Lexical Summary taam: Taste, discernment, judgment Original Word: טַעַם Strong's Exhaustive Concordance account, to be commanded, commandment, matter (Aramaic) from t'am; properly, a taste, i.e. (as in ta'am) a judicial sentence -- account, X to be commanded, commandment, matter. see HEBREW t'am see HEBREW ta'am NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) the same as teem, q.v. Topical Lexicon Basic Concept טַעַם functions in Biblical Aramaic as a governmental or judicial term that points to an official decision, verdict, or ruling issued by an authorized power. In one instance (Daniel 6:2) it speaks of the prevention of “loss,” showing the word’s broader sense of guarding royal interests. All five occurrences stand in texts written during the Persian period and therefore illuminate how the people of God related to imperial authority while honoring the supreme authority of the Lord. Occurrences in Scripture • Ezra 4:21 – Artaxerxes commands that work on Jerusalem stop “until a decree is issued by me.” Historical Setting The term appears exclusively within Aramaic correspondence and narrative from the Achaemenid era (sixth–fourth centuries B.C.). Persian monarchs ruled a vast, multilingual empire through written edicts that carried the full force of law (compare Esther 8:8). Jewish leaders rebuilding Jerusalem had to navigate these edicts, demonstrating fidelity to God while exhibiting respect for civil authority (Jeremiah 29:7). The vocabulary of טַעַם therefore provides a linguistic window into the legal environment in which post-exilic faith was practiced. Usage in Ezra 1. Cessation and resumption of Temple work (Ezra 4–6). Imperial decrees initially halt construction, yet God’s sovereignty ensures that subsequent royal decisions favor completion. The narrative contrasts human obstruction with divine overruling, culminating in, “They finished the Temple according to the command of the God of Israel” (Ezra 6:14). Usage in Daniel Daniel 6:2 highlights administrative safeguards so that “the king would not suffer loss.” Here טַעַם underscores accountability and stewardship. Daniel’s exemplary service within this system shows that personal integrity and godly wisdom can flourish even inside a pagan bureaucracy, providing a model for believers who labor in secular structures today. Theological Themes • Divine Sovereignty over Human Edicts – Although emperors wield legal might, their decrees cannot thwart God’s redemptive purposes (Proverbs 21:1). Ministry Applications 1. Respect for Governing Authorities: Believers are encouraged to engage governmental processes with honesty and prayer, confident that God can work through official rulings to advance His kingdom purposes. Summary טַעַם encapsulates the tension and harmony between divine command and human decree in the post-exilic world. Its limited but strategic appearances affirm that while earthly rulers issue binding orders, the covenant God of Israel remains the ultimate Legislator whose purposes will prevail. Forms and Transliterations טַ֙עַם֙ טַעְמָ֔א טַעְמָ֖א טַעְמָ֥א טעם טעמא ṭa‘·mā ṭa‘am ṭa‘mā ṭa·‘am taam taMaLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ezra 4:21 HEB: עַד־ מִנִּ֖י טַעְמָ֥א יִתְּשָֽׂם׃ KJV: until [another] commandment shall be given INT: until me commandment is issued Ezra 5:5 Ezra 6:14 Ezra 7:23 Daniel 6:2 5 Occurrences |
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