In biblical times, "delicates" referred to luxurious or sumptuous foods and items that were often associated with wealth, indulgence, and sometimes moral or spiritual decline. The term is used in various contexts throughout the Bible to illustrate themes of excess, temptation, and the fleeting nature of worldly pleasures.

Old Testament References

The concept of delicates is often linked with the prosperity and opulence of certain individuals or societies. In the book of Proverbs, the wise sayings caution against the allure of such indulgences. Proverbs 23:1-3 advises, "When you sit down to dine with a ruler, consider carefully what is set before you, and put a knife to your throat if you possess a great appetite. Do not crave his delicacies, for that food is deceptive." Here, delicates symbolize the potential moral compromise and the deceptive nature of worldly wealth.

In the prophetic literature, delicates are sometimes used to describe the excesses of nations that have turned away from God. For instance, in Jeremiah 51:34 , Babylon is depicted as a devourer of nations, consuming them as one would consume delicacies: "Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon has devoured me; he has crushed me; he has set me aside like an empty vessel. He has swallowed me like a monster; he filled his belly with my delicacies and vomited me out."

New Testament References

In the New Testament, the theme of delicates continues, often highlighting the contrast between earthly indulgence and spiritual fulfillment. The parable of the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16:19-31 illustrates this contrast. The rich man, who "was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day," is juxtaposed with Lazarus, a poor man covered with sores. The rich man's indulgence in delicates is portrayed as a symbol of his spiritual poverty and lack of compassion.

Revelation 18:14 speaks of the fall of Babylon the Great, a symbol of worldly power and excess: "The fruit of your soul’s desire has departed from you; all your luxury and splendor have vanished, never to be seen again." Here, delicates represent the transient nature of earthly wealth and the ultimate judgment that comes upon those who prioritize such indulgences over spiritual fidelity.

Moral and Spiritual Implications

Throughout Scripture, delicates serve as a metaphor for the temptations of materialism and the dangers of prioritizing earthly pleasures over spiritual well-being. The Bible consistently warns against the pursuit of luxury at the expense of righteousness and encourages believers to seek contentment in God rather than in the fleeting pleasures of the world.

The biblical perspective on delicates challenges believers to examine their own lives for areas where indulgence may lead to spiritual complacency or moral compromise. It calls for a focus on eternal values and a life marked by moderation, generosity, and a heart aligned with God's purposes.

Psalm 141
... To practise wicked works with men. that work iniquity; And with their delicates
my taste. let me not satisfy. ^5Let him that righteous is me smite,. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/scottish psalter and paraphrases/psalm 141.htm

The Adventures of Saint Anthony of Italy.
... While the faithful Niccolo watched by his master's couch, as he slept,
the lady Rosalinde was preparing delicates for his repast. ...
/.../kingston/the seven champions of christendom/chapter seven the adventures of.htm

A Few Sighs from Hell;
... Behold, here a rich man clothed in silks, fed with delicates, and faring
deliciously every day; but look a little farther, and lo! ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a few sighs from hell.htm

The Second Sermon, in the Afternoon.
... Let all these abuses be counted as nothing, who is he that is not sorry, to see
in so many holidays rich and wealthy persons to flow in delicates, and men that ...
/.../latimer/sermons on the card and other discourses/the second sermon in the.htm

Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners Or, a Brief Relation of ...
... what sin was yet to be committed, that I might taste the sweetness of it; and I
made as much haste as I could to fill my belly with its delicates, lest I ...
/.../bunyan/grace abounding to the chief of sinners/grace abounding to the chief.htm

Memoir of John Bunyan
... desire to take my fill of sin, still studying what sin was yet to be committed;
and I made as much haste as I could to fill my belly with its delicates, lest I ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/memoir of john bunyan.htm

Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners:
... what sin was yet to be committed, that I might taste the sweetness of it; and I
made as much haste as I could to fill my belly with its delicates, lest I ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/grace abounding to the chief.htm

Christian Behavior
... to admonition, as with thy children; given him the same bread of God thou givest
to them; and who knows, but that if thou with spiritual delicates bringest up ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/christian behavior.htm

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ...
The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3. <. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/an exposition on the first.htm

Preface.
Young's Night Thoughts. <. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/young/youngs night thoughts/preface.htm

Delicates (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Delicates (1 Occurrence). Jeremiah 51:34 Nebuchadrezzar
the king of Babylon hath devoured me, he hath crushed ...
/d/delicates.htm - 6k

Delicate (32 Occurrences)
... "He hath filled his belly (the Revised Version (British and American) "maw") with
my delicates." the Revised Version (British and American) retains the word ...
/d/delicate.htm - 19k

Delicateness (1 Occurrence)

/d/delicateness.htm - 7k

Delicious (3 Occurrences)

/d/delicious.htm - 7k

Delicately (11 Occurrences)
... "He hath filled his belly (the Revised Version (British and American) "maw") with
my delicates." the Revised Version (British and American) retains the word ...
/d/delicately.htm - 11k

Belly (62 Occurrences)
... devoured me, he hath crushed me, he hath made me an empty vessel, he hath swallowed
me up like a dragon, he hath filled his belly with my delicates, he hath ...
/b/belly.htm - 28k

Nebuchadrezzar (31 Occurrences)
... devoured me, he hath crushed me, he hath made me an empty vessel, he hath swallowed
me up like a dragon, he hath filled his belly with my delicates, he hath ...
/n/nebuchadrezzar.htm - 29k

Dragon (20 Occurrences)
... devoured me, he hath crushed me, he hath made me an empty vessel, he hath swallowed
me up like a dragon, he hath filled his belly with my delicates, he hath ...
/d/dragon.htm - 56k

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