Judges 14:8

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And after a time {H3117} he returned {H7725} to take {H3947} her, and he turned aside {H5493} to see {H7200} the carcase {H4658} of the lion {H738}: and, behold, there was a swarm {H5712} of bees {H1682} and honey {H1706} in the carcase {H1472} of the lion {H738}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Awhile later, as he was returning to claim his bride, he turned aside to look at the carcass of the lion and saw that there was now a swarm of bees in the body of the lion, and honey.

Berean Standard Bible

When Samson returned later to take her, he left the road to see the lion’s carcass, and in it was a swarm of bees, along with their honey.

American Standard Version

And after a while he returned to take her; and he turned aside to see the carcass of the lion: and, behold, there was a swarm of bees in the body of the lion, and honey.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 14:8 presents a pivotal and deeply paradoxical moment in the narrative of Samson, detailing his return to Timnath to claim his Philistine bride. During this journey, Samson intentionally deviates from his path to revisit the site of his earlier, unrevealed triumph over a young lion. To his astonishment, he discovers a thriving colony of bees and a store of honey within the desiccated remains of the very lion he had slain. This extraordinary finding not only provides unexpected sustenance but also directly inspires the enigmatic riddle that Samson will later pose to the Philistines, initiating a chain of events central to his unique and often contradictory role as a judge.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 14:8 immediately follows Samson's initial, Spirit-powered encounter with a young lion, which he tore apart with his bare hands on his first journey to Timnath, as described in [Judges 14:5-6](/judges/14-5-6 "Judges 14:5-6 - Samson Slays a Lion"). This powerful act was performed in secret, with Samson deliberately choosing not to reveal it to his parents. The phrase "after a time" in verse 8 signifies a significant interval—likely several months to a year—sufficient for the lion's carcass to decompose and dry out, creating a suitable, albeit unusual, hollow for a bee colony. This verse serves as a crucial narrative bridge, connecting Samson's raw, divinely bestowed strength to his intellectual challenge (the riddle) and subtly foreshadowing his later disregard for his Nazarite vows. The discovery is presented as a private revelation to Samson, setting the stage for the public riddle that will later expose his secret and ignite conflict.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting of this event is Timnath, a Philistine city, which underscores the persistent tension and complex interactions between Israel and their Philistine overlords during the tumultuous period of the Judges. From a cultural and religious standpoint, Samson's interaction with the dead lion's carcass would have constituted a direct violation of his Nazarite vow, as stipulated in [Numbers 6:6](/numbers/6-6 "Numbers 6:6 - Nazarite Vow Restrictions"), which strictly prohibited a Nazarite from coming near any dead body. Although the text does not explicitly state that Samson touched the carcass to extract the honey, his subsequent consumption and sharing of the honey (as narrated in [Judges 14:9](/judges/14-9 "Judges 14:9 - Samson Shares the Honey")) strongly imply such contact. While the presence of bees in a carcass is unusual, it is not entirely impossible in hot, arid climates where a carcass might mummify rather than fully decay, providing a hollow space. However, its depiction here is clearly intended to be extraordinary and miraculous, emphasizing divine provision from an utterly unexpected source.
* **Key Themes:** This verse profoundly contributes to several overarching themes woven throughout the book of Judges and Samson's personal narrative. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates the theme of **Divine Provision and Paradox**, showcasing God's remarkable ability to bring forth good, sweetness, and sustenance from seemingly impossible or even repulsive circumstances—life emerging from death, and sweetness from strength. Secondly, it directly lays the **Foundation for the Riddle**, providing the concrete experience that inspires Samson's famous challenge to the Philistines: "Out of the eater came forth meat, and out of the strong came forth sweetness" ([Judges 14:14](/judges/14-14 "Judges 14:14 - Samson's Riddle")). This riddle is more than mere wordplay; it is a profound theological statement rooted in this unique event. Finally, the incident subtly introduces the critical theme of **Samson's Compromise and Disregard for his Vows**. His willingness to interact with the carcass and consume its contents, without informing his parents (who were also unaware of his lion slaying), hints at a developing pattern of self-will and a growing disregard for the sacred strictures of his Nazarite consecration, a recurring motif that will ultimately precipitate his downfall.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Carcase (Hebrew, _mappeleth'_):** This term (H4658) refers to a "fall" or "ruin," and specifically, a "carcase" or "corpse." Its use here emphasizes the state of decay and death that the lion's body had undergone. The paradox of life and sweetness emerging from such a state of ruin is central to the verse's meaning and Samson's subsequent riddle.
* **Swarm (Hebrew, _ʻêdâh'_):** This word (H5712) denotes a "stated assemblage," "concourse," or "multitude," often referring to a congregation or company. In this context, it describes a concentrated group of bees, highlighting not just a few stray insects but a thriving, established colony. The presence of such a multitude within a dead body underscores the extraordinary nature of the discovery, transforming a symbol of death into a source of vibrant life and productivity.
* **Honey (Hebrew, _dᵉbash'_):** This term (H1706) refers to honey, a highly prized and symbolic food in ancient Israel, frequently associated with blessing, prosperity, and the goodness of the Promised Land (e.g., [Exodus 3:8](/exodus/3-8 "Exodus 3:8 - A Land Flowing with Milk and Honey")). Its unexpected presence within the lion's carcass creates a vivid image of sweetness emerging from strength and death, forming the very core of Samson's enigmatic riddle and its profound theological implications.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And after a time he returned to take her,"**: This clause establishes the passage of a significant period since Samson's initial journey to Timnath and his secret slaying of the lion. His return signifies the formal progression of the marriage arrangements, a customary step in ancient betrothal processes. The delay was crucial, allowing the lion's carcass to decompose and dry sufficiently to become a habitable, albeit unconventional, environment for a bee colony.
* **"and he turned aside to see the carcase of the lion:"**: This phrase highlights Samson's intentional deviation from his direct path. His curiosity, or perhaps a desire to revisit the scene of his secret, Spirit-powered victory, led him to inspect the remains of the lion. This deliberate act of "turning aside" is significant; it is a conscious choice that directly leads to an unforeseen and remarkable discovery, setting the stage for the subsequent narrative developments.
* **"and, behold, [there was] a swarm of bees and honey in the carcase of the lion."**: The exclamation "behold!" (Hebrew, _hinneh'_) serves to emphasize the astonishing and miraculous nature of the discovery. The sight of a thriving bee colony and its sweet product within the decaying remains of a formidable predator is presented as a profound paradox, defying natural expectations and laying the groundwork for the deeper theological and narrative implications of this extraordinary event.

