In the context of the Bible, "dainties" refer to delicacies or luxurious foods that are often associated with indulgence and temptation. The term is used to describe foods that are rich, sumptuous, and appealing to the senses, often symbolizing the allure of worldly pleasures and the potential for moral compromise.

Biblical References:

1. Proverbs 23:1-3 : "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." This passage warns against the dangers of succumbing to the temptations of wealth and power, symbolized by the ruler's dainties. It advises self-control and discernment, highlighting the deceptive nature of such indulgences.

2. Psalm 141:4 : "Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil, to take part in wicked deeds with men who are evildoers; let me not eat of their delicacies." Here, the psalmist prays for protection against being enticed by the sinful ways of the wicked, using the metaphor of eating their dainties to represent partaking in their immoral actions.

3. Daniel 1:8 : "But Daniel resolved in his heart that he would not defile himself with the king’s food or the wine he drank. So he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself." Daniel's refusal to consume the king's dainties is a testament to his commitment to maintaining his spiritual integrity and obedience to God's laws, even in a foreign land.

Theological Implications:

In the biblical narrative, dainties often serve as a metaphor for the seductive nature of sin and the moral challenges faced by believers. The consumption of luxurious foods is frequently linked to the broader theme of self-control and the importance of prioritizing spiritual values over physical desires. The Bible encourages believers to exercise discernment and to avoid being swayed by the temporary pleasures of the world, which can lead to spiritual compromise.

Moral and Ethical Lessons:

The concept of dainties in the Bible underscores the importance of moderation and the dangers of excess. It serves as a reminder to Christians to be vigilant against the temptations that can lead them away from their faith and to remain steadfast in their commitment to God's commandments. The biblical admonitions against indulging in dainties encourage believers to cultivate a spirit of contentment and to seek fulfillment in their relationship with God rather than in material abundance.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In ancient times, dainties were often associated with the opulence of royal courts and the feasts of the wealthy. Such foods were not only a symbol of status but also a means of exerting influence and control. The biblical warnings against partaking in dainties reflect a broader cultural understanding of the potential for corruption and moral decay that can accompany the pursuit of luxury and excess.

Overall, the biblical treatment of dainties serves as a powerful illustration of the ongoing struggle between the desires of the flesh and the call to live a life of holiness and devotion to God.(n.) Plural of Dainty.DAINTIES; DAINTY (MEATS)

dan'-tis (maT`ammoth, "things full of taste," man`ammim, ma`adhan; liparos, "fat," "shining"): Jacob is represented as predicting of Asher, "He shall yield royal dainties" (Genesis 49:20; compare parallel clause, "His bread shall be fat," and Deuteronomy 33:24, "Let him dip his foot in oil"). David, praying to be delivered from the ways of "men that work inquiry," cries, "Let me not eat of their dainties" (Psalm 141:4). The man who sitteth "to eat with a ruler" (Proverbs 23:1-3) is counseled, "If thou be a man given to appetite, be not desirous of his dainties; seeing they are deceitful food" (compare John's words in the woes upon Babylon (Revelation 18:14), "All things that were dainties and sumptuous are perished from thee," and Homer's Iliad (Pope). xviii.456). "Dainties," then, are luxuries, costly, delicate and rare. This idea is common to all the words thus rendered; naturally associated with kings' tables, and with the lives of those who are lovers of pleasure and luxury. By their associations and their softening effects they are to be abstained from or indulged in moderately as "deceitful food" by those who would live the simple and righteous life which wisdom sanctions. They are also "offered not from genuine hospitality, but with some by-ends." He should also shun the dainties of the miser (Proverbs 23:6), who counts the cost (Proverbs 23:7 the Revised Version, margin) of every morsel that his guest eats.

See DELICATE; FOOD, etc.

George B. Eager

4303. matam -- tasty or savory food, dainties
... 4302, 4303. matam or matammah. 4304 . tasty or savory food, dainties.
Transliteration: matam or matammah Phonetic Spelling: (mat-am') Short Definition: ...
/hebrew/4303.htm - 6k

4516. manammim -- delicacies, dainties
... 4515, 4516. manammim. 4517 . delicacies, dainties. Transliteration: manammim
Phonetic Spelling: (man-am') Short Definition: delicacies. ...
/hebrew/4516.htm - 6k

4574. maadan -- a dainty (food), delight
... maadan or maadannah. 4575 . a dainty (food), delight. Transliteration: maadan
or maadannah Phonetic Spelling: (mah-ad-awn') Short Definition: dainties. ...
/hebrew/4574.htm - 6k

