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Judges 14

BSB·20 verses ·Old Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1One day Samsonשִׁמְשׁ֖וֹןšim·šō·wn — Sun manH8123 — Full Word Study → went downוַיֵּ֥רֶדway·yê·reḏ — To descend, go down, come downH3381 — Full Word Study → to Timnahתִּמְנָ֑תָהtim·nā·ṯāh — A city in JudahH8553 — Full Word Study →, where he sawוַיַּ֥רְאway·yar — to see, perceive, behold, experienceH7200 — Full Word Study → a young Philistineפְּלִשְׁתִּֽים׃pə·liš·tîm — PhilistineH6430 — Full Word Study → womanמִבְּנ֥וֹתmib·bə·nō·wṯ — daughter; female child or descendantH1323 — Full Word Study →. 2So he returnedוַיַּ֗עַלway·ya·‘al — to ascend, rise up, go upH5927 — Full Word Study → and toldוַיַּגֵּד֙way·yag·gêḏ — to tell, declare, make knownH5046 — Full Word Study → his fatherלְאָבִ֣יוlə·’ā·ḇîw — H1 — Full Word Study → and motherוּלְאִמּ֔וֹū·lə·’im·mōw — mother; female parentH517 — Full Word Study →, “I have seenרָאִ֥יתִיrā·’î·ṯî — to see, perceive, behold, experienceH7200 — Full Word Study → a daughterמִבְּנ֣וֹתmib·bə·nō·wṯ — daughter; female child or descendantH1323 — Full Word Study → of the Philistinesפְּלִשְׁתִּ֑יםpə·liš·tîm — PhilistineH6430 — Full Word Study → in Timnahבְתִמְנָ֖תָהḇə·ṯim·nā·ṯāh — A city in JudahH8553 — Full Word Study →. Nowוְעַתָּ֕הwə·‘at·tāh — Now; at the present timeH6258 — Full Word Study → getקְחוּ־qə·ḥū- — to take, seize, or receiveH3947 — Full Word Study → herאוֹתָ֥הּ’ō·w·ṯāh — direct object marker; signs accusative caseH853 — Full Word Study → for me as a wifeלְאִשָּֽׁה׃lə·’iš·šāh — Woman; wife; femaleH802 — Full Word Study →.” 3But his fatherאָבִ֣יו’ā·ḇîw — H1 — Full Word Study → and motherוְאִמּ֗וֹwə·’im·mōw — mother; female parentH517 — Full Word Study → repliedוַיֹּ֨אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, “Can’t you find a young womanבִּבְנ֨וֹתbiḇ·nō·wṯ — daughter; female child or descendantH1323 — Full Word Study → among your relativesאַחֶ֤יךָ’a·ḥe·ḵā — Male sibling; brother; kinsmanH251 — Full Word Study → or among anyוּבְכָל־ū·ḇə·ḵāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → of our peopleעַמִּי֙‘am·mî — a people; nation; communityH5971 — Full Word Study →? Must youאַתָּ֤ה’at·tāh — You; second-person pronoun (singular or plural)H859 — Full Word Study → goהוֹלֵךְ֙hō·w·lêḵ — to go, walk, travel, proceedH1980 — Full Word Study → to the uncircumcisedהָעֲרֵלִ֑יםhā·‘ă·rê·lîm — Uncircumcised; ritually unclean or spiritually unpreparedH6189 — Full Word Study → Philistinesמִפְּלִשְׁתִּ֖יםmip·pə·liš·tîm — PhilistineH6430 — Full Word Study → to getלָקַ֣חַתlā·qa·ḥaṯ — to take, seize, or receiveH3947 — Full Word Study → a wifeאִשָּׁ֔ה’iš·šāh — Woman; wife; femaleH802 — Full Word Study →?” But Samsonשִׁמְשׁ֤וֹןšim·šō·wn — Sun manH8123 — Full Word Study → toldוַיֹּ֨אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → his fatherאָבִיו֙’ā·ḇîw — H1 — Full Word Study →, “Getקַֽח־qaḥ- — to take, seize, or receiveH3947 — Full Word Study → herאוֹתָ֣הּ’ō·w·ṯāh — direct object marker; signs accusative caseH853 — Full Word Study → forכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → me, for sheהִ֖יאhî — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → is pleasingיָשְׁרָ֥הyā·šə·rāh — to make straight; to direct; to be right or uprightH3474 — Full Word Study → to my eyesבְעֵינָֽי׃ḇə·‘ê·nāy — Eye; sight; appearance; fountainH5869 — Full Word Study →.” 