Riddle

RIDDLE (חִידָה, H2648; αἰνίγμα; meaning a hidden saying, a conundrum). Throughout the Biblical world the use of riddles was common. One may somewhat arbitrarily distinguish a riddle from a fable or enigma, the primary point in a riddle being its intention to puzzle the hearer. Enigmas may be conceived of as mystical utterances which, though difficult to understand, are not difficult by design. It may be a lack of information on the part of the interpreter which makes it a puzzle. A fable is simply a fictitious story (often involving members of the plant and animal kingdoms), told to convey a certain spiritual idea. A fable is not necessarily difficult of understanding though it may be so. A true riddle is found in Revelation 13:18, where the number 666 is apparently an obscure reference to some individual. The attempts to interpret it are legion and no consensus reigns. We know from the [[Sibylline Oracles]] that such numerical references were common. The Gr. word αἰνίγμα, appea