Keraia
Judges 14

Judges 14:19

Samson’s Riddle · Judges 14:8–20
Read Judges 14

Translations

Modern
Then the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and he went down to Ashkelon, killed thirty of their men, took their apparel, and gave their clothes to those who had solved the riddle. And burning with anger, Samson returned to his father’s house,
Traditional
And the Spirit of the Lord came upon him, and he went down to Ashkelon, and slew thirty men of them, and took their spoil, and gave change of garments unto them which expounded the riddle. And his anger was kindled, and he went up to his father’s house.
Literal
And the Spirit of YHWH came mightily upon him, and he went down to Ashkelon and killed thirty of their men and took their apparel, and he gave the changes to those who had explained the riddle. And his anger was kindled, and he went up to the house of his father.
Latin
Irruit itaque in eum spiritus Domini, descenditque Ascalonem, et percussit ibi triginta viros: quorum ablatas vestes dedit iis qui problema solverant. Iratusque nimis ascendit in domum patris sui:

Original

Hebrew
English
Then the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and he went down to Ashkelon, killed thirty of their men, took their apparel, and gave their clothes to those who had solved the riddle. And burning with anger, Samson returned to his father’s house,

Notes

Judges 14:19

Samson kept his part of the agreement (compare 1 Samuel 18:20–27). He went home without completing his marriage, which usually happened after the seven-day feast.

Judges 14:14–19

Israel's hero, like Sisera, was defeated by a woman (Judges 4:21; see study note on Judges 8:20–21).

Judges 14:1–15:20

Samson's decision to marry a Philistine woman was the Lord's way (Judges 14:4) of starting to address the Philistine threat (see 13:5). One event led to another, marked by three times when the Spirit came strongly upon him (Judges 14:6, 19; 15:14). During these events, Samson was a strong but imperfect hero.

Judges 13:1–16:31

Samson, who gets more attention in the book of Judges than any other judge, is more mysterious than Jephthah. Samson shows great inspiration as a leader. He also represents the unstoppable move toward chaos, which shows the need for a more organized society under a godly ruler.

Places

Ashkelon: A major Philistine city, often a target of prophecy

Glossary

Ashkelon Judges, Book of Marriage, Marriage Customs Philistia, Philistines Riddle Samson Tribe of Dan

Topics

Ashkelon: Samson Kills Thirty Men of Betting by Samson Holy Spirit: Inspiration of Samson Miracles Wrought Through Servants of God: Samson: Philistines Killed Prophets: Inspiration of Samson: His Marriage Feast and the Riddle Propounded Samson: Kills Thirty Philistines The Philistines: Samson: Slew Thirty, Near Askelon