Honey was Eaten with the Honeycomb
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Biblical References:

The consumption of honey with the honeycomb is mentioned in several passages throughout the Bible, highlighting its significance in ancient dietary practices and its symbolic meanings. One of the most direct references is found in the book of Proverbs: "Eat honey, my son, for it is good, and the honeycomb is sweet to your taste" (Proverbs 24:13). This verse underscores the natural goodness and sweetness of honey, suggesting its desirability and beneficial qualities.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In biblical times, honey was a valuable and sought-after commodity. It was one of the few natural sweeteners available and was often associated with abundance and prosperity. The Promised Land itself was described as "a land flowing with milk and honey" (Exodus 3:8), indicating the richness and fertility of the land God promised to the Israelites.

Honey was typically gathered from wild bees, and the honeycomb was an integral part of this process. The honeycomb, being the structure where bees store their honey, was consumed along with the honey, providing a unique texture and additional nutrients. This practice is reflected in the biblical narrative, where honey is often mentioned in conjunction with the honeycomb.

Symbolic Significance:

Honey and the honeycomb carry rich symbolic meanings in the Bible. They are often used to represent the sweetness and delight of God's Word and wisdom. 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 statutes and commandments of the Lord are compared to the sweetness of honey, emphasizing their desirability and the joy they bring to the faithful.

Furthermore, the imagery of honey and the honeycomb is used to convey the idea of spiritual nourishment and satisfaction. Just as honey provides physical sustenance, the Word of God offers spiritual sustenance, satisfying the soul's deepest longings.

Practical Applications:

The consumption of honey with the honeycomb in biblical times serves as a reminder of the importance of appreciating the natural gifts provided by God. It encourages believers to seek out the sweetness and nourishment found in God's creation and His Word. The practice also highlights the value of simplicity and the enjoyment of wholesome, unprocessed foods.

In a spiritual sense, the imagery of honey and the honeycomb invites believers to savor the richness of God's teachings and to allow His wisdom to permeate their lives, bringing sweetness and fulfillment to their spiritual journey.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Songs 5:1
I am come into my garden, my sister, my spouse: I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk: eat, O friends; drink, yes, drink abundantly, O beloved.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Luke 24:42
And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Let My Beloved Come into his Garden and Eat the Fruit of His
... I am come into my garden, my sister Spouse; I have gathered my myrrh with my spices;
I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/1 let my beloved come.htm

Chapter v.
... 1. I am come into my garden, my sister, my spouse; I have gathered my myrrh with
my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with ...
//christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/chapter v.htm

The Joy of Unbroken Communion
... I have gathered My myrrh with My spice; I have eaten My honeycomb with My honey;
I have drunk My wine with My milk. Now, when she calls, He answers at once. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/taylor/union and communion/section iii the joy of.htm

That Contemplation is Made Without Labour, which is the Third ...
... my myrrh, with aromatical spices; I have eaten the honey ... reuniting his soul, more
sweet than honey, to his ... and wounded body, with more holes than a honeycomb? ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter vi that contemplation is.htm

March 10 Evening
... pleasant fruits."I am come into my garden, my sister, my spouse: I have gathered
my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey."The fruit ...
/.../anonymous/daily light on the daily path/march 10 evening.htm

The Gospel Feast
... "I have gathered My myrrh with My spice, I have eaten My honeycomb with My honey,
I have drunk My wine with My milk; eat, O friends, drink, yea drink ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol vii/sermon xii the gospel feast.htm

Jonathan's Brave Deed
... in his hand and dipped it in the honeycomb and put ... I have been refreshed because
I tasted a little of this honey. If only the people had eaten freely to-day of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/jonathans brave deed.htm

Letter cxxviii. To Gaudentius.
... of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb;" [3588] which ... they argue, is the reason
that neither honey nor wax ... bitter herbs that the passover is eaten, [3592] and ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cxxviii to gaudentius.htm

The Disciple, -- Master, in These Days Some Learned Men and their ...
... Climbing up, he began to enjoy the honey, quite unaware ... tree on which he sat had
been eaten away at ... fleeting pleasures of sin gathered in the honeycomb of the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/singh/at the masters feet/section ii the disciple 2.htm

In Order that no one through Observing the Outward Part Should ...
... A dropping honeycomb are thy lips, my spouse, honey and milk are under ... I have gathered
My myrrh with My spices, I have eaten My meat with My honey, I have ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter ix in order that.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 was Eaten with Milk
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