Original Word: חִידָה
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: chiydah
Pronunciation: khee-DAH
Phonetic Spelling: (khee-daw')
Definition: Riddle, Enigma, Dark Saying, Parable
Meaning: a puzzle, a trick, conundrum, sententious maxim

dark saying sentence, speech, hard question, proverb, riddle

From chuwd; a puzzle, hence, a trick, conundrum, sententious maxim -- dark saying (sentence, speech), hard question, proverb, riddle.

see HEBREW chuwd

Word Origin
from an unused word
Definition
a riddle, an enigmatic, perplexing saying or question
NASB Translation
dark sayings (2), difficult questions (2), insinuations (1), intrigue (1), riddle (10), riddles (1).

חִידָה noun feminine riddle, enigmatic, perplexing saying or question; — absolute ׳ח Judges 14:12 6t.; suffix חִידָתִי Judges 14:18; Psalm 49:5; חִידָֽתְךָ Judges 14:13; plural absolute חִידוֺת 1 Kings 10:1 4t.; חִידֹת Numbers 12:8; suffix חִידֹתָם Proverbs 1:6; —

1 riddle = dark, obscure utterance Numbers 12:8 (J E; opposed to מֶּהאֶֿלמֶּֿה and מַרְאֶה); of something put indirectly and needing interpretation; — an allegory ׳חוד ח Ezekiel 17:2 ("" מְשֹׁל מָשָׁל); allegorical and figurative sayings Proverbs 1:6 ("" מְלִיצָה מָשָׁל and בְרֵי חֲכָמִים Di); enigmatic sentences and comparisons, declaring fate of Chaldeans Habakkuk 2:6 (+ מְלִיצָה; "" מָשָׁל), perplexing moral problem Psalm 49:5 (with מָּתַח open, propound; "" מָשָׁל), a lesson taught indirectly Psalm 78:2 (מִנִּי קֶדֶם ׳ח, with הִבִּיעַ; "" מָשָׁל).

2 riddle, enigma, to be guessed, in Judges 14:

a. with vb. חוּד Judges 14:12,13,16 propound a riddle.

b. with vb. הִגִּיד tell (give answer to) a riddle Judges 14:14,15,17,19.

c. with vb. מצא find out a riddle Judges 14:18.

3 perplexing questions by which queen of Sheba put Solomon to the test (נִסָּה) 1 Kings 10:1 2Chronicles 9:1.

4 with הֵבִין skilled in double-dealing Daniel 8:23 (Bev).

Word Origin: Derived from the root חוּד (chud), which means to tie a knot or to twist, suggesting the complexity or intricacy of a riddle or enigma.

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • G135 • διήγησις (diēgēsis): A narrative or account, often used in the context of explaining or expounding upon a story or teaching.
• G1335 • δῆλος (dēlos): Clear or manifest, often used in the context of making something known or revealing a truth.

These Greek terms, while not direct equivalents, relate to the concept of revealing or explaining complex ideas, similar to the unraveling of a riddle or enigma as suggested by חִידָה.

Usage: The term חִידָה is used in the Hebrew Bible to describe riddles or enigmatic sayings that challenge the listener to discern deeper meanings. It is often associated with wisdom literature and is used to convey moral or spiritual truths through indirect or allegorical language.

Context: • חִידָה appears in various contexts within the Hebrew Scriptures, often in association with wisdom and understanding. It is used to describe the enigmatic sayings of wise individuals, such as in the book of Proverbs, where it is associated with the teachings of the wise (Proverbs 1:6). The term is also famously used in the story of Samson, who poses a riddle to the Philistines (Judges 14:12-19), illustrating the use of חִידָה as a means of testing or challenging others.
• In the Psalms, חִידָה is used to describe the deep and mysterious nature of God's ways and the truths of His creation (Psalm 49:4; Psalm 78:2). These instances highlight the use of riddles or parables to convey profound spiritual insights that require contemplation and discernment.
• The use of חִידָה in the Hebrew Bible underscores the value placed on wisdom and understanding, encouraging the pursuit of knowledge and insight through the unraveling of complex or hidden truths.

בְּחִידֽוֹת׃ בְחִיד֜וֹת בְחִידֹ֔ת בחידות בחידות׃ בחידת הַ֣חִידָ֔ה הַֽחִידָ֥ה הַחִידָ֑ה הַחִידָ֖ה החידה וְחִידֹתָֽם׃ וחידתם׃ חִ֝יד֗וֹת חִיד֣וֹת חִידָ֑ה חִידָ֖ה חִידָתְךָ֖ חִידָתִֽי׃ חִידֽוֹת׃ חידה חידות חידות׃ חידתי׃ חידתך bə·ḥî·ḏō·wṯ ḇə·ḥî·ḏō·wṯ ḇə·ḥî·ḏōṯ bechiDot ḇəḥîḏōṯ bəḥîḏōwṯ ḇəḥîḏōwṯ chiDah chidateCha chidaTi chiDot ha·ḥî·ḏāh hachiDah haḥîḏāh ḥî·ḏā·ṯə·ḵā ḥî·ḏā·ṯî ḥî·ḏāh ḥî·ḏō·wṯ ḥîḏāh ḥîḏāṯəḵā ḥîḏāṯî ḥîḏōwṯ vechiDot vechidoTam wə·ḥî·ḏō·ṯām wəḥîḏōṯāmInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts