chi.dah denotes a puzzle posed for explanation or an enigmatic saying set alongside proverb-like speech.

The term most often names a puzzle presented for someone else to answer, especially in tests of understanding and Samson’s contest. It also occurs for enigmatic or proverb-like speech, including sayings contrasted with clear speech and utterances delivered in a proverb-like setting.

1. A puzzle posed for solution or testing · dominant

   In Judges 14:12, the singular form introduces Samson’s proposed challenge, whose answer determines the promised garments; Judges 14:14 shows that the men could not tell it for three days. The plural forms in 1 Kings 10:1 and 2 Chronicles 9:1 accompany the queen’s testing of Solomon, while Daniel 8:23 describes a king who understands such matters.

   Judges 14:12Judges 14:14Judges 14:181 Kings 10:12 Chronicles 9:1Daniel 8:23
2. An enigmatic saying in proverb-like speech · common

   In Ezekiel 17:2, the singular stands beside speaking a proverb to the house of Israel. Numbers 12:8 contrasts plural forms with speaking clearly, and Psalm 78:2 places them in a mouth opened “in a proverb”; Habakkuk 2:6 presents them as mocking utterances against the person addressed.

   Ezekiel 17:2Numbers 12:8Proverbs 1:6Psalm 78:2Habakkuk 2:6

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB usually presents the term with “riddle” or “riddles,” especially in the testing scenes and Samson’s challenge. It also pairs it with “proverb” in Ezekiel 17:2 and Psalm 78:2, and calls the utterances in Habakkuk 2:6 “mocking riddles”; these renderings reflect whole clauses rather than a word-for-word alignment.