Judges 14:18
Judges 14:18 in Multiple Translations
Before sunset on the seventh day, the men of the city said to Samson: “What is sweeter than honey? And what is stronger than a lion?” So he said to them: “If you had not plowed with my heifer, you would not have solved my riddle!”
And the men of the city said unto him on the seventh day before the sun went down, What is sweeter than honey? and what is stronger than a lion? And he said unto them, If ye had not plowed with my heifer, ye had not found out my riddle.
And the men of the city said unto him on the seventh day before the sun went down, What is sweeter than honey? and what is stronger than a lion? And he said unto them, If ye had not plowed with my heifer, Ye had not found out my riddle.
Then on the seventh day, before he went into the bride's room, the men of the town said to him, What is sweeter than honey? and what is stronger than a lion? And he said to them, If you had not been ploughing with my cow you would not have got the answer to my question.
Before the sun set on the seventh day, the men of the town came to Samson and said, “What's sweeter than honey? What's stronger than a lion?” “If you hadn't used my cow to plow with, you wouldn't have found out the meaning of my riddle,” Samson replied.
And the men of ye citie sayde vnto him the seuenth day before the Sunne went downe, What is sweeter then honie? and what is stronger then a lyon? Then sayd hee vnto them, If yee had not plowed with my heiffer, yee had not found out my riddle.
And the men of the city say to him on the seventh day, before the sun goeth in: — 'What [is] sweeter than honey? And what stronger than a lion?' And he saith to them: 'Unless ye had ploughed with my heifer, Ye had not found out my riddle.'
The men of the city said to him on the seventh day before the sun went down, “What is sweeter than honey? What is stronger than a lion?” He said to them, “If you hadn’t plowed with my heifer, you wouldn’t have found out my riddle.”
And the men of the city said to him on the seventh day before the sun went down, What is sweeter than honey? and what is stronger than a lion? And he said to them, If ye had not plowed with my heifer, ye had not found out my riddle.
And they on the seventh day before the sun went down said to him: What is sweeter than honey? and what is stronger than a lion? And he said to them: If you had not ploughed with my heifer, you had not found out my riddle.
So, before sunset on the seventh day, the young men came to Samson and said to him, “What/Nothing is sweeter than honey [RHQ]. What/Nothing is stronger than a lion [RHQ]!” Samson replied, “You should not force a heifer to plow a field [MET]. Similarly, if you had not forced my bride to ask me about the riddle [MET], you would not have known the answer to my riddle!”
Berean Amplified Bible — Judges 14:18
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Judges 14:18 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יֹּ֣אמְרוּ
ל/וֹ֩
אַנְשֵׁ֨י
הָ/עִ֜יר
בַּ/יּ֣וֹם
הַ/שְּׁבִיעִ֗י
בְּ/טֶ֨רֶם֙
יָבֹ֣א
הַ/חַ֔רְסָ/ה
מַה
מָּת֣וֹק
מִ/דְּבַ֔שׁ
וּ/מֶ֥ה
עַ֖ז
מֵ/אֲרִ֑י
וַ/יֹּ֣אמֶר
לָ/הֶ֔ם
לוּלֵא֙
חֲרַשְׁתֶּ֣ם
בְּ/עֶגְלָתִ֔/י
לֹ֥א
מְצָאתֶ֖ם
חִידָתִֽ/י
וַ/יֹּ֣אמְרוּ
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
ל/וֹ֩
Prep | Suff
אַנְשֵׁ֨י
ʼîysh
H376
man
N-mp
הָ/עִ֜יר
ʻîyr
H5892
excitement
Art | N-fs
בַּ/יּ֣וֹם
yôwm
H3117
day
Prep | N-ms
הַ/שְּׁבִיעִ֗י
shᵉbîyʻîy
H7637
seventh
Art | Adj
בְּ/טֶ֨רֶם֙
ṭerem
H2962
before
Prep | Adv
יָבֹ֣א
bôwʼ
H935
Lebo
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
הַ/חַ֔רְסָ/ה
chereç
H2775
sun
Art | N-ms | Suff
מַה
mâh
H4100
what?
