Definition and Context:
Tasting, in the biblical context, refers to the act of sampling or experiencing food or drink. It is often used metaphorically to describe experiencing or partaking in something more profound, such as the goodness of God or the bitterness of sin. The concept of tasting is both literal and symbolic throughout the Scriptures, illustrating physical sustenance and spiritual experiences.

Biblical References:

1. Literal Tasting:
· In the Old Testament, tasting is often associated with the physical act of eating and drinking. For example, in Genesis 27:4, Isaac asks Esau to prepare a meal so that he may "taste" it and bless him. This highlights the importance of taste in the context of familial blessings and relationships.
· In 1 Samuel 14:29, Jonathan speaks of tasting a little honey, which brightened his eyes, indicating the refreshing and invigorating effect of food.

2. Metaphorical Tasting:
· Psalm 34:8 invites believers to "taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him." Here, tasting is a metaphor for experiencing God's goodness and faithfulness. It encourages an active engagement with God's presence and blessings.
· Hebrews 6:4-5 speaks of those who have "tasted the heavenly gift" and "shared in the Holy Spirit," referring to the experience of salvation and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit.

3. Tasting and Temptation:
· The act of tasting is also linked to temptation and sin. In Genesis 3:6, Eve sees that the fruit of the forbidden tree is "good for food" and desirable for gaining wisdom, leading her to taste it and disobey God. This act of tasting symbolizes the allure and consequences of sin.
· Proverbs 9:17 describes the seductive nature of folly, stating, "Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant." This highlights the deceptive appeal of sin, which may seem sweet but leads to destruction.

4. Tasting and Sacrifice:
· In the New Testament, tasting is used in the context of Jesus' sacrifice. Hebrews 2:9 states, "But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because He suffered death, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone." Here, tasting death signifies Jesus' full experience of human suffering and His redemptive work on the cross.

5. Tasting and Spiritual Discernment:
· 1 Peter 2:2-3 encourages believers to "crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good." This passage emphasizes the importance of spiritual nourishment and growth, rooted in the experience of God's goodness.

Theological Implications:
Tasting, as depicted in the Bible, serves as a powerful metaphor for the experiential knowledge of God and His works. It underscores the importance of engaging with God's Word and His Spirit, leading to spiritual growth and maturity. The act of tasting, whether literal or metaphorical, invites believers to discern and choose wisely between the fleeting pleasures of sin and the eternal satisfaction found in God.1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Taste.

2. (n.) The act of perceiving or tasting by the organs of taste; the faculty or sense by which we perceive or distinguish savors.

1089. geuomai -- to taste, eat
... Word Origin a prim. verb Definition to taste, eat NASB Word Usage eat (1),
eaten (1), taste (8), tasted (4), tasting (1). eat, taste. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1089.htm - 6k2441. chek -- palate, roof of the mouth, gums
... Probably from chanak in the sense of tasting; properly, the palate or inside of
the mouth; hence, the mouth itself (as the organ of speech, taste and kissing ...
/hebrew/2441.htm - 6k

398. akal -- to eat
... 4), give him to eat (1), had (2), has enough (1), lived off (1), meal* (1),
moth-eaten* (1), plenty to eat (1), reduces (1), shared* (1), tasting (1), took ...
/hebrew/398.htm - 6k

Interpretation of "Tasting of Death. "
... Book XII. 33. Interpretation of "Tasting of Death.". But we must seek to
understand what is meant by "tasting of death." And He is ...
/.../origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/33 interpretation of tasting of.htm

The Simpler Interpretation of the Promise About not Tasting of ...
... Book XII. 31. The Simpler Interpretation of the Promise About Not Tasting
of Death. "Verily I say unto you there be some of them ...
/.../31 the simpler interpretation of.htm

The Principle of Fasting Traced Back to Its Earliest Source.
... Adam had received from God the law of not tasting "of the tree of recognition
of good and evil," with the doom of death to ensue upon tasting. ...
/.../chapter iii the principle of fasting.htm

Consciousness of God's Presence.
... Being conscious of God's presence is what the Psalmist meant when he said, "O taste
and see that the Lord is good." "Tasting God" is an expression ...
/.../consciousness of gods presence.htm

For the Love of Christ.
... be Thou more revealing! Oh! that this greatest, highest good, I might for aye be
tasting! Oh! that in me this noble blood Might glow to everlasting! ...
/.../gerhardt/paul gerhardts spiritual songs/for the love of christ.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xxv. 1, "Then Shall the Kingdom ...
... is nothing of which we have perception by the body, but by the five folded gate,
either by the sight, or the hearing, or the smelling, or the tasting, or the ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xliii on the words.htm

Of the Transfiguration of Christ on Mount Thabor
... the simplicity of our spirit in a wayless, simple fruition of all good without
distinction; and here there are indeed seeing and knowing, tasting and feeling ...
/.../the adornment of the spritual marriage/chapter xii of the transfiguration.htm

The Answer, that Leave to Lie, which was not Even Granted under ...
... and hid them in a well, and spread a cloth over its mouth, and pretended that she
was drying pearl-barley, and said "They passed on after tasting a little water ...
/.../cassian/the conferences of john cassian/chapter xix the answer that.htm

Origen's Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew
... 31. The Simpler Interpretation of the Promise About Not Tasting of Death. 32. Standing
by the Saviour. 33. Interpretation of "Tasting of Death.". 34. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/origen/origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/

How we May Become Hidden Sons of God, and Attain to the God-Seeing ...
... This possession is a simple and abysmal tasting of all good and of eternal life;
and in this tasting we are swallowed up above reason and without reason, in ...
/.../john/the adornment of the spritual marriage/chapter ix how we may.htm

Tasting (9 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) The act of perceiving or tasting by the organs of taste; the faculty or
sense by which we perceive or distinguish savors. ...Tasting (9 Occurrences). ...
/t/tasting.htm - 9k

Bitter-tasting (2 Occurrences)
Bitter-tasting. Bitters, Bitter-tasting. Bitter-tongued .
Multi-Version Concordance Bitter-tasting (2 Occurrences). ...
/b/bitter-tasting.htm - 7k

Plants (70 Occurrences)
... Exodus 12:8 And let your food that night be the flesh of the lamb, cooked with fire
in the oven, together with unleavened bread and bitter-tasting plants. ...
/p/plants.htm - 27k

Tasty (7 Occurrences)

/t/tasty.htm - 8k

Newly-married (8 Occurrences)
... John 2:9 After tasting the water which had now become wine, the master of the feast
(having no idea where it came from, though it was clear to the servants who ...
/n/newly-married.htm - 9k

Oven (22 Occurrences)
... Exodus 12:8 And let your food that night be the flesh of the lamb, cooked with fire
in the oven, together with unleavened bread and bitter-tasting plants. ...
/o/oven.htm - 15k

Gust (1 Occurrence)
... Snow, and hail, stormy gust and flaw. 2. (n.) A sudden violent burst of passion.
3. (n.) The sense or pleasure of tasting; relish; gusto. ...
/g/gust.htm - 7k

Idea (64 Occurrences)
... John 2:9 After tasting the water which had now become wine, the master of the feast
(having no idea where it came from, though it was clear to the servants who ...
/i/idea.htm - 27k

Tasteth (3 Occurrences)

/t/tasteth.htm - 7k

Taste (46 Occurrences)
... 8. (vi) To take sparingly. 9. (vi) To have perception, experience, or enjoyment;
to partake; as, to taste of nature's bounty. 10. (n.) The act of tasting. 11. ...
/t/taste.htm - 59k

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Tasting: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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