1 Samuel 14:27

27 Jonathan aber hatte nicht gehört, daß sein Vater das Volk beschworen hatte, und reckte seinen Stab aus, den er in seiner Hand hatte, und tauchte mit der Spitze in den Honigseim und wandte seine Hand zu seinem Munde; da wurden sein Augen wacker. {~}

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 Land kam in den Wald. Es war aber Honig auf dem Erdboden.

26 Und da das Volk hineinkam in den Wald, siehe, da floß der Honig. Aber niemand tat davon mit der Hand zu seinem Munde; denn das Volk fürchtete sich vor dem Eid.

27 Jonathan aber hatte nicht gehört, daß sein Vater das Volk beschworen hatte, und reckte seinen Stab aus, den er in seiner Hand hatte, und tauchte mit der Spitze in den Honigseim und wandte seine Hand zu seinem Munde; da wurden sein Augen wacker. {~}

28 Da antwortete einer des Volks und sprach: Dein Vater hat das Volk beschworen und gesagt: Verflucht sei jedermann, der heute etwas ißt! Und das Volk war matt geworden. {~} {~}

29 Da sprach Jonathan: Mein Vater hat das Land ins Unglück gebracht; seht, wie wacker sind meine Augen geworden, daß ich ein wenig dieses Honigs gekostet habe. {~}