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Judges 16:27

Judges 16:27 in Multiple Translations

Now the temple was full of men and women; all the lords of the Philistines were there, and about three thousand men and women were on the roof watching Samson entertain them.

Now the house was full of men and women; and all the lords of the Philistines were there; and there were upon the roof about three thousand men and women, that beheld while Samson made sport.

Now the house was full of men and women; and all the lords of the Philistines were there; and there were upon the roof about three thousand men and women, that beheld while Samson made sport.

Now the house was full of men and women; and all the lords of the Philistines were there; and about three thousand men and women were on the roof, looking on while Samson made sport.

The temple was full of people. All the Philistine rulers were there, and on the roof were the ordinary people watching what Samson was doing.

(Nowe the house was full of men and women, and there were all the princes of the Philistims: also vpon the roofe were about three thousande men and women that behelde while Samson played)

And the house hath been full of men and of women, and thither [are] all the princes of the Philistines, and on the roof [are] about three thousand men and women, who are looking on the playing of Samson.

Now the house was full of men and women; and all the lords of the Philistines were there; and there were on the roof about three thousand men and women, who saw while Samson performed.

Now the house was full of men and women: and all the lords of the Philistines were there: and there were upon the roof about three thousand men and women, that beheld while Samson made sport.

Now the house was full of men and women, and all the princes of the Philistines were there. Moreover about three thousand persons of both sexes from the roof and the higher part of the house, were beholding Samson’s play.

At that time the temple was full of men and women. All the Philistine leaders were also there. And there were about 3,000 people on the roof, watching Samson and making fun of him.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Judges 16:27

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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 16:27 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB וְ/הַ/בַּ֗יִת מָלֵ֤א הָֽ/אֲנָשִׁים֙ וְ/הַ/נָּשִׁ֔ים וְ/שָׁ֕מָּ/ה כֹּ֖ל סַרְנֵ֣י פְלִשְׁתִּ֑ים וְ/עַל הַ/גָּ֗ג כִּ/שְׁלֹ֤שֶׁת אֲלָפִים֙ אִ֣ישׁ וְ/אִשָּׁ֔ה הָ/רֹאִ֖ים בִּ/שְׂח֥וֹק שִׁמְשֽׁוֹן
וְ/הַ/בַּ֗יִת bayith H1004 place Conj | Art | N-ms
מָלֵ֤א mâlêʼ H4390 to fill V-Qal-Perf-3ms
הָֽ/אֲנָשִׁים֙ ʼîysh H376 man Art | N-mp
וְ/הַ/נָּשִׁ֔ים ʼishshâh H802 woman Conj | Art | N-fp
וְ/שָׁ֕מָּ/ה shâm H8033 there Conj | Adv | Suff
כֹּ֖ל kôl H3605 all N-ms
סַרְנֵ֣י çeren H5633 lord N-mp
פְלִשְׁתִּ֑ים Pᵉlishtîy H6430 Philistines Ngmpa
וְ/עַל ʻal H5921 upon Conj | Prep
הַ/גָּ֗ג gâg H1406 roof Art | N-ms
כִּ/שְׁלֹ֤שֶׁת shâlôwsh H7969 three Prep | Adj
אֲלָפִים֙ ʼeleph H505 thousand Adj
אִ֣ישׁ ʼîysh H376 man N-ms
וְ/אִשָּׁ֔ה ʼishshâh H802 woman Conj | N-fs
הָ/רֹאִ֖ים râʼâh H7200 Provider Art | V-Qal
בִּ/שְׂח֥וֹק sâchaq H7832 to laugh Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
שִׁמְשֽׁוֹן Shimshôwn H8123 Samson N-proper
Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Judges 16:27

וְ/הַ/בַּ֗יִת bayith H1004 "place" Conj | Art | N-ms
The Hebrew word for house refers to a dwelling place, including a family home, temple, or even the human body. It appears in various contexts, such as the temple in Jerusalem or the household of a family. In the Bible, it is often used to describe a place of worship or a family's living space.
Definition: nm place, origin, between
Usage: Occurs in 1712 OT verses. KJV: court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out). See also: Genesis 6:14; Exodus 8:5; Numbers 1:45.
מָלֵ֤א mâlêʼ H4390 "to fill" V-Qal-Perf-3ms
To fill means to make something full or complete, like filling a container or fulfilling a promise. This word is used in many contexts, including being full of joy or having a job completed.
Definition: 1) to fill, be full 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be full 1a1a) fulness, abundance (participle) 1a1b) to be full, be accomplished, be ended 1a2) to consecrate, fill the hand 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be filled, be armed, be satisfied 1b2) to be accomplished, be ended 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to fill 1c2) to satisfy 1c3) to fulfil, accomplish, complete 1c4) to confirm 1d) (Pual) to be filled 1e) (Hithpael) to mass themselves against Aramaic equivalent: me.la (מְלָא "to fill" H4391)
Usage: Occurs in 242 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, confirm, [phrase] consecrate, be at an end, be expired, be fenced, fill, fulfil, (be, become, [idiom] draw, give in, go) full(-ly, -ly set, tale), (over-) flow, fulness, furnish, gather (selves, together), presume, replenish, satisfy, set, space, take a (hand-) full, [phrase] have wholly. See also: Genesis 1:22; 2 Chronicles 16:14; Psalms 10:7.
הָֽ/אֲנָשִׁים֙ ʼîysh H376 "man" Art | 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.
וְ/הַ/נָּשִׁ֔ים ʼishshâh H802 "woman" Conj | Art | N-fp
The Hebrew word for woman, used to describe a female person, wife, or animal, appears in many biblical passages, including Genesis and Exodus, and is often translated as woman, wife, or female.
Definition: : woman 1) woman, wife, female 1a) woman (opposite of man) 1b) wife (woman married to a man) 1c) female (of animals) 1d) each, every (pronoun)
Usage: Occurs in 686 OT verses. KJV: (adulter) ess, each, every, female, [idiom] many, [phrase] none, one, [phrase] together, wife, woman. Often unexpressed in English. See also: Genesis 2:22; Genesis 34:4; Numbers 5:12.
וְ/שָׁ֕מָּ/ה shâm H8033 "there" Conj | Adv | Suff
The Hebrew word sham means there or then, often used to describe a location or point in time. It can also mean thither or thence, indicating movement or direction. This word is used frequently in the Bible to provide context and clarify the setting of a story.
Definition: 1) there, thither 1a) there 1b) thither (after verbs of motion) 1c) from there, thence 1d) then (as an adverb of time) Aramaic equivalent: tam.mah (תַּמָּה "there" H8536)
Usage: Occurs in 732 OT verses. KJV: in it, [phrase] thence, there (-in, [phrase] of, [phrase] out), [phrase] thither, [phrase] whither. See also: Genesis 2:8; Exodus 21:33; Deuteronomy 19:4.
כֹּ֖ל kôl H3605 "all" N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
סַרְנֵ֣י çeren H5633 "lord" N-mp
An axle was a rod that connected wheels together, but it can also mean a peer or equal. In the Bible, this word is used to describe something that holds things together. The axle of a wheel was crucial for its function and stability.
Definition: lord, ruler, tyrant
Usage: Occurs in 20 OT verses. KJV: lord, plate. See also: Joshua 13:3; 1 Samuel 6:4; 1 Chronicles 12:20.
פְלִשְׁתִּ֑ים 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.
וְ/עַל ʻal H5921 "upon" Conj | Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
הַ/גָּ֗ג gâg H1406 "roof" Art | N-ms
The Hebrew word for roof, or the top of an altar, like the one in the temple in Jerusalem.
Definition: 1) roof, top, housetop 1a) roof (of house) 1b) top (of altar of incense)
Usage: Occurs in 27 OT verses. KJV: roof (of the house), (house) top (of the house). See also: Exodus 30:3; 2 Kings 23:12; Psalms 102:8.
כִּ/שְׁלֹ֤שֶׁת shâlôwsh H7969 "three" Prep | Adj
This Hebrew word means three or thrice, and is used to describe quantities or repetitions in the Bible. It appears in various forms, including three, third, and thirteen.
Definition: 1) three, triad 1a) 3, 300, third Aramaic equivalent: te.lat (תְּלָת "three" H8532)
Usage: Occurs in 381 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] fork, [phrase] often(-times), third, thir(-teen, -teenth), three, [phrase] thrice. Compare H7991 (שָׁלִישׁ). See also: Genesis 5:22; Joshua 1:11; 2 Kings 9:32.
אֲלָפִים֙ ʼeleph H505 "thousand" Adj
A thousand, as in Exodus 20:6 where God shows love to thousands of people. It represents a large number or a company of people under one leader, like an army or a group of soldiers.
Definition: : thousand 1) a thousand 1a) as numeral 2) a thousand, company 2a) as a company of men under one leader, troops
Usage: Occurs in 390 OT verses. KJV: thousand. See also: Genesis 20:16; Joshua 3:4; 2 Kings 18:23.
אִ֣ישׁ ʼîysh H376 "man" N-ms
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.
וְ/אִשָּׁ֔ה ʼishshâh H802 "woman" Conj | N-fs
The Hebrew word for woman, used to describe a female person, wife, or animal, appears in many biblical passages, including Genesis and Exodus, and is often translated as woman, wife, or female.
Definition: : woman 1) woman, wife, female 1a) woman (opposite of man) 1b) wife (woman married to a man) 1c) female (of animals) 1d) each, every (pronoun)
Usage: Occurs in 686 OT verses. KJV: (adulter) ess, each, every, female, [idiom] many, [phrase] none, one, [phrase] together, wife, woman. Often unexpressed in English. See also: Genesis 2:22; Genesis 34:4; Numbers 5:12.
הָ/רֹאִ֖ים râʼâh H7200 "Provider" Art | V-Qal
The Hebrew word for provider means to see or look after, and is used to describe God's care for his people. It appears in various forms throughout the Bible, including in Genesis and other books.
Definition: (Lord will) Provide, cause to be seen. This name means to see, look at, inspect, look after
Usage: Occurs in 1206 OT verses. KJV: advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 41:41; Exodus 33:13.
בִּ/שְׂח֥וֹק sâchaq H7832 "to laugh" Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
This Hebrew word means to laugh, often in contempt or derision, as seen in Genesis 21:9 when Ishmael mocks Isaac. It can also mean to play or make sport, like in Psalm 104:26 where God plays with the whale. In the Bible, it appears over 50 times, including in the book of Job.
Definition: 1) to laugh, play, mock 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to laugh (usually in contempt or derision) 1a2) to sport, play 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to make sport 1b2) to jest 1b3) to play (including instrumental music, singing, dancing) 1c) (Hiphil) to laugh mockingly
Usage: Occurs in 36 OT verses. KJV: deride, have in derision, laugh, make merry, mock(-er), play, rejoice, (laugh to) scorn, be in (make) sport. See also: Judges 16:25; Psalms 2:4; Psalms 37:13.
שִׁמְשֽׁוֹן 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.

Study Notes — Judges 16:27

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Deuteronomy 22:8 If you build a new house, you are to construct a railing around your roof, so that you do not bring bloodguilt on your house if someone falls from it.
2 2 Samuel 11:2 One evening David got up from his bed and strolled around on the roof of the palace. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing—a very beautiful woman.
3 Joshua 2:8 Before the spies lay down for the night, Rahab went up on the roof
4 Judges 9:51 But there was a strong tower inside the city, and all the men, women, and leaders of the city fled there. They locked themselves in and went up to the roof of the tower.

Judges 16:27 Summary

[This verse describes a scene where Samson is being forced to entertain a large crowd of Philistines, including their leaders, in a temple. The crowd is so big that about three thousand people are watching from the roof, as seen in Judges 16:27. This scene is a reminder that, even in difficult circumstances, God can use us for His purposes, as seen in Romans 8:28. As we trust in God's strength, like Samson did in Judges 16:28, we can be confident that He will work everything out for our good, as promised in Jeremiah 29:11.]

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the significance of the temple being full of men and women in Judges 16:27?

The temple being full of men and women indicates that the Philistines were gathered to mock and entertain themselves at Samson's expense, as seen in Judges 16:25, where they call for Samson to entertain them.

Who are the lords of the Philistines mentioned in this verse?

The lords of the Philistines were the rulers and leaders of the Philistine people, similar to the leaders mentioned in 1 Samuel 29:2, and they were present at the temple to witness Samson's humiliation.

Why were there about three thousand men and women on the roof watching Samson?

The three thousand men and women on the roof were watching Samson entertain them, as they had called for him to perform for their amusement, as mentioned in Judges 16:25, and this large crowd emphasizes the public nature of Samson's humiliation.

How does this scene relate to the rest of the story of Samson?

This scene is a pivotal moment in the story of Samson, as it sets the stage for his final act of strength and revenge against the Philistines, as seen in Judges 16:28-30, and it ultimately leads to the fulfillment of Samson's purpose as a judge in Israel, as mentioned in Judges 13:5.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some ways that I, like Samson, can be used by God even in the midst of difficult circumstances?
  2. How can I, like the Philistines, be blinded to the power of God and the work He is doing in the lives of those around me?
  3. What are some areas in my life where I need to trust in God's strength, rather than my own, like Samson did in Judges 16:28?
  4. In what ways can I be a witness to the power of God, even in the midst of adversity, like Samson was in this verse?

Gill's Exposition on Judges 16:27

Now the house was full of men and women,.... Within it, who were gathered together from all parts of the city, and perhaps from other places on this occasion: and all the lords of the Philistines

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Judges 16:27

Now the house was full of men and women; and all the lords of the Philistines were there; and there were upon the roof about three thousand men and women, that beheld while Samson made sport.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Judges 16:27

The roof, after the manner of the times, was flat, and had windows through which they might see what was done in the lower parts of the house.

Trapp's Commentary on Judges 16:27

Judges 16:27 Now the house was full of men and women; and all the lords of the Philistines [were] there; and [there were] upon the roof about three thousand men and women, that beheld while Samson made sport.Ver. 27. Now the house.] Dagon’ s temple: that where they had sinned, there they might suffer. So Ahab’ s blood was licked up by dogs in the place where he had slain Naboth. So Henry III of France was stabbed to death in that very chamber where he had contrived the massacre of Paris. Was full of men and women.] Assembled they were, by an overruling Providence, that they might be "broken in pieces." So were the Baalites in mount Carmel, and afterwards in the house of their god, to be slain by Jehu. And so were the refractory Jews besieged and taken by the Romans at the feast of the Passover, when they were met together out of all parts of the land.

Ellicott's Commentary on Judges 16:27

(27) The house was full of men and women . . . upon the roof about three thousand men and women.—The words for “men and women” in the first clause are anashim and nashim, and in the second eesh and eeshsha. The more distinguished people were with the lords in the house itself; the common people were on the flat roof. There were upon the roof.—The temple may have been like a Turkish kiosk, “a spacious hall, of which the roof rested in front upon four columns, two of them standing at the ends, and two close together in the centre. Under this hall the chief Philistines celebrated a sacrificial meal, whilst the people were assembled above upon the top of the roof, which was surrounded by a balustrade” (Faber, Archäol. d. Hebr., quoted by Keil). “His puissant locks,” as Milton says, “sternly shook thunder with ruin upon the heads of those his evil counsellors, but not without great affliction to himself.” In the life of Samson and the incidents of Judges 18 we find the chief illustrations of the character of his tribe as described in Jacob’s blessing Genesis 49:16-17). Hence, perhaps, he is called Bedan in 1 Samuel 12:11, if we follow the improbable gloss of the Targum in making the word there mean a Danite.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Judges 16:27

Verse 27. Now the house was full of men] It was either the prison-house, house of assembly, or a temple of Dagon, raised on pillars, open on all sides, and flat-roofed, so that it could accommodate a multitude of people on the top.

Cambridge Bible on Judges 16:27

27. and all the lords … three thousand men and women] No doubt an insertion to heighten the effect; grammatically full of men and women is carried on by that beheld, shewing that the intervening words are not original. No mention of the people on the roof is made in Judges 16:30. The LXX. cod. B has 70 for 3000.

Whedon's Commentary on Judges 16:27

27. Upon the roof about three thousand — A roof one hundred and fifty feet square would afford a space of nearly a square yard for each one of these, and probably the roof of this building was still larger than this.

Sermons on Judges 16:27

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Zac Poonen Take the Blame and Forgive Others by Zac Poonen This sermon emphasizes the importance of not becoming familiar with the truth of Jesus' sacrifice, urging believers to continually find the freshness and significance of the cross.
A.W. Tozer Do Not Be Discouraged by A.W. Tozer In this sermon, the preacher talks about feeling captive and discouraged in life. He uses the example of Ezekiel, who was held captive and had his freedom taken away. The preacher
Danny Bond Maximum Effort Noblest Cause by Danny Bond In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the life and mindset of the apostle Paul, particularly in his letter to Timothy. The speaker highlights four key aspects of Paul's life that
David Ravenhill Capital City Church - Part 1 by David Ravenhill In the video, the speaker shares a personal story about being asked to teach in Malaysia. During their stay, they were shown a video by a Chinese doctor featuring Suzette Hadding,
Clement of Rome David's Sin, So Admonitory to Us Weak Men by Clement of Rome Clement of Rome warns about the dangers of lust and temptation using the example of David, a man after God's heart who fell into sin after being captivated by Bathsheba. He emphasi
Zac Poonen Importance of Purity in Our Life by Zac Poonen Zac Poonen delivers a powerful message on the importance of purity in the sexual area as outlined in 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8. He emphasizes the need to possess our bodies in sanctifi
Ernest O'Neill Romans 9:18 Finding God's Plan for Your Life by Ernest O'Neill Ernest O'Neill preaches about the destructive power of the words 'I can't' and the false beliefs of determinism and fatalism that hinder us from realizing our true potential. He em

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