King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
But Samson's wife was [given] to his companion, whom he had used as his friend.
Complete Jewish Bible:
and his wife was given to the companion who had been best man at the wedding.
Berean Standard Bible:
and his wife was given to one of the men who had accompanied him.
American Standard Version:
But Samson’s wife was given to his companion, whom he had used as his friend.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
But Samson's{H8123} wife{H802} was given to his companion{H4828}, whom he had used as his friend{H7462}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Judges 15:2
- And her father said, I verily thought that thou hadst utterly hated her; therefore I gave her to thy companion: [is] not her younger sister fairer than she? take her, I pray thee, instead of her.
John 3:29
- He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.
John 13:18
- ¶ I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me.
Judges 15:6
- Then the Philistines said, Who hath done this? And they answered, Samson, the son in law of the Timnite, because he had taken his wife, and given her to his companion. And the Philistines came up, and burnt her and her father with fire.
Micah 7:5
- Trust ye not in a friend, put ye not confidence in a guide: keep the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom.
Jeremiah 9:5
- And they will deceive every one his neighbour, and will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies, [and] weary themselves to commit iniquity.
Psalms 55:12
- For [it was] not an enemy [that] reproached me; then I could have borne [it]: neither [was it] he that hated me [that] did magnify [himself] against me; then I would have hid myself from him:
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Judges 14:20
Judges 14:20 is a verse set within the narrative of Samson, one of the Israelite judges, whose story is told in the Book of Judges. The verse specifically recounts an event following Samson's wedding feast, where his Philistine wife is given to another man, identified as Samson's companion who had been his friend during the feast. This act of betrayal is significant within the broader context of Samson's troubled relationship with the Philistines, who were a constant threat to Israel during this period.
The themes present in this verse include betrayal, the complexities of intercultural relationships, and the consequences of personal vendettas. The historical context is the time of the judges, a period characterized by the cyclical apostasy of the Israelites, their subjugation by foreign powers, and the raising up of judges by God to deliver them. Samson's story, including this particular event, is set against the backdrop of ongoing conflict between the Israelites and the Philistines.
In the text of Judges 14:20, we see the immediate fallout of Samson's decision to marry a Philistine woman, which is part of his larger pattern of defying social and religious norms. The verse highlights the tension between Samson's personal desires and his role as a judge and leader of his people. His wife's marriage to another man sets the stage for further conflict and serves as a catalyst for Samson's subsequent actions against the Philistines, which are driven by both personal revenge and his divine mission to deliver Israel from Philistine oppression. This verse is thus pivotal in demonstrating the intertwining of Samson's personal life with the larger narrative of Israel's history and God's redemptive plan.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H8123
There are 37 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שִׁמְשׁוֹן
Transliteration: Shimshôwn
Pronunciation: shim-shone'
Description: from שֶׁמֶשׁ; sunlight; Shimshon, an Israelite; Samson. - Strong's Number: H802
There are 729 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אִשָּׁה
Transliteration: ʼishshâh
Pronunciation: ish-shaw'
Description: feminine of אִישׁ or אֱנוֹשׁ; irregular plural, נָשִׁים;(used in the same wide sense as אֱנוֹשׁ); a woman; (adulter) ess, each, every, female, [idiom] many, [phrase] none, one, [phrase] together, wife, woman. Often unexpressed in English. - Strong's Number: H4828
There are 7 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מֵרֵעַ
Transliteration: mêrêaʻ
Pronunciation: may-ray'-ah
Description: from רָעָה in the sense of companionship; a friend; companion, friend. - Strong's Number: H7462
There are 144 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רָעָה
Transliteration: râʻâh
Pronunciation: raw-aw'
Description: a primitive root; to tend a flock; i.e. pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a friend); [idiom] break, companion, keep company with, devour, eat up, evil entreat, feed, use as a friend, make friendship with, herdman, keep (sheep) (-er), pastor, [phrase] shearing house, shepherd, wander, waste.