Honey: The Word of God
Jump to: Torrey'sLibrarySubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
Honey, a natural sweetener produced by bees, is frequently mentioned in the Bible, symbolizing abundance, delight, and the richness of God's provision. In the Scriptures, honey is often used metaphorically to describe the sweetness and desirability of God's Word and His promises.

Symbol of Abundance and Blessing

In the Old Testament, honey is often associated with the Promised Land, a land "flowing with milk and honey" (Exodus 3:8). This phrase signifies the fertility and prosperity of the land God promised to the Israelites, highlighting His provision and blessing. The abundance of honey in the land serves as a tangible representation of God's faithfulness and generosity.

Metaphor for the Word of God

The sweetness of honey is used metaphorically to describe the desirability and value of God's Word. In Psalm 19:10, the psalmist declares, "They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb" . Here, the psalmist compares the decrees of the Lord to honey, emphasizing their supreme worth and the delight they bring to those who meditate on them.

Similarly, in Psalm 119:103, the psalmist exclaims, "How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey in my mouth!" . This verse underscores the spiritual nourishment and satisfaction found in God's commandments, likening them to the sweetness of honey.

Wisdom and Discernment

Proverbs also uses honey as a metaphor for wisdom and discernment. Proverbs 24:13-14 advises, "Eat honey, my son, for it is good, and the honeycomb is sweet to your taste. Know that wisdom is sweet for 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 benefit of acquiring wisdom, which leads to a hopeful and secure future.

John the Baptist and Honey

In the New Testament, honey is mentioned in the context of John the Baptist's diet. Matthew 3:4 states, "John's clothes were made of camel's hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey" . The inclusion of honey in John's diet reflects his ascetic lifestyle and connection to the wilderness, where he preached repentance and prepared the way for the Lord.

Conclusion

Throughout the Bible, honey serves as a powerful symbol of God's provision, the sweetness of His Word, and the wisdom that comes from knowing Him. Its recurring presence in Scripture invites believers to savor the richness of God's promises and to seek the spiritual nourishment found in His Word.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Psalm 19:10
More to be desired are they than gold, yes, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 119:103
How sweet are your words to my taste! yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Prayer and the Word of God (Continued)
... taste! Yea, sweeter than honey to my taste.". Would we have a relish for God's
Word? Then let us give ourselves continually to prayer. ...
/.../bounds/the necessity of prayer/xiii prayer and the word.htm

Psalm 119 Part 5 Delight in Scripture; Or, the Word of God ...
... CM Delight in Scripture; or, The word of God dwelling in us. ... To hear thy gospel,
Lord. How doth thy word my heart engage! ... Not honey dropping from the comb. ...
/.../watts/the psalms and hymns of isaac watts/psalm 119 part 5 delight.htm

Psalm 119:05. Fifth Part. Delight in Scripture; Or, the Word of ...
... Delight in scripture; or, The word of God dwelling in us. ... 3 How doth thy word my
heart engage! ... or at home, 'Tis my perpetual feast; Not honey dropping from the ...
/.../watts/the psalms of david/psalm 119 5 0 fifth part delight.htm

Whether the Word "Person" Should be Said of God?
... Jerome also says (Ep. ad Damas.) that, "in this word hypostasis, poison lurks in
honey." Therefore the word "person" should not be said of God. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the word person should.htm

Inspiration of Scripture. --Gospel Difficulties. --The Word of God ...
... words of Hooker.""They neither spoke nor wrote one word. ... I opened my mouth,' saith
Ezekiel, and God reached me ... it was sweet in my mouth as honey,' saith the ...
/.../inspiration and interpretation/sermon iii inspiration of scripture gospel.htm

Food for the Lambs.
... Sincere is from the Latin sincerus, which is derived from sine, meaning without,
and cera, meaning wax; honey separated from the ... So the word of God with the ...
/.../orr/food for the lambs or helps for young christians/food for the lambs.htm

That Contemplation is Made Without Labour, which is the Third ...
... 284] His throat (that is, the word which comes ... How sweet are thy words to my palate,
more than honey to my ... 286] or with S. Thomas: My Lord and my God; and with ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter vi that contemplation is.htm

Wrong Derivation of the Word Theos the Name Indicative of the True ...
... as well from the meaning of the word as from ... Zeno separates the matter of the world
from God: he says ... has percolated through the former, like honey through the ...
/.../tertullian/ad nationes/chapter iv wrong derivation of the.htm

That the Word Instructed by the Law and the Prophets.
... Honey, being very sweet, generates bile, as goodness begets contempt, which is the ...
image and likeness of the Father, His Son Jesus, the Word of God, is our ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter xi that the word instructed.htm