4(Now his fatherוְאָבִ֨יוwə·’ā·ḇîw — H1 — Full Word Study → and motherוְאִמּ֜וֹwə·’im·mōw — mother; female parentH517 — Full Word Study → did notלֹ֣אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → knowיָדְע֗וּyā·ḏə·‘ū — to know, understand, perceiveH3045 — Full Word Study → thisהִ֔יאhî — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → was fromכִּי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → the LORDמֵיְהוָה֙Yah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, whoהֽוּא־hū- — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → was seekingמְבַקֵּ֖שׁmə·ḇaq·qêš — To seek, search for, or request earnestlyH1245 — Full Word Study → an occasion to moveתֹאֲנָ֥הṯō·’ă·nāh — Opportunity, occasion, or pretext for actionH8385 — Full Word Study → against the Philistinesמִפְּלִשְׁתִּ֑יםmip·pə·liš·tîm — PhilistineH6430 — Full Word Study →; for at thatהַהִ֔יאha·hî — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → timeוּבָעֵ֣תū·ḇā·‘êṯ — Time, season, or appointed momentH6256 — Full Word Study → the Philistinesפְּלִשְׁתִּ֖יםpə·liš·tîm — PhilistineH6430 — Full Word Study → were rulingמֹשְׁלִ֥יםmō·šə·lîm — To rule, reign, or exercise dominionH4910 — Full Word Study → over Israelבְּיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃פbə·yiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study →.) 5Then Samsonשִׁמְשׁ֛וֹןšim·šō·wn — Sun manH8123 — Full Word Study → went downוַיֵּ֧רֶדway·yê·reḏ — To descend, go down, come downH3381 — Full Word Study → to Timnahתִּמְנָ֑תָהtim·nā·ṯāh — A city in JudahH8553 — Full Word Study → with his fatherוְאָבִ֥יוwə·’ā·ḇîw — H1 — Full Word Study → and motherוְאִמּ֖וֹwə·’im·mōw — mother; female parentH517 — Full Word Study → and cameוַיָּבֹ֙אוּ֙way·yā·ḇō·’ū — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study → toעַד־‘aḏ- — until, till, up to (temporal or spatial limit)H5704 — Full Word Study → the vineyardsכַּרְמֵ֣יkar·mê — Vineyard; a planted garden of grapevinesH3754 — Full Word Study → of Timnahתִמְנָ֔תָהṯim·nā·ṯāh — A city in JudahH8553 — Full Word Study →. Suddenlyוְהִנֵּה֙wə·hin·nêh — Look! Behold! Pay attention!H2009 — Full Word Study → a young lionכְּפִ֣ירkə·p̄îr — Young lion; fierce strength and dangerH3715 — Full Word Study → came roaringשֹׁאֵ֖גšō·’êḡ — To roar; to make a loud, deep soundH7580 — Full Word Study → at himלִקְרָאתֽוֹ׃liq·rā·ṯōw — to meet, encounter, or come upon (often by chance or unexpectedly)H7122 — Full Word Study →, 6and the Spiritר֣וּחַrū·aḥ — Spirit, breath, wind, or inner dispositionH7307 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְהוָ֗הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → came powerfullyוַתִּצְלַ֨חwat·tiṣ·laḥ — To prosper, succeed, push forwardH6743 — Full Word Study → upon himעָלָ֜יו‘ā·lāw — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study →, and he tore the lion apartוַֽיְשַׁסְּעֵ֙הוּ֙way·šas·sə·‘ê·hū — to split, cleave, or divideH8156 — Full Word Study → with his bareוּמְא֖וּמָהū·mə·’ū·māh — anything, something, aughtH3972 — Full Word Study → handsבְּיָד֑וֹbə·yā·ḏōw — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study → as one would tearכְּשַׁסַּ֣עkə·šas·sa‘ — to split, cleave, or divideH8156 — Full Word Study → a young goatהַגְּדִ֔יhag·gə·ḏî — young goat; kidH1423 — Full Word Study →. But he did notוְלֹ֤אwə·lō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → tellהִגִּיד֙hig·gîḏ — to tell, declare, make knownH5046 — Full Word Study → his fatherלְאָבִ֣יוlə·’ā·ḇîw — H1 — Full Word Study → or motherוּלְאִמּ֔וֹū·lə·’im·mōw — mother; female parentH517 — Full Word Study → whatאֲשֶׁ֥ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → he had doneעָשָֽׂה׃‘ā·śāh — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study →. 