With Such Dainties as These Let the Devil's Guests be Feasted. ...
... Chapter XXVIII. With such dainties as these let the devil's guests be feasted.?
With such dainties as these let the devil's guests be feasted. ...
/.../tertullian/the shows or de spectaculis/chapter xxviii with such dainties.htm

How Herod Twice Sailed to Agrippa; and How Upon the Complaint in ...
... He entertained him in his new-built cities, and showed him the edifices he had built,
and provided all sorts of the best and most costly dainties for him and ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 2 how herod twice.htm

Be it So; Let it be Conceded that These Most Unfortunate Cattle ...
... those used by the common people, but those named and called off?? penit???"of which
the first [4878] is fat cut into very small pieces, as dainties [4879] are ...
/.../arnobius/the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/24 be it so let.htm

Epistle Lxvii. To Domitian, Metropolitan .
... And, finding in them the dainties that I love, I greedily devoured them. Therein
also were many things intermingled about external and necessary affairs. ...
/.../epistle lxvii to domitian metropolitan.htm

On Eating.
... who dislike the truth, and through various absurd notions abjure moderation of diet,
and put themselves to a world of trouble to procure dainties from beyond ...
//christianbookshelf.org/clement/the instructor paedagogus/chap i on eating.htm

On Lent, iv.
... For our fast does not consist chiefly of mere abstinence from food, nor are dainties
withdrawn from our bodily appetites with profit, unless the mind is ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/leo/writings of leo the great/sermon xlii on lent iv.htm

On Genesis.
... Gad"a robber's troop shall rob him; and he shall spoil it [1161] at the heels.
Aser"his bread shall be fat, and he shall furnish dainties to princes. ...
/.../hippolytus/the extant works and fragments of hippolytus/on genesis.htm

"Now the God of Hope Fill You with all Joy and Peace in Believing ...
... He would despise the delicacies of kings, and refuse their dainties, if he might
sit at this table that is spread on the mountain of God's church, a full feast ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon ix now the god.htm

A Discourse of the Building, Nature, Excellency, and Government of ...
... As her foundation and her beauty's much; Conveniences, and her defences such As
none can parallel, so doth the field About her richest, rarest dainties yield. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a discourse of the building.htm

Christ's Estimate of his People
... When he sat at the feast of Simon the Pharisee, I have no doubt there were sparkling
wine cups on the table, and many rich dainties were there, but Jesus ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/christs estimate of his people.htm

Dainties (14 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) Plural of Dainty. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
DAINTIES; DAINTY (MEATS). dan'-tis (maT`ammoth, "things ...
/d/dainties.htm - 12k

Dainty (7 Occurrences)
... 6. (superl.) Nice; delicate; elegant, in form, manner, or breeding; well-formed;
neat; tender. 7. (superl.) Requiring dainties. ...DAINTIES; DAINTY (MEATS). ...
/d/dainty.htm - 10k

Meats (9 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia DAINTIES; DAINTY (MEATS). dan'-tis
(maT`ammoth, "things full of taste," man`ammim, ma`adhan; liparos ...
/m/meats.htm - 11k

Youths (28 Occurrences)
... Daniel 1:13 Then let our faces be looked on before you, and the face of the youths
who eat of the king's dainties; and as you see, deal with your servants. ...
/y/youths.htm - 14k

Royal (154 Occurrences)
... shall yield royal dainties," literally, choice morsels of the king, meaning fit
for a king (Genesis 49:20); "besides that which Solomon gave her of his royal ...
/r/royal.htm - 42k

Nourished (29 Occurrences)
... Daniel 1:5 The king appointed for them a daily portion of the king's dainties, and
of the wine which he drank, and that they should be nourished three years ...
/n/nourished.htm - 15k

Asher (43 Occurrences)
... This foreshadowing of good fortune for him is repeated in the blessing of Jacob:
"His bread shall be fat, and he shall yield royal dainties" (Genesis 49:20 ...
/a/asher.htm - 26k

Drank (70 Occurrences)
... Daniel 1:5 The king appointed for them a daily portion of the king's dainties, and
of the wine which he drank, and that they should be nourished three years ...
/d/drank.htm - 28k

Daily (111 Occurrences)
... Daniel 1:5 The king appointed for them a daily portion of the king's dainties, and
of the wine which he drank, and that they should be nourished three years ...
/d/daily.htm - 42k

Nabal (18 Occurrences)
... as of great beauty, having learned of her husband's conduct and of David's intentions,
hurriedly proceeded, with a large supply of provisions, dainties and wine ...
/n/nabal.htm - 16k

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