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Judges 15

BSB·20 verses ·Old Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1Later onוַיְהִ֨יway·hî — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study →, at the timeבִּימֵ֣יbî·mê — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → of the wheatחִטִּ֗יםḥiṭ·ṭîm — wheat grain or wheat cropH2406 — Full Word Study → harvestקְצִיר־qə·ṣîr- — Harvest; the reaping of crops or figuratively, a limb or branchH7105 — Full Word Study →, Samsonשִׁמְשׁ֤וֹןšim·šō·wn — Sun manH8123 — Full Word Study → tookבִּגְדִ֣יbiḡ·ḏî — young goat; kidH1423 — Full Word Study → a young goatעִזִּ֔ים‘iz·zîm — Female goat; young goatH5795 — Full Word Study → and went to visitוַיִּפְקֹ֨דway·yip̄·qōḏ — to visit, oversee, appoint, care forH6485 — Full Word Study → his wifeאִשְׁתּוֹ֙’iš·tōw — Woman; wife; femaleH802 — Full Word Study →. “I want to goאָבֹ֥אָה’ā·ḇō·’āh — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → my wifeאִשְׁתִּ֖י’iš·tî — Woman; wife; femaleH802 — Full Word Study → in her roomהֶחָ֑דְרָהhe·ḥā·ḏə·rāh — Inner room, private chamber, bedroomH2315 — Full Word Study →,” he saidוַיֹּ֕אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →. But her fatherאָבִ֖יהָ’ā·ḇî·hā — H1 — Full Word Study → would notוְלֹֽא־wə·lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → let himנְתָנ֥וֹnə·ṯā·nōw — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → enterלָבֽוֹא׃lā·ḇō·w — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study →. 2I was sureוַיֹּ֣אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → thatכִּי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → you thoroughly hated herשָׂנֹ֣אśā·nō — to hate, despise, regard with hostilityH8130 — Full Word Study →,” saidאָמַ֙רְתִּי֙’ā·mar·tî — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → her fatherאָבִ֗יהָ’ā·ḇî·hā — H1 — Full Word Study →, “so I gave herוָאֶתְּנֶ֖נָּהwā·’et·tə·nen·nāh — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → to one of the men who accompanied youלְמֵרֵעֶ֑ךָlə·mê·rê·‘e·ḵā — companion, friend, associateH4828 — Full Word Study →. Is notהֲלֹ֨אhă·lō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → her youngerהַקְּטַנָּה֙haq·qə·ṭan·nāh — Small, little, least, or young in size, number, age, or importanceH6996 — Full Word Study → sisterאֲחֹתָ֤הּ’ă·ḥō·ṯāh — Sister; female sibling or kinswomanH269 — Full Word Study → more beautifulטוֹבָ֣הṭō·w·ḇāh — good, beneficial, pleasing, wellH2896 — Full Word Study → than sheמִמֶּ֔נָּהmim·men·nāh — from, out of, by means ofH4480 — Full Word Study →? Pleaseנָ֥אnā — Please, I beseech, I prayH4994 — Full Word Study → take herתְּהִי־tə·hî- — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → insteadתַּחְתֶּֽיהָ׃taḥ·te·hā — Under, beneath, instead of, in place ofH8478 — Full Word Study →.” 3Samsonשִׁמְשׁ֔וֹןšim·šō·wn — Sun manH8123 — Full Word Study → saidוַיֹּ֤אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → to them, “This timeהַפַּ֖עַםhap·pa·‘am — time, occasion, or instance of occurrenceH6471 — Full Word Study → I will be blamelessנִקֵּ֥יתִיniq·qê·ṯî — to be clean, innocent, or acquittedH5352 — Full Word Study → in doingעֹשֶׂ֥ה‘ō·śeh — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → harmרָעָֽה׃rā·‘āh — evil, bad, harm, disasterH7451 — Full Word Study → to the Philistinesמִפְּלִשְׁתִּ֑יםmip·pə·liš·tîm — PhilistineH6430 — Full Word Study →.” 