Topical Encyclopedia
Sweetness in the Bible often symbolizes the pleasant and desirable aspects of life, both in the physical and spiritual realms. It is frequently associated with the goodness and blessings of God, as well as the joy and satisfaction found in His presence and His Word.
Biblical References:1.
Honey and Sweetness: Honey is a recurring symbol of sweetness in the Scriptures. It represents abundance, delight, and the richness of God's provision. In the Promised Land, described as "a land flowing with milk and honey" (
Exodus 3:8), honey signifies the prosperity and fertility of the land God promised to the Israelites. The sweetness of honey is also used metaphorically to describe the desirability of wisdom and understanding.
Proverbs 24:13-14 states, "Eat honey, my son, for it is good, and the honeycomb is sweet to your taste. Know that wisdom is sweet for your soul; if you find it, there is a future for you, and your hope will not be cut off."
2.
Sweetness of God's Word: The Word of God is often likened to sweetness, emphasizing its nourishing and satisfying nature.
Psalm 119:103 declares, "How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey in my mouth!" This verse highlights the delight and spiritual sustenance found in God's commandments and teachings. The sweetness of God's Word is a source of joy and strength for believers, guiding them in righteousness and truth.
3.
Sweetness in Relationships: Sweetness is also evident in the context of relationships, particularly in the love and kindness shared among individuals. The Song of Solomon, a poetic book celebrating marital love, frequently uses imagery of sweetness to describe the affection and intimacy between the bride and groom.
Song of Solomon 4:11 says, "Your lips, my bride, drip honey; honey and milk are under your tongue. The fragrance of your garments is like the fragrance of Lebanon." This portrayal of sweetness underscores the beauty and delight found in loving relationships.
4.
Sweetness as a Metaphor for Spiritual Experiences: Spiritual experiences and encounters with God are often described using the metaphor of sweetness. In
Psalm 34:8 , the psalmist invites others to "Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!" This invitation to "taste" God's goodness suggests an experiential knowledge of His sweetness and benevolence. The sweetness of God's presence brings comfort, peace, and joy to the believer's soul.
5.
Sweetness in Sacrificial Offerings: In the Old Testament, certain offerings were described as having a "pleasing aroma" to the Lord, indicating their acceptance and the sweetness of the worshiper's devotion.
Leviticus 2:9 mentions, "The priest is to remove the memorial portion from the grain offering and burn it on the altar as an offering made by fire, a pleasing aroma to the LORD." This concept of sweetness in offerings reflects the heart's attitude of gratitude and reverence towards God.
Theological Implications:Sweetness in the biblical context serves as a reminder of the goodness and grace of God. It points to the richness of life found in obedience to His Word and the joy of communion with Him. The imagery of sweetness encourages believers to seek the Lord's presence and to delight in His commandments, recognizing that true satisfaction and fulfillment are found in Him alone.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
n.) The quality or state of being sweet (in any sense of the adjective); gratefulness to the taste or to the smell; agreeableness.
Strong's Hebrew
4987. motheq --sweetness... 4986, 4987. motheq. 4988 .
sweetness. Transliteration: motheq Phonetic
Spelling: (mo'-thek) Short Definition:
sweetness. Word Origin
...4986. metheq --sweetness
... 4985, 4986. metheq. 4987 .sweetness. Transliteration: metheq Phonetic
Spelling: (meh'-thek) Short Definition: sweet....sweetness....
4477. mamthaqqim --sweetness, sweet things
... 4476, 4477. mamthaqqim. 4478 .sweetness, sweet things. Transliteration:
mamthaqqim Phonetic Spelling: (mam-tak') Short Definition: sweet....
4966. mathoq -- sweet,sweetness
... 4965, 4966. mathoq or mathuq. 4967 . sweet,sweetness. Transliteration: mathoq
or mathuq Phonetic Spelling: (maw-thoke') Short Definition: sweet....
4682. matstsah -- unleavened bread or cake
... From matsats in the sense of greedily devouring forsweetness; properly,sweetness;
concretely, sweet (ie Not soured or bittered with yeast); specifically, an...
4989. Mithqah -- a place in the desert
... Mithcah. Feminine of motheq;sweetness; Mithkah, a place in the Desert -- Mithcah.
see HEBREW motheq. 4988, 4989. Mithqah. 4990 . Strong's Numbers.