7Then Samson continued on his way down and spokeוַיְדַבֵּ֣רway·ḏab·bêr — to speak, say, or declareH1696 — Full Word Study → to the womanלָאִשָּׁ֑הlā·’iš·šāh — Woman; wife; femaleH802 — Full Word Study →, becauseשִׁמְשֽׁוֹן׃šim·šō·wn — Sun manH8123 — Full Word Study → she was pleasingוַתִּישַׁ֖רwat·tî·šar — to make straight; to direct; to be right or uprightH3474 — Full Word Study → to his eyesבְּעֵינֵ֥יbə·‘ê·nê — Eye; sight; appearance; fountainH5869 — Full Word Study →. 8When Samson returned laterמִיָּמִים֙mî·yā·mîm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → to take herלְקַחְתָּ֔הּlə·qaḥ·tāh — to take, seize, or receiveH3947 — Full Word Study →, he leftוַיָּ֣סַרway·yā·sar — to turn aside, depart, removeH5493 — Full Word Study → the road to seeלִרְא֔וֹתlir·’ō·wṯ — to see, perceive, behold, experienceH7200 — Full Word Study → the lion’sהָאַרְיֵ֑הhā·’ar·yêh — A lion; fierce predatorH738 — Full Word Study → carcassמַפֶּ֣לֶתmap·pe·leṯ — Carcass, corpse, or ruinH4658 — Full Word Study →, and in it wasוְהִנֵּ֨הwə·hin·nêh — Look! Behold! Pay attention!H2009 — Full Word Study → a swarmעֲדַ֧ת‘ă·ḏaṯ — congregation, assembly, gathered communityH5712 — Full Word Study → of beesדְּבוֹרִ֛יםdə·ḇō·w·rîm — bee; a small flying insect that produces honeyH1682 — Full Word Study →, along with their honeyוּדְבָֽשׁ׃ū·ḏə·ḇāš — honey; sweetnessH1706 — Full Word Study →. 9So he scoopedוַיִּרְדֵּ֣הוּway·yir·dê·hū — To rule, reign, or exercise dominion overH7287 — Full Word Study → some honey intoאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → his handsכַּפָּ֗יוkap·pāw — Palm of the hand; hollow of anything; power or controlH3709 — Full Word Study → and ate itוְאָכֹ֔לwə·’ā·ḵōl — to eat, consume, devourH398 — Full Word Study → as he went alongוַיֵּ֤לֶךְway·yê·leḵ — to go, walk, travel, proceedH1980 — Full Word Study →. And when he returnedוַיֵּ֙לֶךְ֙way·yê·leḵ — to go, walk, travel, proceedH1980 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → his fatherאָבִ֣יו’ā·ḇîw — H1 — Full Word Study → and motherאִמּ֔וֹ’im·mōw — mother; female parentH517 — Full Word Study →, he gaveוַיִּתֵּ֥ןway·yit·tên — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → some to them and they ate itוַיֹּאכֵ֑לוּway·yō·ḵê·lū — to eat, consume, devourH398 — Full Word Study →. But he did notוְלֹֽא־wə·lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → tellהִגִּ֣ידhig·gîḏ — to tell, declare, make knownH5046 — Full Word Study → them thatכִּ֛יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → he had takenרָדָ֥הrā·ḏāh — To rule, reign, or exercise dominion overH7287 — Full Word Study → the honeyהַדְּבָֽשׁ׃had·də·ḇāš — honey; sweetnessH1706 — Full Word Study → from the lion’sהָאַרְיֵ֖הhā·’ar·yêh — A lion; fierce predatorH738 — Full Word Study → carcassמִגְּוִיַּ֥תmig·gə·wî·yaṯ — Corpse, dead body, carcassH1472 — Full Word Study →. 