Lexical Summary chidah: Riddle, Enigma, Dark Saying, Parable Original Word: חִידָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance dark saying sentence, speech, hard question, proverb, riddle From chuwd; a puzzle, hence, a trick, conundrum, sententious maxim -- dark saying (sentence, speech), hard question, proverb, riddle. see HEBREW chuwd NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom an unused word Definition a riddle, an enigmatic, perplexing saying or question NASB Translation dark sayings (2), difficult questions (2), insinuations (1), intrigue (1), riddle (10), riddles (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs חִידָה noun feminine riddle, enigmatic, perplexing saying or question; — absolute ׳ח Judges 14:12 6t.; suffix חִידָתִי Judges 14:18; Psalm 49:5; חִידָֽתְךָ Judges 14:13; plural absolute חִידוֺת 1 Kings 10:1 4t.; חִידֹת Numbers 12:8; suffix חִידֹתָם Proverbs 1:6; — 1 riddle = dark, obscure utterance Numbers 12:8 (J E; opposed to מֶּהאֶֿלמֶּֿה and מַרְאֶה); of something put indirectly and needing interpretation; — an allegory ׳חוד ח Ezekiel 17:2 ("" מְשֹׁל מָשָׁל); allegorical and figurative sayings Proverbs 1:6 ("" מְלִיצָה מָשָׁל and בְרֵי חֲכָמִים Di); enigmatic sentences and comparisons, declaring fate of Chaldeans Habakkuk 2:6 (+ מְלִיצָה; "" מָשָׁל), perplexing moral problem Psalm 49:5 (with מָּתַח open, propound; "" מָשָׁל), a lesson taught indirectly Psalm 78:2 (מִנִּי קֶדֶם ׳ח, with הִבִּיעַ; "" מָשָׁל). 2 riddle, enigma, to be guessed, in Judges 14: a. with vb. חוּד Judges 14:12,13,16 propound a riddle. b. with vb. הִגִּיד tell (give answer to) a riddle Judges 14:14,15,17,19. c. with vb. מצא find out a riddle Judges 14:18. 3 perplexing questions by which queen of Sheba put Solomon to the test (נִסָּה) 1 Kings 10:1 2Chronicles 9:1. 4 with הֵבִין skilled in double-dealing Daniel 8:23 (Bev). Topical Lexicon Nature of a “chidah” חִידָה is employed in Scripture for an enigmatic statement, riddle, or dark saying that demands spiritual discernment. A chidah conceals truth in order to reveal it to those given understanding. It may appear in poetic parallelism, prophetic symbolism, court entertainment, or wisdom instruction, but in every setting it directs the hearer beyond surface meaning to the fear of the LORD, the beginning of wisdom. Occurrences in the Old Testament 1. Moses and Direct Revelation (Numbers 12:8) “I speak with him face to face, clearly and not in riddles; he sees the form of the LORD.” The Lord contrasts plain speech with riddles when commending Moses’ unique prophetic clarity. Chidah thus marks the veiled mode of lesser prophets compared with the transparent fellowship granted to Moses. 2. Samson’s Wedding Feast (Judges 14:12-19) Samson’s famous riddle—“Out of the eater came something to eat, and out of the strong came something sweet” (Judges 14:14)—turns personal experience (the lion and honey) into cryptic language. The episode shows riddles as festive challenges, yet also exposes Philistine hostility and Samson’s impulsiveness, foreshadowing larger conflict. 3. Solomon and the Queen of Sheba (1 Kings 10:1; 2 Chronicles 9:1) “When the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon … she came to test him with difficult questions” (1 Kings 10:1). Her riddles function as an international measure of wisdom. Solomon’s Spirit-given insight proves Israel’s king to be the world’s wisest, fulfilling the promise that the nations would stream to Zion for understanding. 4. Wisdom Literature (Psalm 49:4; Psalm 78:2; Proverbs 1:6) “I will express my riddle with the harp” (Psalm 49:4). “I will utter things hidden from of old” (Psalm 78:2). Wisdom invites the attentive listener to penetrate riddling speech and find moral instruction. Proverbs 1:6 lists “riddles” as the capstone of wisdom learning, implying that maturity knows how to unpack layered truth. 5. Prophetic Parables (Ezekiel 17:2; Habakkuk 2:6) “Son of man, pose a riddle; speak a parable to the house of Israel” (Ezekiel 17:2). Prophetic chidoth cloak impending judgment in imagery (two eagles, a vine) so that hardened hearts may hear yet not understand, while the remnant discerns the call to repentance. Habakkuk 2:6 employs riddles in a taunt song against Babylon, assuring that arrogant powers will be deciphered and overthrown. 