.png)
MATHUQ/MATHOQ - SWEET
- Petra Hadžidaova
- Jan 25
- 3 min read
The decrees of the Lord are firm,
and all of them are righteous.
They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the honeycomb.
Psalm 19: 9- 10 (NIV)
(1)
INTRODUCTION
Who doesn’t like sweet things? Well, maybe some individuals do choose to abstain from sweet things, but surely they themselves, if nothing else, like to at least experience a sweet encounter with someone, or a sweet person.
The Hebrew word for sweetness is mathoq or mathuq. A word that we can also find in the Bible. And it is found in the concept of the word of God being so sweet and nourishing.
SWEET AS HONEY
Who in their right mind does not like sweet food? I do not think I have come across anyone who does not like it, even if they can not or choose not to eat sweet food. It is scientifically proven that sweet food activates our dopaminergic system, which is responsible for motivation and reward in the brain. It makes us feel good as though we were rewarded. (2)
The word of God is considered as sweet as honey (Psalm 119:103–105, Psalm 19:10, Proverbs 16:24, Ezekiel 3:3, Revelation 10:9–10). The revelation it brings is better than any food out there. It saves. It protects. It delivers. It heals. It sets free. It brings peace and comfort. It destroys the lies of the enemy.
It does even more. It is essential to our spiritual walk. To feed the spirit, we need to read the Word of God. Afterall, we are not to live off of only bread, but every word that comes from God.
MATHOQ, MATHUQ
The Hebrew word for sweet is mathoq/mathuq. It can mean sweet, pleasant, sweeter, something sweet. (3) Its origins can be found in the Hebrew verb mathoq, which means to be sweet, to be pleasant. (4)
THE SWEETNESS OF JESUS
God’s love for us is sweet, unchanging, and eternal. He is kind, loving, and compassionate. Actually, He so loved us that Yeshua died for us. He may not condone sin, but does desire that none would perish. He does love us, although we sometimes sin. He is quick to forgive if we repent.
CONCLUSION
We all love sweet food. It activates the part of our nervous system that is connected to the reward system and makes us feel good. Food in general can offer great comfort, but there is no greater comforter than the Word of God. The word of God is sweeter even than honey. It brings peace, saves, delivers, protects, and sets free. It is the Sustainer of our spirit. And more important than even bread.
The Hebrew word for sweet is mathuq/mathoq. Its origins can be found in the Hebrew verb mathoq, which means to be sweet, to be pleasant. God’s love for us is sweet. He is kind, loving, and compassionate. His love for us is unchanging and eternal. He may not condone sin, but does desire that none would perish. He does love us, although we sometimes sin.
Application
Let Your word feed my spirit during this week. Let it curb all unnecessary desires and reveal how sweet Your promises are.
SOURCES
Image created via canva.com
Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research. How does sugar influence our brain? Available at https://www.sf.mpg.de/2078394/How-does-sugar-influence-our-brain
BibleHub. Mathoq or mathuq. Available at https://biblehub.com/hebrew/4966.htm#google_vignette
BibleHub. Mathoq/Mathuq. Available at https://biblehub.com/hebrew/4985.htm
Comments