In the context of the Bible, the term "eater" is most notably associated with the riddle posed by Samson in the Book of Judges. The term is used metaphorically to describe a source of sustenance or consumption, often with a deeper spiritual or moral implication.

Samson's Riddle

The most prominent biblical reference to "eater" is found in Judges 14:14, where Samson presents 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 is based on an earlier event in Judges 14:5-9, where Samson kills a lion with his bare hands. Later, he discovers a swarm of bees and honey in the carcass of the lion. The "eater" in this context refers to the lion, a creature typically associated with strength and predation. The "something to eat" is the honey, which is both unexpected and sweet, emerging from the carcass of the lion.

Symbolism and Interpretation

The riddle of the eater carries rich symbolic meaning. The lion, a symbol of power and ferocity, becomes a source of nourishment and sweetness, illustrating the paradoxical nature of God's providence and the unexpected ways in which He provides for His people. This event foreshadows the deliverance and strength that God can bring out of seemingly dire or destructive situations. It also highlights the theme of God's sovereignty and the mysterious ways in which He works through His chosen instruments, such as Samson, despite their flaws and weaknesses.

Moral and Spiritual Lessons

From a moral and spiritual perspective, the account of the eater and the honey serves as a reminder of the transformative power of God. It encourages believers to look beyond the surface of their circumstances and to trust in God's ability to bring good out of evil, sweetness out of bitterness, and life out of death. This narrative also underscores the importance of wisdom and discernment, as Samson's riddle was intended to challenge the Philistines and reveal their inability to comprehend the deeper truths of God's workings without divine insight.

Related Themes

The concept of the eater can also be linked to broader biblical themes of consumption and provision. Throughout Scripture, God is depicted as the ultimate provider, feeding His people both physically and spiritually. In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is described as the "bread of life" (John 6:35), offering eternal sustenance to those who believe in Him. This connection between physical nourishment and spiritual fulfillment is a recurring motif, emphasizing the holistic care that God extends to His creation.

In summary, the term "eater" in the Bible, particularly in the account of Samson, serves as a powerful metaphor for God's unexpected provision and the deeper spiritual truths that can be gleaned from seemingly ordinary or adverse situations.(n.) One who, or that which, eats.398. akal -- to eat
... 30), devourer (2), devouring (3), devours (7), dine (1), eat (398), eat freely
(1), eaten (66), eaten at all (2), eaten freely (1), eater (2), eater's (1 ...
/hebrew/398.htm - 6k

2151. zalal -- to shake
... 2150, 2151. zalal. 2151a . to shake. Transliteration: zalal Phonetic Spelling:
(zaw-lal') Short Definition: down. blow down, glutton, riotous eater, vile ...
/hebrew/2151.htm - 5k

A Bible-Riddle
... And as he walked he made up this riddle: "Out of the eater came forth meat, and
out of the strong came forth sweetness." That means that out of this lion which ...
/.../chidley/fifty-two story talks to boys and girls/a bible-riddle.htm

Third Sunday after Epiphany. For as the Rain Cometh Down
... and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and
bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater; so shall my ...
/.../winkworth/lyra germanica the christian year/third sunday after epiphany for.htm

John Chapter viii. 31-36
... unchangeable. The truth is bread, which refreshes our minds and fails not;
changes the eater, and is not itself changed into the eater. ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate xli john chapter viii.htm

Prolegomena.
... the disappointed husband begged to aid him in his prayers was one Macedonius,
distinguished, from the simplicity of his diet, as "the barley eater." In answer ...
/.../theodoret/the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/prolegomena.htm

Letter cxc. To Amphilochius, Bishop of Iconium.
... 3. Philo, on the authority of some Jewish tradition, explains the manna to have
been of such a nature that it changed with the taste of the eater: that of ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter cxc to amphilochius bishop.htm

There have Come to Me Ransomers from among the Saints, but None ...
... "Out of the eater came forth meat" was Samson's parable. But to me it has
befallen contrariwise; for the eater has come forth to ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn xxxix there have come.htm

The Hermit and the Boy
... Macedonius the hermit, the barley-eater, was seated at the entrance of his cavern,
and enjoying"so far as he thought it not sinful to enjoy"the cool air of ...
/.../chapter v the hermit and.htm

A God-Given Field (1894-1900)
... and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and
bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: so shall my ...
/.../goforth/how i know god answers prayer/iv a god-given field 1894-1900.htm

Sensual and Spiritual Excitement.
... The play of imagination in the brain of the opium-eater is as free as that of genius
itself, and the creations produced in that state by the pen or pencil are ...
/.../robertson/sermons preached at brighton/ix sensual and spiritual excitement.htm

The Tenth Commandment
... He would be content if salvation were to drop into his mouth, as a ripe fig into
the mouth of the eater (Nahum 3:12); but he is loath to put himself to too ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 1 the tenth commandment.htm

Eater (5 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Eater (5 Occurrences). ... 1 Corinthians 11:29 For the eater
and drinker eats and drinks judgment to himself, not distinguishing the body. ...
/e/eater.htm - 8k

Eater's (1 Occurrence)
...Eater's (1 Occurrence). Nahum 3:12 All thy fortresses 'are' fig-trees with
first-fruits, If they are shaken, They have fallen into the mouth of the eater. ...
/e/eater's.htm - 6k

Drinker (6 Occurrences)
... Luke 7:34 The Son of man has come eating and drinking, and ye say, Behold an eater
and wine-drinker, a friend of tax-gatherers and sinners; (DBY YLT). ...
/d/drinker.htm - 8k

Yields (21 Occurrences)
... returneth not, But hath watered the earth, And hath caused it to yield, and to spring
up, And hath given seed to the sower, and bread to the eater, (See NIV). ...
/y/yields.htm - 12k

Glutton (4 Occurrences)
... eaters of flesh"), "glutton" in the usual sense is intended; "a man gluttonous,"
"a gluttonous man" (the Revised Version) (phagos, "an eater," "a glutton") was ...
/g/glutton.htm - 10k

Gluttonous (4 Occurrences)
... eaters of flesh"), "glutton" in the usual sense is intended; "a man gluttonous,"
"a gluttonous man" (the Revised Version) (phagos, "an eater," "a glutton") was ...
/g/gluttonous.htm - 9k

Watereth (9 Occurrences)
... and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and
bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: (KJV ASV DBY ...
/w/watereth.htm - 9k

Wine-drinker (2 Occurrences)
... Luke 7:34 The Son of man has come eating and drinking, and ye say, Behold an eater
and wine-drinker, a friend of tax-gatherers and sinners; (DBY). ...
/w/wine-drinker.htm - 7k

Watering (21 Occurrences)
... from heaven, and returneth not thither, except it water the earth, and make it bring
forth and bud, and give seed to the sower and bread to the eater; (See NAS ...
/w/watering.htm - 12k

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