AEnigma; or, Dark Saying
AEnigma; or, Dark Saying
A. Truth expressed in obscure Language
E-nig-ma. Greek, (ai-nig-ma), from (ainissesthai), to tell a strange tale, then to speak darkly or in riddles. Hence an enigma is a dark or obscure saying, a puzzling statement or action. A statement of which the meaning has to be searched for in order to be discovered.
Enigma thus differs from Parable, in that the latter is generally explained. When a Parable is without any explanation, it may be called an Enigma, i.e., a dark or obscure saying.
See Psa 78:2 quoted in Mat 13:35. The dark saying of the Old Testament is (cheedah); from (chood), to tie in a knot, to twist: a knotty or intricate saying.
It is rendered dark saying three times (Psa 49:4 (5); 78:2. Pro 1:6); dark sentence, once (Dan 8:23); dark speech, once (Num 12:8); hard question, twice (1Ki 10:1. 2Ch 9:1); proverb, once (Hab 2:6); riddle, nine times (Jdg 14:12-19. Eze 17:2).
When the saying is very obscure indeed, it is called
HYPAENIGMA, i.e., the same word, with the preposition (hypo) prefixed, meaning under, i.e., a saying deep as well as dark.
Also HYPAENIXIS, from (hypo), under, and (ainissomai), to speak darkly. Hence, a speaking beneath: i.e., having another meaning beneath what is actually said.
When the Enigma is connected with the names of persons or places, it is known by the name Polyonymia. (See the next Figure).
There are sayings dark and deep in the Scriptures beside those that are actually so designated.
Gen 49:10 is in the form of Enigma. The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be. See under Metonymy.
Jdg 14:14.-Samsons Enigma is well known.
Out of the eater came forth meat,
And out of the strong came forth sweetness.
The answer is given in verse 18, in the form of another question (See Anteisagoge):
What is sweeter than honey?
And what is stronger than a lion?
This is a saying both dark and deep: for there is precious truth hidden in that darkness and those depths, which neither the Philistines nor the natural man can understand or receive.
The Living Word (Christ) is stronger than the strong man armed (Mat 12:29. Mar 3:27. Luk 12:21-22). For the Lion means in Hebrew the strong one.
The Written Word (the Scriptures of truth) are sweeter than honey (Psa 119:103; Psa 19:10 (11). Jer 15:16).
All who know this blessed deliverance which the great Deliverer brings, cry out in the words of Psa 35:10, Lord, who is like unto thee, which deliverest the poor from him that is too strong for him, yea, the poor and needy from him that spoileth him? (See Erotesis and Prosopopia).
The Law was a strong Lion (Gal 3:10): but the honey is found in verse 13.
Sin is a strong Lion (Rom 5:21): but the honey is found in Rom 6:6; Rom 7:18-25. And 1Co 15:56-57.
The World is a strong Lion (Luk 8:14. Gal 5:21): but the honey is found in Joh 16:33.
Affliction is a strong Lion (Job 5:6-7; Job 14:1-2. Act 14:22): but the honey is found in Psa 119:67; Psa 119:71; Psa 34:19 (20). Rom 8:35-39. Heb 12:11.
Death is a strong Lion (Rom 5:12. Heb 9:27): but the honey is found in 2Ti 1:10. Hos 13:14, and 1Co 15:54-55.
The answer to these Enigmas is found in Psa 73:16-17, When I thought to know this it was too painful for me; Until I went into the sanctuary of God. Then understood I.
Isa 11:1 is a dark saying, and has to be interpreted by what follows.
Isa 21:11-12, is another dark saying.
Eze 17:2-10 gives a prophecy concerning the King of Babylons coming to Jerusalem, and leading it into captivity, under the Enigma of two Eagles.
Dan 5:25-28.-The handwriting on the wall is given in the form of an Enigma, in which the immediate fall of Babylon was announced.
Three words were written, the first twice (by Epizeuxis, q.v. [Note: Which see.] ), for emphasis.
,Mneh.NUMBERED.
,Tkel.WEIGHED.
,Pres.DIVIDED.
These three words are interpreted by Daniel in verses 26-28, and the fulfilment of them follows in verses 30, 31. See under Paronomasia.