### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word **méli**, represented by `{{G3192}}`, is the term for **honey**. It appears **4 times** across **4 unique verses** in scripture. Its use is split between a literal food source found in the wilderness and a powerful metaphor for the initial experience of receiving a divine message.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the biblical narrative, `{{G3192}}` is used in two distinct contexts. First, it describes the diet of John the Baptist, whose **meat** `{{G5160}}` was **locusts** `{{G200}}` and **wild** `{{G66}}` **honey** ([[Matthew 3:4]]; [[Mark 1:6]]). This detail emphasizes his ascetic life in the wilderness, subsisting on what the land provided. Second, in the book of Revelation, an **angel** `{{G32}}` instructs John to **eat** `{{G2719}}` a **little book** `{{G974}}`. The experience is described as being in his **mouth** `{{G4750}}` **sweet** `{{G1099}}` as **honey**, but it made his **belly** `{{G2836}}` **bitter** `{{G4087}}` [[Revelation 10:9-10]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words help clarify the meaning and context of **honey** in scripture:
* `{{G66}}` **ágrios** (wild): This modifier is used to describe the **honey** that John the Baptist ate, distinguishing it as natural and uncultivated ([[Matthew 3:4]]; [[Mark 1:6]]).
* `{{G1099}}` **glykýs** (sweet): This word describes the taste of the little book, directly comparing its initial pleasantness to that of **honey** before its effects are fully felt [[Revelation 10:10]].
* `{{G200}}` **akrís** (locust): This is the food item paired with wild **honey** as the sustenance for John the Baptist, highlighting his simple and rugged lifestyle ([[Matthew 3:4]]; [[Mark 1:6]]).
* `{{G5160}}` **trophḗ** (food, meat): This term categorizes locusts and wild **honey** as John's "meat," his literal nourishment and sustenance in the wilderness [[Matthew 3:4]].
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{G3192}}` is found in its literal and figurative applications.
* **Wilderness Sustenance:** As "wild **honey**," it represents a simple, God-provided sustenance that supports a prophetic ministry set apart from society. John the Baptist's diet is a hallmark of his ascetic identity [[Mark 1:6]].
* **The Experience of Revelation:** In Revelation, the sweetness of **honey** symbolizes the appealing and desirable nature of receiving God's word. The message is initially pleasant to take in [[Revelation 10:9]].
* **The Duality of Prophecy:** The contrast between the **honey**'s sweetness in the **mouth** `{{G4750}}` and the subsequent bitterness in the **belly** `{{G2836}}` illustrates a profound truth about prophecy: the word of God can be delightful to receive but may contain harsh judgments or call for a difficult path once internalized [[Revelation 10:10]].
### Summary
In summary, `{{G3192}}` moves from a simple food item to a complex spiritual metaphor. As a literal substance, it defines the wilderness life of John the Baptist. As a figure of speech, it perfectly captures the dual nature of divine revelation—a message that can be wonderfully **sweet** to the taste but may carry a **bitter** and difficult truth in its substance. It demonstrates how an everyday element can be used to convey profound theological concepts.
TRV