What does the Bible say about honey?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible presents honey as a good gift of God, symbolizing His abundant provision, the sweetness of wisdom and His Word, and the need for thankful self-control. God promised Israel a land flowing with milk and honey in Exodus 3:8, displaying His covenant generosity, and Psalm 81:16 speaks of His desire to satisfy His people with the finest gifts. Proverbs commends honey as pleasant and healthful, while warning that too much becomes harmful, teaching moderation rather than indulgence. Psalm 119:103 declares God’s words sweeter than honey, directing believers to prize Scripture above earthly pleasures. Honey also appears in images of gracious speech, marital delight, and John the Baptist’s simple wilderness life.
Top passages, ranked by readers
Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Isaiah 7:15
He shall eat butter and honey when he knows to refuse the evil, and choose the good.
- Proverbs 24:13
My son, eat honey, for it is good; The droppings of the honeycomb, which are sweet to your taste:
- Proverbs 16:24
Pleasant words are a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
- Proverbs 25:27
It is not good to eat much honey; Nor is it honorable to seek one's own honor.
- Matthew 3:4
Now John himself wore clothing made of camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.
- Psalms 81:16
But he would have also fed them with the finest of the wheat. I will satisfy you with honey out of the rock."
- Exodus 3:8
I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land to a good and large land, to a land flowing with milk and honey; to the place of the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Amorite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite.
- Psalms 119:103
How sweet are your promises to my taste, More than honey to my mouth!
- Proverbs 25:16
Have you found honey? Eat as much as is sufficient for you, Lest you eat too much, and vomit it.
- Song of Solomon 4:11
Your lips, my bride, drip like the honeycomb. Honey and milk are under your tongue. The smell of your garments is like the smell of Lebanon.
Study outline
Curated topical outlines from classic public-domain study works.
Nave's Topical Bible
- General scriptures concerning Exodus 16:31; 2 Samuel 17:29; Proverbs 25:27; Song of Solomon 4:11; Isaiah 7:15; Matthew 3:4; Luke 24:42
- Not to be offered with sacrifices Leviticus 2:11
- Found in rocks Deuteronomy 32:13; Psalms 81:16
- Found upon the ground 1 Samuel 14:25
- Samson’s riddle concerning Judges 14:14
- Sent as a present by Jacob to Egypt Genesis 43:11
- Plentiful in Palestine Exodus 3:8; Leviticus 20:24; Deuteronomy 8:8; Ezekiel 20:6
- Abundant in Assyria 2 Kings 18:32
- An article of merchandise from Palestine Ezekiel 27:17
Torrey's New Topical Textbook
- God the giver of Psalms 81:16; Ezekiel 16:19
- Gathered and prepared by bees Judges 14:18
- Found in
- Rocks Deuteronomy 32:13; Psalms 81:16
- Woods 1 Samuel 14:25; 1 Samuel 14:26; Jeremiah 41:8
- Carcases of dead animals Judges 14:8
- Sweetness of Judges 14:18
- In the honeycomb sweetest and most valuable Proverbs 16:24; Proverbs 24:13
- Abounded in
- Egypt Numbers 16:13
- Assyria 2 Kings 18:32
- Canaan Exodus 3:8; Leviticus 20:24; Deuteronomy 8:8
- Esteemed a wholesome food Proverbs 24:13
- Moderation needful in the use of Proverbs 25:16; Proverbs 25:27
- Loathed by those who are full Proverbs 27:7
- Was eaten
- Plain 1 Samuel 14:25; 1 Samuel 14:26; 1 Samuel 14:29
- With the honeycomb Song of Solomon 5:1; Luke 24:42
- With milk Song of Solomon 4:11
- With butter Isaiah 7:15; Isaiah 7:22
- With locusts Matthew 3:4; Mark 1:6
- Mixed with flour Exodus 16:31; Ezekiel 16:13
- Not to be offered with any sacrifice Leviticus 2:11
- First fruits of, offered to God 2 Chronicles 31:5
- Often sent as a present Genesis 43:11; 1 Kings 14:3
- Exported from Canaan Ezekiel 27:17
- Illustrative of
- The word of God Psalms 19:10; Psalms 119:103
- Wisdom Proverbs 24:13; Proverbs 24:14
- Holy speech of saints Song of Solomon 4:11
- Pleasant words Proverbs 16:24
- Lips of a strange woman Proverbs 5:3
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