4Then Samsonשִׁמְשׁ֔וֹןšim·šō·wn — Sun manH8123 — Full Word Study → went outוַיֵּ֣לֶךְway·yê·leḵ — to go, walk, travel, proceedH1980 — Full Word Study → and caughtוַיִּלְכֹּ֖דway·yil·kōḏ — To capture, seize, or take hold ofH3920 — Full Word Study → threeשְׁלֹשׁ־šə·lōš- — The number three; a group of three thingsH7969 — Full Word Study → hundredמֵא֣וֹתmê·’ō·wṯ — hundred; a large complete numberH3967 — Full Word Study → foxesשׁוּעָלִ֑יםšū·‘ā·lîm — fox; a cunning or destructive creatureH7776 — Full Word Study →. And he tookוַיִּקַּ֣חway·yiq·qaḥ — to take, seize, or receiveH3947 — Full Word Study → torchesלַפִּדִ֗יםlap·pi·ḏîm — A torch or burning lamp; a flame-bearing objectH3940 — Full Word Study →, turnedוַיֶּ֤פֶןway·ye·p̄en — to turn, face, or direct attentionH6437 — Full Word Study → the foxes tail-to-tailזָנָב֙zā·nāḇ — tail; rear end; the back or end of somethingH2180 — Full Word Study →, and fastenedוַיָּ֨שֶׂםway·yā·śem — to put, place, set, appointH7760 — Full Word Study → aאֶחָ֛ד’e·ḥāḏ — One; unity; single; firstH259 — Full Word Study → torchלַפִּ֥ידlap·pîḏ — A torch or burning lamp; a flame-bearing objectH3940 — Full Word Study → betweenבֵּין־bên- — between, among, in the midst ofH996 — Full Word Study → each pairשְׁנֵ֥יšə·nê — The number two; a pair or coupleH8147 — Full Word Study → of tailsהַזְּנָב֖וֹתhaz·zə·nā·ḇō·wṯ — tail; rear end; the back or end of somethingH2180 — Full Word Study →. 5Then he litוַיַּבְעֶר־way·yaḇ·‘er- — to burn, consume, or act brutishlyH1197 — Full Word Study → the torchesבַּלַּפִּידִ֔יםbal·lap·pî·ḏîm — A torch or burning lamp; a flame-bearing objectH3940 — Full Word Study → and released the foxes into the standing grainבְּקָמ֣וֹתbə·qā·mō·wṯ — standing grain, growing cropH7054 — Full Word Study → of the Philistinesפְּלִשְׁתִּ֑יםpə·liš·tîm — PhilistineH6430 — Full Word Study →, burning upוַיַּבְעֵ֛רway·yaḇ·‘êr — to burn, consume, or act brutishlyH1197 — Full Word Study → the piles of grainמִגָּדִ֥ישׁmig·gā·ḏîš — A shock (stack) of grain; a tomb or graveH1430 — Full Word Study → and the standing grainקָמָ֖הqā·māh — standing grain, growing cropH7054 — Full Word Study →, as well asוְעַד־wə·‘aḏ- — until, till, up to (temporal or spatial limit)H5704 — Full Word Study → the vineyardsכֶּ֥רֶםke·rem — Vineyard; a planted garden of grapevinesH3754 — Full Word Study → and olive grovesזָֽיִת׃zā·yiṯ — olive tree; Mount of OlivesH2132 — Full Word Study →. 6Whoמִ֣יmî — who? what person?H4310 — Full Word Study → didעָ֣שָׂה‘ā·śāh — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → thisזֹאת֒zōṯ — This, that; demonstrative pronounH2063 — Full Word Study →?” the Philistinesפְלִשְׁתִּים֮p̄ə·liš·tîm — PhilistineH6430 — Full Word Study → demandedוַיֹּאמְר֣וּway·yō·mə·rū — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →. “It was Samsonשִׁמְשׁוֹן֙šim·šō·wn — Sun manH8123 — Full Word Study →, the son-in-lawחֲתַ֣ןḥă·ṯan — bridegroom; son-in-lawH2860 — Full Word Study → of the Timniteהַתִּמְנִ֔יhat·tim·nî — Resident of TimnahH8554 — Full Word Study →,” they were toldוַיֹּאמְר֗וּway·yō·mə·rū — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →. “Forכִּ֚יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → his wifeאִשְׁתּ֔וֹ’iš·tōw — Woman; wife; femaleH802 — Full Word Study → was givenוַֽיִּתְּנָ֖הּway·yit·tə·nāh — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → to his companionלְמֵרֵעֵ֑הוּlə·mê·rê·‘ê·hū — companion, friend, associateH4828 — Full Word Study →.” So the Philistinesפְלִשְׁתִּ֔יםp̄ə·liš·tîm — PhilistineH6430 — Full Word Study → went upוַיַּעֲל֣וּway·ya·‘ă·lū — to ascend, rise up, go upH5927 — Full Word Study → and burnedוַיִּשְׂרְפ֥וּway·yiś·rə·p̄ū — to burn, kindle, consume by fireH8313 — Full Word Study → her and her fatherאָבִ֖יהָ’ā·ḇî·hā — H1 — Full Word Study → to deathבָּאֵֽשׁ׃bā·’êš — Fire; flame; burningH784 — Full Word Study →. 7And Samsonשִׁמְשׁ֔וֹןšim·šō·wn — Sun manH8123 — Full Word Study → toldוַיֹּ֤אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → them, “Becauseאִֽם־’im- — If, whether; conditional conjunction with wide applicabilityH518 — Full Word Study → you have doneתַּעֲשׂ֖וּןta·‘ă·śūn — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → thisכָּזֹ֑אתkā·zōṯ — This, that; demonstrative pronounH2063 — Full Word Study →, I will not restאֶחְדָּֽל׃’eḥ·dāl — to cease, stop, or desist from an actionH2308 — Full Word Study → untilכִּ֛יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → I have taken vengeanceנִקַּ֥מְתִּיniq·qam·tî — To avenge, take vengeance, or execute judgmentH5358 — Full Word Study → upon you.” 8And he struckוַיַּ֨ךְway·yaḵ — To strike, smite, or defeat with forceH5221 — Full Word Study → themאוֹתָ֥ם’ō·w·ṯām — direct object marker; signs accusative caseH853 — Full Word Study → ruthlesslyשׁ֛וֹקšō·wq — Leg or thigh; lower limbH7785 — Full Word Study → with a greatגְדוֹלָ֑הḡə·ḏō·w·lāh — Great, mighty, large in size or significanceH1419 — Full Word Study → slaughterמַכָּ֣הmak·kāh — A blow, wound, or plague; physical injury or divine judgmentH4347 — Full Word Study →, and then went downוַיֵּ֣רֶדway·yê·reḏ — To descend, go down, come downH3381 — Full Word Study → and stayedוַיֵּ֔שֶׁבway·yê·šeḇ — to dwell, inhabit, settle, remainH3427 — Full Word Study → in the caveבִּסְעִ֖יףbis·‘îp̄ — Branch, cleft, or outcroppingH5585 — Full Word Study → at the rockסֶ֥לַעse·la‘ — Rock; cliff; stone fortressH5553 — Full Word Study → of Etamעֵיטָֽם׃ס‘ê·ṭām — A rocky crag or strongholdH5862 — Full Word Study →. 9Then the Philistinesפְלִשְׁתִּ֔יםp̄ə·liš·tîm — PhilistineH6430 — Full Word Study → went upוַיַּעֲל֣וּway·ya·‘ă·lū — to ascend, rise up, go upH5927 — Full Word Study →, campedוַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּway·ya·ḥă·nū — to pitch a tent; to camp; to dwellH2583 — Full Word Study → in Judahבִּיהוּדָ֑הbî·hū·ḏāh — The Lord is praisedH3063 — Full Word Study →, and deployed themselvesוַיִּנָּטְשׁ֖וּway·yin·nā·ṭə·šū — to abandon, forsake, or let goH5203 — Full Word Study → near the town of Lehi. 10Whyלָמָ֖הlā·māh — What? Why? How? (interrogative particle)H4100 — Full Word Study → have you attackedעֲלִיתֶ֣ם‘ă·lî·ṯem — to ascend, rise up, go upH5927 — Full Word Study → usעָלֵ֑ינוּ‘ā·lê·nū — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study →?” saidוַיֹּֽאמְרוּ֙way·yō·mə·rū — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → the menאִ֣ישׁ’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study → of Judahיְהוּדָ֔הyə·hū·ḏāh — The Lord is praisedH3063 — Full Word Study →. The Philistines repliedוַיֹּאמְר֗וּway·yō·mə·rū — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, “We have comeעָלִ֔ינוּ‘ā·lî·nū — to ascend, rise up, go upH5927 — Full Word Study → to arrestלֶאֱס֤וֹרle·’ĕ·sō·wr — to bind, fasten, or restrainH631 — Full Word Study → Samsonשִׁמְשׁוֹן֙šim·šō·wn — Sun manH8123 — Full Word Study → and pay him backלַעֲשׂ֣וֹתla·‘ă·śō·wṯ — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → for whatכַּאֲשֶׁ֖רka·’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → he has doneעָ֥שָׂה‘ā·śāh — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → to us.” 11In response, threeשְׁלֹשֶׁת֩šə·lō·šeṯ — The number three; a group of three thingsH7969 — Full Word Study → thousandאֲלָפִ֨ים’ă·lā·p̄îm — A thousand; a large military unit or census numberH505 — Full Word Study → menאִ֜ישׁ’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study → of Judahמִֽיהוּדָ֗הmî·hū·ḏāh — The Lord is praisedH3063 — Full Word Study → wentוַיֵּרְד֡וּway·yê·rə·ḏū — To descend, go down, come downH3381 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → the caveסְעִיף֮sə·‘îp̄ — Branch, cleft, or outcroppingH5585 — Full Word Study → at the rockסֶ֣לַעse·la‘ — Rock; cliff; stone fortressH5553 — Full Word Study → of Etamעֵיטָם֒‘ê·ṭām — A rocky crag or strongholdH5862 — Full Word Study →, and they askedוַיֹּאמְר֣וּway·yō·mə·rū — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → Samsonלְשִׁמְשׁ֗וֹןlə·šim·šō·wn — Sun manH8123 — Full Word Study →, “Do you notהֲלֹ֤אhă·lō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → realizeיָדַ֙עְתָּ֙yā·ḏa‘·tā — to know, understand, perceiveH3045 — Full Word Study → thatכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → the Philistinesפְּלִשְׁתִּ֔יםpə·liš·tîm — PhilistineH6430 — Full Word Study → ruleמֹשְׁלִ֥יםmō·šə·lîm — To rule, reign, or exercise dominionH4910 — Full Word Study → over us? Whatוּמַה־ū·mah- — What? Why? How? (interrogative particle)H4100 — Full Word Study → have you doneעָשִׂ֣יתָ‘ā·śî·ṯā — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → to us?” “I have doneעָ֣שׂוּ‘ā·śū — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → to them whatכֵּ֖ןkên — so, thus, rightly, thereforeH3651 — Full Word Study → they didעָשִׂ֥יתִי‘ā·śî·ṯî — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → to me,” he repliedוַיֹּ֣אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →. 