Consciousness of God's Presence.
... God and his word are inseparable, or the word is God; therefore when the Psalmist
says, "How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my ...
/.../consciousness of gods presence.htm

Resources
Who was Jonathan in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What is the purpose of the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about prostitution? Will God forgive a prostitute? | GotQuestions.org

Honey: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Honey

Honey in the Honeycomb Sweetest and Most Valuable

Honey was Eaten with Butter

Honey was Eaten with Locusts

Honey was Eaten with Milk

Honey was Eaten with the Honeycomb

Honey was Eaten: Mixed With Flour

Honey was Eaten: Plain

Honey: Abounded in Assyria

Honey: Abounded in Canaan

Honey: Abounded in Egypt

Honey: Abundant in Assyria

Honey: An Article of Merchandise from Palestine

Honey: Esteemed a Wholesome Food

Honey: Exported from Canaan

Honey: First Fruits of, offered to God

Honey: Found in Carcases of Dead Animals

Honey: Found in Rocks

Honey: Found in Woods

Honey: Found Upon the Ground

Honey: Gathered and Prepared by Bees

Honey: General Scriptures Concerning

Honey: God the Giver of

Honey: Holy Speech of Saints

Honey: Lips of a Strange Woman

Honey: Loathed by Those Who are Full

Honey: Moderation Needful in the Use of

Honey: Not to be offered With Any Sacrifice

Honey: Not to be offered With Sacrifices

Honey: Often Sent As a Present

Honey: Pleasant Words

Honey: Plentiful in Palestine

Honey: Samson's Riddle Concerning

Honey: Sent As a Present by Jacob to Egypt

Honey: Sweetness of

Honey: The Word of God

Honey: Wisdom

Related Terms

Honey-comb (9 Occurrences)

Floweth (16 Occurrences)

Honeycomb (9 Occurrences)

Bee (1 Occurrence)

Dropping (33 Occurrences)

Tasted (18 Occurrences)

Butter (10 Occurrences)

Curd (8 Occurrences)

Comb (3 Occurrences)

Curds (9 Occurrences)

Sweeter (4 Occurrences)

Pannag (1 Occurrence)

Milk (66 Occurrences)

Flowing (123 Occurrences)

Nectar (2 Occurrences)

Jebusites (29 Occurrences)

Jeb'usites (30 Occurrences)

Drippings (2 Occurrences)

Balsam (10 Occurrences)

Bees (5 Occurrences)

Cruse (11 Occurrences)

Amorite (81 Occurrences)

Sweetness (11 Occurrences)

Hittite (45 Occurrences)

Hivite (25 Occurrences)

Hivites (24 Occurrences)

Jebusite (39 Occurrences)

Manna (19 Occurrences)

Wine (282 Occurrences)

Meal-time (1 Occurrence)

Mealtime (1 Occurrence)

Food (2953 Occurrences)

Drop (32 Occurrences)

Meals (8 Occurrences)

Sworn (118 Occurrences)

Canaanite (74 Occurrences)

Sware (90 Occurrences)

Stomach (40 Occurrences)

Vine-gardens (41 Occurrences)

Olive-oil (4 Occurrences)

Oil-giving (2 Occurrences)

Olive-trees (11 Occurrences)

Leather (34 Occurrences)

Locusts (33 Occurrences)

Lion's (14 Occurrences)

Loincloth (4 Occurrences)

Loins (72 Occurrences)

Leathern (2 Occurrences)

Liquid (15 Occurrences)

Girdle (44 Occurrences)

Garment (143 Occurrences)

Wore (19 Occurrences)

Waist (36 Occurrences)

Insects (17 Occurrences)

Flows (14 Occurrences)

Tasting (9 Occurrences)

Desirable (49 Occurrences)

Droppings (4 Occurrences)

Drip (12 Occurrences)

Drink (414 Occurrences)

Distil (5 Occurrences)

Perizzites (23 Occurrences)

Perizzite (22 Occurrences)

Palate (15 Occurrences)

Per'izzites (21 Occurrences)

Belt (32 Occurrences)

Cream (5 Occurrences)

Camel's (3 Occurrences)

Clothed (153 Occurrences)

Cake (25 Occurrences)

Scent (6 Occurrences)

Sour (15 Occurrences)

Spouse (7 Occurrences)

Clothing (288 Occurrences)

Honeyed (1 Occurrence)

Lion (92 Occurrences)

Wheat (56 Occurrences)

Fed (62 Occurrences)

Honey: Sweetness of
Top of Page
Top of Page