Judges 15:3
Judges 15:3 in Multiple Translations
Samson said to them, “This time I will be blameless in doing harm to the Philistines.”
¶ And Samson said concerning them, Now shall I be more blameless than the Philistines, though I do them a displeasure.
And Samson said unto them, This time shall I be blameless in regard of the Philistines, when I do them a mischief.
Then Samson said to them, This time I will give payment in full to the Philistines, for I am going to do them great evil.
“This time I can't be blamed for the trouble I'm going to cause the Philistines,” Samson declared.
Then Samson saide vnto them, Nowe am I more blamelesse then the Philistims: therefore will I doe them displeasure.
And Samson saith of them, 'I am more innocent this time than the Philistines, though I am doing with them evil.'
Samson said to them, “This time I will be blameless in the case of the Philistines when I harm them.”
And Samson said concerning them, Now shall I be more blameless than the Philistines, though I do them a displeasure.
And Samson answered him: From this day I shall be blameless in what I do against the Philistines: for I will do you evils.
Samson replied, “No! And this time I have a right to get revenge on you Philistines!”
Berean Amplified Bible — Judges 15:3
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 15:3 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יֹּ֤אמֶר
לָ/הֶם֙
שִׁמְשׁ֔וֹן
נִקֵּ֥יתִי
הַ/פַּ֖עַם
מִ/פְּלִשְׁתִּ֑ים
כִּֽי
עֹשֶׂ֥ה
אֲנִ֛י
עִמָּ֖/ם
רָעָֽה
וַ/יֹּ֤אמֶר
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
לָ/הֶם֙
Prep | Suff
שִׁמְשׁ֔וֹן
Shimshôwn
H8123
Samson
N-proper
נִקֵּ֥יתִי
nâqâh
H5352
to clear
V-Niphal-Perf-1cs
הַ/פַּ֖עַם
paʻam
H6471
beat
Art | N-fs
מִ/פְּלִשְׁתִּ֑ים
Pᵉlishtîy
H6430
Philistines
Prep | Ngmpa
כִּֽי
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
עֹשֶׂ֥ה
ʻâsâh
H6213
to make
V-Qal
אֲנִ֛י
ʼănîy
H589
I
Pron
עִמָּ֖/ם
ʻim
H5973
with
Prep | Suff
רָעָֽה
raʻ
H7451
bad
N-fs
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Judges 15:3
וַ/יֹּ֤אמֶר
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/הֶם֙
""
Prep | Suff
שִׁמְשׁ֔וֹן
Shimshôwn
H8123
"Samson"
N-proper
Samson, meaning like the sun, was a Danite and a judge of Israel for 20 years. He was a Nazarite for life, and his story is first mentioned in Judges 13:24, where he is described as the son of Manoah.
Definition: A Judge living before Israel's Monarchy, first mentioned at Jdg.13.24; son of: Manoah (H4495); married to Delilah (H1807) Also named: Sampsōn (Σαμψών "Samson" G4546) § Samson = "like the sun" a Danite, son of Manoah, a Nazarite for life, and a judge of Israel for 20 years
Usage: Occurs in 37 OT verses. KJV: Samson. See also: Judges 13:24; Judges 15:16; Judges 16:30.
נִקֵּ֥יתִי
nâqâh
H5352
"to clear"
V-Niphal-Perf-1cs
To be or make clean, either physically or morally, as seen in the book of Psalms where David asks God to cleanse him. This word is also used to describe being free from guilt or punishment. It appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: 1) to be empty, be clear, be pure, be free, be innocent, be desolate, be cut off 1a) (Qal) to be empty, be clean, be pure 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be cleaned out, be purged out 1b2) to be clean, be free from guilt, be innocent 1b3) to be free, be exempt from punishment 1b4) to be free, be exempt from obligation 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to hold innocent, acquit 1c2) to leave unpunished
Usage: Occurs in 33 OT verses. KJV: acquit [idiom] at all, [idiom] altogether, be blameless, cleanse, (be) clear(-ing), cut off, be desolate, be free, be (hold) guiltless, be (hold) innocent, [idiom] by no means, be quit, be (leave) unpunished, [idiom] utterly, [idiom] wholly. See also: Genesis 24:8; Psalms 19:14; Psalms 19:13.
הַ/פַּ֖עַם
paʻam
H6471
"beat"
Art | N-fs
This word refers to a beat or stroke, like a footstep or a blow. It can also mean a time or occurrence, and is used in the Bible to describe things like a single step or a repeated action.
