Lexical Summary debash: Honey Original Word: דְּבַשׁ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance honeycomb From an unused root meaning to be gummy; honey (from its stickiness); by analogy, syrup -- honey((-comb)). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom an unused word Definition honey NASB Translation honey (52), honeycomb* (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs דְּבַשׁ54 noun masculine1Samuel 14:29 honey (named from colour according to Fl NHWBi. 430; Arabic  ( ) date-honey; Late Hebrew דְּבַשׁ, Aramaic דּובשא,  ,  , honey both of fruits and of bees; compare also Assyrian dišpu COTGloss ZimBP 84 DlPr 70) — absolute ׳ד Genesis 43:11 33t.; דְּבָ֑שׁ Exodus 3:8 18t.; suffix דִּבְשִׁי Songs 5:1; — honey, product of bees, used as food Judges 14:8,9,18 (in lion's carcass); found in (clefts of) rock Deuteronomy 32:13 (מִסֶּלַע ׳ד, in song, J E), Psalm 81:17 (׳מִצּוּר ד); in woods, on ground 1 Samuel 14:25 (עלפֿני השׂדה) 1 Samuel 14:26 (׳הֵלֶךְ ד; but read rather הָלַךְ דְּבֹרוֺ its bees had departed, We Dr after ᵐ5) 1 Samuel 14:29; 1 Samuel 14:43; transported in jar or bottle ׳בַּקְבֻּק ד 1 Kings 14:3; contribution to priests and Levites 2Chronicles 31:5; "" חֶמְאָה 2 Samuel 17:29; Isaiah 7:15,22 (in last two the being limited to such food is apparently token of destitution); kept in store Jeremiah 41:8; a choice gift Genesis 43:11 (J); article of trade Ezekiel 27:17 (in these two perhaps = grape syrup, modern dibs, compare Di Genesis 43:11 see RobBR ii. 81); forbidden as burnt offering Leviticus 2:11 ("" שְׂאֹר); honey comb = ׳יַעְרַת הַדּ 1 Samuel 14:27 (compare יַעְרִי Songs 5:1); also ׳צוּף ד Proverbs 16:24 (compare נֹפֶת צופים Psalm 19:11); most often in phrase describing abundance in land of Canaan ׳אֶרֶץ זָבַת חָלָב וּד Exodus 3:8,17; Exodus 13:5; Exodus 33:3 (all J E) Leviticus 20:24 (H) Numbers 13:27; Numbers 14:8; Numbers 16:18,14 (all J E) Deuteronomy 6:3; Deuteronomy 11:9; Deuteronomy 26:9,15; Deuteronomy 27:3; Deuteronomy 31:20 (all D) Joshua 5:6 (D) Jeremiah 11:5; Jeremiah 32:22; Ezekiel 20:6,15; compare Deuteronomy 8:8; 2 Kings 18:32 (of land of captivity, words of the Rabshak); see also Ezekiel 16:13,19; Job 20:17 וְחֶמְאָה ׳נַחֲלֵי ד; honey, used to illustrate moral teachings Proverbs 24:13 ("" נֹפֶת), Proverbs 25:16,27 (danger of surfeit); simile of sweetness of taste Ezekiel 3:3 (the roll), compare כְּצַמִּיחִת ׳בִּד Exodus 16:31 (P; description of manna); of sweetness of the law Psalm 19:11 ("" נֹפֶת צוּפִים) compare Psalm 119:103; (of pleasant words Proverbs 16:24 compare above); sweetness of lips וְחָלָב ׳ד Songs 4:11; figurative of love דִּבְשִׁי Songs 5:1 ("" יַעְרִי, יֵינִי, חֲלָבִי). Topical Lexicon Definition and Overview דְּבַשׁ denotes honey, whether obtained from wild bees, domesticated hives, or produced from date nectar. Throughout the Old Testament it functions both as a literal foodstuff and a rich symbol of covenant blessing, delight, and spiritual sweetness. Natural Source and Agricultural Context Honey was readily available in the land. Jonathan dipped his staff into a “honeycomb” and “his eyes brightened” (1 Samuel 14:27). Wild honey sustained John the Baptist centuries later (Matthew 3:4), showing an enduring cultural familiarity. The bees of Canaan nested in clefts of rocks, hollow trees, and even carcasses (Judges 14:8-9). Its presence testified to ecological richness; Deuteronomy 32:13 pictures the LORD making His people “draw honey from the rock.” Symbol of Abundance and Blessing “Milk and honey” forms a fixed phrase for covenant prosperity, first promised in Exodus 3:8 and repeated more than twenty times (for example, Numbers 14:8; Deuteronomy 6:3; Joshua 5:6; Jeremiah 11:5; Ezekiel 20:6). The pairing joins pasture (milk) with orchards and wild forage (honey) to portray entire agricultural sufficiency—God’s holistic provision. Dietary and Culinary Use Honey sweetened cakes (Exodus 16:31), accompanied curds (Isaiah 7:15), and