1 Samuel 14:27

27 Jonathan aber hatte es nicht gehört, als sein Vater das Volk beschwor; und er streckte das Ende seines Stabes aus, der in seiner Hand war, und tauchte ihn in den Honigseim und brachte seine Hand wieder zu seinem Munde, und seine Augen wurden hell.

1 Samuel 14:27 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 14:27

But Jonathan heard not when his father charged the people with
the oath
Which charge was given, either before he came from Gibeah, before he came to Jonathan, or while pursuing, when Jonathan was with another party either fighting or pursuing:

wherefore he put forth the end of the rod that was in his hand:
the staff with which he walked, or rather the spear which he carried in his hand, and fought his enemies with:

and dipped it in an honeycomb;
or sugar cane, as Jarchi; or in wood honey, as the margin of our Bibles; but best, in the honeycomb, as the word is rendered, ( Song of Solomon 5:1 ) and so the Targum, into the nest of honey ^F24:

and he put his hand to his mouth;
first he took the honey off of the top of his rod, and then put it to his mouth and ate it;

and his eyes were enlightened:
which before were dim and dull through want of food, which is a common case; but became brisk and lively on eating the honey, nourishment being presently communicated, and he refreshed with it, and his spirits revived; and which quickly appeared in the briskness and sparkling of his eyes: honey being of a subtle nature, gives immediate refreshment and rigour; hence this phrase is frequently used by Jewish writers ^F25 for refreshment, after hunger, fatigue, and weariness; and which virtue is ascribed by them to fine bread, wine, oil, and particularly to honey.

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FOOTNOTES:

F24 "Progeniem nidosque fovent----", Virgil. Georgic. l. 4. ver. 56.
F25 T. Bab. Pesachim, fol. 42. 1, 2. Yoma, fol. 18, 2. & 83. 1. Maimon. Hilch. Maacolot Asurot, c. 14. sect. 16.

1 Samuel 14:27 In-Context

25 Und das ganze Volk kam in den Wald, und Honig war auf der Fläche des Feldes.

26 Und als das Volk in den Wald kam: siehe da, ein Strom von Honig; aber niemand brachte seine Hand zu seinem Munde, denn das Volk fürchtete den Schwur.

27 Jonathan aber hatte es nicht gehört, als sein Vater das Volk beschwor; und er streckte das Ende seines Stabes aus, der in seiner Hand war, und tauchte ihn in den Honigseim und brachte seine Hand wieder zu seinem Munde, und seine Augen wurden hell.

28 Und einer von dem Volke hob an und sprach: Dein Vater hat das Volk feierlich beschworen und gesagt: Verflucht sei der Mann, der heute Speise essen wird! Und so ist das Volk ermattet.

29 Und Jonathan sprach: Mein Vater hat das Land in Trübsal gebracht; sehet doch, daß meine Augen hell geworden sind, weil ich ein wenig von diesem Honig gekostet habe.