intransitively) be sweet
Source Gloss
to suck , by implication, to relish , or (intransitively) be sweet
Extended definitionSource: Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon + Brown-Driver-Briggs
to suck, by implication, to relish, or (intransitively) be sweet BDB: become Usage: be (made, × take) sweet.
Grammatical Forms
How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.
This verb appears through different tense, voice, mood, or stem patterns. Those forms help readers see how the action is presented in context.
Form groups2Aligned forms4
Hiphilcausative active — the subject causes someone else to perform the action2×
ImperfectJob 20:12 · Ps 55:152×
Qalbasic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense2×
PerfectJob 21:331×
ImperfectProv 9:171×
Word Origins
מָתַק is a primitive root - no further derivation.
Part of These Phrases
Compound and idiomatic phrases that include this word. Follow a link to study the phrase and how its parts work together.