Riddle

(Heb. hodah). The oldest and, strictly speaking, the only example of a riddle was that propounded by Samson (Judg. 14:12-18). The parabolic prophecy in Ezek. 17:2-18 is there called a “riddle.” It was rather, however, an allegory. The word “darkly” in 1 Cor. 13:12 is the rendering of the Greek enigma; marg., “in a riddle.”

It is known that all ancient nations, and especially Orientals, were fond of riddles. The riddles which the queen of Sheba came to ask of Solomon, (1 Kings 10:1; 2 Chronicles 9:1) were rather “hard questions” referring to profound inquiries. Solomon is said, however, to have been very fond of riddles. Riddles were generally proposed in verse, like the celebrated riddle of Samson. (Judges 14:14-19)

RID'DLE. The Orientals have always been fond of such exercises of ingenuity as were requisite to answer riddles. Hence it was quite in the order of things that Samson should propose one. See Samson's riddle. Jud 14:12-19. Ezekiel's riddle, Eze 17:2, was rather an allegory.

RID'DLE. The Orientals have always been fond of such exercises of ingenuity as were requisite to answer riddles. Hence it was quite in the order of things that Samson should propose one. See Samson's riddle. Jud 14:12-19. Ezekiel's riddle, Eze 17:2, was rather an allegory.

Part of speech: noun (n.)

1. A sieve with coarse meshes, usually of wire, for separating coarser materials from finer, as chaff from grain, cinders from ashes, or gravel from sand.

2. A board having a row of pins, set zigzag, between which wire is drawn to straighten it.

Part of speech: noun (n.)

Something proposed to be solved by guessing or conjecture; a puzzling question; an ambiguous proposition; an enigma; hence, anything ambiguous or puzzling. To wring from me, and tell to them, my secret, That solved the riddle which I had proposed. Milton. 'T was a strange riddle of a lady. Hudibras.

Part of speech: verb (v.)

1. To separate, as grain from the chaff, with a riddle; to pass through a riddle; as, riddle wheat; to riddle coal or gravel.

2. To perforate so as to make like a riddle; to make many holes in; as, a house riddled with shot.

Part of speech: verb (v.)

To explain; to solve; to unriddle. Riddle me this, and guess him if you can. Dryden.

Part of speech: verb (v.)

To speak ambiguously or enigmatically. "Lysander riddels very prettily." Shak.