(counsel). Oriental peoples fond of riddles. Hebrew riddles embraced proverbs (Prov. 1:6); oracles (Num. 12:8); songs (Psa. 49:4); parables (Ezek. 17:2); intricate sentences, questions, and problems (Judg. 14:12-14; 1 Kings 10:1; 2 Chron. 9:1; Dan. 8:23).