A Comparative Approach to the Semantic Components of “Taste” (Zaeghe) in the Holy Qur’an

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Quran University of Science and Education

2 PhD student in the field of comparative interpretation of the Holy Quran University of Sciences and Education

10.22081/jqss.2025.70825.1353

Abstract

Understanding the meanings of Qur'anic vocabulary plays a significant role in deeply comprehending the divine message. This descriptive-analytical study evaluates and analyzes the semantic subtleties of words associated with the concept of Zaeghe (taste) in the Holy Qur’an. By placing the word dhawq at the center of this semantic field, the study analyzes words that share the greatest number of semantic components with it, such as ta‘m (flavor), khabar (news), anba’ (reports), uns (familiarity), basar (sight), ra’y (view), shahid (witness), and ‘arraf (to make known). The findings indicate that although Zaeghe literally means "to taste" and may imply a slight or surface-level experience, in fact, it conveys the notion of a deep and experiential understanding. It is used in contexts of knowing, possessing knowledge, cognitive capacity, heartfelt perception, sensing, testing, experiencing, and even witnessing punishment. While the term predominantly refers to “tasting punishment,” it is also used in the context of experiencing mercy. The use of this word for “tasting death” seems to stem not from its association with punishment but from its connotation of deep, existential experience. The other related Qur’anic terms analyzed each possess distinguishing semantic features that set them apart from one another.

Keywords

References

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History

  • Receive Date: 13 January 2025
  • Revise Date: 28 February 2025
  • Accept Date: 15 May 2025
  • Publish Date: 28 May 2025

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