Riddles

Enigmatic or allegorical statements whose meaning must be searched for or revealed by God. They may be compared with other forms of obscure communication and contrasted with clear messages. Riddles are associated with proverbs and parables as means of teaching wisdom.

Samson's riddle

The riddle posed

Judges 14:5–14 In the ancient world, riddles were popular at feasts and special occasions.

The riddle solved

Judges 14:15–20

So on the fourth day they said to Samson’s wife, “Entice your husband to explain the riddle to us, or we will burn you and your father’s household to death. Did you invite us here to rob us?” Then Samson’s wife came to him, weeping, and said, “You hate me! You do not really love me! You have posed to my people a riddle, but have not explained it to me.” “Look,” he said, “I have not even explained it to my father or mother, so why should I explain it to you?” She wept the whole seven days of the feast, and finally on the seventh day, because she had pressed him so much, he told her the answer. And in turn she explained the riddle to her people. Before sunset on the seventh day, the men of the city said to Samson: “What is sweeter than honey? And what is stronger than a lion?” So he said to them: “If you had not plowed with my heifer, you would not have solved my riddle!” Then the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and he went down to Ashkelon, killed thirty of their men, took their apparel, and gave their clothes to those who had solved the riddle. And burning with anger, Samson returned to his father’s house, and his wife was given to one of the men who had accompanied him.

Further examples of riddles

Riddles and dreams

See also Genesis 37:5–9 Joseph's dreams; Genesis 40:5–8 dreams of Pharaoh's cupbearer and baker; Genesis 41:1–8 Pharaoh's dreams; Daniel 2:1–3 Nebuchadnezzar's dream

Riddles in the ministry of Jesus Christ

John 16:25 See also John 2:19 the destruction of the temple; John 16:16–19 Jesus Christ predicts his death and resurrection in enigmatic form.

I have spoken these things to you in figures of speech. An hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you this way, but will tell you plainly about the Father.

The riddle of the number of the beast

Revelation 13:18, Revelation 17:7–9

Riddles and prophetic communication

Riddles contrasted with clear messages

Numbers 12:6–8 See also Deuteronomy 34:10; 1 Corinthians 13:12; 1 Peter 1:10–11

He said, “Hear now My words: If there is a prophet among you, I, the LORD, will reveal Myself to him in a vision; I will speak to him in a dream. But this is not so with My servant Moses; he is faithful in all My house. I speak with him face to face, clearly and not in riddles; he sees the form of the LORD. Why then were you unafraid to speak against My servant Moses?”

Messianic prophecies cast as riddles

Genesis 49:8–11; Isaiah 11:1, Isaiah 53:2

Riddles as means of teaching wisdom

Riddles explained by the wise

Psalm 49:3–4 See also 1 Kings 10:3 parallel 2 Chronicles 9:2; Daniel 5:12

My mouth will impart wisdom, and the meditation of my heart will bring understanding. I will incline my ear to a proverb; I will express my riddle with the harp:

Riddles and proverbs

Proverbs 1:1–6 See also Proverbs 6:6–8, Proverbs 26:1–2, Proverbs 26:7–10

These are the proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel, for gaining wisdom and discipline, for comprehending words of insight, and for receiving instruction in wise living and in righteousness, justice, and equity. To impart prudence to the simple and knowledge and discretion to the young, let the wise listen and gain instruction, and the discerning acquire wise counsel by understanding the proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.

Riddles and parables

Psalm 78:2 See also Judges 9:7–15; 2 Samuel 12:1–4; Isaiah 5:1–2; Jeremiah 13:1–7; Matthew 13:34–35

I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden from the beginning,