10Then his fatherאָבִ֖יהוּ’ā·ḇî·hū — H1 — Full Word Study → wentוַיֵּ֥רֶדway·yê·reḏ — To descend, go down, come downH3381 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → visit the womanהָאִשָּׁ֑הhā·’iš·šāh — Woman; wife; femaleH802 — Full Word Study →, and Samsonשִׁמְשׁוֹן֙šim·šō·wn — Sun manH8123 — Full Word Study → preparedוַיַּ֨עַשׂway·ya·‘aś — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → a feastמִשְׁתֶּ֔הmiš·teh — Feast, banquet, or festive mealH4960 — Full Word Study → thereשָׁ֤םšām — There, in that placeH8033 — Full Word Study →, asכִּ֛יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → was customaryיַעֲשׂ֖וּya·‘ă·śū — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → for the bridegroomהַבַּחוּרִֽים׃hab·ba·ḥū·rîm — Young man, youth, chosen oneH970 — Full Word Study →. 11And whenוַיְהִ֖יway·hî — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → the Philistines saw him, they selectedוַיִּקְחוּ֙way·yiq·ḥū — to take, seize, or receiveH3947 — Full Word Study → thirtyשְׁלֹשִׁ֣יםšə·lō·šîm — thirty; group of thirtyH7970 — Full Word Study → men to accompany himמֵֽרֵעִ֔יםmê·rê·‘îm — companion, friend, associateH4828 — Full Word Study →. 12Let me tellאָחֽוּדָה־’ā·ḥū·ḏāh- — to pose a riddle; to speak in enigmatic or obscure languageH2330 — Full Word Study → you a riddleחִידָ֑הḥî·ḏāh — A riddle, mysterious saying, or hard questionH2420 — Full Word Study →,” Samsonשִׁמְשׁ֔וֹןšim·šō·wn — Sun manH8123 — Full Word Study → saidוַיֹּ֤אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → to them. “Ifאִם־’im- — If, whether; conditional conjunction with wide applicabilityH518 — Full Word Study → you can solveהַגֵּ֣דhag·gêḏ — to tell, declare, make knownH5046 — Full Word Study → itאוֹתָ֨הּ’ō·w·ṯāh — direct object marker; signs accusative caseH853 — Full Word Study → for me within the seven daysיְמֵ֤יyə·mê — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → of the feastהַמִּשְׁתֶּה֙ham·miš·teh — Feast, banquet, or festive mealH4960 — Full Word Study →, I will giveוְנָתַתִּ֤יwə·nā·ṯat·tî — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → you thirtyשְׁלֹשִׁ֣יםšə·lō·šîm — thirty; group of thirtyH7970 — Full Word Study → linen garmentsסְדִינִ֔יםsə·ḏî·nîm — Fine linen; a linen sheet or garmentH5466 — Full Word Study → and thirtyוּשְׁלֹשִׁ֖יםū·šə·lō·šîm — thirty; group of thirtyH7970 — Full Word Study → setsחֲלִפֹ֥תḥă·li·p̄ōṯ — A change, exchange, or rotation; a shift or turn.H2487 — Full Word Study → of clothesבְּגָדִֽים׃bə·ḡā·ḏîm — Clothing; treachery or deceptionH899 — Full Word Study →. 13But ifוְאִם־wə·’im- — If, whether; conditional conjunction with wide applicabilityH518 — Full Word Study → you cannotלֹ֣אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → solve itלְהַגִּ֣ידlə·hag·gîḏ — to tell, declare, make knownH5046 — Full Word Study →, youאַתֶּ֥ם’at·tem — You; second-person pronoun (singular or plural)H859 — Full Word Study → must giveוּנְתַתֶּ֨םū·nə·ṯat·tem — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → me thirtyשְׁלֹשִׁ֣יםšə·lō·šîm — thirty; group of thirtyH7970 — Full Word Study → linen garmentsסְדִינִ֔יםsə·ḏî·nîm — Fine linen; a linen sheet or garmentH5466 — Full Word Study → and thirtyוּשְׁלֹשִׁ֖יםū·šə·lō·šîm — thirty; group of thirtyH7970 — Full Word Study → setsחֲלִיפ֣וֹתḥă·lî·p̄ō·wṯ — A