Part
מָּת֣וֹק
mâthôwq
H4966
sweet
Adj
מִ/דְּבַ֔שׁ
dᵉbash
H1706
honey
Prep | N-ms
וּ/מֶ֥ה
mâh
H4100
what?
Conj | Part
עַ֖ז
ʻaz
H5794
strong
Adj
מֵ/אֲרִ֑י
ʼărîy
H738
lion
Prep | N-ms
וַ/יֹּ֣אמֶר
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
לָ/הֶ֔ם
Prep | Suff
לוּלֵא֙
lûwlêʼ
H3884
unless
Conj
חֲרַשְׁתֶּ֣ם
chârash
H2790
to plow/plot
V-Qal-Perf-2mp
בְּ/עֶגְלָתִ֔/י
ʻeglâh
H5697
heifer
Prep | N-fs | Suff
לֹ֥א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
מְצָאתֶ֖ם
mâtsâʼ
H4672
to find
V-Qal-Perf-2mp
חִידָתִֽ/י
chîydâh
H2420
riddle
N-fs | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Judges 14:18
וַ/יֹּ֣אמְרוּ
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
ל/וֹ֩
""
Prep | Suff
אַנְשֵׁ֨י
ʼîysh
H376
"man"
N-mp
The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.
Definition: : man 1) man 1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female) 1b) husband 1c) human being, person (in contrast to God) 1d) servant 1e) mankind 1f) champion 1g) great man 2) whosoever 3) each (adjective)
Usage: Occurs in 1851 OT verses. KJV: also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare H802 (אִשָּׁה). See also: Genesis 2:23; Genesis 42:25; Exodus 32:23.
הָ/עִ֜יר
ʻîyr
H5892
"excitement"
Art | N-fs
In the Bible, this word refers to a city or town, often a place with a wall or a watchman. It is used to describe a settlement or encampment, like the city of Ai, which is mentioned in the book of Joshua. The word is used to identify specific locations in the Bible.
Definition: 1) excitement, anguish 1a) of terror
Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town. See also: Genesis 4:17; Deuteronomy 3:6; Joshua 14:12.
בַּ/יּ֣וֹם
yôwm
H3117
"day"
Prep | N-ms
The Hebrew word 'yom' refers to a day, which can be a literal 24-hour period or a figurative space of time. It is used in the Bible to describe a wide range of time periods, from a single day to a year or a lifetime. The word 'yom' is used in many different contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: : day/when/time/period 1) day, time, year 1a) day (as opposed to night) 1b) day (24 hour period) 1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1 1b2) as a division of time 1b2a) a working day, a day's journey 1c) days, lifetime (pl.) 1d) time, period (general) 1e) year 1f) temporal references 1f1) today 1f2) yesterday 1f3) tomorrow
Usage: Occurs in 1930 OT verses. KJV: age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger. See also: Genesis 1:5; Genesis 33:13; Exodus 23:15.
הַ/שְּׁבִיעִ֗י
shᵉbîyʻîy
H7637
"seventh"
Art | Adj
The Hebrew word for seventh, this term is an ordinal number used to describe something in the seventh position. It appears in the Bible as seventh time.
Definition: 1) seventh 1a) ordinal number
Usage: Occurs in 94 OT verses. KJV: seventh (time). See also: Genesis 2:2; Numbers 29:12; Jeremiah 28:17.
בְּ/טֶ֨רֶם֙
ṭerem
H2962
"before"
Prep | Adv
This word indicates something has not happened yet, or it happened before something else. It is used to show timing or sequence of events, translated as before, ere, or not yet in the KJV.
Definition: before, not yet, before that
Usage: Occurs in 50 OT verses. KJV: before, ere, not yet. See also: Genesis 2:5; 2 Kings 6:32; Psalms 5:6.
יָבֹ֣א
bôwʼ
H935
"Lebo"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
This verb means to go or come, and is used in many contexts, such as entering a place or approaching someone, as seen in the book of Genesis. It can also mean to abide or apply, and is translated in various ways in the KJV Bible. This term is related to the name Lebo Hamath.
