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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0;"/><title>Topical Bible: Eater</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/topical/e/eater.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/newtopical.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/topical/vmenus/luke/7-34.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/bmcde/e/eater.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/topical/">Topical</a> > Eater</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/topical/e/eaten.htm" title="Eaten">◄</a> Eater <a href="/topical/e/eaters.htm" title="Eaters">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse">Jump to: <a href="#web" title="Webster's Dictionary">Webster's</a> • <a href="#cnc" title="Multiversion Concordance">Concordance</a> • <a href="#thes" title="Bible Thesaurus">Thesaurus</a> • <a href="#heb" title="Strong's Hebrew Concordance">Hebrew</a> • <a href="#lib" title="Library">Library</a> • <a href="#sub" title="Subtopics">Subtopics</a> • <a href="#rel" title="Related Terms">Terms</a></div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><a name="te" id="te"></a><div class="vheading2">Topical Encyclopedia</div>In the context of the Bible, the term "eater" is most notably associated with the riddle posed by Samson in the Book of Judges. The term is used metaphorically to describe a source of sustenance or consumption, often with a deeper spiritual or moral implication.<br><br><b>Samson's Riddle</b><br><br>The most prominent biblical reference to "eater" is found in <a href="/judges/14-14.htm">Judges 14:14</a>, where Samson presents a riddle to the Philistines during his wedding feast: "Out of the eater came something to eat, and out of the strong came something sweet." This riddle is based on an earlier event in <a href="/judges/14-5.htm">Judges 14:5-9</a>, where Samson kills a lion with his bare hands. Later, he discovers a swarm of bees and honey in the carcass of the lion. The "eater" in this context refers to the lion, a creature typically associated with strength and predation. The "something to eat" is the honey, which is both unexpected and sweet, emerging from the carcass of the lion.<br><br><b>Symbolism and Interpretation</b><br><br>The riddle of the eater carries rich symbolic meaning. The lion, a symbol of power and ferocity, becomes a source of nourishment and sweetness, illustrating the paradoxical nature of God's providence and the unexpected ways in which He provides for His people. This event foreshadows the deliverance and strength that God can bring out of seemingly dire or destructive situations. It also highlights the theme of God's sovereignty and the mysterious ways in which He works through His chosen instruments, such as Samson, despite their flaws and weaknesses.<br><br><b>Moral and Spiritual Lessons</b><br><br>From a moral and spiritual perspective, the account of the eater and the honey serves as a reminder of the transformative power of God. It encourages believers to look beyond the surface of their circumstances and to trust in God's ability to bring good out of evil, sweetness out of bitterness, and life out of death. This narrative also underscores the importance of wisdom and discernment, as Samson's riddle was intended to challenge the Philistines and reveal their inability to comprehend the deeper truths of God's workings without divine insight.<br><br><b>Related Themes</b><br><br>The concept of the eater can also be linked to broader biblical themes of consumption and provision. Throughout Scripture, God is depicted as the ultimate provider, feeding His people both physically and spiritually. In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is described as the "bread of life" (<a href="/john/6-35.htm">John 6:35</a>), offering eternal sustenance to those who believe in Him. This connection between physical nourishment and spiritual fulfillment is a recurring motif, emphasizing the holistic care that God extends to His creation.<br><br>In summary, the term "eater" in the Bible, particularly in the account of Samson, serves as a powerful metaphor for God's unexpected provision and the deeper spiritual truths that can be gleaned from seemingly ordinary or adverse situations.<a name="web" id="web"></a><div class="vheading2">Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary</div>(<I>n.</I>) One who, or that which, eats.<a name="heb" id="heb"></a><div class="vheading2">Strong's Hebrew</div><a href="/hebrew/398.htm"><span class="l">398. akal -- to eat</span></a><br><b>...</b> 30), devourer (2), devouring (3), devours (7), dine (1), eat (398), eat freely<br> (1), eaten (66), eaten at all (2), eaten freely (1), <b>eater</b> (2), <b>eater's</b> (1 <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/hebrew/398.htm</font><font color="#ff6600" size="-1"> - 6k</font><p> <a href="/hebrew/2151.htm"><span class="l">2151. zalal -- to shake</span></a><br><b>...</b> 2150, 2151. zalal. 2151a . to shake. Transliteration: zalal Phonetic Spelling:<br> (zaw-lal') Short Definition: down. blow down, glutton, riotous <b>eater</b>, vile <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/hebrew/2151.htm</font><font color="#ff6600" size="-1"> - 5k</font><a name="lib" id="lib"></a><div class="vheading2">Library</div><p><a href="/library/chidley/fifty-two_story_talks_to_boys_and_girls/a_bible-riddle.htm"><span class="l">A Bible-Riddle</span></a> <br><b>...</b> And as he walked he made up this riddle: "Out of the <b>eater</b> came forth meat, and<br> out of the strong came forth sweetness." That means that out of this lion which <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../chidley/fifty-two story talks to boys and girls/a bible-riddle.htm</font><p><a href="/library/winkworth/lyra_germanica_the_christian_year/third_sunday_after_epiphany_for.htm"><span class="l">Third Sunday after Epiphany. For as the Rain Cometh Down</span></a> <br><b>...