Keraia
Judges 15

Judges 15:6

Samson’s Revenge · Judges 15:1–20
Read Judges 15

Translations

Modern
“Who did this?” the Philistines demanded. “It was Samson, the son-in-law of the Timnite,” they were told. “For his wife was given to his companion.” So the Philistines went up and burned her and her father to death.
Traditional
Then the Philistines said, Who hath done this? And they answered, Samson, the son in law of the Timnite, because he had taken his wife, and given her to his companion. And the Philistines came up, and burnt her and her father with fire.
Literal
And the Philistines said, “Who has done this?” And they answered, “Samson, the son-in-law of the Timnite, because he has taken his wife and given her to his companion.” And the Philistines came up and burned her and her father with the fire.
Latin
Dixeruntque Philisthiim: Quis fecit hanc rem? Quibus dictum est: Samson gener Thamnathæi: quia tulit uxorem ejus, et alteri tradidit, hæc operatus est. Ascenderuntque Philisthiim, et combusserunt tam mulierem quam patrem ejus.

Original

Hebrew
English
“Who did this?” the Philistines demanded. “It was Samson, the son-in-law of the Timnite,” they were told. “For his wife was given to his companion.” So the Philistines went up and burned her and her father to death.

Notes

Judges 15:6–10

The cycle of revenge was complex (see Judges 9:7–21). First, Samson sought revenge on the Philistine community, not his in-laws. Then, the Philistines recognized Samson as a victim of injustice (see study note on Judges 14:20) and retaliated against his in-laws. This prompted Samson to avenge his in-laws by attacking the Philistines. This series of events nearly led to a war with Israel. God was starting to rescue Israel through Samson (Judges 13:5; see 1 Samuel 7:3).

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.

Theme notes and profiles

Samson The Philistines

People

Samson: Israelite judge with great strength from God

Places

Philistia: An ancient people and region in Canaan Timnah: Canaanite city associated with Judah and Dan

Glossary

Judges, Book of Philistia, Philistines Samson Timnah (Place) Timnite Tribe of Dan

Topics

Samson is Avenged for the Estrangement of his Wife The Fox used by Samson for Annoying the Philistines Timnath: Home of Samson's Wife