A riddle or dark saying hides meaning in compressed or puzzling form so that the hearer must search out the sense.
A riddle or dark saying hides meaning in compressed or puzzling form so that the hearer must search out the sense.
A riddle or dark saying is a compact, enigmatic form of speech whose meaning is intentionally veiled, requiring interpretation through context, wisdom, or later explanation.
These examples show how Riddle / Dark Saying functions in biblical language, rhetoric, poetry, prophecy, narrative, or theological imagery.
out of the eater came something to eat
Samson’s saying is explicitly a riddle requiring hidden situational knowledge.
what is sweeter than honey?
The answer resolves the riddle by reference to Samson’s lion-and-honey experience.
not in riddles
The verse distinguishes direct divine speech to Moses from more indirect forms.
dark saying
The psalmist speaks of opening a dark saying with the lyre.
dark sayings from of old
The psalm frames Israel’s history in wisdom-like instruction.
proverb and figure... words of the wise and their riddles
Wisdom is said to train readers to understand riddling speech.
propound a riddle
Ezekiel is commanded to give Israel a riddle that is then interpreted politically.
Mene, Mene, Tekel, Parsin
The inscription requires interpretation and functions enigmatically before Daniel explains it.
number of the beast
The number calls for wisdom and calculation, making the saying enigmatic.
in a mirror dimly
Paul uses indirect-seeing language to describe partial present knowledge.
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