change, exchange, or rotation; a shift or turn.H2487 — Full Word Study → of clothesבְּגָדִ֑יםbə·ḡā·ḏîm — Clothing; treachery or deceptionH899 — Full Word Study →.” “Tell usח֥וּדָהḥū·ḏāh — to pose a riddle; to speak in enigmatic or obscure languageH2330 — Full Word Study → your riddleחִידָתְךָ֖ḥî·ḏā·ṯə·ḵā — A riddle, mysterious saying, or hard questionH2420 — Full Word Study →,” they repliedוַיֹּ֣אמְרוּway·yō·mə·rū — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →. “Let us hear itוְנִשְׁמָעֶֽנָּה׃wə·niš·mā·‘en·nāh — to hear, listen, obeyH8085 — Full Word Study →.” 14So he saidוַיֹּ֣אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → to them: “Out of the eaterמֵהָֽאֹכֵל֙mê·hā·’ō·ḵêl — to eat, consume, devourH398 — Full Word Study → cameיָצָ֣אyā·ṣā — To go out, come forth, exitH3318 — Full Word Study → something to eatמַאֲכָ֔לma·’ă·ḵāl — Food, sustenance, or provisions for eatingH3978 — Full Word Study →, and out of the strongוּמֵעַ֖זū·mê·‘az — Strong, fierce, mightyH5794 — Full Word Study → cameיָצָ֣אyā·ṣā — To go out, come forth, exitH3318 — Full Word Study → something sweetמָת֑וֹקmā·ṯō·wq — sweet, pleasant to taste or experienceH4966 — Full Word Study →.” For threeשְׁלֹ֥שֶׁתšə·lō·šeṯ — The number three; a group of three thingsH7969 — Full Word Study → daysיָמִֽים׃yā·mîm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → they were unableוְלֹ֥אwə·lō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → to explainלְהַגִּ֥ידlə·hag·gîḏ — to tell, declare, make knownH5046 — Full Word Study → the riddleהַחִידָ֖הha·ḥî·ḏāh — A riddle, mysterious saying, or hard questionH2420 — Full Word Study →. 15Soוַיְהִ֣י׀way·hî — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → on the fourthהַשְּׁבִיעִ֗יhaš·šə·ḇî·‘î — seventh; occurring on the seventh day or in a series of sevenH7637 — Full Word Study → dayבַּיּ֣וֹםbay·yō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → they saidוַיֹּאמְר֤וּway·yō·mə·rū — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → to Samson’sשִׁמְשׁוֹן֙šim·šō·wn — Sun manH8123 — Full Word Study → wifeלְאֵֽשֶׁת־lə·’ê·šeṯ- — Woman; wife; femaleH802 — Full Word Study →, “Enticeפַּתִּ֣יpat·tî — To open, enlarge, or deceive; to entice or seduceH6601 — Full Word Study → your husbandאִישֵׁ֗ךְ’î·šêḵ — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study → to explainוְיַגֶּד־wə·yag·geḏ- — to tell, declare, make knownH5046 — Full Word Study → the riddleהַ֣חִידָ֔הha·ḥî·ḏāh — A riddle, mysterious saying, or hard questionH2420 — Full Word Study → to us, orפֶּן־pen- — lest, that not, for fear thatH6435 — Full Word Study → we will burnנִשְׂרֹ֥ףniś·rōp̄ — to burn, kindle, consume by fireH8313 — Full Word Study → youאוֹתָ֛ךְ’ō·w·ṯāḵ — direct object marker; signs accusative caseH853 — Full Word Study → and your father’sאָבִ֖יךְ’ā·ḇîḵ — H1 — Full Word Study → householdבֵּ֥יתbêṯ — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study → to deathבָּאֵ֑שׁbā·’êš — Fire; flame; burningH784 — Full Word Study →. Did you invite usקְרָאתֶ֥םqə·rā·ṯem — To call, summon, or proclaimH7121 — Full Word Study → here to rob usהַלְיָרְשֵׁ֕נוּhal·yā·rə·šê·nū — to possess, inherit, dispossessH3423 — Full Word Study →?” 