Judges 16:29

Verse

And Samson reached out for the two central pillars supporting the temple. Bracing himself against them with his right hand on one pillar and his left hand on the other,

American Standard Version (1901)

And Samson took hold of the two middle pillars upon which the house rested, and leaned upon them, the one with his right hand, and the other with his left.

Bible in Basic English

Then Samson put his arms round the two middle pillars supporting the house, putting his weight on them, on one with his right hand and on the other with his left.

Free Bible Version

Samson reached for the two middle pillars that supported the temple. With his right hand leaning on one pillar and his left hand on the other,

Geneva Bible 1599

And Samson layd hold on the two middle pillars whereupon the house stood, and on which it was borne vp: on the one with his right hand, and on the other with his left.

King James (Authorized) Version

And Samson took hold of the two middle pillars upon which the house stood, and on which it was borne up, of the one with his right hand, and of the other with his left.

Translation for Translators

Then Samson put his hands on the two center pillars of the temple. He put his right hand on one pillar and his left hand on the other pillar.

Unlocked Literal Bible

Samson held on to the two middle pillars on which the building rested, and he leaned against them, one pillar with his right hand, and the other with his left.

Noah Webster Bible

And Samson took hold of the two middle pillars upon which the house stood, and on which it was supported, of the one with his right hand, and of the other with his left.

World English Bible

Samson took hold of the two middle pillars on which the house rested and leaned on them, the one with his right hand and the other with his left.

Young's Literal Translation

And Samson turneth aside [to] the two middle pillars, on which the house is established, and on which it is supported, [to] the one with his right hand, and one with his left;

Context

Samson’s Vengeance and Death

²⁸Then Samson called out to the LORD: “O Lord GOD, please remember me. Strengthen me, O God, just once more, so that with one vengeful blow I may pay back the Philistines for my two eyes.”²⁹And Samson reached out for the two central pillars supporting the temple. Bracing himself against them with his right hand on one pillar and his left hand on the other, ³⁰Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines.” Then he pushed with all his might, and the temple fell on the lords and all the people in it. So in his death he killed more than he had killed in his life.

Sermons

Today's Sleeping Giant

Leonard Ravenhill

Summary

In this verse, Samson, who had been captured by the Philistines and lost his strength due to his hair being cut, prays to God for one last burst of strength to avenge himself on his enemies. Through this act, Samson acknowledges his dependence on God and seeks divine intervention to fulfill his purpose. This prayer reflects Samson's desire for justice and his commitment to fulfilling his role as a judge of Israel. Despite his flaws and mistakes, Samson's faith in God's power is evident in this final plea for strength.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And Samson took hold of the two middle pillars, upon which the house stood, and on which it was borne up,.... Some have objected, that a building so large and so capacious as this was could not be supported by two pillars, and those placed in the middle, and so near to each other that Samson could lay hold on them; on which it has been observed, that the architecture of the ancients is little known to us, and they might have curious and ingenious arts of building, now lost; and several authors have taken notice of two Roman theatres built by Curio, that held abundantly more people than this house did, which were supported only by a single pin or hinge, as Pliny (y) relates; and our Westminster hall, which was built by William Rufus, and is two hundred and seventy feet long, and seventy four broad (z), and has a roof the largest in all Europe, is supported without any pillars at all; add to all which, that mention being made of the two middle pillars of this house, supposes that there were others in other parts of it, though these were the main and principal ones, on which the weight of the building chiefly lay. Kimchi observes, that the word signifies to incline or bend, as if Samson made the pillars to bend or bow; but it is a better sense that he laid hold of them: of the one with his right hand, and the other with his left; and thus he stood with his arms stretched out, as Jesus on the cross, of whom he was a type, as often observed. (y) Nat. Hist. l. 36. c. 15. (z) Rapin's History of England, vol. 1. p. 188.