DAINTIES, DAINTY (MEATS). Three Heb. words referring to tasty, delightful food are so tr. Each occurs only in the pl. מַטְעַמּﯴת “tasty, savory food” is built on the root טעם “to taste.” Six times in Genesis 27 mat’amôt refers to the “savory food” which Rebekah and Jacob used to deceive Isaac. Rebekah made this favorite dish out of two kids of the goats (KJV v. 9). In Proverbs 23:3 “dainties” (RSV “delicacies”) of the ruler are described as “deceptive food.” Verse 6 warns about the dainties and bread of one with an evil eye.

מַטְעַמִּ֜ים “delicacies, dainties,” from נָעֵם, H5838, “be pleasant, delightful” occurs only in Psalm 141:4. The psalmist prays that Jehovah will preserve his heart from evil deeds and from partaking of their “dainties.” The food is clearly portrayed as a lure to unrighteous fellowship.

מַנְעַמִּים, H4982, “dainty (food), delight,” can have a good connotation. Proverbs 29:17 speaks of the delight which a disciplined son brings his father. Food does not seem to be involved. When Jacob blesses Asher, he predicts that he will “yield royal dainties” (Gen 49:20). This same identification of royalty and ma’ădannîm occurs in Lamentations 4:5, where “wearers of scarlet” are mentioned.