Judges 15:5
Judges 15:5 in Multiple Translations
Then 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.
And when he had set the brands on fire, he let them go into the standing corn of the Philistines, and burnt up both the shocks, and also the standing corn, with the vineyards and olives.
And when he had set the brands on fire, he let them go into the standing grain of the Philistines, and burnt up both the shocks and the standing grain, and also the oliveyards.
Then firing the sticks, he let the foxes loose among the uncut grain of the Philistines, and all the corded stems as well as the living grain and the vine-gardens and the olives went up in flames.
He attached a torch to each of the tied tails and set them on fire. Then he let them loose in the grain fields of the Philistines, setting fire to all the grain, harvested and unharvested, as well as the vineyards and olive groves.
And when he had set the brandes on fire, he sent them out into the standing corne of the Philistims, and burnt vp both the rickes and the standing corne with the vineyardes and oliues.
and kindleth fire in the torches, and sendeth [them] out into the standing corn of the Philistines, and burneth [it] from heap even unto standing corn, even unto vineyard — olive-yard.
When he had set the torches on fire, he let them go into the standing grain of the Philistines, and burned up both the shocks and the standing grain, and also the olive groves.
And when he had set the brands on fire, he let them go into the standing corn of the Philistines, and burnt up both the shocks and also the standing corn, with the vineyards and olives.
And setting them on fire he let the foxes go, that they might run about hither and thither. And they presently went into the standing corn of the Philistines. Which being set on fire, both the corn that was already carried together, and that which was yet standing, was all burnt, insomuch, that the flame consumed also the vineyards and the oliveyards.
Then he lit the torches and let the foxes run through the fields of the Philistines. The fire from the torches burned all the grain to the ground, including the grain that had been cut and piled in bundles. The fire also burned down their grapevines and their olive trees.
Berean Amplified Bible — Judges 15:5
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 15:5 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יַּבְעֶר
אֵשׁ֙
בַּ/לַּפִּידִ֔ים
וַ/יְשַׁלַּ֖ח
בְּ/קָמ֣וֹת
פְּלִשְׁתִּ֑ים
וַ/יַּבְעֵ֛ר
מִ/גָּדִ֥ישׁ
וְ/עַד
קָמָ֖ה
וְ/עַד
כֶּ֥רֶם
זָֽיִת
וַ/יַּבְעֶר
bâʻar
H1197
to burn
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms
אֵשׁ֙
ʼêsh
H784
fire
N-cs
בַּ/לַּפִּידִ֔ים
lappîyd
H3940
torch
Prep | N-mp
וַ/יְשַׁלַּ֖ח
shâlach
H7971
to send
Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms
בְּ/קָמ֣וֹת
qâmâh
H7054
standing grain
Prep | N-fp
פְּלִשְׁתִּ֑ים
Pᵉlishtîy
H6430
Philistines
Ngmpa
וַ/יַּבְעֵ֛ר
bâʻar
H1197
to burn
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms
מִ/גָּדִ֥ישׁ
gâdîysh
H1430
stack
Prep | N-ms
וְ/עַד
ʻad
H5704
till
Conj | Prep
קָמָ֖ה
qâmâh
H7054
standing grain
N-fs
וְ/עַד
ʻad
H5704
till
Conj | Prep
כֶּ֥רֶם
kerem
H3754
vineyard
N-cs
זָֽיִת
zayith
H2132
olive
N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Judges 15:5
וַ/יַּבְעֶר
bâʻar
H1197
"to burn"
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms
To be brutish means to be stupid or barbarous, and can also refer to consuming something by fire or eating. It is used to describe someone who is dull-hearted or unreceptive.
Definition: : burn/ignite 1) to burn, consume, kindle, be kindled 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to begin to burn, be kindled, start burning 1a2) to burn, be burning 1a3) to burn, consume 1a4) Jehovah's wrath, human wrath (fig.) 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to kindle, burn 1b2) to consume, remove (of guilt) (fig.) 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to kindle 1c2) to burn up 1c3) to consume (destroy) 1d) (Pual) to burn
Usage: Occurs in 90 OT verses. KJV: be brutish, bring (put, take) away, burn, (cause to) eat (up), feed, heat, kindle, set (on fire), waste. See also: Exodus 3:2; Psalms 39:4; Psalms 2:12.
אֵשׁ֙
ʼêsh
H784
"fire"
N-cs
Fire is a powerful symbol in the Bible, representing both God's anger and his refining presence, as seen in Deuteronomy 4:24 and Malachi 3:2-3. It is also used for cooking and warmth. This concept is central to many biblical stories.
