Thematic Bible: Riddle
Thematic Bible
Riddle » By agur
This generation which is like a horse-leech, hath two daughters; the one is called "fetch hither," and the other "bring hither." There be three things that are never satisfied, and the fourth sayeth never, "Hoo." The hell, a woman's womb, and the earth hath never water enough. As for fire, it sayeth never, "Hoo."
There be three things too high for me, and as for the fourth, it passeth my knowledge. The way of an Eagle in the air, the way of a serpent over a stone, the way of a ship in the sea, and the way of a man with a young woman. Such is the way also of a wife that breaketh wedlock, which wipeth her mouth like as when she hath eaten, and sayeth, "As for me, I have done no harm." read more.
Through three things the earth is disquieted, and the fourth may it not bear: through a servant that beareth rule, through a fool that hath great riches, through an idle housewife, and through a handmaiden that is heir to her mistress. There be four things in the earth, the which are very little: but in wisdom they exceed the wise. The Emmets are but a weak people, yet gather they their meat together in the harvest. The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their couches among the rocks. The grasshoppers have not a guide, yet go they forth together by heaps. The spider laboureth with her hands, and that in the kings' palace. There be three things that go stiffly, but the going of the fourth is the goodliest of all. A Lion which is king of beasts, and giveth place to no man; A cock ready to fight; A ram; and a king that goeth forth with his people.
Through three things the earth is disquieted, and the fourth may it not bear: through a servant that beareth rule, through a fool that hath great riches, through an idle housewife, and through a handmaiden that is heir to her mistress. There be four things in the earth, the which are very little: but in wisdom they exceed the wise. The Emmets are but a weak people, yet gather they their meat together in the harvest. The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their couches among the rocks. The grasshoppers have not a guide, yet go they forth together by heaps. The spider laboureth with her hands, and that in the kings' palace. There be three things that go stiffly, but the going of the fourth is the goodliest of all. A Lion which is king of beasts, and giveth place to no man; A cock ready to fight; A ram; and a king that goeth forth with his people.
Riddle » Used as a test of wit: at samson's feast
And Samson said unto them, "I will put forth a riddle unto you. And if you can declare it within seven days of the feast and find it out, I will give you thirty shirts and thirty changes of garments: But and if you cannot declare it me, then shall ye give me thirty shirts and thirty changes of garments." And they answered him, "Put forth thy riddle and let us hear it." And he said unto them, "Out of the eater came meat: and out of the strong came sweetness." And they could not in three days expound the riddle. read more.
And when the seventh day was come, they said unto Samson's wife, "Flatter with thine husband, that he may declare us thy riddle, or else we will burn thee and thy father's house with fire: have ye called us to make us beggars? Or not?" Then Samson's wife wept unto him and said, "It cannot be but that thou hatest me and lovest me not: for thou hast put forth a riddle unto the children of my folk and wilt not tell me what it meaneth." And he said, "Behold, I have not told it my father, nor my mother, and should I tell it thee?" And she wept unto him seven days, while the feast lasted. And the seventh day he told her, because she lay so sore upon him. And she told it the children of her folk. And the men of the city said unto him the seventh day before the sun went down, "What is sweeter than honey? And what is stronger than a Lion?" Then said he unto them, "If ye had not ploughed with my calf, ye had not found out my riddle."
And when the seventh day was come, they said unto Samson's wife, "Flatter with thine husband, that he may declare us thy riddle, or else we will burn thee and thy father's house with fire: have ye called us to make us beggars? Or not?" Then Samson's wife wept unto him and said, "It cannot be but that thou hatest me and lovest me not: for thou hast put forth a riddle unto the children of my folk and wilt not tell me what it meaneth." And he said, "Behold, I have not told it my father, nor my mother, and should I tell it thee?" And she wept unto him seven days, while the feast lasted. And the seventh day he told her, because she lay so sore upon him. And she told it the children of her folk. And the men of the city said unto him the seventh day before the sun went down, "What is sweeter than honey? And what is stronger than a Lion?" Then said he unto them, "If ye had not ploughed with my calf, ye had not found out my riddle."