Definition: A shortened name of Lebo Hamath complined withcha.mat (חֲמָת "Hamath" H2574) This name means to go in, enter
Usage: Occurs in 2307 OT verses. KJV: abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way. See also: Genesis 2:19; Genesis 32:7; Exodus 1:19.
הַ/חַ֔רְסָ/ה
chereç
H2775
"sun"
Art | N-ms | Suff
The Hebrew word 'chereç' can mean 'itch' or 'sun', referring to a skin disease or the sun in the sky. It is translated as 'itch' or 'sun' in the KJV Bible.
Definition: sun
Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: itch, sun. See also: Deuteronomy 28:27; Judges 14:18; Job 9:7.
מַה
mâh
H4100
"what?"
Part
This Hebrew word means what or how, often used to ask questions or express surprise, like in Genesis when God asks Adam what he has done. It can also mean why or when, and is used in various ways throughout the Old Testament. It appears in many KJV translations, including how or what.
Definition: interr pron 1) what, how, of what kind 1a) (interrogative) 1a1) what? 1a2) of what kind 1a3) what? (rhetorical) 1a4) whatsoever, whatever, what 1b) (adverb) 1b1) how, how now 1b2) why 1b3) how! (exclamation) 1c) (with prep) 1c1) wherein?, whereby?, wherewith?, by what means? 1c2) because of what? 1c3) the like of what? 1c3a) how much?, how many?, how often? 1c3b) for how long? 1c4) for what reason?, why?, to what purpose? 1c5) until when?, how long?, upon what?, wherefore? indef pron 2) anything, aught, what may
Usage: Occurs in 655 OT verses. KJV: how (long, oft, (-soever)), (no-) thing, what (end, good, purpose, thing), whereby(-fore, -in, -to, -with), (for) why. See also: Genesis 2:19; Numbers 21:5; 1 Samuel 19:5.
מָּת֣וֹק
mâthôwq
H4966
"sweet"
Adj
The Hebrew word for sweet, describing something pleasant and agreeable, used in various Bible passages to describe sweet things and experiences. It appears in the Bible to describe sweet tastes and smells. In the Bible, it is used to describe the sweetness of God's words.
Definition: adj 1) sweet n m 2) sweetness, pleasant (thing)
Usage: Occurs in 11 OT verses. KJV: sweet(-er, -ness). See also: Judges 14:14; Proverbs 27:7; Psalms 19:11.
מִ/דְּבַ֔שׁ
dᵉbash
H1706
"honey"
Prep | N-ms
In the Bible, this word means honey, a sweet and valuable food. It was used to describe the Promised Land as a place of abundance and blessing, flowing with milk and honey. The word also appears in stories of bees and honey production.
Definition: honey
Usage: Occurs in 54 OT verses. KJV: honey(-comb). See also: Genesis 43:11; 1 Samuel 14:29; Psalms 19:11.
וּ/מֶ֥ה
mâh
H4100
"what?"
Conj | Part
This Hebrew word means what or how, often used to ask questions or express surprise, like in Genesis when God asks Adam what he has done. It can also mean why or when, and is used in various ways throughout the Old Testament. It appears in many KJV translations, including how or what.
Definition: interr pron 1) what, how, of what kind 1a) (interrogative) 1a1) what? 1a2) of what kind 1a3) what? (rhetorical) 1a4) whatsoever, whatever, what 1b) (adverb) 1b1) how, how now 1b2) why 1b3) how! (exclamation) 1c) (with prep) 1c1) wherein?, whereby?, wherewith?, by what means? 1c2) because of what? 1c3) the like of what? 1c3a) how much?, how many?, how often? 1c3b) for how long? 1c4) for what reason?, why?, to what purpose? 1c5) until when?, how long?, upon what?, wherefore? indef pron 2) anything, aught, what may
Usage: Occurs in 655 OT verses. KJV: how (long, oft, (-soever)), (no-) thing, what (end, good, purpose, thing), whereby(-fore, -in, -to, -with), (for) why. See also: Genesis 2:19; Numbers 21:5; 1 Samuel 19:5.