#### Literary Devices
Judges 14:8 is rich in **Irony** and **Paradox**. The most striking paradox is the emergence of life and sweetness (bees and honey) from death and decay (the lion's carcass). This profound reversal of expectations creates a deep sense of irony, as what was once a fearsome predator becomes an unexpected source of nourishment and blessing. The verse also employs powerful **Symbolism**: the lion, initially a symbol of overwhelming strength and danger, is overcome, and from its defeat arises a symbol of blessing, provision, and the goodness of the land (honey). This symbolic transformation subtly foreshadows Samson's own life, where his immense strength, though often misdirected, ultimately leads to a final, decisive victory over his enemies, albeit through his own death. Furthermore, the secrecy surrounding both the lion's slaying and the discovery of the honey adds an element of **Foreshadowing**, hinting at Samson's often secretive and self-willed nature and his eventual downfall, which is largely precipitated by his inability to keep secrets, particularly from the Philistine women in his life.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The discovery of honey in the lion's carcass in Judges 14:8 serves as a potent theological metaphor for God's sovereign ability to bring forth good from the most unlikely, adverse, or even repulsive circumstances. It powerfully illustrates divine provision that transcends natural limitations, demonstrating that God can transform sources of danger or death into sources of profound blessing and sustenance. This event foreshadows a deeper, universal truth: that God's greatest triumphs often emerge from moments of apparent weakness, defeat, or even death. It challenges human perceptions of what is possible, inviting profound trust in a God who works in mysterious and paradoxical ways to accomplish His purposes, turning sorrow into joy and struggle into surprising strength.

