Honey is mentioned in the Bible more than 50 times, and it holds significant symbolic and literal meaning throughout Scripture. Known for its sweetness and richness, honey is often used in the Bible to illustrate God‘s provision, blessings, and the abundance of His goodness. The references to honey also convey spiritual lessons about the qualities that believers should seek and embrace in their relationship with God.
In biblical times, honey was a valuable commodity. It was used as food, a symbol of prosperity, and a metaphor for the sweetness of God’s promises and blessings. It was seen not only as a physical sustenance but also as a symbol of spiritual nourishment, offering insight into how believers should approach their faith.
In this article, we will explore 20 Bible verses that mention honey, examining their context and how they contribute to our understanding of God’s provision, the sweetness of His Word, and the spiritual truths honey represents. We will also look at how honey teaches us lessons about the importance of pursuing righteousness and the blessings that come with living a life devoted to God.
1. Exodus 3:8 (KJV)
“And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites.”
In this verse, God promises the Israelites a land flowing with milk and honey, symbolizing the abundance and richness of the land they are about to enter. Honey represents the prosperity and the blessing that God is offering to His people as part of His covenant.
2. Exodus 16:31 (KJV)
“And the house of Israel called the name thereof Manna: and it was like coriander seed, white; and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey.”
The manna that God provided for the Israelites in the wilderness is compared to the taste of honey in this verse. This connection to honey highlights the sweetness and sustenance of God’s provision, which nourished His people physically and spiritually.
3. Leviticus 20:24 (KJV)
“But I have said unto you, Ye shall inherit their land, and I will give it unto you to possess it, a land that floweth with milk and honey: I am the Lord your God, which have separated you from other people.”
Again, God promises the Israelites a land flowing with milk and honey. The phrase emphasizes God’s favor and the abundance He provides, which sets the Israelites apart as His chosen people.
4. Deuteronomy 6:3 (KJV)
“Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the Lord God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey.”
This verse again references the land flowing with milk and honey. It is a promise of prosperity and peace, contingent upon the Israelites’ obedience to God’s commandments. The sweetness of honey symbolizes the rewards of faithfulness to God.
5. Deuteronomy 8:8 (KJV)
“A land of wheat, and barley, and vines, and fig trees, and pomegranates; a land of oil olive, and honey;”
Here, honey is listed alongside other abundant crops in the Promised Land. It represents the wealth and prosperity of the land that God promised to His people, showcasing the richness of God’s blessings.
6. Deuteronomy 32:13 (KJV)
“He made him ride on the high places of the earth, that he might eat the increase of the fields; and he made him to suck honey out of the rock, and oil out of the flinty rock.”
This verse metaphorically depicts God’s provision, even in places that would seem barren. Honey from the rock symbolizes God’s ability to provide sustenance in difficult and unexpected circumstances, demonstrating His power to bless His people abundantly.
7. Judges 14:8-9 (KJV)
“And after a time he returned to take her, and he turned aside to see the carcase of the lion: and, behold, there was a swarm of bees and honey in the carcase of the lion. And he took thereof in his hands, and went on eating, and came to his father and mother, and he gave them, and they did eat: but he told not them that he had taken the honey out of the carcase of the lion.”
Samson’s encounter with honey inside the carcass of a lion is an unusual and symbolic story. The honey represents God’s provision, even in unexpected places. Despite the unclean nature of the lion’s carcass, God uses it as a source of sweetness and sustenance for Samson, pointing to the fact that God’s blessings can come in surprising and unconventional ways.
8. 1 Samuel 14:29 (KJV)
“Then said Jonathan, My father hath troubled the land: see, I pray you, how mine eyes have been enlightened, because I tasted a little of this honey.”
Jonathan speaks of the honey he ate, which brought refreshment to his body and clarity to his mind. The honey here serves as a metaphor for how spiritual nourishment and refreshing come from God, restoring and reviving those who seek His guidance.
