Hornets
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Hornets are mentioned in the Bible as instruments of divine intervention and judgment. These insects are noted for their aggressive nature and painful stings, which can cause significant distress and disruption. In the biblical context, hornets are used metaphorically to describe the fear and panic that God would instill in the enemies of Israel.

Biblical References:

1. Exodus 23:28 : "I will send the hornet ahead of you to drive the Hivites, Canaanites, and Hittites out of your way." In this passage, God promises the Israelites that He will send hornets to drive out the inhabitants of the Promised Land. The hornets symbolize the terror and confusion that God would use to aid the Israelites in their conquest.

2. Deuteronomy 7:20 : "Moreover, the LORD your God will send the hornet against them until even the survivors hiding from you have perished." Here, the hornet is again depicted as a divine tool to ensure the complete removal of Israel's enemies. This emphasizes God's active role in fulfilling His promises to His people.

3. Joshua 24:12 : "I sent the hornet ahead of you, which drove them out before you—two Amorite kings. It was not by your sword or bow." Joshua recounts how God used hornets to drive out the Amorite kings, highlighting that the victory was achieved not by human might but by divine intervention.

Symbolism and Interpretation:

In these passages, hornets are symbolic of God's power to instill fear and chaos among the enemies of Israel. They represent a supernatural force that goes beyond human capability, underscoring the theme of divine assistance in the Israelites' journey to claim the land promised to them by God.

The use of hornets as a metaphor for divine judgment serves to remind the Israelites of God's sovereignty and His ability to control nature for His purposes. It also reinforces the idea that the success of the Israelites is not due to their own strength or military prowess but is a result of God's direct involvement and favor.

Cultural and Historical Context:

Hornets, as understood in the ancient Near Eastern context, were likely seen as formidable creatures due to their painful stings and aggressive behavior. The mention of hornets in the biblical narrative would have resonated with the original audience, who would have been familiar with the threat posed by these insects.

The biblical use of hornets as a divine instrument reflects a broader theme in Scripture where God uses elements of nature to accomplish His will, demonstrating His control over all creation. This aligns with the biblical worldview that sees God as the ultimate authority over both the natural and spiritual realms.

Theological Implications:

The references to hornets in the Bible highlight God's faithfulness to His promises and His willingness to act on behalf of His people. They serve as a reminder of the importance of trusting in God's provision and protection, even when facing seemingly insurmountable challenges. The hornet, as a symbol of divine intervention, encourages believers to rely on God's power rather than their own efforts in overcoming obstacles and adversaries.
Strong's Hebrew
6880. tsirah -- hornets
... 6879, 6880. tsirah. 6881 . hornets. Transliteration: tsirah Phonetic
Spelling: (tsir-aw') Short Definition: hornet. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/6880.htm - 6k
Library

October 7. "He Opened not his Mouth" (Isa. Liii. 7).
... It is like a nest of hornets. You may disperse the hornets, but you will
probably get terribly stung, and get nothing for your pains ...
/.../simpson/days of heaven upon earth /october 7 he opened not.htm

August the Twenty-Seventh what About To-Morrow?
... "I will send mine angel before thee!" "I will send hornets before you!" Yes, the
Lord will look after the road. What, then, am I called to do? ...
/.../august the twenty-seventh what about.htm

On the Babylonish Captivity of the Church on the Babylonish ...
... men. I have determined to follow the advice of my friends, and to leave
the business of wrangling and inveighing to those hornets. ...
/.../luther/first principles of the reformation/iii on the babylonish captivity.htm

Concerning Peaceableness
... It is like putting one's finger into a hornets, nest; or to use Solomon's similitude,
The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water' (Proverbs 17:14 ...
/.../the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/18 concerning peaceableness.htm

The Destroyer Destroyed
... Why, the little hornets that you have met have worried you, and now this death
is the prince of dragons; it will be all over with you now. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the destroyer destroyed.htm

Prayer Answered, Love Nourished
... Oh I will love the name of such a patient God as this, who bears with my
prayers though they be as a cloud of hornets in the air. IV. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/prayer answered love nourished.htm

Striking Similes
... He bolted down the stairs like a hare. He clatters like a windmill. He danced like
a man in a swarm of hornets. He fell as falls some forest lion, fighting well ...
/.../kleiser/fifteen thousand useful phrases/section viii striking similes.htm

Anxieties and Troubles, Friends and Foes
... more control upon my feelings.'. But into what a nest of hornets we have
come!' said Philip. '"Cyclopean orgies" indeed!' and then ...
/.../chapter xxi anxieties and troubles.htm

Commendation for the Steadfast
... very little of the temptation which tries all the world: very seldom are any of
our friends unsettled in their minds, or tormented with these hornets of heresy ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 30 1884/commendation for the steadfast.htm

A Description of Heart-Purity
... of evil. It is dangerous to go near a hornets' nest. The men who went near
the furnace were burned (Daniel 3:22). Second, because ...
/.../16 a description of heart-purity.htm

Thesaurus
Hornets (2 Occurrences)
...Hornets (2 Occurrences). Exodus 23:28 And I will send hornets before thee, which
shall drive out the Hivite, the Canaanite, and the Hittite, from before thee. ...
/h/hornets.htm - 6k

Hornet (3 Occurrences)
... In Palestine there are four species of hornets, differing from our hornets,
being larger in size, and they are very abundant. They ...
/h/hornet.htm - 11k

Driving (144 Occurrences)
... (BBE NIV). Exodus 23:28 I will send hornets before you, driving out the Hivite
and the Canaanite and the Hittite before your face. (BBE). ...
/d/driving.htm - 37k

Horns (104 Occurrences)

/h/horns.htm - 42k

Resources
What does the Bible say about the hornet? | GotQuestions.org

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Hornets (2 Occurrences)

Exodus 23:28
And I will send hornets before thee, which shall drive out the Hivite, the Canaanite, and the Hittite, from before thee.
(KJV BBE DBY WBS NAS RSV)

Deuteronomy 7:20
Moreover the LORD thy God will send the hornet among them, until they that are left, and they that hide themselves, perish from before thee.
(See RSV)

Subtopics

Hornets

Related Terms

Blowing (31 Occurrences)

Overlaid (50 Occurrences)

Sounded (66 Occurrences)

Push (23 Occurrences)

Sounding (99 Occurrences)

Gore (9 Occurrences)

Draining (20 Occurrences)

Bottom (33 Occurrences)

Remaining (87 Occurrences)

Antelope (2 Occurrences)

Melody (55 Occurrences)

Pour (137 Occurrences)

Mass (65 Occurrences)

Parting (27 Occurrences)

Finger (35 Occurrences)

Corded (37 Occurrences)

Burnt-offering (205 Occurrences)

Bronze (146 Occurrences)

Foundation (82 Occurrences)

Uttering (10 Occurrences)

Overlayeth (19 Occurrences)

Overlay (15 Occurrences)

Four (3139 Occurrences)

Trumpets (52 Occurrences)

Blew (37 Occurrences)

Boastfully (6 Occurrences)

Boasts (18 Occurrences)

Blasphemous (4 Occurrences)

Crowns (27 Occurrences)

Canal (6 Occurrences)

Chamois (1 Occurrence)

Angles (20 Occurrences)

Pushing (26 Occurrences)

Note (129 Occurrences)

Adoni'jah (26 Occurrences)

Heads (439 Occurrences)

Copper (55 Occurrences)

Piece (93 Occurrences)

Sin-offering (115 Occurrences)

Playing (37 Occurrences)

Corners (56 Occurrences)

Beast (243 Occurrences)

Horn (108 Occurrences)

Violently (92 Occurrences)

Continued (148 Occurrences)

Itself (203 Occurrences)

Antichrist (4 Occurrences)

Burnt (392 Occurrences)

Rams (81 Occurrences)

Caught (110 Occurrences)

Seven (404 Occurrences)

Zedeki'ah (62 Occurrences)

Kenaanah (5 Occurrences)

Notable (7 Occurrences)

Loud-sounding (8 Occurrences)

Gazelle (12 Occurrences)

Frighten (15 Occurrences)

Fray (4 Occurrences)

Feareth (36 Occurrences)

Flaming (40 Occurrences)

Foursquare (10 Occurrences)

Thicket (9 Occurrences)

Exterminated (8 Occurrences)

Eradicated (3 Occurrences)

Drained (38 Occurrences)

Molding (10 Occurrences)

Majesty (67 Occurrences)

Makers (20 Occurrences)

Plating (13 Occurrences)

Plated (29 Occurrences)

Possessing (18 Occurrences)

Bull's (8 Occurrences)

Considering (10 Occurrences)

Chena'anah (5 Occurrences)

Contemplating (4 Occurrences)

Chenaanah (5 Occurrences)

Affright (10 Occurrences)

Loudly (31 Occurrences)

Hornet: Or Wasp
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