Riddle
“A puzzle, enigma, dark saying”
Summary
Riddles in Scripture were enigmatic sayings or puzzles, ranging from Samson's wedding riddle to prophetic parables requiring spiritual insight to understand.
☩Samson's Riddle
The most famous biblical riddle was proposed by Samson at his wedding feast: 'Out of the eater came forth food, and out of the strong came forth sweetness.' The answer—a lion carcass containing honeycomb—was unknown to his Philistine guests until his bride betrayed the secret. This led to Samson's angry departure and the beginning of his conflict with the Philistines.
☩Wisdom and Riddles
The Hebrew word chidah denotes a perplexing saying requiring insight to solve. Solomon's wisdom included the ability to understand 'a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.' The Queen of Sheba came to test Solomon with 'hard questions' (riddles), and he answered all she asked. Wise speech often employed enigmatic forms to stimulate thought and convey deeper truths.
☩Prophetic Parables
The prophets often spoke in parabolic riddles requiring interpretation. Ezekiel was commanded to propound a riddle and speak a parable to Israel, telling of an eagle and a vine representing Babylon and Judah's kings. Jesus spoke in parables partly so that those without spiritual receptivity would hear but not understand, while disciples would be given insight into the mysteries of the kingdom.
Related Verses10 mentions
See Also
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Riddle," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Riddle," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Riddle," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).