Jump to: Smith's • ATS • ISBE • Easton's • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia The term "hornet" appears in the Bible as a representation of divine intervention and judgment. In the ancient Near Eastern context, hornets were known for their aggressive nature and painful stings, making them a fitting symbol of fear and destruction. The Hebrew word for hornet is "tsirah," and it is mentioned in several key passages in the Old Testament.Biblical References: 1. Exodus 23:28 : "I will send the hornet ahead of you to drive the Hivites, Canaanites, and Hittites out of your way." In this passage, God promises the Israelites that He will use hornets as a means to drive out the inhabitants of the Promised Land. This divine action underscores God's sovereignty and His commitment to fulfilling His promises to the Israelites. The hornet here symbolizes the fear and chaos that God would instill in Israel's enemies, leading to their defeat. 2. Deuteronomy 7:20 : "Moreover, the LORD your God will send the hornet against them until even the survivors hiding from you have perished." This verse reiterates the promise made in Exodus, emphasizing that God's intervention would be thorough and complete. The use of hornets signifies a supernatural element in the conquest of Canaan, highlighting that the victory would not be by Israel's might alone but through divine assistance. 3. Joshua 24:12 : "I sent the hornet ahead of you, and it drove out the two Amorite kings before you, but it was not by your sword or bow." In Joshua's farewell speech, he reminds the Israelites of God's past faithfulness in delivering them from their enemies. The mention of the hornet serves as a reminder that their success was due to God's power and not their own military prowess. Theological Significance: The hornet, as used in these passages, serves as a metaphor for God's active role in the history of Israel. It illustrates the concept of divine warfare, where God Himself fights on behalf of His people. This theme is consistent with the broader biblical narrative that portrays God as a warrior who delivers His people from oppression and leads them to victory. The hornet also symbolizes the fear and panic that God can instill in the hearts of His enemies. This aligns with the biblical theme of God's sovereignty over all creation, including the natural world, which He can use to accomplish His purposes. Cultural and Historical Context: In the ancient Near East, hornets were feared for their painful stings and aggressive behavior. They were often associated with chaos and destruction, making them an apt symbol for divine judgment. The use of hornets in the biblical text would have resonated with the original audience, who understood the threat posed by these insects. The mention of hornets in the context of the conquest of Canaan also reflects the broader theme of God's covenant faithfulness. By driving out the inhabitants of the land, God was fulfilling His promise to Abraham to give his descendants the land of Canaan (Genesis 15:18-21). Conclusion: The biblical references to hornets serve as a powerful reminder of God's active involvement in the affairs of His people. They highlight His ability to use even the smallest creatures to achieve His divine purposes and demonstrate His sovereignty over all creation. Smith's Bible Dictionary HornetThe hornet bears a general resemblance to the common wasp, only it is larger. It is exceedingly fierce and voracious, especially in hot climates and its sting is frequently dangerous. In Scripture the hornet is referred to only by the means which Jehovah employed for the extirpation of the Canaanites. (Exodus 23:28; 7:20; Joshua 24:12) Wisd. 12:8. (It is said that the Phaselitae, a Phoenician people, were driven from their locality by hornets; and other examples are given in Paxton's "Illustrations of Scripture," 1:303.--ED.) ATS Bible Dictionary HornetA well-known insect, which has a powerful sting. The Lord drove out many of the Canaanites before Israel by means of this insect, Exodus 23:28 De 7:20 Joshua 24:12. The Israelites, being in the sandy wilderness, would escape it. Compare FLY. Easton's Bible Dictionary Hebrews tsir'ah, "stinging", (Exodus 23:28; Deuteronomy 7:20; Joshua 24:12). The word is used in these passages as referring to some means by which the Canaanites were to be driven out from before the Israelites. Some have supposed that the word is used in a metaphorical sense as the symbol of some panic which would seize the people as a "terror of God" (Genesis 35:5), the consternation with which God would inspire the Canaanites. In Palestine there are four species of hornets, differing from our hornets, being larger in size, and they are very abundant. They "attack human beings in a very furious manner." "The furious attack of a swarm of hornets drives cattle and horses to madness, and has even caused the death of the animals." Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (n.) A large, strong wasp. The European species (Vespa crabro) is of a dark brown and yellow color. It is very pugnacious, and its sting is very severe. Its nest is constructed of a paperlike material, and the layers of comb are hung together by columns. The American white-faced hornet (V. maculata) is larger and has similar habits.International Standard Bible Encyclopedia HORNEThor'-net (tsir`ah; compare tsor`ah, "Zorah" (Judges 13:2, etc.); also compare tsara`ath, "leprosy" (Leviticus 13:2, etc.); from tsara`, "to smite"; Septuagint sphekia, literally, "wasp's nest"): Hornets are mentioned only in Exodus 23:28 Deuteronomy 7:20 Joshua 24:12. All three references are to the miraculous interposition of God in driving out before the Israelites the original inhabitants of the promised land. There has been much speculation as to whether hornets are literally meant. The following seems to throw some light on this question (Exodus 23:20, 27, 28): "Behold, I send an angel before thee, to keep thee by the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared.. I will send my terror before thee, and will discomfit all the people to whom thou shalt come, and I will make all thine enemies turn their backs unto thee. And I will send the hornet before thee, which shall drive out the Hivite, the Canaanite, and the Hittite, from before thee." The "terror" of Exodus 23:27 may well be considered to be typified by the "hornet" of 23:28, the care for the Israelites (23:20) being thrown into marked contrast with the confusion of their enemies. Compare Isaiah 7:18, where the fly and the bee symbolize the military forces of Egypt and Assyria: "And it shall come to pass in that day, that Yahweh will hiss for the fly that is in the uttermost part of the rivers of Egypt, and for the bee that is in the land of Assyria." Strong's Hebrew 6880. tsirah -- hornets... tsirah. 6881 . hornets. Transliteration: tsirah Phonetic Spelling: (tsir-aw') Short Definition: hornet. ... hornet. From tsara'; a wasp (as stinging) -- hornet. ... /hebrew/6880.htm - 6k Library Hell. The Vanguard and Rereward of the Church The Decalogue: ii. --Man and Man Heaven's Nurse Children A Treatise of the Fear of God; "As Thy Days, So Shall Thy Strength Be" The Obedience of Faith Israel and Britain. A Note of Warning Monos The Greatness of the Soul, Thesaurus Hornet (3 Occurrences)... The American white-faced hornet (V. maculata) is larger and has similar habits. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. HORNET. ... /h/hornet.htm - 11k Insects (17 Occurrences) Hornets (2 Occurrences) Ahead (98 Occurrences) Zoology Drave (13 Occurrences) Casteth (54 Occurrences) Survivors (49 Occurrences) Hittite (45 Occurrences) Hivite (25 Occurrences) Resources What does the Bible say about the hornet? | GotQuestions.orgTop 20 Most Visited Articles on GotQuestions.org | GotQuestions.org Questions about Deuteronomy | GotQuestions.org Hornet: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Hornet (3 Occurrences)Exodus 23:28 Deuteronomy 7:20 Joshua 24:12 Subtopics Related Terms |
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