Honey in the Bible

"Honey is frequently mentioned in the Bible; it was referred to as a wholesome food, a helpful medicine, an ingredient of delicious drinks, an appropriate gift and a valued possession. There is only little evidence that the Hebrews cultivated bees, but they used wild honey in profusion. 'Wild' honey is often mentioned; whether this was meant as a contrast to domesticated honey, it is difficult to say. That the Jews were solicitous about their honey supply is indicated in the Talmud (B. Batra 18, A) where a warning is given never to let mustard plants grow near bees' nests because bees are fond of these flowers which, however, burn their throats and they then consume a greater quantity of honey. The Jews were permitted, according to their religious laws, to provide water on Saturdays and holidays to their domestic animals, but this dispensation did not apply to bees, because they themselves could secure it (Sabath 24: 3). On the other hand, in case of rain, or to protect the bees from the scorching sun, the Jews were permitted to cover the nests with linen even on holidays (Sabath 436) Philo, the historian (in the time of Christ), in his work, De Vita Contemplativa (II. 663), refers to a caste among the He-brews called Essenes, who lived in the region of the Dead Sea, and whose occupation was supposed to be the cultivation of bees and the production of honey. Josephus, in the Antiquities of the Jews, also mentions the Essenes of Judea. (It is noteworthy that the Greek term Essenos (king bee) was the epithet of Zeus. The priestesses of Artemis were called Melissai (bees) and their high priests, Essenes.)"


Honey In The Bible
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