Topical Bible: Honey: Found in Woods

◄ Honey: Found in Woods ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

Honey, a natural sweetener produced by bees, holds significant importance in biblical texts, symbolizing abundance, delight, and divine provision. In the Scriptures, honey is often associated with the bounty of the Promised Land, described as "a land flowing with milk and honey" (Exodus 3:8). This imagery underscores the richness and fertility of the land God promised to the Israelites.

Biblical References to Honey in the Woods

The Bible contains several references to honey found in the wild, particularly in wooded areas. One notable instance is found in the account of Jonathan, the son of King Saul. During a battle with the Philistines, Jonathan, unaware of his father's oath that cursed anyone who ate before evening, found honey in the forest. "When the troops entered the forest, they saw the honey oozing out; yet no one put his hand to his mouth, because they feared the oath. But Jonathan had not heard his father’s charge to the troops, so he reached out with the end of the staff that was in his hand, dipped it into the honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes brightened" (1 Samuel 14:26-27). This passage highlights the natural occurrence of honey in wooded areas and its immediate revitalizing effect.

Symbolism and Significance

Honey in the Bible often symbolizes the sweetness and goodness of God's word and wisdom. In Proverbs, wisdom is compared to honey: "Eat honey, my son, for it is good, and the honeycomb is sweet to your taste; know that wisdom is sweet to your soul. If you find it, there is a future for you, and your hope will not be cut off" (Proverbs 24:13-14). This metaphor illustrates the nourishing and satisfying nature of divine wisdom, much like the physical sustenance provided by honey.

Cultural and Historical Context

In ancient Israel, honey was a valuable commodity, both as a food source and as a trade item. The presence of wild honey in forests and wooded areas was a testament to the land's fertility and God's provision. The consumption of honey was not only a dietary practice but also a symbol of prosperity and blessing. The frequent biblical references to honey reflect its integral role in the daily life and spiritual symbolism of the Israelites.

Honey in Worship and Offerings

While honey was a cherished food, it was notably absent from offerings made to God. Leviticus 2:11 states, "No grain offering that you present to the LORD shall be made with leaven, for you are not to burn any leaven or honey as an offering made by fire to the LORD." This prohibition underscores the distinction between the sacred and the common, as honey, despite its sweetness, was not suitable for sacrificial offerings, possibly due to its fermenting properties.

Conclusion

The biblical portrayal of honey, particularly as found in the woods, serves as a rich symbol of God's provision and the sweetness of His word. Its presence in the natural world and its metaphorical use in Scripture highlight the divine blessings bestowed upon the faithful, offering both physical sustenance and spiritual nourishment.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Samuel 14:25,26
And all they of the land came to a wood; and there was honey on the ground.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Jeremiah 41:8
But ten men were found among them that said to Ishmael, Slay us not: for we have treasures in the field, of wheat, and of barley, and of oil, and of honey. So he declined, and slew them not among their brothers.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Legend of La Brea {331A}
... vainly for their humming Round the honey-blossomed trees ... the summum bonum Which our
latest wits have found. ... save what he needed, From the Crown woods round about ...
/.../kingsley/andromeda and other poems/the legend of la brea.htm

Baptism unto Repentance
... that savage brood the woods doth bring, Which he more harmless found than man, and
mild. "His food was locusts and what there doth spring, With honey that from ...
//christianbookshelf.org/meyer/john the baptist/vi baptism unto repentance.htm

The Question of the Tall Gentleman as to Whether Diamond could ...
... Apples and cherries, roses and honey; ... Little Boy Blue found it tiresome
to sit,. ... Back to the woods fled the shadows like ghosts: ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 20 the question of.htm

Saint John Baptist
... that savage brood the woods forth bring,. Which he than man more harmless found
and mild: His food was locusts, and what young doth spring,. With honey that from ...
/.../palgrave/the treasury of sacred song/xxxiii saint john baptist.htm

Fun and Mischief. His Little Cousin and the "Gnats. " the Aurora ...
... One day we told him we had found a fine bee ... cutting the limbs, preparatory to chopping
for the honey, and was ... a neighbor, and we three were alone in the woods. ...
/.../chapter iv fun and mischief.htm

Events During the War
... of bees, and laid it down to take out the honey. ... bushwhackers," came into our
neighborhood and camped in the woods. ... to the brow of the hill, they found our dog ...
/.../cole/trials and triumphs of faith/chapter iv events during the.htm

John the Baptist's Person and Preaching.
... to plane it, and to cut down woods that hindered ... and in some Oriental cities they
are found for sale ... frequently seasoned with camel's milk and honey] and wild ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xvii john the baptists person.htm

Personal Characteristics.
... which is an excellent study, and he found much comfort ... He made him to suck honey
out of ... Sanctuaries, woods, fields and other places, have been witnesses of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclean/william black/vi personal characteristics.htm

Degeneration
... They found a colony there, and after the lapse of ... into the small, wild strawberry
of the woods, and in ... The souls of some men are already honey-combed through ...
/.../drummond/natural law in the spiritual world/degeneration.htm

Book iii when She Finished Her Lay, Its Soothing Tones Left Me ...
... all his sorrow calls for, for the woods he sings ... it all too plain that some have
found torment in ... Pleasure, like the winged bee, scatters its honey sweet, then ...
/.../boethius/the consolation of philosophy/book iii when she finished.htm