So he said to them:Samson, the judge of Israel, is speaking to the Philistines at his wedding feast. This setting is significant as it highlights the tension between the Israelites and the Philistines, who were oppressors of Israel during this period. Samson's role as a judge is unique, as he often acts independently rather than leading Israel in battle.
Out of the eater came something to eat,
This phrase refers to the lion that Samson killed earlier in the chapter. The lion, a symbol of strength and ferocity, is the "eater." The honey found in the carcass represents something unexpected and nourishing coming from a source of danger. This riddle is a metaphor for God's ability to bring good out of evil situations, a theme seen throughout the Bible, such as in Joseph's story (Genesis 50:20).
and out of the strong came something sweet.
The "strong" again refers to the lion, and the "sweet" is the honey. This imagery can be seen as a type of Christ, who is both the Lion of Judah (Revelation 5:5) and the source of spiritual sweetness and sustenance. The paradox of strength producing sweetness can also be seen in the life of Christ, who through His suffering and death brought salvation and grace.
For three days they were unable to explain the riddle.
The three days the Philistines struggled with the riddle can be seen as symbolic, as the number three often represents completeness or divine intervention in the Bible. This period of confusion foreshadows the resurrection of Christ, who rose on the third day, bringing clarity and victory over sin and death. The inability of the Philistines to solve the riddle without external help highlights human limitations and the need for divine revelation.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
SamsonA judge of Israel known for his supernatural strength, given by God. He is the central figure in this passage, posing a riddle to the Philistines.
2.
PhilistinesThe people who were oppressing Israel at the time. Samson's riddle was directed at them during a wedding feast.
3.
TimnahThe location where Samson's wedding feast took place. It was a Philistine city, indicating the tension between Samson's Israelite identity and his interactions with the Philistines.
4.
LionThe "eater" in Samson's riddle, which he had previously killed. Bees had made a hive in its carcass, producing honey, which is the "something sweet."
5.
RiddleA form of ancient entertainment and a test of wit. Samson's riddle was a challenge to the Philistines, with a deeper spiritual significance.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty in Unlikely CircumstancesSamson's encounter with the lion and the subsequent riddle demonstrate how God can use unexpected events to fulfill His purposes.
The Power of Words and WisdomSamson's riddle shows the importance of wisdom and understanding. Believers are encouraged to seek God's wisdom in all situations.
Spiritual Insight vs. Worldly UnderstandingThe Philistines' inability to solve the riddle highlights the difference between spiritual insight and worldly wisdom. Christians are called to rely on God's insight.
The Consequences of Pride and DeceptionThe Philistines' eventual deceit to solve the riddle foreshadows the destructive nature of pride and dishonesty.
God's Purpose in Personal StrugglesJust as Samson's personal challenges were part of God's larger plan, believers can trust that their struggles have a purpose in God's kingdom.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Judges 14:14?
2.How does Judges 14:14 illustrate God's sovereignty in Samson's life decisions?
3.What spiritual lessons can we learn from Samson's riddle in Judges 14:14?
4.How does the riddle in Judges 14:14 connect to Proverbs on wisdom?
5.How can we apply the concept of hidden truths from Judges 14:14 today?
6.What does Samson's riddle teach about God's provision in unexpected circumstances?
7.What is the significance of Samson's riddle in Judges 14:14 for understanding divine wisdom?
8.How does Judges 14:14 reflect the theme of God's sovereignty in unexpected situations?
9.What does the riddle in Judges 14:14 reveal about Samson's character and intentions?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Judges 14?
11.Is it scientifically plausible for bees to produce honey in the carcass of a recently slain lion (Judges 14:8–9)?
12.What riddles are found in the Bible?
13.How could one man realistically kill a lion with his bare hands (Judges 14:5-6)?
14.Romans 14:10 - Why emphasize not judging others when other passages in the New Testament do pronounce judgment on certain behaviors?What Does Judges 14:14 Mean
So he said to themSamson speaks at his wedding feast (Judges 14:12). The young Philistine men are eager for entertainment, so Samson presents a riddle meant to showcase his wit and, if unsolved, enrich him with thirty linen garments and thirty sets of clothes.
• This moment highlights Samson’s calling as Israel’s judge—he stands in the enemy’s territory yet remains set apart, echoing passages likeNumbers 23:9 where God’s people are portrayed as dwelling alone.
• Like Jesus’ use of parables (Matthew 13:13), Samson’s riddle hides truth from those with hardened hearts while inviting insight for the discerning.
Out of the eater came something to eatSamson’s private experience with the lion (Judges 14:5-9) lies behind this line.
• The “eater”—a roaring lion (cf.1 Peter 5:8)—symbolizes deadly threat. Yet inside its carcass Samson found honey, a surprise provision.