Definition: 1) fire 1a) fire, flames 1b) supernatural fire (accompanying theophany) 1c) fire (for cooking, roasting, parching) 1d) altar-fire 1e) God's anger (fig.) Aramaic equivalent: esh (אֶשָּׁא "fire" H0785)
Usage: Occurs in 348 OT verses. KJV: burning, fiery, fire, flaming, hot. See also: Genesis 15:17; Joshua 7:15; Psalms 11:6.
בַּ/לַּפִּידִ֔ים
lappîyd
H3940
"torch"
Prep | N-mp
A torch or lamp, this word refers to a burning flame or fire. In the Bible, it describes a light source or a symbol of God's power.
Definition: torch
Usage: Occurs in 13 OT verses. KJV: (fire-) brand, (burning) lamp, lightning, torch. See also: Genesis 15:17; Job 12:5; Isaiah 62:1.
וַ/יְשַׁלַּ֖ח
shâlach
H7971
"to send"
Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms
To send or depart is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which has various applications in the Bible. It can describe sending someone or something away, or letting something go.
Definition: : depart/send 1) to send, send away, let go, stretch out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to send 1a2) to stretch out, extend, direct 1a3) to send away 1a4) to let loose 1b) (Niphal) to be sent 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to send off or away or out or forth, dismiss, give over, cast out 1c2) to let go, set free 1c3) to shoot forth (of branches) 1c4) to let down 1c5) to shoot 1d) (Pual) to be sent off, be put away, be divorced, be impelled 1e) (Hiphil) to send
Usage: Occurs in 790 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] any wise, appoint, bring (on the way), cast (away, out), conduct, [idiom] earnestly, forsake, give (up), grow long, lay, leave, let depart (down, go, loose), push away, put (away, forth, in, out), reach forth, send (away, forth, out), set, shoot (forth, out), sow, spread, stretch forth (out). See also: Genesis 3:22; Exodus 9:27; Joshua 14:11.
בְּ/קָמ֣וֹת
qâmâh
H7054
"standing grain"
Prep | N-fp
Standing grain refers to mature crops that are ready for harvest. In the Bible, it symbolizes growth and abundance, as seen in the fields of ancient Israel. The word is used to describe the ripe, tall stalks of grain.
Definition: standing grain
Usage: Occurs in 8 OT verses. KJV: (standing) corn, grown up, stalk. See also: Exodus 22:5; 2 Kings 19:26; Isaiah 17:5.
פְּלִשְׁתִּ֑ים
Pᵉlishtîy
H6430
"Philistines"
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.
וַ/יַּבְעֵ֛ר
bâʻar
H1197
"to burn"
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms
To be brutish means to be stupid or barbarous, and can also refer to consuming something by fire or eating. It is used to describe someone who is dull-hearted or unreceptive.
Definition: : burn/ignite 1) to burn, consume, kindle, be kindled 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to begin to burn, be kindled, start burning 1a2) to burn, be burning 1a3) to burn, consume 1a4) Jehovah's wrath, human wrath (fig.) 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to kindle, burn 1b2) to consume, remove (of guilt) (fig.) 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to kindle 1c2) to burn up 1c3) to consume (destroy) 1d) (Pual) to burn
Usage: Occurs in 90 OT verses. KJV: be brutish, bring (put, take) away, burn, (cause to) eat (up), feed, heat, kindle, set (on fire), waste. See also: Exodus 3:2; Psalms 39:4; Psalms 2:12.
מִ/גָּדִ֥ישׁ
gâdîysh
H1430
"stack"
Prep | N-ms
A stack of sheaves or a tomb, used to describe a place where grain is stored or a burial site. The Bible uses this word to describe both a stack of corn and a tomb. The KJV translates it as 'shock' or 'tomb'.
Definition: heap, stack, pile
Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: shock (stack) (of corn), tomb. See also: Exodus 22:5; Job 5:26; Job 21:32.
וְ/עַד
ʻad
H5704
"till"
Conj | Prep
This Hebrew word means until or as far as, describing a point in time or space. It's used in the Bible to set boundaries or limits, like in Exodus when describing the Israelites' journey.
Definition: prep 1) as far as, even to, until, up to, while, as far as 1a) of space 1a1) as far as, up to, even to 1b) in combination 1b1) from...as far as, both...and (with 'min' -from) 1c) of time 1c1) even to, until, unto, till, during, end 1d) of degree 1d1) even to, to the degree of, even like conj 2) until, while, to the point that, so that even Aramaic equivalent: ad (עַד "till" H5705)
Usage: Occurs in 1128 OT verses. KJV: against, and, as, at, before, by (that), even (to), for(-asmuch as), (hither-) to, [phrase] how long, into, as long (much) as, (so) that, till, toward, until, when, while, ([phrase] as) yet. See also: Genesis 3:19; Exodus 32:20; Numbers 23:24.