12But they saidוַיֹּ֤אמְרוּway·yō·mə·rū — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → to him, “We have come downיָרַ֔דְנוּyā·raḏ·nū — To descend, go down, come downH3381 — Full Word Study → to arrest youלֶאֱסָרְךָ֣le·’ĕ·sā·rə·ḵā — to bind, fasten, or restrainH631 — Full Word Study → and hand you over toלְתִתְּךָ֖lə·ṯit·tə·ḵā — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → the Philistinesפְּלִשְׁתִּ֑יםpə·liš·tîm — PhilistineH6430 — Full Word Study →.” Samsonשִׁמְשׁ֔וֹןšim·šō·wn — Sun manH8123 — Full Word Study → repliedוַיֹּ֤אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, “Swearהִשָּׁבְע֣וּhiš·šā·ḇə·‘ū — To swear an oath; to bind oneself by solemn promiseH7650 — Full Word Study → to me thatפֶּֽן־pen- — lest, that not, for fear thatH6435 — Full Word Study → you will not kill meתִּפְגְּע֥וּןtip̄·gə·‘ūn — to meet, encounter, or intercedeH6293 — Full Word Study → yourselves.” 13Noלֹ֚אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study →,” they answeredוַיֹּ֧אמְרוּway·yō·mə·rū — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, “we will notלֹ֣אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → kill youוְהָמֵ֖תwə·hā·mêṯ — to die; to put to death; to killH4191 — Full Word Study →, butכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → we will tie you up securelyאָסֹ֤ר’ā·sōr — to bind, fasten, or restrainH631 — Full Word Study → and hand you over toוּנְתַנּ֣וּךָū·nə·ṯan·nū·ḵā — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → themבְיָדָ֔םḇə·yā·ḏām — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study →.” So they bound himוַיַּאַסְרֻ֗הוּway·ya·’as·ru·hū — to bind, fasten, or restrainH631 — Full Word Study → with twoבִּשְׁנַ֙יִם֙biš·na·yim — The number two; a pair or coupleH8147 — Full Word Study → newחֲדָשִׁ֔יםḥă·ḏā·šîm — new, fresh, recentH2319 — Full Word Study → ropesעֲבֹתִ֣ים‘ă·ḇō·ṯîm — Cord, rope, or binding bandH5688 — Full Word Study → and led him upוַֽיַּעֲל֖וּהוּway·ya·‘ă·lū·hū — to ascend, rise up, go upH5927 — Full Word Study → fromמִן־min- — from, out of, by means ofH4480 — Full Word Study → the rockהַסָּֽלַע׃has·sā·la‘ — Rock; cliff; stone fortressH5553 — Full Word Study →. 14Whenהוּא־hū- — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → Samson arrived inעַד־‘aḏ- — until, till, up to (temporal or spatial limit)H5704 — Full Word Study → Lehiלֶ֔חִיle·ḥî — jawboneH3896 — Full Word Study →, the Philistinesוּפִלְשִׁתִּ֖יםū·p̄il·šit·tīm — PhilistineH6430 — Full Word Study → came out shoutingהֵרִ֣יעוּhê·rî·‘ū — to shout, cry out, make a loud noiseH7321 — Full Word Study → against himלִקְרָאת֑וֹliq·rā·ṯōw — to meet, encounter, or come upon (often by chance or unexpectedly)H7122 — Full Word Study →. And 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 →. The ropesהָעֲבֹתִ֜יםhā·‘ă·ḇō·ṯîm — Cord, rope, or binding bandH5688 — Full Word Study → onעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → his armsזְרוֹעוֹתָ֗יוzə·rō·w·‘ō·w·ṯāw — arm; power, strength, mightH2220 — Full Word Study → becameוַתִּהְיֶ֨ינָהwat·tih·ye·nāh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → like burntבָּעֲר֣וּbā·‘ă·rū — to burn, consume, or act brutishlyH1197 — Full Word Study → flaxכַּפִּשְׁתִּים֙kap·piš·tîm — Flax plant; linen fabric or garmentH6593 — Full Word Study →, and the bondsאֱסוּרָ֖יו’ĕ·sū·rāw — bond, fetter, imprisonment, restraintH612 — Full Word Study → broke looseוַיִּמַּ֥סּוּway·yim·mas·sū — To melt, dissolve, or lose courageH4549 — Full Word Study → fromמֵעַ֥לmê·‘al — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → his handsיָדָֽיו׃yā·ḏāw — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study →. 