Definition: 1) stroke, beat, foot, step, anvil, occurrence 1a) foot, hoof-beat, footfall, footstep 1b) anvil 1c) occurrence, time, stroke, beat 1c1) one time, once, twice, thrice, as time on time, at this repetition, this once, now at length, now...now, at one time...at another
Usage: Occurs in 108 OT verses. KJV: anvil, corner, foot(-step), going, (hundred-) fold, [idiom] now, (this) [phrase] once, order, rank, step, [phrase] thrice, (often-), second, this, two) time(-s), twice, wheel. See also: Genesis 2:23; 1 Samuel 3:10; Psalms 17:5.
מִ/פְּלִשְׁתִּ֑ים
Pᵉlishtîy
H6430
"Philistines"
Prep | Ngmpa
A Philistine is a person from the region of Philistia, which was inhabited by immigrants from other places. The Philistines were known for their conflicts with the Israelites, as recorded in the Bible. They were a distinct ethnic group.
Definition: Philistine = "immigrants" an inhabitant of Philistia; descendants of Mizraim who immigrated from Caphtor (Crete?) to the western seacoast of Canaan Another name of ga.dol (גָּדוֹל "Great( Sea)" H1419J)
Usage: Occurs in 244 OT verses. KJV: Philistine. See also: Genesis 10:14; 1 Samuel 17:8; 1 Chronicles 10:1.
כִּֽי
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
עֹשֶׂ֥ה
ʻâsâh
H6213
"to make"
V-Qal
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
אֲנִ֛י
ʼănîy
H589
"I"
Pron
This Hebrew word is a simple way of saying 'I' or 'me', often used for emphasis. It is used by people like David in the Psalms to express their thoughts and feelings. The word is a basic part of the Hebrew language.
Definition: I (first pers. sing. -usually used for emphasis)
Usage: Occurs in 803 OT verses. KJV: I, (as for) me, mine, myself, we, [idiom] which, [idiom] who. See also: Genesis 6:17; Leviticus 19:36; 1 Samuel 25:24.
עִמָּ֖/ם
ʻim
H5973
"with"
Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means with or together, like when God is with his people in Exodus 33:14-15. It's used to describe accompaniment or association, and can also mean against or beside. The word is used to convey a sense of relationship or proximity between people or things.
Definition: 1) with 1a) with 1b) against 1c) toward 1d) as long as
Usage: Occurs in 919 OT verses. KJV: accompanying, against, and, as ([idiom] long as), before, beside, by (reason of), for all, from (among, between), in, like, more than, of, (un-) to, with(-al). See also: Genesis 3:6; Exodus 21:14; Deuteronomy 29:11.
רָעָֽה
raʻ
H7451
"bad"
N-fs
Ra means bad or evil, referring to moral or natural harm. It describes adversity, affliction, or distress, and is often used to convey a sense of misery or injury.
Definition: : harmful adj 1) bad, evil 1a) bad, disagreeable, malignant 1b) bad, unpleasant, evil (giving pain, unhappiness, misery) 1c) evil, displeasing 1d) bad (of its kind-land, water, etc) 1e) bad (of value) 1f) worse than, worst (comparison) 1g) sad, unhappy 1h) evil (hurtful) 1i) bad, unkind (vicious in disposition) 1j) bad, evil, wicked (ethically) 1j1) in general, of persons, of thoughts 1j2) deeds, actions
Usage: Occurs in 623 OT verses. KJV: adversity, affliction, bad, calamity, [phrase] displease(-ure), distress, evil((-favouredness), man, thing), [phrase] exceedingly, [idiom] great, grief(-vous), harm, heavy, hurt(-ful), ill (favoured), [phrase] mark, mischief(-vous), misery, naught(-ty), noisome, [phrase] not please, sad(-ly), sore, sorrow, trouble, vex, wicked(-ly, -ness, one), worse(-st), wretchedness, wrong. (Incl. feminine raaah; as adjective or noun.). See also: Genesis 2:9; Judges 9:57; 2 Kings 21:6.
Study Notes — Judges 15:3
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Judges 15:3 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Judges 15:3
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Judges 15:3
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Judges 15:3
- Trapp's Commentary on Judges 15:3
- Ellicott's Commentary on Judges 15:3
- Cambridge Bible on Judges 15:3
- Barnes' Notes on Judges 15:3
Context — Samson’s Revenge
1Later on, at the time of the wheat harvest, Samson took a young goat and went to visit his wife. “I want to go to my wife in her room,” he said. But her father would not let him enter.
2“I was sure that you thoroughly hated her,” said her father, “so I gave her to one of the men who accompanied you. Is not her younger sister more beautiful than she? Please take her instead.”