קָמָ֖ה
qâmâh
H7054
"standing grain"
N-fs
Standing grain refers to mature crops that are ready for harvest. In the Bible, it symbolizes growth and abundance, as seen in the fields of ancient Israel. The word is used to describe the ripe, tall stalks of grain.
Definition: standing grain
Usage: Occurs in 8 OT verses. KJV: (standing) corn, grown up, stalk. See also: Exodus 22:5; 2 Kings 19:26; Isaiah 17:5.
וְ/עַד
ʻad
H5704
"till"
Conj | Prep
This Hebrew word means until or as far as, describing a point in time or space. It's used in the Bible to set boundaries or limits, like in Exodus when describing the Israelites' journey.
Definition: prep 1) as far as, even to, until, up to, while, as far as 1a) of space 1a1) as far as, up to, even to 1b) in combination 1b1) from...as far as, both...and (with 'min' -from) 1c) of time 1c1) even to, until, unto, till, during, end 1d) of degree 1d1) even to, to the degree of, even like conj 2) until, while, to the point that, so that even Aramaic equivalent: ad (עַד "till" H5705)
Usage: Occurs in 1128 OT verses. KJV: against, and, as, at, before, by (that), even (to), for(-asmuch as), (hither-) to, [phrase] how long, into, as long (much) as, (so) that, till, toward, until, when, while, ([phrase] as) yet. See also: Genesis 3:19; Exodus 32:20; Numbers 23:24.
כֶּ֥רֶם
kerem
H3754
"vineyard"
N-cs
A vineyard, or kerem, was a garden or plot of land used for growing vines and other crops. In the Bible, vineyards were often used as a symbol of prosperity and abundance, as seen in the book of Isaiah and the parables of Jesus.
Definition: vineyard
Usage: Occurs in 81 OT verses. KJV: vines, (increase of the) vineyard(-s), vintage. See also H1021 (בֵּית הַכֶּרֶם). See also: Genesis 9:20; Nehemiah 5:11; Psalms 107:37.
זָֽיִת
zayith
H2132
"olive"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for olive tree or olive berry, often associated with oil and light. In Deuteronomy 8:8, the olive tree is listed as one of the blessings of the Promised Land, and in Matthew 24:3, Jesus teaches on the Mount of Olives.
Definition: 1) olive, olive tree 1a) olive tree 1b) olives 2) mountain facing Jerusalem on the east side
Usage: Occurs in 36 OT verses. KJV: olive (tree, -yard), Olivet. See also: Genesis 8:11; Nehemiah 5:11; Psalms 52:10.
Study Notes — Judges 15:5
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Judges 15:5 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Judges 15:5
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Judges 15:5
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Judges 15:5
- Trapp's Commentary on Judges 15:5
- Ellicott's Commentary on Judges 15:5
- Cambridge Bible on Judges 15:5
- Whedon's Commentary on Judges 15:5
Context — Samson’s Revenge
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.
6“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. 7And Samson told them, “Because you have done this, I will not rest until I have taken vengeance upon you.”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 Samuel 14:30 | Then Absalom said to his servants, “Look, Joab’s field is next to mine, and he has barley there. Go and set it on fire!” And Absalom’s servants set the field on fire. |
| 2 | Exodus 22:6 | If a fire breaks out and spreads to thornbushes so that it consumes stacked or standing grain, or the whole field, the one who started the fire must make full restitution. |
Judges 15:5 Summary
[Judges 15:5 shows us Samson's creative but destructive way of getting back at the Philistines for what they did to him and his wife, setting fire to their grain fields and vineyards. This act, while part of Samson's story as a judge of Israel, does not necessarily reflect God's method of dealing with enemies, as we see in other stories like the conquests under Joshua. Samson's actions are more about his personal struggle for justice in a chaotic time. The use of fire to destroy the Philistines' crops symbolizes the devastating impact of our actions when driven by anger and a desire for revenge, rather than forgiveness and love, as taught in Matthew 5:38-42 and Romans 12:19.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What motivated Samson to attack the Philistines in Judges 15:5?
Samson's actions were motivated by a desire for revenge against the Philistines, who had given his wife to another man, as seen in the context of Judges 15:3-6, and also reflecting the ongoing struggle between the Israelites and the Philistines described in the book of Judges.
Is Samson's method of attack in Judges 15:5 an example of God's judgment on the Philistines?
While Samson is a judge of Israel, his actions in Judges 15:5 are more reflective of his personal vendetta than a direct act of God's judgment, unlike the instances where God explicitly instructs or empowers judges in the book of Judges, such as in Judges 3:10.
Does Judges 15:5 suggest that all forms of revenge are acceptable if we feel wronged?
No, the Bible teaches forgiveness and leaving vengeance to God, as seen in Romans 12:19, and while Samson's story is part of the biblical narrative, his actions should not be taken as a model for Christian behavior, especially considering teachings like those found in Matthew 5:38-42.