</b> and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and<br> bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the <b>eater</b>; so shall my <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../winkworth/lyra germanica the christian year/third sunday after epiphany for.htm</font><p><a href="/library/augustine/homilies_on_the_gospel_of_john/tractate_xli_john_chapter_viii.htm"><span class="l">John Chapter viii. 31-36</span></a> <br><b>...</b> unchangeable. The truth is bread, which refreshes our minds and fails not;<br> changes the <b>eater</b>, and is not itself changed into the <b>eater</b>. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate xli john chapter viii.htm</font><p><a href="/library/theodoret/the_ecclesiastical_history_of_theodoret/prolegomena.htm"><span class="l">Prolegomena.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> the disappointed husband begged to aid him in his prayers was one Macedonius,<br> distinguished, from the simplicity of his diet, as "the barley <b>eater</b>." In answer <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../theodoret/the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/prolegomena.htm</font><p><a href="/library/basil/basil_letters_and_select_works/letter_cxc_to_amphilochius_bishop.htm"><span class="l">Letter cxc. To Amphilochius, Bishop of Iconium.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> 3. Philo, on the authority of some Jewish tradition, explains the manna to have<br> been of such a nature that it changed with the taste of the <b>eater</b>: that of <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter cxc to amphilochius bishop.htm</font><p><a href="/library/ephraim/hymns_and_homilies_of_ephraim_the_syrian/hymn_xxxix_there_have_come.htm"><span class="l">There have Come to Me Ransomers from among the Saints, but None <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> "Out of the <b>eater</b> came forth meat" was Samson's parable. But to me it has<br> befallen contrariwise; for the <b>eater</b> has come forth to <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn xxxix there have come.htm</font><p><a href="/library/farrar/gathering_clouds_a_tale_of_the_days_of_st_chrysostom/chapter_v_the_hermit_and.htm"><span class="l">The Hermit and the Boy</span></a> <br><b>...</b> Macedonius the hermit, the barley-<b>eater</b>, was seated at the entrance of his cavern,<br> and enjoying"so far as he thought it not sinful to enjoy"the cool air of <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../chapter v the hermit and.htm</font><p><a href="/library/goforth/how_i_know_god_answers_prayer/iv_a_god-given_field_1894-1900.htm"><span class="l">A God-Given Field (1894-1900)</span></a> <br><b>...</b> and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and<br> bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the <b>eater</b>: so shall my <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../goforth/how i know god answers prayer/iv a god-given field 1894-1900.htm</font><p><a href="/library/robertson/sermons_preached_at_brighton/ix_sensual_and_spiritual_excitement.htm"><span class="l">Sensual and Spiritual Excitement.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> The play of imagination in the brain of the opium-<b>eater</b> is as free as that of genius<br> itself, and the creations produced in that state by the pen or pencil are <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../robertson/sermons preached at brighton/ix sensual and spiritual excitement.htm</font><p><a href="/library/watson/the_ten_commandments/2_1_the_tenth_commandment.htm"><span class="l">The Tenth Commandment</span></a> <br><b>...</b> He would be content if salvation were to drop into his mouth, as a ripe fig into<br> the mouth of the <b>eater</b> (Nahum 3:12); but he is loath to put himself to too <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 1 the tenth commandment.htm</font><a name="thes" id="thes"></a><div class="vheading2">Thesaurus</div><a href="/topical/e/eater.htm"><span class="l"><b>Eater</b> (5 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Multi-Version Concordance <b>Eater</b> (5 Occurrences). <b>...</b> 1 Corinthians 11:29 For the <b>eater</b><br> and drinker eats and drinks judgment to himself, not distinguishing the body. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/e/eater.htm - 8k</font><p><a href="/topical/e/eater's.htm"><span class="l"><b>Eater's</b> (1 Occurrence)</span></a><br><b>...</b><b>Eater's</b> (1 Occurrence). Nahum 3:12 All thy fortresses 'are' fig-trees with<br> first-fruits, If they are shaken, They have fallen into the mouth of the <b>eater</b>. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/e/eater's.htm - 6k</font><p><a href="/topical/d/drinker.htm"><span class="l">Drinker (6 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Luke 7:34 The Son of man has come eating and drinking, and ye say, Behold an <b>eater</b><br> and wine-drinker, a friend of tax-gatherers and sinners; (DBY YLT). <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/d/drinker.htm - 8k</font><p><a href="/topical/y/yields.htm"><span class="l">Yields (21 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> returneth not, But hath watered the earth, And hath caused it to yield, and to spring<br> up, And hath given seed to the sower, and bread to the <b>eater</b>, (See NIV). <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/y/yields.htm - 12k</font><p><a href="/topical/g/glutton.htm"><span class="l">Glutton (4 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> eaters of flesh"), "glutton" in the usual sense is intended; "a man gluttonous,"<br> "a gluttonous man" (the Revised Version) (phagos, "an <b>eater</b>," "a glutton") was <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/g/glutton.htm - 10k</font><p><a href="/topical/g/gluttonous.htm"><span class="l">Gluttonous (4 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> eaters of flesh"), "glutton" in the usual sense is intended; "a man gluttonous,"<br> "a gluttonous man" (the Revised Version) (phagos, "an <b>eater</b>," "a glutton") was <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/g/gluttonous.htm - 9k</font><p><a href="/topical/w/watereth.htm"><span class="l">Watereth (9 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and<br> bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the <b>eater</b>: (KJV ASV DBY <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/w/watereth.htm - 9k</font><p><a href="/topical/w/wine-drinker.htm"><span class="l">Wine-drinker (2 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Luke 7:34 The Son of man has come eating and drinking, and ye say, Behold an <b>eater</b><br> and wine-drinker, a friend of tax-gatherers and sinners; (DBY). <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/w/wine-drinker.htm - 7k</font><p><a href="/topical/w/watering.htm"><span class="l">Watering (21 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> from heaven, and returneth not thither, except it water the earth, and make it bring<br> forth and bud, and give seed to the sower and bread to the <b>eater</b>; (See NAS <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/w/watering.htm - 12k</font><p><a name="res" id="res"></a><div class="vheading2">Resources</div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/rebuke-the-devourer.html">What does it mean to rebuke the devourer in Malachi 3:11? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Reptilian-conspiracy.html">What is the Reptilian conspiracy? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/riddles-in-the-Bible.html">What are some of the riddles in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://clyx.com/term/eater.htm">Eater: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com</a><br /><br /><a href="/concordance/">Bible Concordance</a> • <a href="/dictionary/">Bible Dictionary</a> • <a href="/encyclopedia/">Bible Encyclopedia</a> • <a href="/topical/">Topical Bible</a> • <a href="/thesaurus/">Bible Thesuarus</a></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="cnc" id="cnc"></a><div class="vheading2">Concordance</div><span class="encheading">Eater (5 Occurrences)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/luke/7-34.htm">Luke 7:34</a></span><br />The Son of man has come eating and drinking, and ye say, Behold an <span class="boldtext">eater</span> and wine-drinker, a friend of tax-gatherers and sinners;<br /><span class="source">(DBY)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/1_corinthians/11-29.htm">1 Corinthians 11:29</a></span><br />For the <span class="boldtext">eater</span> and drinker eats and drinks judgment to himself, not distinguishing the body.<br /><span class="source">(DBY)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/judges/14-14.htm">Judges 14:14</a></span><br />He said to them, "Out of the <span class="boldtext">eater</span> came forth food. Out of the strong came forth sweetness." They couldn't in three days declare the riddle.<br /><span class="source">(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/isaiah/55-10.htm">Isaiah 55:10</a></span><br />For as the rain comes down and the snow from the sky, and doesn't return there, but waters the earth, and makes it bring forth and bud, and gives seed to the sower and bread to the <span class="boldtext">eater</span>;<br /><span class="source">(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/nahum/3-12.htm">Nahum 3:12</a></span><br />All your fortresses will be like fig trees with the first-ripe figs: if they are shaken, they fall into the mouth of the <span class="boldtext">eater</span>.<br /><span class="source">(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)</span><a name="sub" id="sub"></a><div class="vheading2">Subtopics</div><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/e/eater.htm">Eater</a></p><a name="rel" id="rel"></a><div class="vheading2">Related Terms</div><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/g/gluttonous.htm">Gluttonous (4 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/u/unclean.htm">Unclean (393 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/g/glutton.htm">Glutton (4 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/w/wine-bibbers.htm">Wine-bibbers (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/w/winebibbers.htm">Winebibbers (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/f/food.htm">Food (2953 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/r/riotous.htm">Riotous (10 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/e/eater.htm">Eater (5 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/e/eagle.htm">Eagle (27 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/e/eater's.htm">Eater's (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/birds.htm">Birds (125 Occurrences)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/topical/e/eaten.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Eaten"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Eaten" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/topical/e/eaters.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Eaters"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Eaters" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div> <div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"><script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></div></td></tr></table></div></div></div> <br /><br /> <div align="center"> <div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>