The Greek word melíssios, represented by G3193, is a specific term defined as relating to honey, i.e. bee (comb):--honeycomb. It is a very rare word in scripture, appearing only 1 time in 1 unique verse. Its singular use occurs in a significant post-resurrection account, where it describes a common food item offered to the risen Christ.
The sole appearance of G3193 is in the Gospel of Luke, within the narrative of Jesus appearing to his disciples after his resurrection. To prove he was not a spirit, the disciples gave him food to eat. The verse states they gave him "a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb" Luke 24:42. In this context, the word specifies the nature of the second food item, emphasizing the physical reality of the meal and, by extension, of Jesus's resurrected body.
The context of G3193 is illuminated by several words it appears alongside in Luke 24:42:
- G2781 kēríon: This word, meaning a cell for honey, i.e. (collectively) the comb, is used in direct conjunction with G3193 to form the term "honeycomb." It specifies the physical structure containing the honey.
- G1929 epidídōmi: This verb means to give over (by hand or surrender). It is the action the disciples took, as they "gave" or "delivered" the food to Jesus.
- G2486 ichthýs: Meaning a fish, this is the other food item presented to Jesus. The meal consists of both a fish and a honeycomb, grounding the event in a tangible, physical act.
- G3313 méros: This noun, meaning a division or share, clarifies that what was offered was not a whole fish or comb, but a "piece" of each, a common portion for a meal.
- G3702 optós: Defined as cooked, i.e. roasted, this adjective describes the state of the fish as "broiled," further highlighting the normality of the food being offered.
The theological weight of G3193 is tied entirely to its singular, specific use. It contributes directly to a foundational doctrine of the Christian faith.
- Proof of Bodily Resurrection: The offering of a honeycomb, alongside broiled fish, serves as irrefutable evidence that Jesus's resurrected body was physical and capable of normal human functions like eating.
- Grounding the Supernatural: The choice of simple, recognizable foods—fish and honeycomb—grounds a miraculous event in everyday reality, making the account more tangible and verifiable for the disciples and subsequent readers.
- Fulfillment of a Physical Act: The act of the disciples giving G1929 and Jesus accepting the meal is a deliberate demonstration of his physical presence, confirming he was not merely a vision or a ghost.
In summary, G3193 is a precise term whose importance far outweighs its frequency. Though used only once, its role is critical. It is not just a label for a foodstuff but a key detail in the biblical testimony to the physical resurrection of Jesus Christ. Its meaning is inseparable from the context of Luke 24:42, where it works with other simple terms to affirm a profound theological truth.
TRV