טְעֵם (H2942) — Hebrew Lexicon

טְעֵם

𐤈𐤏𐤌

ṭᵉʻêm

H2942 noun

SILEX Entry

Root טעם to taste, to perceive, to discern

Definition

Sense, judgment, or understanding, primarily in the context of discernment, deliberation, or the ability to assess and decide matters; also 'decree' or 'command' as the product of considered judgment. In some contexts, refers concretely to 'taste' or 'flavor,' but more commonly denotes reasoning, intelligence, or official edict, depending on usage.

Semantic Range

sense, judgment, understanding, discernment, decree, command, official edict, taste, wisdom

Root / Etymology

From the Aramaic root טעם (ṭ-ʿ-m), which in Hebrew means 'to taste' or 'to discern.' In Aramaic, it develops a broader semantic range including reasoning, understanding, and issuing decrees. The noun טְעֵם derives from this root, with a shift from the sensory idea of taste to abstract senses of perception, discernment, or decision.

Historical & Contextual Notes

טְעֵם is an Aramaic noun found in the Aramaic sections of the Hebrew Bible (notably Daniel and Ezra), where it frequently signifies judgment, sense, or discretion, particularly in administrative or royal contexts. The leap from the literal idea of 'taste' to 'judgment' and 'decree' reflects a development paralleled in other Semitic languages. The term may refer to the capacity for wise or discriminating thought (Daniel 2:14), but also to official orders or commands issued with authority (Ezra 4:21). Terms relating to judgment or decree in other languages or biblical Hebrew, such as דָּבָר or חָק, may overlap in meaning, but טְעֵם is notably tied to the discerning process. Later translations sometimes render the word as 'wisdom' or 'commandment'; however, such translations may obscure the nuanced connection to both discernment and the issuing of authoritative decisions. The word's use does not carry religious-legal overtones (such as Torah or mitzvah), but rather administrative, judicial, or cognitive connotations.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

(Aramaic) from טְעַם, and equivalent to טַעַם; properly, flavor; figuratively, judgment (both subjective and objective); hence, account (both subjectively and objectively); [phrase] chancellor, [phrase] command, commandment, decree, [phrase] regard, taste, wisdom.

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Root Family

טעם (ṭ-ʿ-m) — to taste, to perceive, to discern

Strong's	Lemma	SIBI-P1
H2938	טָעַם	I will taste
H2939	טְעַם	in taste of
H2940	טַעַם	according to the taste-of
H2941	טַעַם	he tasted
H4303	מַטְעַם	the seasoned delicacies

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	Occurrences
`H2942-01`	טְּעֵם֒	teem	`ANcmsa`	decree	discernment	22
`H2942-03`	וּ/טְעֵ֔ם	uteem	`AC/Ncmsa`	and discernment	discernment	1
`H2942-02`	וּ/מִ/טְּעֵם֙	umiteem	`AC/R/Ncmsc`	and according to the decree	and from discernment-of	1

Occurrences in Scripture

24 total occurrences

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1
`H2942-03`	Daniel 2:14	וּ/טְעֵ֔ם	uteem	`AC/Ncmsa`	and discernment	discernment
`H2942-01`	Daniel 3:10	טְּעֵם֒	teem	`ANcmsa`	a decree	discernment
`H2942-01`	Daniel 3:12	טְעֵ֔ם	teem	`ANcmsa`	order	discernment
`H2942-01`	Daniel 3:29	טְעֵם֒	teem	`ANcmsa`	decree	discernment
`H2942-01`	Daniel 4:3	טְעֵ֔ם	teem	`ANcmsa`	decree	discernment
`H2942-01`	Daniel 6:14	טְעֵ֔ם	teem	`ANcmsa`	decree	discernment
`H2942-01`	Daniel 6:27	טְעֵם֒	teem	`ANcmsa`	decree	discernment
`H2942-01`	Ezra 4:8	טְעֵ֗ם	teem	`ANcmsa`	and	discernment
`H2942-01`	Ezra 4:9	טְעֵ֗ם	teem	`ANcmsa`	order	discernment
`H2942-01`	Ezra 4:17	טְעֵם֙	teem	`ANcmsa`	of decree	discernment
`H2942-01`	Ezra 4:19	טְעֵם֒	teem	`ANcmsa`	a decree	discernment
`H2942-01`	Ezra 4:21	טְּעֵ֔ם	teem	`ANcmsa`	a decree	discernment
`H2942-01`	Ezra 5:3	טְעֵ֗ם	teem	`ANcmsa`	decree	discernment
`H2942-01`	Ezra 5:9	טְעֵ֗ם	teem	`ANcmsa`	decree	discernment
`H2942-01`	Ezra 5:13	טְעֵ֔ם	teem	`ANcmsa`	a decree	discernment
`H2942-01`	Ezra 5:17	טְעֵ֔ם	teem	`ANcmsa`	a decree	discernment
`H2942-01`	Ezra 6:1	טְעֵ֑ם	teem	`ANcmsa`	a decree	discernment
`H2942-01`	Ezra 6:3	טְעֵם֒	teem	`ANcmsa`	a decree	discernment
`H2942-01`	Ezra 6:8	טְעֵם֒	teem	`ANcmsa`	decree	discernment
`H2942-01`	Ezra 6:11	טְעֵם֒	teem	`ANcmsa`	decree	discernment
`H2942-01`	Ezra 6:12	טְעֵ֔ם	teem	`ANcmsa`	decree	discernment
`H2942-02`	Ezra 6:14	וּ/מִ/טְּעֵם֙	umiteem	`AC/R/Ncmsc`	and according to the decree	and from discernment-of
`H2942-01`	Ezra 7:13	טְעֵם֒	teem	`ANcmsa`	decree	discernment
`H2942-01`	Ezra 7:21	טְעֵ֔ם	teem	`ANcmsa`	decree	discernment

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