Riddles in the Bible are a form of enigmatic or puzzling statements that require thought and discernment to understand. They are often used to convey deeper truths or to challenge the listener's wisdom and insight. The use of riddles can be found in various parts of Scripture, serving both as a literary device and a means of communication.

Old Testament Examples

One of the most famous instances of a riddle in the Bible is found in the account of Samson. In Judges 14:12-14, Samson poses a riddle to the Philistines during his wedding feast: "Out of the eater came something to eat, and out of the strong came something sweet." This riddle was based on his personal experience of finding honey in the carcass of a lion he had previously killed. The Philistines, unable to solve the riddle, resorted to coercing Samson's wife to extract the answer from him.

The Book of Proverbs, known for its wisdom literature, also contains riddles. Proverbs 1:6 speaks of understanding "proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise." Here, riddles are associated with the pursuit of wisdom and understanding, suggesting that grappling with such enigmatic statements can lead to greater insight.

New Testament Context

While the New Testament does not explicitly mention riddles in the same way as the Old Testament, Jesus often used parables, which can be seen as a form of riddle. These parables were designed to reveal truths to those who were spiritually perceptive while concealing them from those who were not. In Matthew 13:10-11, the disciples ask Jesus why He speaks to the people in parables, and He responds, "The knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them."

Symbolism and Interpretation

Riddles in the Bible often symbolize the hidden wisdom of God, which requires spiritual discernment to understand. They challenge the listener to seek deeper meaning and to rely on divine insight rather than mere human understanding. This is consistent with the biblical theme that true wisdom comes from God, as seen in James 1:5, "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him."

Cultural and Historical Context

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, riddles were a common form of entertainment and intellectual challenge. They were used in various social settings, from royal courts to common gatherings, as a way to test wit and intelligence. The biblical use of riddles reflects this cultural practice, while also imbuing it with spiritual significance.

Theological Implications

The presence of riddles in Scripture underscores the complexity and depth of God's revelation. It invites believers to engage with the Word of God actively, seeking understanding through prayer and study. The enigmatic nature of riddles serves as a reminder that God's thoughts are higher than human thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9), and that His wisdom often surpasses human comprehension.

In summary, riddles in the Bible serve as a tool for teaching, challenging, and revealing deeper truths. They encourage believers to seek wisdom and understanding through a relationship with God, who is the ultimate source of all knowledge and insight.135. ainigma -- a riddle
... enigma. Word Origin from ainissomai (to speak in riddles) Definition a
riddle NASB Word Usage dimly (1). obscure saying, riddle. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/135.htm - 6k2420. chidah -- a riddle, an enigmatic, perplexing saying or ...
... an enigmatic, perplexing saying or question NASB Word Usage dark sayings (2), difficult
questions (2), insinuations (1), intrigue (1), riddle (10), riddles (1 ...
/hebrew/2420.htm - 6k

263. achavah -- a declaring
... showing. (Aramaic) corresponding to 'achvah; solution (of riddles) -- showing. see
HEBREW 'achvah. 262, 263. achavah or achavayah. 264 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/263.htm - 6k

How Solomon Built Himself a Royal Palace, Very Costly and Splendid ...
... CHAPTER 5. How Solomon Built Himself A Royal Palace, Very Costly And Splendid;
And How He Solved The Riddles Which Were Sent Him By Hiram. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 5 how solomon built.htm

Life and Death
... their dust. Do I speak riddles? I think the text will explain my riddles,
for it tells us how life comes, how death comes. Life ...
/.../kingsley/twenty-five village sermons/sermon iii life and death.htm

A Bible-Riddle
... Boys and girls are all fond of riddles, and I am sure you will be surprised to know
that there is one of the best riddles of all in the Bible, one that is very ...
/.../chidley/fifty-two story talks to boys and girls/a bible-riddle.htm

The Thing that Follows is not the Same as the Thing that it ...
... He says "without meaning to contract into the being that which we have proved to
follow it." Perhaps some of the guessers of riddles might tell us that by ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/section 41 the thing that.htm

They are Blameworthy who Invented Such Stories.
... to piety, set forth in an open and straightforward manner, I wonder you call those
men sensible and wise who concealed them under crooked riddles, and overlaid ...
/.../unknown/the clementine homilies/chapter xvii they are blameworthy who.htm

Whether in Christ There was the Gift of Prophecy?
... to him in a dream." But Christ had full and unveiled knowledge, much more than Moses,
of whom it is subjoined that "plainly and not by riddles and figures doth ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether in christ there was 4.htm

Psalm XLIX.
... absent from the Lord." [1615] For our vision is not yet that face to face, where
there are no longer parables, where there no longer are riddles and comparisons ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xlix.htm

The Hebrew Sages and their Proverbs
... [Sidenote: Use of fables and riddles]. ... Proverbs xxx.15-31 contains a collection
of numerical riddles, combined with their answers. ...
/.../the origin and permanent value of the old testament/x the hebrew sages and.htm

John vii. 1, 2
... And, lo, He speaketh boldly, and they say nothing unto Him." ( Ver.25, 26.) What
mean these riddles? Away with the word! ... "they are not riddles, God forbid! ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xlviii john vii 1.htm

Strength Profaned and Lost
... fixed design of resisting them. He seeks a wife among them, and is ready
to feast and play at riddles with them. When he does attack ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/strength profaned and lost.htm

Riddles (5 Occurrences)
...Riddles (5 Occurrences). Numbers 12:8 With him I will speak mouth to mouth, even
plainly, and not in riddles; and he shall see Yahweh's form. ...
/r/riddles.htm - 7k

Games (2 Occurrences)
... GAMES. gamz: I. ISRAELITISH GAMES 1. Children's Games Mimicry 2. Sports 3. Games
of Chance and Skill 4. Story-Telling 5. Dancing 6. Proverbs 7. Riddles II. ...
/g/games.htm - 40k

Riddle (11 Occurrences)

/r/riddle.htm - 11k

Ride (31 Occurrences)

/r/ride.htm - 17k

Dark (234 Occurrences)
... a proverb mashal, and a figure (or, an interpretation, melitsah), the words (singular
dabhar) of the wise, and their dark sayings (or, riddles)." The "proverb ...
/d/dark.htm - 44k

Marriagefeasts
... ground and retiring to the seats round the walls, the guests then sit down
cross-legged and gossip, or listen to recitals, or puzzle over riddles, light being ...
/m/marriagefeasts.htm - 8k

Marriage-feasts (6 Occurrences)
... ground and retiring to the seats round the walls, the guests then sit down
cross-legged and gossip, or listen to recitals, or puzzle over riddles, light being ...
/m/marriage-feasts.htm - 10k

Parables (21 Occurrences)
... Proverbs 1:6 to understand a proverb, and parables, the words and riddles of
the wise. (WEB NIV). Ezekiel 20:49 Then said I, Ah Lord Yahweh! ...
/p/parables.htm - 12k

Beholdeth (25 Occurrences)
... Numbers 12:8 mouth unto mouth I speak with him, and 'by' an appearance, and not
in riddles; and the form of Jehovah he beholdeth attentively; and wherefore ...
/b/beholdeth.htm - 12k

Attentively (35 Occurrences)
... Numbers 12:8 mouth unto mouth I speak with him, and 'by' an appearance, and not
in riddles; and the form of Jehovah he beholdeth attentively; and wherefore ...
/a/attentively.htm - 16k

What are some of the riddles in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Topical: Analogies ' Article Index | GotQuestions.org

Summary of the Book of Numbers - Bible Survey | GotQuestions.org

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