Not All Bible Prophecies Are Stated In Riddles

Biblewriter

Senior Member
Supporter
May 15, 2005
11,937
1,498
Ocala, Florida
Visit site
✟531,725.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Politics
CA-Conservatives
Some, who are unwilling to believe what our God has explicitly told us He will bring to pass, claim that all Bible prophecies are stated in riddles. On the basis of this false claim, they insist that those who simply believe what these prophecies say are applying their own interpretations to prophetic riddles. But what does the word of God have to say about this?

Their claim is based on a passage in Numbers 12, where we read, “If there is a prophet among you from the Lord, I make myself known to him in a vision; I speak with him in a dream. Not so with my servant Moses; he is faithful in all my household. I speak with him directly, openly, and not in riddles; he sees the form of the Lord. So why were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?” (Numbers 12:6-8 - CSB)

The Hebrew word here translated “riddles” is בחידה, bhida in our alphabet, the word חידה, hida in our alphabet, with a beth prefix, signifying instrumentality. This is word number 2420 in Strong’s Hebrew Dictionary, which literally means a “puzzle.” In this verse, most translations render this word as “dark sayings,” but those that do not wish to simply believe the prophecies in the Bible prefer the word “riddles,” which is indeed an accurate translation, and is used in a number of translations. They love this word because they think it implies a need to “guess” at the meaning. But a need to guess at the meaning is not even implied by this Hebrew word. Instead, it implies a need to find the meaning, not to guess at it..

In the entire Bible, this is the only time this Hebrew word was used in regard to prophecy. And it should be obvious to anyone that this is a very flimsy foundation for a claim that it applies to all the prophecies in the Bible. They defend this claim by saying that this pasage says that God always speaks to prophets other than Moses, “in a vision” or “in a dream.” But that it not what it says. In the CSV, which these people like to use, Proverbs 30:6 says, “Don’t add to his words, or he will rebuke you, and you will be proved a liar.” Yet these people add the word “always” to Numbers 12:6.

There can be no doubt that God often spoke to His prophets through dreams or visions. And, conerning these dreams or visions, there is a fixed rule that runs throughout the Bible, from one end to the other, without a single exception. And that is, in every dream or vision which God described for us, and then gave us an inspired interpretation, the meaning was completely different from what the prophet saw. So dreams and visions are ineed “riddles” to be solved. But not so with explicit statements about coming events. Indeed, they are exactly the opposite. For again throughout the entire Bible, without a sngle exception, every time God explicitly said that something was going to happen, and then afterward told us that it had been fulfilled, was fulfilled literally, exactly as God had said it would happen, down to the tiniest detail.

The same is also true of Daniel 11:2-35. Althugh no scripture rells us this prophecy has been fulfilled, the records of history ineed tells that every part of ths account was literally fulfilled, down to the tiniest detail. But verse 35 describes a contition that it says will continue “until the time of the end.” and nothing in the rest of that chapter has been fulfilled.
Again Abraham was told “Know certainly that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, and will serve them, and they will afflict them four hundred years. And also the nation whom they serve I will judge; afterward they shall come out with great possessions. Now as for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you shall be buried at a good old age. But in the fourth generation they shall return here, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.” (Genesis 15:13-16) And, not only the accounts of the historical books of the Bible, but Acts 7:6-7 explicitly tells us it was fulfilled literally.

So the claim that all the prophecies in the Bible are stated in “riddles,” is not only baseless. It is contrary to explicitly stated scripture.
 

Pavel Mosko

Arch-Dude of the Apostolic
Supporter
Oct 4, 2016
7,236
7,312
56
Boyertown, PA.
✟768,575.00
Country
United States
Faith
Oriental Orthodox
Marital Status
Single
Some, who are unwilling to believe what our God has explicitly told us He will bring to pass, claim that all Bible prophecies are stated in riddles.

I don't know anybody that says that! It is recognized that many things are mysteries, but that is substantially different. Mysteries are hidden until the right time they are revealed, discovered, understood etc.
 
Upvote 0

Biblewriter

Senior Member
Supporter
May 15, 2005
11,937
1,498
Ocala, Florida
Visit site
✟531,725.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Politics
CA-Conservatives
I don't know anybody that says that! It is recognized that many things are mysteries, but that is substantially different. Mysteries are hidden until the right time they are revealed, discovered, understood etc.
Actually, in the last month, two different people, both Amillennialists, have attacked me by making this very claim.
 
Upvote 0

Gregory Thompson

Change is inevitable, feel free to spare some.
Supporter
Dec 20, 2009
28,362
7,742
Canada
✟721,286.00
Country
Canada
Faith
Christian Seeker
Marital Status
Married
So the claim that all the prophecies in the Bible are stated in “riddles,” is not only baseless. It is contrary to explicitly stated scripture.
Not exactly true.