refreshed weary soldiers (1 Samuel 14:27-29). Proverbs commends its moderation: “Eat honey, my son, for it is good” (Proverbs 24:13), yet cautions excess: “If you find honey, eat just enough— lest you have too much and vomit it” (Proverbs 25:16). Thus Scripture affirms God-given enjoyment within self-control. Liturgical and Sacrificial Regulations Leviticus 2:11 forbids honey in grain offerings burned on the altar. The sweetener could ferment, symbolically conflicting with the holiness of fire offerings. Yet Ezekiel 16:19 lists honey among foods dedicated to the LORD, indicating it could accompany—but not compose—the burnt portion. The tension underscores that even good gifts require divine regulation in worship. Wisdom and Ethical Imagery Proverbs uses honey to portray pleasant speech: “Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones” (Proverbs 16:24). Conversely, honey’s lure illustrates immoral seduction: “The lips of the forbidden woman drip honey” (Proverbs 5:3). The dual imagery teaches discernment; what God created good can be twisted toward sin. Warnings and Moderation Honey’s richness typifies indulgence that dulls spiritual perception. Psalm 19:10 elevates God’s ordinances as “sweeter than honey,” reminding believers not to idolize physical delights. Ezekiel ate a scroll that was “as sweet as honey” (Ezekiel 3:3); Revelation 10:10 later turns this sweetness bitter, highlighting the prophetic call to digest both comfort and judgment. Prophetic and Eschatological Significance Isaiah 7:15-22 predicts a remnant feeding on curds and honey after the land is laid waste, implying both deprivation (loss of vineyards) and God’s continuing provision. Thus honey foreshadows Millennial restoration when abundance will again characterize the renewed earth (compare Joel 3:18). Christological and New Testament Echoes Luke 24:42 records the risen Jesus accepting “a piece of broiled fish, and some honeycomb,” validating material resurrection and celebrating covenant sweetness fulfilled. In Hebrews 11:9-10 the patriarchs sought the city whose architect is God while dwelling in the land of milk and honey, pointing to a superior inheritance secured by Christ. Geographical Note Archaeological finds at Tel Rehov reveal extensive Iron Age apiaries, affirming biblical claims of honey production. Date honey (“silan”) also flourished in Jericho’s oasis, explaining abundant references independent of bee-keeping alone. Modern Ministry Applications 1. Preaching: Use honey metaphors to celebrate Scripture’s delight and to warn against spiritual lethargy born of excess comforts. Honey in the Old Testament therefore unites physical sustenance, covenant promise, moral instruction, and eschatological hope, all culminating in the sweetness believers find in the living Word. Forms and Transliterations בִּדְבָֽשׁ׃ בדבש׃ דְּ֭בַשׁ דְּבַ֔שׁ דְּבַ֖שׁ דְּבַ֣שׁ דְּבַ֤שׁ דְּבַ֥שׁ דְּבָ֑שׁ דְבַ֖שׁ דְבַ֣שׁ דְבַשׁ֙ דִּבְשִׁ֔י דבש דבשי הַדְּבָ֑שׁ הַדְּבָֽשׁ׃ הדבש הדבש׃ וּדְבַ֔שׁ וּדְבַ֖שׁ וּדְבַ֛שׁ וּדְבַ֣שׁ וּדְבַ֤שׁ וּדְבַשׁ֙ וּדְבָ֑שׁ וּדְבָֽשׁ׃ ודבש ודבש׃ כִּדְבַ֥שׁ כדבש מִ֝דְּבַ֗שׁ מִדְּבַ֔שׁ מִדְּבַ֥שׁ מדבש biḏ·ḇāš biḏḇāš bidVash də·ḇaš də·ḇāš ḏə·ḇaš dəḇaš dəḇāš ḏəḇaš deVash diḇ·šî diḇšî divShi had·də·ḇāš haddəḇāš haddeVash kiḏ·ḇaš kiḏḇaš kidVash mid·də·ḇaš middəḇaš middeVash ū·ḏə·ḇaš ū·ḏə·ḇāš ūḏəḇaš ūḏəḇāš udeVashLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 43:11 HEB: צֳרִי֙ וּמְעַ֣ט דְּבַ֔שׁ נְכֹ֣את וָלֹ֔ט NAS: and a little honey, aromatic gum KJV: and a little honey, spices, INT: balm little honey aromatic and myrrh Exodus 3:8 Exodus 3:17 Exodus 13:5 Exodus 16:31 Exodus 33:3 Leviticus 2:11 Leviticus 20:24 Numbers 13:27 Numbers 14:8 Numbers 16:13 Numbers 16:14 Deuteronomy 6:3 Deuteronomy 8:8 Deuteronomy 11:9 Deuteronomy 26:9 Deuteronomy 26:15 Deuteronomy 27:3 Deuteronomy 31:20 Deuteronomy 32:13 Joshua 5:6 Judges 14:8 Judges 14:9 Judges 14:18 1 Samuel 14:25 54 Occurrences |
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