15He foundוַיִּמְצָ֥אway·yim·ṣā — to find, discover, obtainH4672 — Full Word Study → the freshטְרִיָּ֑הṭə·rî·yāh — Fresh, moist, newly madeH2961 — Full Word Study → jawboneלְחִֽי־lə·ḥî- — jawboneH3895 — Full Word Study → of a donkeyחֲמ֖וֹרḥă·mō·wr — donkey; beast of burdenH2543 — Full Word Study →, reached outוַיִּשְׁלַ֤חway·yiš·laḥ — to send, let go, releaseH7971 — Full Word Study → his handיָדוֹ֙yā·ḏōw — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study → and took itוַיִּקָּחֶ֔הָway·yiq·qā·ḥe·hā — to take, seize, or receiveH3947 — Full Word Study →, and struck downוַיַּךְ־way·yaḵ- — To strike, smite, or defeat with forceH5221 — Full Word Study → a thousandאֶ֥לֶף’e·lep̄ — A thousand; a large military unit or census numberH505 — Full Word Study → menאִֽישׁ׃’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study →. 16Then Samsonשִׁמְשׁ֔וֹןšim·šō·wn — Sun manH8123 — Full Word Study → saidוַיֹּ֣אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →: “With the jawboneבִּלְחִ֣יbil·ḥî — jawboneH3895 — Full Word Study → of a donkeyהַחֲמ֔וֹרha·ḥă·mō·wr — donkey; beast of burdenH2543 — Full Word Study → I have piled themחֲמ֖וֹרḥă·mō·wr — a heap or pile of materialH2565 — Full Word Study → into heapsחֲמֹרָתָ֑יִםḥă·mō·rā·ṯā·yim — a heap or pile of materialH2565 — Full Word Study →. With the jawboneבִּלְחִ֣יbil·ḥî — jawboneH3895 — Full Word Study → of a donkeyהַחֲמ֔וֹרha·ḥă·mō·wr — donkey; beast of burdenH2543 — Full Word Study → I have slainהִכֵּ֖יתִיhik·kê·ṯî — To strike, smite, or defeat with forceH5221 — Full Word Study → a thousandאֶ֥לֶף’e·lep̄ — A thousand; a large military unit or census numberH505 — Full Word Study → menאִֽישׁ׃’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study →.” 17Andוַֽיְהִי֙way·hî — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → when Samson had finished speakingלְדַבֵּ֔רlə·ḏab·bêr — to speak, say, or declareH1696 — Full Word Study →, he castוַיַּשְׁלֵ֥ךְway·yaš·lêḵ — to throw, cast, or hurlH7993 — Full Word Study → the jawboneהַלְּחִ֖יhal·lə·ḥî — jawboneH3895 — Full Word Study → from his handמִיָּד֑וֹmî·yā·ḏōw — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study →; and he namedוַיִּקְרָ֛אway·yiq·rā — To call, summon, or proclaimH7121 — Full Word Study → thatהַה֖וּאha·hū — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → placeלַמָּק֥וֹםlam·mā·qō·wm — A place, location, or spaceH4725 — Full Word Study → Ramath-lehiלֶֽחִי׃le·ḥî — Ramath-lehi, a hill of the jawboneH7437 — Full Word Study →. 18And being veryמְאֹד֒mə·’ōḏ — Much, greatly, very, exceedinglyH3966 — Full Word Study → thirstyוַיִּצְמָא֮way·yiṣ·mā — to thirst; to be thirstyH6770 — Full Word Study →, Samson cried out toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָה֙Yah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, “Youאַתָּה֙’at·tāh — You; second-person pronoun (singular or plural)H859 — Full Word Study → have accomplishedנָתַ֣תָּnā·ṯa·tā — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → thisהַזֹּ֑אתhaz·zōṯ — This, that; demonstrative pronounH2063 — Full Word Study → greatהַגְּדֹלָ֖הhag·gə·ḏō·lāh — Great, mighty, large in size or significanceH1419 — Full Word Study → deliveranceהַתְּשׁוּעָ֥הhat·tə·šū·‘āh — Deliverance, salvation, victoryH8668 — Full Word Study → throughבְיַֽד־ḇə·yaḏ- — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study → Your servantעַבְדְּךָ֔‘aḇ·də·ḵā — Servant; slave; one in bondage or serviceH5650 — Full Word Study →. Must I nowוְעַתָּה֙wə·‘at·tāh — Now; at the present timeH6258 — Full Word Study → dieאָמ֣וּת’ā·mūṯ — to die; to put to death; to killH4191 — Full Word Study → of thirstבַּצָּמָ֔אbaṣ·ṣā·mā — Thirst; a craving for waterH6772 — Full Word Study → and fallוְנָפַלְתִּ֖יwə·nā·p̄al·tî — to fall; collapse; perishH5307 — Full Word Study → into the handsבְּיַ֥דbə·yaḏ — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study → of the uncircumcisedהָעֲרֵלִֽים׃hā·‘ă·rê·lîm — Uncircumcised; ritually unclean or spiritually unpreparedH6189 — Full Word Study →?” 19So Godאֱלֹהִ֜ים’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → opened upוַיִּבְקַ֨עway·yiḇ·qa‘ — To break open, split, or break throughH1234 — Full Word Study → the hollow placeהַמַּכְתֵּ֣שׁham·maḵ·têš — mortar or hollow basinH4388 — Full Word Study → in Lehiבַּלֶּ֗חִיbal·le·ḥî — jawboneH3895 — Full Word Study →, and waterמַ֙יִם֙ma·yim — Water; liquid; fluidsH4325 — Full Word Study → came outוַיֵּצְא֨וּway·yê·ṣə·’ū — To go out, come forth, exitH3318 — Full Word Study → of itמִמֶּ֤נּוּmim·men·nū — from, out of, by means ofH4480 — Full Word Study →. When Samson drankוַיֵּ֔שְׁתְּway·yê·šət — to drink; consume liquidH8354 — Full Word Study →, his strengthרוּח֖וֹrū·ḥōw — Spirit, breath, wind, or inner dispositionH7307 — Full Word Study → returnedוַתָּ֥שָׁבwat·tā·šāḇ — to turn back, return, restoreH7725 — Full Word Study →, and he was revivedוַיֶּ֑חִיway·ye·ḥî — To live, to preserve alive, to give lifeH2421 — Full Word Study →. That is whyעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → he named itקָרָ֣אqā·rā — To call, summon, or proclaimH7121 — Full Word Study → En-hakkoreהַקּוֹרֵא֙haq·qō·w·rê — The Spring of the Caller (or Partridge)H5875 — Full Word Study →, and it remainsאֲשֶׁ֣ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → in Lehiבַּלֶּ֔חִיbal·le·ḥî — jawboneH3896 — Full Word Study → toעַ֖ד‘aḏ — until, till, up to (temporal or spatial limit)H5704 — Full Word Study → thisהַזֶּֽה׃haz·zeh — this, that; the one, the otherH2088 — Full Word Study → dayהַיּ֥וֹםhay·yō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study →. 20And Samson judged Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֛לyiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study → for twentyעֶשְׂרִ֥ים‘eś·rîm — The number twenty; a complete group or scoreH6242 — Full Word Study → yearsשָׁנָֽה׃פšā·nāh — Year; period of time or ageH8141 — Full Word Study → in the daysבִּימֵ֥יbî·mê — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → of the Philistinesפְלִשְׁתִּ֖יםp̄ə·liš·tîm — PhilistineH6430 — Full Word Study →.
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Chapter Commentary — Judges 15
Chapter Overview