6. Apocalyptic Intrigue (Daniel 8:23) “A stern-faced king, skilled in intrigue, will arise.” The phrase portrays a ruler who “understands riddles,” indicating cunning manipulation of secret knowledge—a counterfeit wisdom set against the saints. The verse locates the ultimate solution to human riddles in divine judgment at the close of the age. Themes and Theological Insights Revelation through Concealment Chidah underscores the paradox that God both hides and reveals. Truth is veiled to the proud but unfolded to the humble. Numbers 12:8 and Judges 14 contrast plain revelation with concealed speech, teaching that the Lord sovereignly chooses His medium. Wisdom Tested and Vindicated From Solomon’s court to the queen of Sheba, riddles test the authenticity of wisdom. Genuine understanding proves itself publicly, bringing glory to God and drawing seekers (1 Kings 10:1-9). Instruction for the Community of Faith Psalms and Proverbs employ riddles to cultivate meditation. The Israelite worshipper sings, reflects, and thereby internalizes covenant lessons. The Holy Spirit still uses poetic ambiguity to deepen our grasp of redemption. Prophetic Warning and Hope Ezekiel and Habakkuk show riddles as instruments of judgment, yet embedded within them is the promise of restoration (Ezekiel 17:22-24). The hidden meaning becomes a message of hope once disclosed. Eschatological Expectation Daniel 8:23 shifts the motif toward the last days, where deceptive riddles will oppose God’s people until the Messiah’s kingdom triumphs, assuring readers that no intrigue can thwart divine purposes. Cultural and Historical Setting Ancient Near Eastern courts prized riddles as demonstrations of royal intellect. In Israel, that cultural practice becomes a stage for revealing God’s superior wisdom. Prophets used riddles because metaphor could bypass hardened defenses and imprint truth on the imagination. Unlike secular riddles meant merely to entertain, biblical chidoth bear moral weight and covenant urgency. Christ and the Fulfillment of Riddles Psalm 78:2 is cited in Matthew 13:35 concerning Jesus: “I will open My mouth in parables; I will profess things hidden since the foundation of the world.” The incarnate Word embodies the ultimate chidah, concealing kingdom mysteries from scoffers while unveiling them to disciples. The cross itself is the grand riddle—folly to Greeks, stumbling block to Jews, but the wisdom and power of God to those who believe. Ministry Applications • Expository Preaching: Faithful proclamation should not shy away from difficult texts; instead, it should model how Scripture interprets its own riddles, leading the congregation into deeper awe. Practical Counsel for the Reader Approach every chidah prayerfully, trusting that “the LORD grants wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding” (Proverbs 2:6). The same God who concealed mysteries has, in Christ, provided the key to their revelation (Colossians 2:2-3). Forms and Transliterations בְּחִידֽוֹת׃ בְחִיד֜וֹת בְחִידֹ֔ת בחידות בחידות׃ בחידת הַ֣חִידָ֔ה הַֽחִידָ֥ה הַחִידָ֑ה הַחִידָ֖ה החידה וְחִידֹתָֽם׃ וחידתם׃ חִ֝יד֗וֹת חִיד֣וֹת חִידָ֑ה חִידָ֖ה חִידָתְךָ֖ חִידָתִֽי׃ חִידֽוֹת׃ חידה חידות חידות׃ חידתי׃ חידתך bə·ḥî·ḏō·wṯ ḇə·ḥî·ḏō·wṯ ḇə·ḥî·ḏōṯ bechiDot ḇəḥîḏōṯ bəḥîḏōwṯ ḇəḥîḏōwṯ chiDah chidateCha chidaTi chiDot ha·ḥî·ḏāh hachiDah haḥîḏāh ḥî·ḏā·ṯə·ḵā ḥî·ḏā·ṯî ḥî·ḏāh ḥî·ḏō·wṯ ḥîḏāh ḥîḏāṯəḵā ḥîḏāṯî ḥîḏōwṯ vechiDot vechidoTam wə·ḥî·ḏō·ṯām wəḥîḏōṯāmLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Numbers 12:8 HEB: וּמַרְאֶה֙ וְלֹ֣א בְחִידֹ֔ת וּתְמֻנַ֥ת יְהוָ֖ה NAS: Even openly, and not in dark sayings, And he beholds KJV: even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude INT: openly not dark the form of the LORD Judges 14:12 Judges 14:13 Judges 14:14 Judges 14:15 Judges 14:16 Judges 14:17 Judges 14:18 Judges 14:19 1 Kings 10:1 2 Chronicles 9:1 Psalm 49:4 Psalm 78:2 Proverbs 1:6 Ezekiel 17:2 Daniel 8:23 Habakkuk 2:6 17 Occurrences |
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