* [Job 14:7](/job/14-7 "Job 14:7 - Hope for a Tree")
* [Psalm 126:5](/psalms/126-5 "Psalm 126:5 - Sowing in Tears, Reaping in Joy")
* [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - All Things Work for Good")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Judges 14:8 offers a profound and enduring lesson for believers navigating the complexities and challenges of life. It serves as a powerful reminder that even from the most unlikely, unpleasant, or terrifying situations, God is capable of bringing forth unexpected blessings, provision, and sweetness. Just as the lion's carcass, a stark symbol of death and danger, unexpectedly yielded vibrant life and sustenance, our own trials, periods of loss, or moments of profound decay can, by God's transformative grace, become crucibles for spiritual growth, wisdom, and new opportunities. This verse encourages us to look beyond immediate appearances and to cultivate unwavering trust in God's sovereignty, recognizing that His ways are often paradoxical and His provision can emerge from the most unforeseen sources. It calls us to maintain a posture of hope, even when faced with what seems like an insurmountable end, believing that God can indeed transform our "lions" into sources of "honey," turning our greatest challenges into platforms for His surprising goodness and glory to be revealed.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "carcasses" or seemingly dead situations in your life might God be seeking to transform into sources of "honey" or unexpected blessing?**
* **How does this story challenge your assumptions about where God's provision and goodness can be found?**
* **In what ways might you be called to "turn aside" and look more closely at difficult circumstances, trusting God to reveal His hidden work within them?**
* **How does Samson's secret act in this verse, particularly his disregard for his Nazarite vow, relate to the importance of transparency and obedience in our own walk with God?**

### FAQ
**Was it common for bees to make honey in carcasses in ancient times?**

Answer: While not a common or preferred nesting site, it was not entirely unheard of for bees to inhabit dry, hollowed-out spaces, which a desiccated animal carcass could provide. In hot, arid climates, a large carcass might mummify rather than fully decompose, leaving a hardened shell that could offer shelter. However, the biblical account presents this as an extraordinary and surprising event, emphasized by the exclamation "behold!", highlighting its miraculous or highly unusual nature rather than a routine occurrence. The theological significance lies precisely in its unexpectedness—sweetness emerging from a source of decay and death.

**Did Samson violate his Nazarite vow by touching the carcass?**

Answer: Yes, according to the stipulations of the Nazarite vow outlined in [Numbers 6:6](/numbers/6-6 "Numbers 6:6 - Nazarite Vow Restrictions"), a Nazarite was strictly forbidden from coming near any dead body, whether human or animal. Samson's act of turning aside to see the carcass, and subsequently eating the honey and giving it to his parents (who were unaware of its origin, as noted in [Judges 14:9](/judges/14-9 "Judges 14:9 - Samson Shares the Honey")), strongly implies he touched the carcass or at least came into close proximity, thus violating his vow. This incident marks an early and significant instance of Samson's disregard for the sacred boundaries of his consecration, a recurring theme that ultimately contributes to his downfall.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Judges 14:8, with its profound paradox of sweetness from strength and life from death, finds its ultimate and most glorious fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Samson's enigmatic riddle, "Out of the eater came forth meat, and out of the strong came forth sweetness," is a powerful foreshadowing of Christ's decisive victory over sin and death. The "eater" and "strong" that once held humanity captive—sin, death, and the devil—were utterly defeated by Christ on the cross. From the apparent weakness and humiliation of the crucifixion, which seemed like death's triumph, emerged the ultimate "sweetness" of salvation, eternal life, and reconciliation with God. Christ's death was not an end but the very means by which He disarmed the powers of darkness ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")), becoming the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). His resurrection from the grave, the ultimate act of life emerging from death, provides the "honey" of new life for all who believe, demonstrating that even the most formidable enemy, death itself, has been swallowed up in victory ([1 Corinthians 15:54-57](/1_corinthians/15-54-57 "1 Corinthians 15:54-57 - Victory Over Death")). Thus, the paradox of Judges 14:8 points directly to the Gospel, where through Christ's suffering and death, we receive the abundance of life and the sweet assurance of God's redemptive power.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 1:20

But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

Genesis 29:21

And Jacob said unto Laban, Give [me] my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in unto her.