עַ֖ז
ʻaz
H5794
"strong"
Adj
Means strong or fierce, used to describe powerful forces or intense emotions in the Bible, like greedy desires or mighty powers.
Definition: strong, mighty, fierce
Usage: Occurs in 24 OT verses. KJV: fierce, [phrase] greedy, mighty, power, roughly, strong. See also: Genesis 49:3; Proverbs 18:23; Psalms 18:18.
מֵ/אֲרִ֑י
ʼărîy
H738
"lion"
Prep | N-ms
In biblical times, a lion was a symbol of strength and power, and is often mentioned in stories like Daniel in the lions' den. The word for lion appears in various forms, including pictures or images of lions, and is used in books like 1 Kings and 2 Kings.
Definition: 1) lion 1a) pictures or images of lions
Usage: Occurs in 71 OT verses. KJV: (young) lion, [phrase] pierce (from the margin). See also: Genesis 49:9; Proverbs 22:13; Psalms 7:3.
וַ/יֹּ֣אמֶר
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
לָ/הֶ֔ם
""
Prep | Suff
לוּלֵא֙
lûwlêʼ
H3884
"unless"
Conj
Unless or if not, this word is used to show an exception or a condition. It is often translated as except or unless in English Bibles.
Definition: unless, if not, except
Usage: Occurs in 14 OT verses. KJV: except, had not, if (...not), unless, were it not that. See also: Genesis 31:42; Psalms 27:13; Psalms 94:17.
חֲרַשְׁתֶּ֣ם
chârash
H2790
"to plow/plot"
V-Qal-Perf-2mp
This verb can mean to be quiet or silent, but also to scratch or engrave, like a farmer plowing a field. It is used in various contexts, including being silent or deaf. The KJV translates it in different ways, including 'cease' or 'hold peace'.
Definition: 1) to cut in, plough, engrave, devise 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to cut in, engrave 1a2) to plough 1a3) to devise 1b) (Niphal) to be ploughed 1c) (Hiphil) to plot evil
Usage: Occurs in 65 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] altogether, cease, conceal, be deaf, devise, ear, graven, imagine, leave off speaking, hold peace, plow(-er, man), be quiet, rest, practise secretly, keep silence, be silent, speak not a word, be still, hold tongue, worker. See also: Genesis 24:21; Psalms 28:1; Psalms 32:3.
בְּ/עֶגְלָתִ֔/י
ʻeglâh
H5697
"heifer"
Prep | N-fs | Suff
This word refers to a young female calf, nearly grown into a heifer. It is also the name of a place near Zoar and south of Moab. The word is often translated as 'calf', 'cow', or 'heifer'.
Definition: heifer
Usage: Occurs in 13 OT verses. KJV: calf, cow, heifer. See also: Genesis 15:9; Isaiah 7:21; Isaiah 15:5.
לֹ֥א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
מְצָאתֶ֖ם
mâtsâʼ
H4672
"to find"
V-Qal-Perf-2mp
Matsa means to find or attain something, whether it is a physical object, a person, or a condition, as seen in various KJV translations.
Definition: 1) to find, attain to 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to find 1a1a) to find, secure, acquire, get (thing sought) 1a1b) to find (what is lost) 1a1c) to meet, encounter 1a1d) to find (a condition) 1a1e) to learn, devise 1a2) to find out 1a2a) to find out 1a2b) to detect 1a2c) to guess 1a3) to come upon, light upon 1a3a) to happen upon, meet, fall in with 1a3b) to hit 1a3c) to befall 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be found 1b1a) to be encountered, be lighted upon, be discovered 1b1b) to appear, be recognised 1b1c) to be discovered, be detected 1b1d) to be gained, be secured 1b2) to be, be found 1b2a) to be found in 1b2b) to be in the possession of 1b2c) to be found in (a place), happen to be 1b2d) to be left (after war) 1b2e) to be present 1b2f) to prove to be 1b2g) to be found sufficient, be enough 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to find, attain 1c2) to cause to light upon, come upon, come 1c3) to cause to encounter 1c4) to present (offering)
Usage: Occurs in 425 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] be able, befall, being, catch, [idiom] certainly, (cause to) come (on, to, to hand), deliver, be enough (cause to) find(-ing, occasion, out), get (hold upon), [idiom] have (here), be here, hit, be left, light (up-) on, meet (with), [idiom] occasion serve, (be) present, ready, speed, suffice, take hold on. See also: Genesis 2:20; Deuteronomy 22:3; 2 Kings 9:35.