16Then Samson’sשִׁמְשׁ֜וֹןšim·šō·wn — Sun manH8123 — Full Word Study → wifeאֵ֨שֶׁת’ê·šeṯ — Woman; wife; femaleH802 — Full Word Study → came to himעָלָ֗יו‘ā·lāw — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study →, weepingוַתֵּבְךְּ֩wat·tê·ḇək — to weep, cry, shed tearsH1058 — Full Word Study →, and saidוַתֹּ֙אמֶר֙wat·tō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, “You hate meשְׂנֵאתַ֙נִי֙śə·nê·ṯa·nî — to hate, despise, regard with hostilityH8130 — Full Word Study →! You do not reallyוְלֹ֣אwə·lō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → love meאֲהַבְתָּ֔נִי’ă·haḇ·tā·nî — To love; affection, attachment, or preferenceH157 — Full Word Study →! You have posedחַ֙דְתָּ֙ḥaḏ·tā — to pose a riddle; to speak in enigmatic or obscure languageH2330 — Full Word Study → to my peopleלִבְנֵ֣יliḇ·nê — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → a riddleהַֽחִידָ֥הha·ḥî·ḏāh — A riddle, mysterious saying, or hard questionH2420 — Full Word Study →, but have notלֹ֣אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → explained it to meהִגַּ֑דְתָּהhig·gaḏ·tāh — to tell, declare, make knownH5046 — Full Word Study →.” “Lookהִנֵּ֨הhin·nêh — Look! Behold! Pay attention!H2009 — Full Word Study →,” he saidוַיֹּ֣אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, “I have notלֹ֥אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → even explainedהִגַּ֖דְתִּיhig·gaḏ·tî — to tell, declare, make knownH5046 — Full Word Study → it to my fatherלְאָבִ֧יlə·’ā·ḇî — H1 — Full Word Study → or motherוּלְאִמִּ֛יū·lə·’im·mî — mother; female parentH517 — Full Word Study →, so why should I explain itאַגִּֽיד׃’ag·gîḏ — to tell, declare, make knownH5046 — Full Word Study → to you?” 17She weptוַתֵּ֤בְךְּwat·tê·ḇək — to weep, cry, shed tearsH1058 — Full Word Study → the whole sevenשִׁבְעַ֣תšiḇ·‘aṯ — The number seven; sevenfoldH7651 — Full Word Study → daysהַיָּמִ֔יםhay·yā·mîm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → of the feastהַמִּשְׁתֶּ֑הham·miš·teh — Feast, banquet, or festive mealH4960 — Full Word Study →, and finallyוַיְהִ֣י׀way·hî — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → on the seventhהַשְּׁבִיעִ֗יhaš·šə·ḇî·‘î — seventh; occurring on the seventh day or in a series of sevenH7637 — Full Word Study → dayבַּיּ֣וֹםbay·yō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study →, becauseכִּ֣יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → she had pressed him so muchהֱצִיקַ֔תְהוּhĕ·ṣî·qaṯ·hū — to pressH6693 — Full Word Study →, he toldוַיַּגֶּד־way·yag·geḏ- — to tell, declare, make knownH5046 — Full Word Study → her the answer. And in turn she explainedוַתַּגֵּ֥דwat·tag·gêḏ — to tell, declare, make knownH5046 — Full Word Study → the riddleהַחִידָ֖הha·ḥî·ḏāh — A riddle, mysterious saying, or hard questionH2420 — Full Word Study → to her peopleלִבְנֵ֥יliḇ·nê — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study →. 18Beforeבְּטֶ֙רֶם֙bə·ṭe·rem — before, ere, prior to, not yetH2962 — Full Word Study → sunsetיָבֹ֣אyā·ḇō — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study → on the seventhהַשְּׁבִיעִ֗יhaš·šə·ḇî·‘î — seventh; occurring on the seventh day or in a series of sevenH7637 — Full Word Study → dayבַּיּ֣וֹםbay·yō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study →, the menאַנְשֵׁ֨י’an·šê — human being, man, mortal personH582 — Full Word Study → of the cityהָעִ֜ירhā·‘îr — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study → saidוַיֹּ֣אמְרוּway·yō·mə·rū — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → to Samson: “Whatמַה־mah- — What? Why? How? (interrogative particle)H4100 — Full Word Study → is sweeterמָּת֣וֹקmā·ṯō·wq — sweet, pleasant to taste or experienceH4966 — Full Word Study → than honeyמִדְּבַ֔שׁmid·də·ḇaš — honey; sweetnessH1706 — Full Word Study →? And what is strongerעַ֖ז‘az — Strong, fierce, mightyH5794 — Full Word Study → than a lionמֵאֲרִ֑יmê·’ă·rî — A lion; fierce predatorH738 — Full Word Study →?” So he saidוַיֹּ֣אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → to them: “If you had notלוּלֵא֙lū·lê — unless, except, if notH3884 — Full Word Study → plowedחֲרַשְׁתֶּ֣םḥă·raš·tem — to engrave, plow, devise, or keep silentH2790 — Full Word Study → with my heiferבְּעֶגְלָתִ֔יbə·‘eḡ·lā·ṯî — Young female calf or heiferH5697 — Full Word Study →, you would notלֹ֥אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → have solvedמְצָאתֶ֖םmə·ṣā·ṯem — to find, discover, obtainH4672 — Full Word Study → my riddleחִידָתִֽי׃ḥî·ḏā·ṯî — A riddle, mysterious saying, or hard questionH2420 — Full Word Study →!” 19Then the Spiritר֣וּחַrū·aḥ — Spirit, breath, wind, or inner dispositionH7307 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְהוָ֗הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → came mightilyוַתִּצְלַ֨חwat·tiṣ·laḥ — To prosper, succeed, push forwardH6743 — Full Word Study → upon himעָלָ֜יו‘ā·lāw — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study →, and he went downוַיֵּ֨רֶדway·yê·reḏ — To descend, go down, come downH3381 — Full Word Study → to Ashkelonאַשְׁקְל֜וֹן’aš·qə·lō·wn — A Philistine cityH831 — Full Word Study →, killedוַיַּ֥ךְway·yaḵ — To strike, smite, or defeat with forceH5221 — Full Word Study → thirtyשְׁלֹשִׁ֣יםšə·lō·šîm — thirty; group of thirtyH7970 — Full Word Study → of their menאִ֗ישׁ’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study →, tookוַיִּקַּח֙way·yiq·qaḥ — to take, seize, or receiveH3947 — Full Word Study → their apparelחֲלִ֣יצוֹתָ֔םḥă·lî·ṣō·w·ṯām — Spoil or plundered goods; armor stripped from enemiesH2488 — Full Word Study →, and gaveוַיִּתֵּן֙way·yit·tên — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → their clothesהַחֲלִיפ֔וֹתha·ḥă·lî·p̄ō·wṯ — A change, exchange, or rotation; a shift or turn.H2487 — Full Word Study → to those who had solvedלְמַגִּידֵ֖יlə·mag·gî·ḏê — to tell, declare, make knownH5046 — Full Word Study → the riddleהַחִידָ֑הha·ḥî·ḏāh — A riddle, mysterious saying, or hard questionH2420 — Full Word Study →. And burningוַיִּ֣חַרway·yi·ḥar — to burn with anger, become incensedH2734 — Full Word Study → with angerאַפּ֔וֹ’ap·pōw — Anger, wrath, face, or noseH639 — Full Word Study →, Samson returnedוַיַּ֖עַלway·ya·‘al — to ascend, rise up, go upH5927 — Full Word Study → to his father’sאָבִֽיהוּ׃פ’ā·ḇî·hū — H1 — Full Word Study → houseבֵּ֥יתbêṯ — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study →, 20and hisשִׁמְשׁ֑וֹןšim·šō·wn — Sun manH8123 — Full Word Study → wifeאֵ֣שֶׁת’ê·šeṯ — Woman; wife; femaleH802 — Full Word Study → was givenוַתְּהִ֖יwat·tə·hî — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → to one of the men whoאֲשֶׁ֥ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → had accompaniedרֵעָ֖הrê·‘āh — to shepherd; to tend, feed, or pasture a flockH7462 — Full Word Study → him.