Library
TheSweetness of Tears
... SAINT AUGUSTIN IV THESWEETNESS OF TEARS. Augustin was nearly twenty. He had
finished his studies in rhetoric within the required time....
HowSweetness and Tenderness in Prayer Differ from Consolations....
... THE FOURTH MANSIONS CHAPTER I. HOWSWEETNESS AND TENDERNESS IN PRAYER DIFFER
FROM CONSOLATIONS. EXPLAINS HOW ADVANTAGEOUS IT WAS FOR ST....
Of the Felicity andSweetness of God's Love: and of the...
... BOOK II CHAPTER XII OF THE FELICITY ANDSWEETNESS OF GOD'S LOVE: AND OF THE
NIGHTINGALE'S SONG: AND PRAYER FOR PERSEVERANCE OF TRUE GHOSTLY SONG THAT WORLDLY...
Sweetness in Prayer
... The Treasury of Sacred Song. Book First CCCCIVSWEETNESS IN PRAYER. Why dost
thou beat so quick, my heart? Why struggle in thy cage?...
April 27. "TheSweetness of the Lips" (Prov. xvi. 21).
... APRIL 27. "Thesweetness of the lips" (Prov. xvi. 21). "Thesweetness
of the lips" (Proverbs 16:21). Spiritual conditions are...
June 13. "TheSweetness of the Lips Increaseth Learning" (Prov....
... JUNE 13. "Thesweetness of the lips increaseth learning" (Prov. xvi. 21). "The
sweetness of the lips increaseth learning" (Proverbs 16:21)....
Sweetness and Light. April 17.
...Sweetness and Light. April 17. Ah, that we could believe that God is love, and
that he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him!...
Knowing the Greatness andSweetness of Love
... THE FOURTH CENTURY 90 Knowing the greatness andsweetness of Love. Knowing the
greatness andsweetness of Love, I can never be poor in any estate....
MajesticSweetness Sits Enthroned
... II. THE CHRISTIAN YEAR Ascension Day 194. Majesticsweetness sits enthroned. CM... Samuel
Stennett, 1787. Majesticsweetness sits enthroned. Upon the Savior's brow;...
Of theSweetness of the Commandment which God Has Given us of...
... ABOVE ALL THINGS. CHAPTER I. OF THESWEETNESS OF THE COMMANDMENT WHICH GOD
HAS GIVEN US OF LOVING HIM ABOVE ALL THINGS. Man is the...
Thesaurus
Sweetness (11 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Sweetness (11 Occurrences).
... Out of the strong came forth
sweetness." They couldn't in three days declare the riddle.
...Mithkah (2 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia MITHKAH. mith'-ka (mithqah "sweetness"; the King
James Version Mithcah): Name given owing tosweetness of pasture or water....
Amiable (2 Occurrences)
... 3. (a.) Possessingsweetness of disposition; havingsweetness of temper,
kind-heartedness, etc., which causes one to be liked; as, an amiable woman....
Fig-tree (33 Occurrences)
... There are many varieties of figs in Palestine differing insweetness, in color and
consistence; some are good and some are bad (compare Jeremiah 24:1, 8...
Fig (45 Occurrences)
... There are many varieties of figs in Palestine differing insweetness, in color and
consistence; some are good and some are bad (compare Jeremiah 24:1, 8...
Opposite (137 Occurrences)
... 6. (n.) One who opposes; an opponent; an antagonist. 7. (n.) That which is opposed
or contrary; as,sweetness and its opposite. Multi-Version Concordance...
Increases (24 Occurrences)
... (See NAS). Proverbs 16:21 The wise in heart is called a man of discernment; and
thesweetness of the lips increaseth learning. (See NAS RSV)....
Increaseth (21 Occurrences)
... (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS). Proverbs 16:21 The wise in heart shall be called prudent:
and thesweetness of the lips increaseth learning. (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT)....
Sweet (147 Occurrences)
... Judges 9:11 "But the fig tree said to them,'Should I leave mysweetness, and my
good fruit, and go to wave back and forth over the trees?' (Root in WEB KJV JPS...
Fro (54 Occurrences)
... (ASV YLT). Judges 9:11 But the fig-tree said unto them, Should I leave mysweetness,
and my good fruit, and go to wave to and fro over the trees? (ASV YLT)....
Resources
Is prayer to saints / Mary biblical? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the significance of unleavened bread? | GotQuestions.orgDoes the Bible prophesy the coming of Muhammad? | GotQuestions.orgSweetness: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
