The term "savoury" in the Bible typically refers to food that is seasoned or prepared in a way that is pleasing to the taste. It is often associated with the preparation of meals that are meant to be particularly enjoyable or special. The concept of savoury food is mentioned in the context of hospitality, offerings, and familial relationships.

Biblical References:

1. Genesis 27:4 : "Prepare for me the kind of tasty food I like and bring it to me to eat, so that I may give you my blessing before I die." This verse is part of the narrative where Isaac asks his son Esau to hunt game and prepare a savoury meal for him. The savoury food here is significant as it is tied to the patriarchal blessing, a pivotal moment in the biblical account of Jacob and Esau.

2. Genesis 27:9 : "Go to the flock and bring me two choice young goats, so I can prepare some tasty food for your father, the kind he likes." Rebekah instructs Jacob to prepare a savoury meal to deceive Isaac into giving Jacob the blessing meant for Esau. The preparation of savoury food is central to the unfolding of God's providential plan, despite the human deception involved.

3. Genesis 27:14 : "So he went and got them and brought them to his mother, and she prepared some tasty food, just the way his father liked it." The repetition of the term "tasty food" underscores the importance of the meal's preparation in the narrative. It highlights the cultural significance of food in familial and covenantal contexts.

Cultural and Theological Significance:

In the ancient Near Eastern context, food was not merely sustenance but a means of expressing hospitality, love, and covenantal relationships. The preparation of savoury food often involved the use of spices and herbs, which were valuable commodities. The act of preparing and sharing a meal was a gesture of goodwill and fellowship.

From a theological perspective, the savoury meal in Genesis 27 is more than a culinary detail; it is a vehicle through which God's sovereign purposes are realized. Despite human manipulation, God's plan for Jacob to receive the blessing unfolds, demonstrating His control over human affairs.

Symbolism and Application:

Savoury food in the Bible can symbolize the richness and abundance of God's provision. It serves as a reminder of the blessings that come from obedience and the fulfillment of God's promises. In a broader sense, the concept of savoury food can be seen as an allegory for the spiritual nourishment that believers receive from God's Word, which is described as "sweeter than honey" (Psalm 19:10).

In Christian practice, the preparation and sharing of savoury meals can be an expression of love and community, reflecting the biblical values of hospitality and fellowship. It serves as a tangible reminder of the spiritual and relational sustenance that God provides to His people.4303. matam -- tasty or savory food, dainties
... dainty meat, savoury meat. Or (feminine) matiammah {mat-am-maw'}; from ta'am; a
delicacy -- dainty (meat), savoury meat. see HEBREW ta'am. 4302, 4303. ...
/hebrew/4303.htm - 6k

Letter xi. Dionysius to Apollophanes, Philosopher.
... Wherefore as formerly, as thou thyself used to say, the knowledge of Christian doctrine,
although savoury, was not savoury to thee, but when you had brought ...
/.../letters of dionysius the areopagite/letter xi dionysius to apollophanes.htm

The Miraculous Feeding of the Five Thousand
... John is the diminutive, means a savoury dish,' while Aphyan ({hebrew}) or Aphits
({hebrew}), is the term for a kind of small fish, such as sardines. ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xxix the miraculous feeding.htm

The Preface
... Christian graces and virtues, deserve a most honourable memorial in the church of
Christ;"and for which their names both have and will be savoury to all the ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the preface.htm

Shoes of Iron, and Strength Sufficient: a New Year's Promise
... They have a holy taste whereby they discern spiritual meats, and we would bring
forth for food that which they will account to be nourishing and savoury. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 35 1889/shoes of iron and strength.htm

Praying Charlie.
... 6. So religious and savoury were his words, his actions so upright, his devotions
so hearty, his fear of God so great, that many were ready to say as they did ...
/.../wesley/stories of boys and girls who loved the saviour/praying charlie.htm

Adonijah
... The luxury-loving Isaac, who must have his savoury food, just as his son, Esau,
who would sell his birthright for a mess of pottage, Rebekah, who, like her ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/adonijah.htm

Of the Prodigal Son.
... anger the Holy One of Israel." [793] That all things, plainly, were conceded to
the Jew, we shall admit; but he has likewise had every more savoury morsel torn ...
/.../tertullian/on modesty/chapter viii of the prodigal son.htm

Note
... be saved, and thy house.' This answer is so old that with many it seems out of date
But it is still, and will ever be, fresh, and new, and savoury, and the ...
/.../ryle/the upper room being a few truths for the times/note.htm

Hymn after Meat
... Then, grasping in strong hand the prophet's hair, He bears him gently through the
rushing air, Still burdened with the platter's savoury load, Till o'er the ...
/.../prudentius/the hymns of prudentius/iv hymn after meat.htm

Jesus at the Well. A Word to Preachers.
... savouryness. Let all your sermons be seasoned with salt. Not a few of us
fail because we forget to make what we say savoury. Let ...
//christianbookshelf.org/champness/broken bread/xxxii jesus at the well.htm

Savoury (7 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Savoury (7 Occurrences). Genesis 27:4 And make me savory
food, such as I love, and bring it to me, that I may eat. ...
/s/savoury.htm - 8k

Dish (54 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Genesis 27:4 and prepare me a savoury dish such as I love, and bring it to
me that I may eat, in order that my soul may bless thee before I die. ...
/d/dish.htm - 24k

Dishes (18 Occurrences)
... Dishes (18 Occurrences). Genesis 27:17 and she gave the savoury dishes and the bread
that she had prepared into the hand of her son Jacob. (DBY). ...
/d/dishes.htm - 12k

Prepare (199 Occurrences)
... Genesis 27:4 and prepare me a savoury dish such as I love, and bring it to me that
I may eat, in order that my soul may bless thee before I die. ...
/p/prepare.htm - 36k

Saw (6047 Occurrences)

/s/saw.htm - 7k

Prepared (246 Occurrences)
... Genesis 27:14 And he went, and fetched and brought them to his mother. And his mother
prepared a savoury dish such as his father loved. (DBY RSV NIV). ...
/p/prepared.htm - 37k

Leek
... 25, and Isaiah 15:6; "leeks" only in Numbers 11:5. This Hebrew word seems to denote
in this last passage simply herbs, such as lettuce or savoury herbs cooked ...
/l/leek.htm - 7k

Savours (1 Occurrence)

/s/savours.htm - 6k

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus