Judges 15:9
Judges 15:9 in Multiple Translations
Then the Philistines went up, camped in Judah, and deployed themselves near the town of Lehi.
¶ Then the Philistines went up, and pitched in Judah, and spread themselves in Lehi.
Then the Philistines went up, and encamped in Judah, and spread themselves in Lehi.
Then the Philistines went and put up their tents in Judah, all round Lehi.
So the Philistine army came and camped in Judah, drawn up for battle near Lehi.
Then the Philistims came vp, and pitched in Iudah, and were spred abroad in Lehi.
And the Philistines go up, and encamp in Judah, and are spread out in Lehi,
Then the Philistines went up, encamped in Judah, and spread themselves in Lehi.
Then the Philistines went up, and encamped in Judah, and spread themselves in Lehi.
Then the Philistines going up into the land of Juda, camped in the place which afterwards was called Lechi, that is, the Jawbone, where their army was spread.
The Philistines did not know where he was, so they went up to where the descendants of Judah lived, set up their tents near Lehi town and then raided the town.
Berean Amplified Bible — Judges 15:9
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 15:9 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יַּעֲל֣וּ
פְלִשְׁתִּ֔ים
וַֽ/יַּחֲנ֖וּ
בִּ/יהוּדָ֑ה
וַ/יִּנָּטְשׁ֖וּ
בַּ/לֶּֽחִי
וַ/יַּעֲל֣וּ
ʻâlâh
H5927
to ascend
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
פְלִשְׁתִּ֔ים
Pᵉlishtîy
H6430
Philistines
Ngmpa
וַֽ/יַּחֲנ֖וּ
chânâh
H2583
to camp
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
בִּ/יהוּדָ֑ה
Yᵉhûwdâh
H3063
Judah
Prep | N-proper
וַ/יִּנָּטְשׁ֖וּ
nâṭash
H5203
to leave
Conj | V-Niphal-ConsecImperf-3mp
בַּ/לֶּֽחִי
Lechîy
H3896
Lehi
Prep | N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — Judges 15:9
וַ/יַּעֲל֣וּ
ʻâlâh
H5927
"to ascend"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
To ascend means to go up or rise, like the smoke from an altar going up to God, as described in many Bible passages, including Leviticus and Psalms.
Definition: : rise/go 1) to go up, ascend, climb 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go up, ascend 1a2) to meet, visit, follow, depart, withdraw, retreat 1a3) to go up, come up (of animals) 1a4) to spring up, grow, shoot forth (of vegetation) 1a5) to go up, go up over, rise (of natural phenomenon) 1a6) to come up (before God) 1a7) to go up, go up over, extend (of boundary) 1a8) to excel, be superior to 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be taken up, be brought up, be taken away 1b2) to take oneself away 1b3) to be exalted 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to bring up, cause to ascend or climb, cause to go up 1c2) to bring up, bring against, take away 1c3) to bring up, draw up, train 1c4) to cause to ascend 1c5) to rouse, stir up (mentally) 1c6) to offer, bring up (of gifts) 1c7) to exalt 1c8) to cause to ascend, offer 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be carried away, be led up 1d2) to be taken up into, be inserted in 1d3) to be offered 1e) (Hithpael) to lift oneself
Usage: Occurs in 817 OT verses. KJV: arise (up), (cause to) ascend up, at once, break (the day) (up), bring (up), (cause to) burn, carry up, cast up, [phrase] shew, climb (up), (cause to, make to) come (up), cut off, dawn, depart, exalt, excel, fall, fetch up, get up, (make to) go (away, up); grow (over) increase, lay, leap, levy, lift (self) up, light, (make) up, [idiom] mention, mount up, offer, make to pay, [phrase] perfect, prefer, put (on), raise, recover, restore, (make to) rise (up), scale, set (up), shoot forth (up), (begin to) spring (up), stir up, take away (up), work. See also: Genesis 2:6; Exodus 34:4; Joshua 7:6.
פְלִשְׁתִּ֔ים
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.
וַֽ/יַּחֲנ֖וּ
chânâh
H2583
"to camp"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
This Hebrew verb means to set up camp or pitch a tent, like when the Israelites encamped in the wilderness. It can also mean to lay siege against a city.
Definition: 1) to decline, incline, encamp, bend down, lay siege against 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to decline 1a2) to encamp
Usage: Occurs in 135 OT verses. KJV: abide (in tents), camp, dwell, encamp, grow to an end, lie, pitch (tent), rest in tent. See also: Genesis 26:17; Numbers 33:33; Psalms 27:3.
בִּ/יהוּדָ֑ה
Yᵉhûwdâh
H3063
"Judah"
Prep | N-proper
Judah is the name of the tribe descended from Judah, the son of Jacob. It is also the name of the region where the tribe lived. The name means 'praised' and is first mentioned in Genesis.
Definition: § Judah = "praised" the tribe descended from Judah the son of Jacob
Usage: Occurs in 754 OT verses. KJV: Judah. See also: Genesis 29:35; 1 Samuel 23:3; 2 Kings 14:13.
וַ/יִּנָּטְשׁ֖וּ
nâṭash
H5203
"to leave"
Conj | V-Niphal-ConsecImperf-3mp
To leave or forsake something, like God forsaking his people in the book of Isaiah. It can also mean to permit or let something happen. In the Bible, it is often used to describe God's relationship with his people.
Definition: 1) to leave, permit, forsake, cast off or away, reject, suffer, join, spread out or abroad, be loosed, cease, abandon, quit, hang loose, cast down, make a raid, lie fallow, let fall, forgo, draw 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to leave, let alone, lie fallow, entrust to 1a2) to forsake, abandon 1a3) to permit 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be forsaken 1b2) to be loosened, be loose 1b3) to be let go, spread abroad 1c) (Pual) to be abandoned, be deserted
Usage: Occurs in 39 OT verses. KJV: cast off, drawn, let fall, forsake, join (battle), leave (off), lie still, loose, spread (self) abroad, stretch out, suffer. See also: Genesis 31:28; Psalms 78:60; Psalms 27:9.
בַּ/לֶּֽחִי
Lechîy
H3896
"Lehi"
Prep | N-proper
Lehi is a place in the Bible, named after the Hebrew word for jaw. It's where Samson killed 1000 men with a donkey's jawbone. The location is not certain, but it's believed to be in the Judah region.
Definition: Lehi = "jaw" a place in Judah which must have been in the Shephelah, near the border of the hill-country of Judah; site uncertain place is noted for being the location of Samson's killing of 1000 men with the jawbone of an ass Also named: le.chi (לְחִי "Lehi" H3895)
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: Lehi. Compare also H7437 (רָמַת לֶחִי). See also: Judges 15:9; Judges 15:14; Judges 15:19.
Study Notes — Judges 15:9
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Judges 15:9 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Judges 15:9
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Judges 15:9
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Judges 15:9
- Trapp's Commentary on Judges 15:9
- Ellicott's Commentary on Judges 15:9
- Cambridge Bible on Judges 15:9
- Barnes' Notes on Judges 15:9
- Whedon's Commentary on Judges 15:9
- Sermons on Judges 15:9
Context — Samson’s Revenge
7And Samson told them, “Because you have done this, I will not rest until I have taken vengeance upon you.”
8And he struck them ruthlessly with a great slaughter, and then went down and stayed in the cave at the rock of Etam.
9Then the Philistines went up, camped in Judah, and deployed themselves near the town of Lehi.
10“Why have you attacked us?” said the men of Judah. The Philistines replied, “We have come to arrest Samson and pay him back for what he has done to us.” 11In response, three thousand men of Judah went to the cave at the rock of Etam, and they asked Samson, “Do you not realize that the Philistines rule over us? What have you done to us?” “I have done to them what they did to me,” he replied.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Judges 15:17 | And when Samson had finished speaking, he cast the jawbone from his hand; and he named that place Ramath-lehi. |
| 2 | Judges 15:19 | So God opened up the hollow place in Lehi, and water came out of it. When Samson drank, his strength returned, and he was revived. That is why he named it En-hakkore, and it remains in Lehi to this day. |
| 3 | Judges 15:14 | When Samson arrived in Lehi, the Philistines came out shouting against him. And the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him. The ropes on his arms became like burnt flax, and the bonds broke loose from his hands. |
Judges 15:9 Summary
In this verse, the Philistines are trying to catch Samson because he hurt them, and they want to get back at him. This is like when someone does something mean to us, and we want to get back at them, but the Bible teaches us to forgive and trust in God's justice, as seen in Matthew 5:38-42. The Philistines camping in Judah shows how they are trying to take control and intimidate Samson, but God is still in control, as seen in Psalm 37:1-7. We can learn from this that even when it seems like our enemies are strong, God is stronger, and we can trust in Him to protect and deliver us, as promised in Psalm 91:1-2.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Philistines go up and camp in Judah?
The Philistines went up and camped in Judah because they were seeking to arrest Samson and exact revenge for the harm he had caused them, as seen in Judges 15:10. This was a result of Samson's actions in Judges 15:8, where he struck the Philistines with a great slaughter.
What is the significance of the town of Lehi?
The town of Lehi is where the Philistines deployed themselves, indicating a strategic location for their attack on Samson. This town is also where Samson would later defeat the Philistines, as told in Judges 15:14-17, with the help of God, as seen in Judges 15:14, where the Spirit of the Lord came upon him.
How did the Philistines' actions relate to Samson's previous actions?
The Philistines' actions in Judges 15:9 were a direct response to Samson's actions in Judges 15:8, where he struck them with a great slaughter. This cycle of violence and revenge is reminiscent of the pattern seen in Judges 3:12, where the Israelites did evil in the sight of the Lord, leading to oppression by their enemies.
What can we learn from the Philistines' pursuit of Samson?
The Philistines' pursuit of Samson teaches us about the futility of human revenge and the importance of trusting in God's sovereignty, as seen in Romans 12:19, where we are told not to avenge ourselves, but rather to leave room for God's wrath.
Reflection Questions
- How do I respond when I feel pursued or attacked by my enemies, and what can I learn from Samson's experiences?
- In what ways can I trust in God's sovereignty, even when faced with opposition or danger, as seen in Psalms 23:4?
- How can I avoid getting caught up in cycles of violence and revenge, and instead choose to forgive and trust in God's justice, as taught in Matthew 5:38-42?
- What are some ways that I can deploy myself, or position myself, for spiritual battle, as seen in Ephesians 6:10-18, and trust in God's power to overcome my enemies?
Gill's Exposition on Judges 15:9
Then the Philistines went up,.... From Palestine, which lay low on the shore of the Mediterranean sea: and pitched in Judah; in the laud of Judea, which lay higher, particularly in the tribe of
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Judges 15:9
Then the Philistines went up, and pitched in Judah, and spread themselves in Lehi. Then the Philistines went up - to the high land of Judah.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Judges 15:9
The rock Etam was in Judah: see ,6. Spread themselves, as coming in great numbers with a powerful host. Lehi; a place so called by anticipation, .
Trapp's Commentary on Judges 15:9
Judges 15:9 Then the Philistines went up, and pitched in Judah, and spread themselves in Lehi.Ver. 9. Spread themselves in Lehi.] Which showeth that they were a great army that came to fetch their bane. "Associate yourselves, ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces."
Ellicott's Commentary on Judges 15:9
(9) Then the Philistines went up.—They “went up” in hostile array against the hill-country of Judea to take vengeance for the dreadful injury which Samson had inflicted on them. Spread themselves in Lehi.—The use of the name before the incident from which a place is said to have received the name is found also in the case of Hormah (Numbers 14:45; Numbers 21:3). It was called in full Ramath-Lehi. (See on Judges 15:17.) The character of the narrative suggests the question whether the name may not have existed previously, and the play on words may not have been adapted by Samson to the incident. For the name of the place is Lechi , and “a jawbone” is Lehi (μδι). Shen, “tooth,” is the name of an isolated sharp rock (1 Samuel 14:4), and therefore “jaw” would not be an unnatural name for a range of such rocks. Josephus, however, says that before Samson’s exploit the place “had no name.” It may be again alluded to in 2 Samuel 23:11, where the words rendered “into a troop” may mean “to Lehi,” as it is understood by Josephus (Antt. vii. 12, § 4) and some MSS. of the LXX.
Cambridge Bible on Judges 15:9
9–20. Local traditions Provoked by Samson’s violence, the Philistines made a raid upon Lehi in Judah for the purpose of capturing their enemy. The name of the place was suggestive, and tradition attached to it the story of S.’s feat with the ‘fresh jawbone (lμḥ ?ξ) of an ass.’ Popular etymology explained Ramath-lehi, ‘the height of Lehi’ (from rϋm), as the place where S. ‘threw away’ (rβmβh) the jawbone; a hollow basin in the hill side, which held the water of the ‘Partridge Spring’ (‘κn haḳ ?ḳ ?τrη’), became the spring which God granted when S. ‘called’ (ḳ ?βrβ’) for help in his exhaustion. It is noteworthy that the exploit of Shammah, one of David’s heroes, also took place at Lehi, 2 Samuel 23:11 (reading unto Lehi for into a troop); cf. also the story of Shamgar, Judges 3:31.
Barnes' Notes on Judges 15:9
Spread themselves - An expression used of the Philistine mode of war 2 Samuel 5:18, 2 Samuel 5:22, alluding to the compact way in which they came up the wadys, and then distpersed.
Whedon's Commentary on Judges 15:9
SAMSON’S EXPLOIT WITH THE JAWBONE OF AN ASS, Judges 15:9-20. 9. Philistines went up — At least a thousand strong. Judges 15:15. The territory of Judah lies higher than the Philistine plain; hence the Philistines went up.
Sermons on Judges 15:9
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Samson #3 - a Lonely Struggle by Andrew Foster | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of standing for what is right, even when one is alone. He references Judges 2:18, which states that when the Lord raised up j |