9. 2 Samuel 17:29 (KJV)
“And honey, and butter, and sheep, and cheese of kine, for David, and for the people that were with him, to eat: for they said, The people is hungry, and weary, and thirsty, in the wilderness.”
Honey was among the provisions brought to David and his men in their time of need. It symbolizes not only the physical nourishment required in difficult circumstances but also the spiritual refreshment that God provides to His people in times of hardship.
10. 1 Kings 14:3 (KJV)
“And take with thee ten loaves, and cracknels, and a cruse of honey, and go to him: he shall tell thee what shall become of the child.”
Honey is listed as one of the items to be presented as a gift, symbolizing sweetness and favor. It is part of a gesture meant to convey respect and the hope of a favorable outcome.
11. Psalm 19:10 (KJV)
“More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.”
Here, the psalmist compares God’s commandments and wisdom to honey, saying they are sweeter and more desirable than gold. This is a metaphorical use of honey, showing that God’s Word and guidance offer more joy and satisfaction than earthly wealth.
12. Psalm 81:16 (KJV)
“He should have fed them also with the finest of the wheat: and with honey out of the rock should I have satisfied thee.”
God promises to satisfy His people with honey from the rock, a symbol of abundant provision and spiritual nourishment. This points to God’s desire to provide everything His people need, both physically and spiritually.
13. Proverbs 24:13-14 (KJV)
“My son, eat thou honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste: So shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul: when thou hast found it, then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off.”
Honey is used as a metaphor for the sweetness of wisdom. Just as honey nourishes and delights the body, wisdom delights and nourishes the soul. This teaches that seeking wisdom is as beneficial as seeking sweet, nourishing food.
14. Proverbs 16:24 (KJV)
“Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.”
The wisdom of God’s Word and pleasant speech are compared to honeycomb, emphasizing the healing and refreshing power of kind and wise words.
15. Proverbs 25:16 (KJV)
“Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith and vomit it.”
This verse teaches moderation. While honey is sweet and desirable, eating too much of it can lead to discomfort. Similarly, overindulgence in anything—even good things—can have negative consequences.
16. Proverbs 25:27 (KJV)
“It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.”
This verse reinforces the importance of moderation. Just as excessive honey consumption is undesirable, so is excessive self-glorification. Humility is to be preferred over seeking personal fame.
17. Isaiah 7:15 (KJV)
“Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good.”
Isaiah prophecies that the coming child will eat butter and honey, which symbolizes a time of prosperity and ease. It also serves as a metaphor for the nourishment and wisdom required to make right choices.
18. Isaiah 55:1 (KJV)
“Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.”
This invitation from God offers spiritual nourishment that is freely available to all. While honey is not explicitly mentioned here, the metaphor of food and drink is used to symbolize the richness of God’s grace and provision.
19. Matthew 3:4 (KJV)
“And the same John had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.”
John the Baptist’s diet of locusts and wild honey is mentioned in the context of his simple and ascetic lifestyle. Honey here reflects the natural provision God offers, even in the wilderness.
20. Revelation 10:9-10 (KJV)
“And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey.”
In this symbolic vision, the Word of God is compared to honey—sweet in the mouth but bitter in the stomach. This suggests that while God’s Word is initially pleasing, it can also bring about conviction and judgment.
Conclusion
Throughout the Bible, honey is not just a physical substance but also a powerful symbol of God’s goodness, provision, and the sweetness of His Word. From the literal promises of a land flowing with milk and honey to the metaphorical comparisons of wisdom and speech to honey, these verses teach us about the richness and nourishment that come from God. Honey reminds us of the sweetness of God’s love and grace, as well as the spiritual food we receive through His Word.
In both the Old and New Testaments, honey serves as a reminder that God’s blessings are abundant, and His Word is a source of nourishment for the soul. Let us seek to savor the sweetness of His provisions and embrace the spiritual nourishment He offers through His wisdom, His commandments, and His eternal love.
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