חִידָתִֽ/י
chîydâh
H2420
"riddle"
N-fs | Suff
A riddle or puzzle is what this Hebrew word represents, often used to describe difficult questions or perplexing sayings. It appears in the Bible as a way to convey complex ideas or challenge people's thinking, such as in the story of Samson and Delilah.
Definition: 1) riddle, difficult question, parable, enigmatic saying or question, perplexing saying or question 1a) riddle (dark obscure utterance) 1b) riddle, enigma (to be guessed) 1c) perplexing questions (difficult) 1d) double dealing (with 'havin') Aramaic equivalent: a.chi.dah (אֲחִידָה "riddle" H0280)
Usage: Occurs in 17 OT verses. KJV: dark saying (sentence, speech), hard question, proverb, riddle. See also: Numbers 12:8; Judges 14:19; Psalms 49:5.
Study Notes — Judges 14:18
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Context — Samson’s Riddle
16Then Samson’s wife came to him, weeping, and said, “You hate me! You do not really love me! You have posed to my people a riddle, but have not explained it to me.” “Look,” he said, “I have not even explained it to my father or mother, so why should I explain it to you?”
17She wept the whole seven days of the feast, and finally on the seventh day, because she had pressed him so much, he told her the answer. And in turn she explained the riddle to her people.
18Before sunset on the seventh day, the men of the city said to Samson: “What is sweeter than honey? And what is stronger than a lion?” So he said to them: “If you had not plowed with my heifer, you would not have solved my riddle!”
19Then 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, 20and his wife was given to one of the men who had accompanied him.Judges 14:18 Summary
[This verse shows how Samson's wife helped the men of the city solve his riddle by sharing the answer with them, which made Samson very angry. He felt betrayed by his wife and the men, and he let them know that they had only solved the riddle because of her help. This teaches us about the importance of honesty and integrity, as written in Proverbs 10:9, and the dangers of cheating or taking shortcuts to achieve our goals. It also reminds us to trust in God's power and wisdom, as seen in Psalms 37:3-7, and to use our talents and abilities to serve Him and bring glory to His name.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Samson mean by 'my heifer' in this verse?
Samson is referring to his wife, indicating that the men of the city had used her to obtain the answer to his riddle, as seen in Judges 14:17 where she presses him to reveal the answer and then shares it with her people.
Why did Samson give the men of the city a riddle to solve in the first place?
The Bible does not explicitly state why Samson gave them the riddle, but it can be inferred that it was a test of their wisdom and a way for Samson to assert his authority, as seen in Judges 14:12-13 where he poses the riddle to them.
What is the significance of the phrase 'before sunset on the seventh day'?
This phrase indicates that the men of the city waited until the very last moment to give their answer, and it also highlights the importance of keeping one's word and fulfilling one's obligations, as seen in Joshua 23:15 where it is written that God will bring upon the Israelites all the good that He has promised if they obey Him.
How does this verse relate to the overall story of Samson?
This verse shows Samson's strength and cunning, but also his vulnerability to the schemes of others, as seen in Judges 16:15-21 where he is deceived by Delilah and loses his strength, highlighting the importance of trusting in God's power and wisdom, as written in Proverbs 3:5-6.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I, like Samson, might be vulnerable to the schemes of others, and how can I protect myself from their influence?
- How can I, like the men of the city, be tempted to take shortcuts or cheat to achieve my goals, and what are the consequences of such actions?
