Lexical Summary deborah: bees, bee Original Word: דְּבוֹרָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance bee Or (shortened) dborah {deb-o-raw'}; from dabar (in the sense of orderly motion); the bee (from its systematic instincts) -- bee. see HEBREW dabar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom dabar Definition a bee NASB Translation bee (1), bees (3). Brown-Driver-Briggs I. דְּבוֺרָה noun feminine bee (compare Arabic  , swarm of bees, Aramaic דַּבַּרְתָּא, Syriac  ) Isaiah 7:18; plural דְּבֹרִים Deuteronomy 1:44; Judges 14:8; Psalm 118:12. Read also דְּבֹרוֺ its bees 1 Samuel 14:26 for ᵑ0 דְּבַשׁ compare ᵐ5 We Dr. Topical Lexicon Natural Description and Cultural Context The Hebrew term designates the common honey-bee. In the land flowing with “milk and honey,” bees were ubiquitous pollinators, and their honey was a prized staple (compare Exodus 3:8). Ancient Israel recognized both the sweetness of honey and the danger of a swarm’s sting, giving the bee a dual image of blessing and peril. Occurrences in the Old Testament 1. Deuteronomy 1:44 – The Amorites “pursued you as bees do,” depicting relentless aggression. Symbolism of Bees as a Hostile Force Scripture repeatedly employs the bee to portray enemies whose numbers, speed, and painful stings inspire fear (Deuteronomy 1:44; Psalm 118:12). The simile intensifies the sense of being surrounded and overwhelmed, yet each passage also records divine deliverance. Even when “they swarmed around me like bees” (Psalm 118:12), faith triumphs: “in the name of the LORD I cut them off!” Bees in the Hand of God Isaiah 7:18 underscores the Creator’s sovereignty. Just as a beekeeper can direct a hive by a whistle, so God summons nations for judgment. The image assures believers that world events, however threatening, remain under divine control. Providence, Provision, and Paradox Judges 14:8 presents the paradox of sweetness springing from death. Honey in a lion’s carcass anticipates how the LORD often brings blessing out of impossible situations. Samson’s riddle pointed to a deeper pattern later fulfilled in the Gospel: life arising from death (1 Corinthians 15:54-57). Practical Lessons for Believers • Diligence and Industry – The ordered labor of bees models the virtue of steadfast work (Proverbs 6:6-8 draws a similar lesson from the ant). Foreshadowing of Messianic Victory Psalm 118, the psalm quoted at Christ’s triumphal entry (Matthew 21:9), situates the bee imagery within a larger messianic framework. The enemies swarm, yet they are “extinguished,” prefiguring the ultimate defeat of all opposition through the cross and resurrection. Eschatological Overtones Isaiah’s prophetic summons of the Assyrian “bees” foreshadows the end-time gathering of nations (Joel 3:2). What appears as chaotic invasion ultimately serves the LORD’s redemptive plan, culminating in His final victory and the establishment of everlasting peace (Isaiah 11:9). Summary The biblical bee conveys relentless threat and abundant provision, reminding God’s people that He controls both the sting of judgment and the sweetness of blessing. Whether pursued “as bees do” or nourished by honey from a surprising source, the faithful can trust the One who commands the hive. Forms and Transliterations דְּבוֹרִ֛ים דבורים הַדְּבֹרִ֑ים הדברים וְלַ֨דְּבוֹרָ֔ה ולדבורה כִדְבוֹרִ֗ים כדבורים chidvoRim də·ḇō·w·rîm dəḇōwrîm devoRim had·də·ḇō·rîm haddəḇōrîm haddevoRim ḵiḏ·ḇō·w·rîm ḵiḏḇōwrîm veLaddevoRah wə·lad·də·ḇō·w·rāh wəladdəḇōwrāhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Deuteronomy 1:44 HEB: כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר תַּעֲשֶׂ֖ינָה הַדְּבֹרִ֑ים וַֽיַּכְּת֥וּ אֶתְכֶ֛ם NAS: you and chased you as bees do, KJV: you, and chased you, as bees do, INT: after do bees and crushed Seir Judges 14:8 Psalm 118:12 Isaiah 7:18 4 Occurrences |
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