Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  5000 Humanity  »  5760 Human attitudes and behaviour  »  5935 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

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

Four mysteries

Proverbs 30:18-19

The eagles and the vine

Ezekiel 17:2-8,11-15

The writing on the wall

Daniel 5:5-9,25-28

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.

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

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 pp 2 Chronicles 9:2; Daniel 5:12

Riddles and proverbs

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

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

See also

1409  dream
1427  prophecy
1469  visions
2357  Christ, parables
2366  Christ, prophecies concerning
4666  lion
5438  parables
5481  proverb
6694  mystery
7730  explanation
8355  understanding
8361  wisdom