Bees in the Bible

What Bees Represent in the Bible

From the Old Testament to the New Testament, references to bees offer insights into themes of abundance, industry, wisdom, and unity.

Swarming is natural in honey bees, and seeing a swarm must have been an impressive sight in biblical times.

Not only are bees mentioned but the honey they produce is frequently mentioned as a symble of abundance and blessing.

Bees in the Old Testament

In the text of the Old Testament, bees are mentioned in several different contexts. These references show their symbolism and cultural significance during biblical times.

A Land Flowing With Milk and Honey

One noticeable affiliation with bees is the reference to “a land flowing with milk and honey.” This phrase is repeated many times in the books of Exodus and Deuteronomy.

The land of Canaan was promised to the Israelites as a place of bountiful blessings and rewards. It was described as a place flowing with milk and honey.

This Promised Land was to be a place of abundance and prosperity for the people. In the bible, bees making honey is considered a symbol of the fertility of the land. This shows how God is providing for His people.

Also, honey played a major role in the diet and religious practices of the Israelites. It was a valuable commodity that was not available in large supply.

Honey was valuable in biblical times, though Leviticus specifically prohibited burning honey as part of certain offerings to the Lord.

Bees as Symbols of Industry and Dedication

Bees are well known for being hard-working and industrious, but they are not the only insects used to illustrate these qualities.

Proverbs 6:6-8 states, “Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.”

The author uses the ant to convey an important lesson about working diligently and providing for ourselves without being told to do so.

Likewise, honey bees exemplify hard work, planning, and organization. They can remind us of the importance of diligence and wise stewardship of resources. Nothing is wasted in the hive.

Samson’s Riddle and Honey in the Lion

Another story in the bible about bees is associated with Samson who was known for his incredible strength. Samson encounters and kills a lion and and later discovers a hive of bees and honey inside its carcass.

He proposes a wager with a riddle to some Philistine wedding guests. The riddle was: “What is sweeter than honey? What is stronger than a lion?”

This story represents a symbol of triumph and reward resulting from overcoming a formidable adversary. It signifies the sweet victory and unexpected blessings that can come from facing and conquering challenges.

Bees in the New Testament

Direct references to bees are less common in the New Testament. However, honey and imagery from the natural world still offer some intriguing insights and lessons.

Rather than focusing on honey bees themselves, these passages use honey and the natural world to illustrate simplicity and spiritual nourishment.

John the Baptist’s life and ministry included one notable connection to honey. A preacher living a simple lifestyle, he preached and baptized in the wilderness. A part of his diet was wild honey (Matthew 3:4).

His simple diet fits well with the description of his wilderness lifestyle. Anyone who has eaten pure beeswax with honey straight from the hive can recognize the wonder of this natural food.

This symbolizes his commitment to purity and simplicity. Anyone who has eaten pure beeswax with honey straight from the hive can recognize the wonder of this creation.

Bible Verses About Bees

Bees appear in many historical works of art and writings. In fact, bees were considered gods by some ancient civilizations.

While direct mentions of bees in the Bible are fewer, they appear in some memorable passages. Here are several of the best-known Bible verses about bees.

Judges 14:8 – “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.”

Deuteronomy 1:44 – “And the Amorites, which dwelt in that mountain, came out against you, and chased you, as bees do, and destroyed you in Seir, even unto Hormah.”

Isaiah 7:18 – “And it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD shall hiss for the fly that is in the uttermost part of the rivers of Egypt, and for the bee that is in the land of Assyria.”

Psalm 118:12 – “They compassed me about like bees; they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.”

Bee Symbolism and Spiritual Lessons

Some of Jesus’ parables in the bible indirectly refer to bees. In the parable of the sower (Matthew 13:3-9), Jesus compares the spread of God’s Word to the scattering of seed.

The seed thrives or dies depending on the soil that receives it. This parable does not mention bees directly but suggests the importance of cultivating an environment free from distractions and worldly influences.

This leads to spiritual growth, much like bees require nectar rich flowers and a suitable bee habitat to be productive.

Another example of bee symbolism in the New Testament occurs in the book of Revelation. John is given a vision of a scroll that tastes sweet as honey in his mouth (Revelation 10:9-10).

This represents the divine revelation and message that John receives from God. The sweetness of the honey symbolizes the joy, fulfillment, and richness that comes from embracing and sharing God’s Word.

What the Beehive Teaches About Community and Unity

The sense of community in the beehive is a thing of wonder. All of the bees in the hive work together for the greater good of their colony.

Worker bees are females that do not reproduce. Instead, they spend their lives caring for young produced by the queen and support the colony in other ways (collecting nectar, pollen, and other resources).

Humility, Service and the Quiet Work of Bees

In the context of humility, bees teach us the importance of recognizing our place within a larger community.

They work together harmoniously, each bee fulfilling a specific role and contributing to the overall functioning of the hive. There is no place for arrogance or self-centeredness in the life of a bee.

These traits align with the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament. He washed the feet of his disciples, exemplified the heart of a servant and encouraged his followers to serve one another.

The imagery of diligent bees working for the good of their colony can remind us of the value of service to others.

Honey & Beeswax in Biblical Times

The bible also contains references to various products from honey bees. Both honey and beeswax, which bees produce, held great value.

Monks in the monasteries made their own beeswax candles for use during religious services. And, we must not forget honey.

Biblical References to Honey

Many references to honey in the Bible are found in the Old Testament, though honey and honeycomb also appear in the New Testament.

These passages often use honey to represent sweetness, abundance, nourishment, and something highly desirable.

Genesis 43:11 – “And their father Israel said unto them, If it must be so now, do this; take of the best fruits in the land in your vessels, and carry down the man a present, a little balm, and a little honey, spices, and myrrh, nuts, and almonds.”

Exodus 3:8 – “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.”

Deuteronomy 8:8 – “A land of wheat, and barley, and vines, and fig trees, and pomegranates; a land of oil and honey;”

Matthew 3:4 – “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.”

Proverbs 25:27 – “It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.”

1 Samuel 14:43 – “Saul said to Jonathan, “Tell me what you have done.” So Jonathan told him, “I tasted a little honey with the end of the staff that was in my hand. Here I am, I must die!”

Psalm 19:10 – “More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.”

Song of Solomon 4:11 – “Thy lips, O my spouse, drop as the honeycomb: honey and milk are under thy tongue; and the smell of thy garments is like the smell of Lebanon.”

Ezekiel 3:3 – “And he said unto me, Son of man, cause thy belly to eat, and fill thy bowels with this roll that I give thee. Then did I eat it; and it was in my mouth as honey for sweetness.”