How does Samson's use of foxes and torches in Judges 15:5 symbolize the spiritual battle?
The use of fire can symbolize judgment or purification, as seen in other biblical contexts like Isaiah 4:4, and the chaos caused by the foxes can represent the destructive power of sin or the enemy, highlighting the deeper spiritual struggle between God's people and their adversaries.
Reflection Questions
- What are the underlying emotions and motivations that drive us to seek revenge, and how can we surrender these to God?
- In what ways can we, like Samson, confuse personal vendettas with God's will, and how can we discern the difference?
- How does the story of Samson and the Philistines in Judges 15:5 illustrate the consequences of unchecked anger and the importance of forgiveness?
- What does this verse teach us about the nature of conflict and how believers should approach it, in light of New Testament teachings like those in Ephesians 6:10-20?
Gill's Exposition on Judges 15:5
And when he had set the brands on fire,.... Disposed as before related; and foxes being naturally fearful of, and frightened with fire, and especially so near them as at their tails, would run into
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Judges 15:5
And when he had set the brands on fire, he let them go into the standing corn of the Philistines, and burnt up both the shocks, and also the standing corn, with the vineyards and olives. No JFB commentary on this verse.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Judges 15:5
He let them go, to wit, successively at several times, and in divers places, with great care and discretion, so as they might not hinder one another, nor all run into the same field; but being dispersed in all parts, might spread the plague further; and withal might be kept at a distance from the fields and vineyards of the Israelites. It is not worthy of our inquiry what became of these foxes afterward, whether they were burnt by the firebrands, or run into holes, or were taken and killed by the Philistines. The truth of this history is notably attested by a custom of the Romans, which it is very probable they had from the Phoenicians, upon this occasion; for every year they had a solemnity in April, the very time of Canaan’ s wheat harvest, wherein foxes were let loose with burning torches fastened to their backsides, &c.
Trapp's Commentary on Judges 15:5
Judges 15:5 And when he had set the brands on fire, he let [them] go into the standing corn of the Philistines, and burnt up both the shocks, and also the standing corn, with the vineyards [and] olives.Ver. 5. With the vineyards and olives.] How this could be is hard to conceive: but in these things we must silence our reason, and exalt our faith. He that is scholar to carnal reason, hath a fool to his master.
Ellicott's Commentary on Judges 15:5
(5) Into the standing corn of the Philistines.—He probably did this at night, when his actions would be unobserved, and no one would be at hand to quench the flames. We may imagine him watching the trails of fire from his rocky fastness, and exulting as the conflagration reddened the night. The heat of a tropical country makes everything so dry that his plan would be certain to succeed. To burn the crops of an Arab is to this day the deadliest of all injuries (Burckhardt). This was the method adopted by Absalom, in 2 Samuel 14:30, to gain an interview with Joab. It is needless to point out that the adoption of these rough, coarse, and cruel expedients must be as little judged by a later and better standard as his thirst for the revenge of personal wrongs. There can be no ground to question the literal truth of the narrative. It is in entire accordance with the custom of the East, and it finds curious confirmation from the story in Ovid’s Fasti, that every year, at the Cerealia, torches were tied to the tails of foxes, and they were let loose in the Roman circus, to commemorate the incident that on one occasion a young man at Carseoli, to punish a fox for depredations on his hen-coops, had wrapped it up in straw, and set it on fire, and that the creature had escaped into the corn-fields and burnt down the standing crops (Ovid, Fasti, iv. 681-711). The attempt of Bochart to establish any connection between this custom and the revenge of Samson is quite untenable, but the incident itself throws light on the possibility of the narrative. Ewald refers to Mêghadûta, liv. 4; Babrius, Fab., 11 Both the shocks, and also the standing corn.—Literally, from the heap, even up to the standing.
The extent of the vengeance and its terrible future consequences would be fully, and we fear ruthlessly, estimated by Samson, as he saw the rivers of fire running and spreading through that vast plain of corn-land in harvest-time. (Comp. Exodus 22:6.) With the vineyards and olives.—Literally, and to vineyard, to olive. There may be some slight corruption in the text, or it may be an abbreviation of “from vineyard to vineyard, and from olive to olive.” (Comp. Micah 7:12.) The low vines festooning the trees and trellis-work, and the olives with their dry trunks, would be sure to suffer injury.
Cambridge Bible on Judges 15:5
5. oliveyards] lit. vineyard of oliveyard, which cannot be right; read vineyard and oliveyard, with LXX, Vulgate; cf. Judges 14:5.
Whedon's Commentary on Judges 15:5
5. Let them go — Hebrew, éùׁ ?ìç, sent them. A hundred and fifty pairs, starting forth from different points and running in different directions, each pair carrying a firebrand, would rapidly spread destruction far and wide.