3Samson said to them, “This time I will be blameless in doing harm to the Philistines.”
4Then Samson went out and caught three hundred foxes. And he took torches, turned the foxes tail-to-tail, and fastened a torch between each pair of tails. 5Then he lit the torches and released the foxes into the standing grain of the Philistines, burning up the piles of grain and the standing grain, as well as the vineyards and olive groves.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Judges 14:15 | So on the fourth day they said to Samson’s wife, “Entice your husband to explain the riddle to us, or we will burn you and your father’s household to death. Did you invite us here to rob us?” |
Judges 15:3 Summary
[Samson said he would be blameless in doing harm to the Philistines because they had wronged him, but this statement raises questions about the nature of blamelessness and revenge. As believers, we are called to forgive and love our enemies, as seen in Matthew 5:44, and to trust God to avenge us, as promised in Romans 12:19. Samson's story serves as a reminder that our actions should be guided by a desire to please God, rather than seeking personal revenge.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What motivated Samson to say he would be blameless in doing harm to the Philistines?
Samson's motivation stemmed from the Philistines' mistreatment of him, particularly his father-in-law's refusal to let him see his wife, as seen in Judges 15:1-2, and the giving of his wife to another man, which was a breach of their cultural and marital customs, similar to the situation in Deuteronomy 22:29.
Does Samson's statement justify his actions against the Philistines?
While Samson's statement in Judges 15:3 may seem to justify his actions, it is essential to consider the broader biblical context, such as Jesus' teachings in Matthew 5:38-42, which emphasize the importance of loving one's enemies and not seeking revenge.
How does Samson's statement relate to his role as a judge in Israel?
As a judge, Samson was responsible for leading the Israelites and protecting them from their enemies, as seen in Judges 13:5, and his statement in Judges 15:3 reflects his determination to fulfill this role, despite the personal hardships he faced.
What can we learn from Samson's attitude towards the Philistines?
Samson's attitude towards the Philistines serves as a reminder that our actions should be guided by a desire to please God, rather than seeking personal revenge, as emphasized in Romans 12:19, which encourages believers to leave vengeance to God.
Reflection Questions
- How do I respond when I feel wronged or mistreated by others, and what can I learn from Samson's example?
- In what ways can I seek to honor God in the face of adversity, as Samson attempted to do in his own way?
- How can I balance my desire for justice with the need to forgive and love my enemies, as taught in Matthew 5:44?
- What are some areas in my life where I may be seeking revenge or harm towards others, and how can I surrender these to God?
Gill's Exposition on Judges 15:3
And Samson said concerning them,.... His wife's father, and other relations, and the citizens of Timnath; this, which is what follows, he said either within himself respecting them, or he said it to
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Judges 15:3
And Samson said concerning them, Now shall I be more blameless than the Philistines, though I do them a displeasure. Now shall I be more blameless than the Philistines.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Judges 15:3
Because they have first provoked me by an irreparable injury. But although this may look like an act of private revenge, yet it is plain enough that Samson acted as a judge, (for so he was,) and as an avenger of the public injuries and oppressions of his people; as plainly appears from hence, that Samson designed this very thing before he had received any personal injury, .
Trapp's Commentary on Judges 15:3
Judges 15:3 And Samson said concerning them, Now shall I be more blameless than the Philistines, though I do them a displeasure.Ver. 3. Now shall I be more blameless than the Philistines.] Who all were in fault, because they either approved, or at least inhibited not this injury done to Samson; wherefore he proclaimeth open war against them all, vowing revenge.
Ellicott's Commentary on Judges 15:3
(3) Concerning them.—There is no reason for this rendering. It should be to them. The Vulg. has cui, and the LXX. “to them,” or “to him.” Now—i.e., This time. He means that his second act of vengeance will at least have more excuse than his assault on the Askelonites. More blameless than the Philistines.—Rather, innocent as regards the Philistines. The words are somewhat obscure. Ewald renders them— “This time I am quit of the Philistines, If ‘tis evil I think of doing them.”
Cambridge Bible on Judges 15:3
3. unto them] Cf. Judges 15:7. The family and friends were no doubt discussing the situation with oriental excitement. shall I be blameless in regard of] i.e. I am resolved to have my revenge on the Philistines, and no one will be able to blame me for it (cf. Numbers 32:22, 2 Samuel 3:28); Samson’s words express a resolve in a tone of exultation. When I do should be for I am going to do.
Barnes' Notes on Judges 15:3
See the margin. Before, when the Philistines injured him he was in covenant with the Timnathites through his marriage and by the rites of hospitality, for which reason he went off to Ashkelon to take his revenge Judges 14:19.