Topical Bible: Honey: Holy Speech of Saints

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical context, honey is often used metaphorically to describe the sweetness and desirability of righteous speech and wisdom. The imagery of honey serves to illustrate the pleasantness and value of words that are aligned with divine truth and godly wisdom.

Biblical References and Symbolism

1. Sweetness and Delight: Honey is frequently associated with sweetness and delight, symbolizing the pleasantness of words that are wise and righteous. In Proverbs 16:24, it is written, "Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones." This verse highlights the nourishing and healing power of kind and wise speech, likening it to the sweetness of honey.

2. Wisdom and Knowledge: The consumption of honey is also used as a metaphor for the pursuit of wisdom and knowledge. Proverbs 24:13-14 states, "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." Here, honey represents the sweetness and desirability of wisdom, encouraging believers to seek it diligently.

3. God's Word: The Word of God is often compared to honey, emphasizing its sweetness and life-giving properties. In Psalm 19:9-10, the psalmist declares, "The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever; the judgments of the LORD are true, being altogether righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb." This passage underscores the supreme value and sweetness of God's commandments and judgments.

4. Righteous Speech: The New Testament also reflects on the concept of speech that is seasoned with grace and wisdom. Colossians 4:6 advises, "Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." While not directly mentioning honey, the idea of gracious and wise speech aligns with the metaphorical use of honey as sweet and desirable communication.

Practical Application

In the life of a believer, the metaphor of honey as holy speech serves as a reminder to cultivate words that are sweet, edifying, and reflective of God's wisdom. Just as honey is a natural sweetener, the words of the saints should naturally bring sweetness and encouragement to those who hear them. This involves speaking truth in love, offering encouragement, and sharing the wisdom found in Scripture.

Caution Against Excess

While honey is celebrated for its sweetness, Scripture also warns against overindulgence. Proverbs 25:16 advises, "If you find honey, eat just what you need, lest you have too much and vomit it." This caution can be applied to speech, reminding believers to exercise restraint and discernment in their words, ensuring that they are appropriate and beneficial.

In summary, honey in the Bible serves as a powerful metaphor for the sweetness and desirability of holy speech, wisdom, and the Word of God. It encourages believers to pursue and embody these qualities in their communication, reflecting the divine nature of God's truth and love.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Songs 4:11
Your lips, O my spouse, drop as the honeycomb: honey and milk are under your tongue; and the smell of your garments is like the smell of Lebanon.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Of the Praise of Solitary Life and of the First Lovers Thereof ...
... burning lovers, and the sight and speech of each ... savours things heavenly; and sings
with honey-sweetness and ... Forsooth the holy solitary, because he suffered to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/rolle/the fire of love/chapter xiv of the praise.htm

The Opinion of the Apostles on Veiling the Mysteries of the Faith.
... reference to the good land, flowing with milk and honey? ... of the universe, who is
above all speech, all conception ... Akin to this is what the holy Apostle Paul says ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter x the opinion of the.htm

Contents of the Caroline Books.
... of heresies, and ministers the honey-sweet cups of ... in the same honour as the holy,
victorious Trinity ... the author affirms that Constantine's speech received "the ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/iii contents of the caroline.htm

The Holy City; Or, the New Jerusalem:
... upon this city at her rebuilding, which the Holy Ghost represents ... That the time of
the return of the saints to build ... it shall be as it were in honey and butter ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the holy city or the.htm

Christian Worship,
... preached unto them, and continued his speech until midnight ... it became usual to celebrate
the holy Communion on ... and a mixture of milk and honey was administered ...
/.../chapter xviii christian worship.htm

The Saints' Privilege and Profit;
... altar in the type was to be overlaid with gold; but here the Holy Ghost implies ... for
he is there to offer his incense with the prayers of all saints that are ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the saints privilege and profit.htm

Letter vii. --For 335. Easter-Day iv Pharmuthi, iii Kal. April; xx ...
... saying, I know you not.' But the holy Spirit cries ... to the world, uses boldness of
speech, saying, I ... be filled with gravel [4167] .' And, Honey droppeth from ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/letter vii for 335 easter-day iv.htm

The Holy War,
... A RELATION OF THE HOLY WAR. ... with him, who was his orator,[37] and he addressed himself
to speak to the town of Mansoul: the tenour of whose speech here follows. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the holy war.htm

Of the Stink of Lechery and the Peril of Touching: and of the ...
... will stirred up, the which before they assayed by open speech. ... the heat of the fire
of the Holy Ghost; and ... say: the heavens are made sweet as honey,' that is ...
//christianbookshelf.org/rolle/the fire of love/chapter xxiv of the stink.htm

The First Theological Oration.
... and satiety, though it be of honey, produce vomiting ... comes through the windows,
[3405] as Holy Scripture saith ... thou not restrain the birthpang of thy speech? ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xxvii the first theological.htm