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Chapter Commentary — Judges 14
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Chapter Overview

Judges 14 marks a critical turning point in Samson's life—the beginning of his conflict with the Philistines. While Samson's parents recognize the danger of marrying outside God's covenant people, the Lord is orchestrating events to give Israel's oppressor a formidable opponent. This chapter reveals both the extraordinary power God grants Samson and the dangerous weakness of his flesh: his eyes and his desires lead him into compromise, setting the stage for a life marked by both remarkable victories and devastating moral failures.

Verses 1–4: An Unequal Yoke

Samson sees a Philistine woman and becomes infatuated, demanding his parents arrange the marriage (v. 1–2). His parents immediately recognize the problem: she is uncircumcised, belonging to a pagan nation hostile to Israel (v. 3). When they object, Samson dismisses their wisdom with a single phrase—"she pleaseth me well"—revealing that emotion, not conviction, is driving his choice. Yet verse 4 offers crucial insight: God is working through Samson's fleshly desire to create an opportunity against the Philistines. This does not justify Samson's disobedience; rather, it shows God's sovereign ability to accomplish His purposes even when His people act foolishly. The principle applies today: God can redirect our mistakes toward His glory, but that does not make the mistake right.

Verses 5–9: The Spirit's Power and Samson's Secrecy

On the way to Timnath, a lion attacks Samson (v. 5). The Spirit of the Lord comes upon him with mighty power, and he tears the lion apart bare-handed like a young goat (v. 6). Yet significantly, Samson tells no one—not even his parents—what he has done. Later, returning to claim his bride, he finds honeycomb in the lion's carcass and eats it, then shares it with his parents without revealing its source (vv. 8–9). Here we see a pattern: Samson operates in isolated strength, keeping secrets, and withholding truth from those closest to him. Spiritual power is not a substitute for integrity and openness in relationships. His silence sows the seeds for later deception and betrayal.

Verses 10–18: The Riddle and Its Cost

At the wedding feast, Samson poses a riddle to thirty Philistine companions (vv. 12–14): "Out of the eater came forth meat, and out of the strong came forth sweetness"—referring to the honey from the lion. When they cannot solve it, they pressure Samson's bride to extract the answer, threatening to burn her and her father's house (v. 15). She manipulates Samson through tears and accusations of hatred until he reveals the riddle on the seventh day (vv. 16–17). The Philistines answer correctly: "What is sweeter than honey? What is stronger than a lion?" (v. 18). Samson's bride has betrayed him to save herself, and her people have cheated. Samson immediately recognizes the trick—"If ye had not plowed with my heifer"—using crude language that reveals both his insight and his bitterness.

Verses 19–20: Judgment and Loss

The Spirit of the Lord comes upon Samson, and in fierce anger he kills thirty Philistines at Ashkelon to pay his debt (v. 19). But the cost is devastating: his bride is given to his companion (v. 20). The chapter ends in emptiness—Samson has won the contest but lost the woman, proving that victory without obedience brings no lasting peace.

Application for Today

Samson's story warns us that spiritual gifting does not protect us from the consequences of moral compromise. We may accomplish great things through God's power while simultaneously destroying our most important relationships through pride, secrecy, and lust. The path forward requires surrendering not just our weakness to God, but our strength as well—allowing Him to govern our choices in relationships, finances, and reputation. True victory comes through obedience, not mere power.

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