- What does this verse teach me about the importance of keeping my word and fulfilling my obligations, and how can I apply this principle in my own life?
- In what ways can I, like Samson, use my talents and abilities to serve God and bring glory to Him, as written in 1 Corinthians 10:31?
Gill's Exposition on Judges 14:18
And the men of the city said unto him, on the seventh day, before the sun went down,.... And so soon, enough to free them from the obligation they otherwise would have been under, to have given him
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Judges 14:18
And the men of the city said unto him on the seventh day before the sun went down, What is sweeter than honey? and what is stronger than a lion?
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Judges 14:18
If you had not employed my wife to find it out, as men plough up the ground with a heifer, thereby discovering its hidden parts: he calls her heifer, either because he now suspected her wantonness and too much familiarity with that friend which she afterwards married; or because she was joined with him in the same yoke; or rather, because they used such in ploughing.
Trapp's Commentary on Judges 14:18
Judges 14:18 And the men of the city said unto him on the seventh day before the sun went down, What [is] sweeter than honey? and what [is] stronger than a lion? And he said unto them, If ye had not plowed with my heifer, ye had not found out my riddle.Ver. 18. If ye had not ploughed with my heifer.] His wife he calleth his heifer, propter mulierum insolentiam, saith Lyra. Some think that these words intimate some sign of suspicion of some secret and unchaste dealing with his wife, that iuvenca petalca, which kindled a "jealousy" in him, which is, saith Solomon, "the rage of a man."
Ellicott's Commentary on Judges 14:18
(18) What is sweeter than honey?—Their answer is given in the same rhythmical form as the riddle itself. If ye had not plowed with my heifer.—Many commentators, following Rabbi Levi Ben Gershom, read in this proverbial phrase an implication that Samson suspected his wife of adultery; but there is no sufficient reason for this view.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Judges 14:18
Verse 18. If ye had not ploughed with my heifer] If my wife had not been unfaithful to my bed, she would not have been unfaithful to my secret; and, you being her paramours, your interest was more precious to her than that of her husband. She has betrayed me through her attachment to you. Calmet has properly remarked, in quoting the Septuagint, that to plough with one's heifer, or to plough in another man's ground, are delicate turns of expression used both by the Greeks and Latins, as well as the Hebrews, to point out a wife's infidelities. Thus Theognis, Gnom. v. 581: - Εχθαιρωδεγυναικαπεριδρομον, ανδρατεμαργον. Ὁςτηναλλονριηνβουλετ' αρουραναρουν. "I detest a woman who gads about, and also a libidinous man, who wishes to plough in another man's ground." Fundum alienium arat, incultum familiarem deserit. PLAUTUS. "He ploughs another's farm, and leaves his own heritage uncultivated." Milo domi non est, perepre at Milone profecto Arva vacant, uxor non minus inde parit. MARTIAL. "Milo is not at home, and Milo being from home, his field lies uncultivated; his wife, nevertheless, continues to breed, and brings forth children." There is the same metaphor in the following lines of Virgil: - Hoc faciunt, nimo ne luxu obtusior usus, Sit genitali arvo, sulcosque oblimet inertes.
Geor. l. iii., v. 135. In this sense Samson's words were understood by the Septuagint, by the Syriac, and by Rabbi Levi. See BOCHART, Hierozoic. p. 1., lib. ii., cap. 41., col. 406. The metaphor was a common one, and we need seek for no other interpretation of the words of Samson.
Cambridge Bible on Judges 14:18
18. before the sun went down] lit. went in. But the word for sun (ḥ ?eres) is rare and poetical, and it has the accus. ending which denotes motion towards. A slight correction proposed by Stade gives the right sense: before he went into the chamber, the same word as in Judges 15:1. They wait till the last moment before the wedding was completed.
Barnes' Notes on Judges 14:18
They try to give the answer in a way to make it appear that they had guessed it. Samson saw at once that she had betrayed him.
Whedon's Commentary on Judges 14:18
18. Men of the city — The thirty companions mentioned in Judges 14:11.Before the sun went down — Just in time to save themselves the mulct.What is sweeter than honey?