• God often brings nourishment from what seems destructive. Joseph declared, “You meant evil against me, but God intended it for good” (Genesis 50:20).
• In wilderness wanderings the Lord provided manna where there was no food (Exodus 16:31). The principle: the Lord can feed His people from the very jaws of danger.
and out of the strong came something sweetThe lion, strongest of beasts (Proverbs 30:30), becomes a source of sweetness.
• This pictures how God transforms strength into blessing. Paul wrote, “When I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10); divine power flips expected outcomes.
• Honey itself is linked with God’s goodness—“How sweet are Your words to my taste” (Psalm 119:103); “Taste and see that the LORD is good” (Psalm 34:8).
• Ultimately, the riddle foreshadows Christ, the Lion of Judah (Revelation 5:5), whose death (apparent defeat) produced the sweetness of salvation (Hebrews 2:14-15).
For three days they were unable to explain the riddleThe guests’ failure underscores human inability to grasp God’s hidden wisdom without revelation (1 Corinthians 2:14).
• “Three days” often marks God’s turning points—Jonah in the fish (Jonah 1:17) and Jesus in the tomb (Luke 24:46). Here it sets up a dramatic moment when frustration drives the men to threaten Samson’s bride (Judges 14:15), revealing the darkness of Philistine culture.
• Their blindness contrasts with Samson’s inside knowledge, reminding us that spiritual insight depends on relationship with the Lord (Psalm 25:14).
summaryJudges 14:14 illustrates God’s surprising ability to bring good out of peril. Samson’s riddle, rooted in his literal encounter with a lion and honey, teaches that:
• Threats can become sources of provision when God intervenes.
• Strength apart from God offers no lasting sweetness, while what He transforms brings delight.
• Human wisdom cannot decode divine mysteries without revelation.
The verse anticipates the gospel itself—where death is swallowed up in victory and sweetness flows from the strong love of Christ.
(14)
Out of the strong came forth sweetness.--The antithesis is not perfect, but we cannot strain the word "strong" to mean "bitter," as the LXX. and Syriac do. Josephus gives the riddle in the form,"the all-devouring having generated sweet food from itself, though itself far from sweet" (
Antt. v. 8, ? 6). The whole of Samson's life has been described by Ewald as "a charming poetic picture, in which the interspersed verses gleam forth like the brightest pearls in a circlet." It must be confessed that the riddle was hardly a fair one, for the event to which it alluded was most unusual, and no one could have guessed such a riddle without some clue; for--
" 'Tis seldom when the bee doth leave her comb
In the dead carrion."
Shakespeare:Henry V.,ii. 4.
Cassel quotes a curious parallel from the legends of North Germany. The judges offer a woman her husband's life if she can make a riddle which they cannot guess. On her way to the court she had found the carcase of a horse in which a bird had built its nest and hatched six young ones, which she took away. Her riddle was (I venture rudely to translate the rude old lines):--
"As hitherwards on my way I sped,
I took the living out of the dead,
Six were thus of the seventh made quit:--
To rede my riddle, my lords, 'tis fit."
The judges failed, and the husband was spared (Mullen-hof,Sagen,p. 506).
In three days.--It is hard to see why this is mentioned if it was only on theseventhday (Judges 14:15) that they tried the unfair means of inducing Samson's wife to reveal the secret. Bishop Hervey conjectures, with much probability, that we should readshesheth"six," forshelsheth,"four." The LXX. and Syriac read "on the fourth day," and (7) may easily have been confused with (4). . . .
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
So he said to them:וַיֹּ֣אמֶר(way·yō·mer)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559:To utter, say“Out of the eaterמֵהָֽאֹכֵל֙(mê·hā·’ō·ḵêl)Preposition-m, Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 398:To eatcameיָצָ֣א(yā·ṣā)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3318:To go, bring, out, direct and proximsomething to eat,מַאֲכָ֔ל(ma·’ă·ḵāl)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3978:An eatableand out of the strongוּמֵעַ֖ז(ū·mê·‘az)Conjunctive waw, Preposition-m | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 5794:Strong, vehement, harshcameיָצָ֣א(yā·ṣā)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3318:To go, bring, out, direct and proximsomething sweet.”מָת֑וֹק(mā·ṯō·wq)Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 4966:Sweet, sweetnessFor threeשְׁלֹ֥שֶׁת(šə·lō·šeṯ)Number - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7969:Three, third, thricedaysיָמִֽים׃(yā·mîm)Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3117:A daythey were unableוְלֹ֥א(wə·lō)Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808:Not, noto explainלְהַגִּ֥יד(lə·hag·gîḏ)Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5046:To be conspicuousthe riddle.הַחִידָ֖ה(ha·ḥî·ḏāh)Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2420:A riddle, an enigmatic, perplexing saying or question
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OT History: Judges 14:14 He said to them Out (Jd Judg. Jdg) 