Chapter Overview

Judges 15 presents a tragic escalation of revenge and personal vendetta that reveals the dangerous consequences of unchecked anger and fleshly impulses. After Samson's wife is given to another man, he initiates a cycle of retaliation against the Philistines that leaves innocent lives destroyed and deepens Israel's oppression. Though God ultimately uses Samson's strength to deliver Israel from their enemies, this chapter illustrates how personal grievances—even when dressed in the language of justice—can cause widespread harm when pursued apart from God's wisdom and restraint.

Verses 1–5: The Trigger and First Retaliation

Samson arrives during harvest with a gift for his wife, but her father refuses him entry, claiming he believed Samson hated her and therefore gave her to another man. Rather than seeking legal recourse or accepting the loss with grace, Samson erupts into rage. His statement in verse 3—that he will now be "blameless" though he does the Philistines "displeasure"—reveals how revenge can rationalize itself as justice. Samson then catches 300 foxes, ties firebrands between their tails, and releases them into the Philistine grain fields, destroying their crops, vineyards, and olives. This is calculated, methodical destruction born from personal hurt—not a spontaneous act of passion.

Application: Samson's response shows how wounded pride can escalate quickly into disproportionate harm. When we nurse grievances and plot retaliation, we deceive ourselves into thinking we are righteous.

Verses 6–8: The Deadly Consequence

The Philistines, learning that Samson caused the destruction, respond by burning his wife and her father to death. This horrific act—killing the very woman Samson sought to reconcile with—demonstrates the tragic reality that vengeance begets more violence and that innocent people suffer in cycles of retaliation. Samson's emotional reaction ("Though ye have done this, yet will I be avenged") shows no repentance for his own actions; instead, he vows further bloodshed. He then strikes the Philistines "hip and thigh with a great slaughter" and retreats to the rock Etam. His wife, caught between her husband's pride and her people's rage, pays with her life.

Application: This passage teaches a sobering lesson: our sins and vengeful acts harm others, not just ourselves. Samson's personal vendetta resulted in his wife's death.

Verses 9–13: Israel's Burden

The Philistines move against Judah itself, camping at Lehi. When 3,000 men of Judah confront Samson, they express the people's desperation: "Knowest thou not that the Philistines are rulers over us?" (v. 11). Israel suffers because of Samson's unchecked actions. Though Samson agrees to be bound and delivered to the Philistines, he extracts a promise that the men of Judah will not kill him themselves, revealing his cunning even in submission.

Verses 14–17: Divine Strength and Human Pride

As the Philistines shout against him, the Spirit of the LORD comes mightily upon Samson. The cords binding him snap like burned flax, and he seizes a donkey's jawbone, slaying 1,000 men. His triumphant song in verse 16 ("With the jawbone of an ass...I have slain a thousand men") celebrates the feat, yet contains an ironic humility: his victory weapon is an animal's bone—not a sword or spear. He names the place Ramathlehi ("Hill of the Jawbone").

Verses 18–20: God's Provision and Judgment

Exhausted and dying of thirst, Samson cries out to God, acknowledging that the deliverance came from the LORD, not himself (v. 18). God responds with mercy, providing water from a hollow in the jawbone itself. Samson judges Israel for twenty years during the Philistine oppression—a long, partial victory marked by ongoing conflict.

Application for Today

Judges 15 warns us that personal vengeance, however justified it feels, corrupts our character and harms the innocent. Though God sustained Samson and used him to restrain Israel's oppressors, Samson's strength was constantly undermined by his lack of self-control and wisdom. We are called to leave vengeance to God (Romans 12:19) and to seek His justice and mercy rather than nursing our wounds through retaliation.tion of a cent per chapter.

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