A literal/linear reading of the prophecies surrounding Jesus would assume he would be a conqueror driving out the foreigners from the land of Israel. However, only select things written were actually applicable to that era. A linear reading of prophecy lead the religious to miss the messiah the first time. So it is good to learn from past mistakes.
 
  • Haha
Reactions: Eloy Craft
Upvote 0

Biblewriter

Senior Member
Supporter
May 15, 2005
11,937
1,498
Ocala, Florida
Visit site
✟531,725.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Politics
CA-Conservatives
Not exactly true.

A literal/linear reading of the prophecies surrounding Jesus would assume he would be a conqueror driving out the foreigners from the land of Israel. However, only select things written were actually applicable to that era. A linear reading of prophecy lead the religious to miss the messiah the first time. So it is good to learn from past mistakes.
I neither said, or even implied, that all prophecies in the Bible are stated literally, In fact, I clearly said some of them are not. But the fact that some of them spoke of His second coming, while others spoke of His first coming, is neither "a riddle" nor non literal. Every one of them that was explicitly stated in plain words either has been or will be literally fulfilled, down to the tiniest detail.
 
Upvote 0

sovereigngrace

Well-Known Member
Dec 9, 2019
8,983
3,447
USA
Visit site
✟200,167.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
The people he is referring to know who they are so there is no need for examples.

The first principle of evidence is ‘ he who alleges must prove’. If people have real proof they are happy to share it.
 
  • Agree
Reactions: jgr
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

Biblewriter

Senior Member
Supporter
May 15, 2005
11,937
1,498
Ocala, Florida
Visit site
✟531,725.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Politics
CA-Conservatives
I wish to see a link to the original source which confirms the OP's claims.

Awaiting.
Why should I bother? I have better things to do than to search many posts to find something, just to satisfy your curiosity.
 
Upvote 0

sovereigngrace

Well-Known Member
Dec 9, 2019
8,983
3,447
USA
Visit site
✟200,167.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Why should I bother? I have better things to do than to search many posts to find something, just to satisfy your curiosity.

The first principle of evidence is ‘ he who alleges must prove’. If people have real proof they are normally happy to share it.
 
Last edited:
  • Agree
Reactions: jgr
Upvote 0

Gregory Thompson

Change is inevitable, feel free to spare some.
Supporter
Dec 20, 2009
28,362
7,742
Canada
✟721,286.00
Country
Canada
Faith
Christian Seeker
Marital Status
Married
I neither said, or even implied, that all prophecies in the Bible are stated literally, In fact, I clearly said some of them are not. But the fact that some of them spoke of His second coming, while others spoke of His first coming, is neither "a riddle" nor non literal. Every one of them that was explicitly stated in plain words either has been or will be literally fulfilled, down to the tiniest detail.
The above post is kind of written like a riddle.
 
Upvote 0

Biblewriter

Senior Member
Supporter
May 15, 2005
11,937
1,498
Ocala, Florida
Visit site
✟531,725.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Politics
CA-Conservatives
Why should you be believed?
In the first place, THAT is a SERIOUSLY offensive statement, which I think violates the rules of this group. And in the second place, it is immaterial. Whether or not it is currently being taught has zero bearing on the point I was making.
 
  • Agree
Reactions: Douggg
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

Spiritual Jew

Amillennialist
Supporter
Oct 12, 2020
7,394
2,496
MI
✟308,043.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Actually, in the last month, two different people, both Amillennialists, have attacked me by making this very claim.
Name them. Until you do, I don't believe you. Remember, you're claiming that they said they believe ALL prophecies are stated in riddles. That would mean they even believe a prophecy like Isaiah's prophecy regarding God's Son being born to a virgin (Isaiah 7:14) was not literal and somehow was a riddle instead. Despite the fact that the New Testament records its literal fulfillment (Matthew 1:23). Is it possible that you are exaggerating and that no one actually said that literally ALL Bible prophecies are stated in riddles?

Why should I bother? I have better things to do than to search many posts to find something, just to satisfy your curiosity.
In other words, you either made that up or you are purposely exaggerating what they claimed. Which is it?
 
  • Winner
Reactions: jgr
Upvote 0

Jipsah

Blood Drinker
Aug 17, 2005
12,294
3,677
70
Franklin, Tennessee
✟218,125.00
Country
United States
Faith
Anglican
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Others
Why should I bother? I have better things to do than to search many posts to find something, just to satisfy your curiosity.
Precisely the sort of "answer" I anticipated.
 
  • Winner
Reactions: jgr
Upvote 0

jgr

Well-Known Member
Supporter
Feb 25, 2008
9,692
5,007
✟783,467.00
Country
Canada
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Married
In the first place, THAT is a SERIOUSLY offensive statement, which I think violates the rules of this group. And in the second place, it is immaterial. Whether or not it is currently being taught has zero bearing on the point I was making.
You are unable or unwilling to provide evidence.
So the question is completely material.
Why should you be believed?
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums