King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
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.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Then he set the torches on fire and let the foxes loose in wheat fields of the P'lishtim. In this way he burned up the harvested wheat along with the grain waiting to be harvested, and the olive orchards as well.
Berean Standard Bible:
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.
American Standard Version:
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.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And when he had set{H1197} the brands{H3940} on fire{H784}, he let them go{H7971} into the standing corn{H7054} of the Philistines{H6430}, and burnt up{H1197} both the shocks{H1430}, and also the standing corn{H7054}, with the vineyards{H3754} and olives{H2132}.
Cross-References (KJV):
2 Samuel 14:30
- Therefore he said unto his servants, See, Joab's field is near mine, and he hath barley there; go and set it on fire. And Absalom's servants set the field on fire.
Exodus 22:6
- If fire break out, and catch in thorns, so that the stacks of corn, or the standing corn, or the field, be consumed [therewith]; he that kindled the fire shall surely make restitution.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Judges 15:5
Judges 15:5 is part of the narrative concerning Samson, one of the Israelite judges, known for his superhuman strength and his role as a divinely appointed leader against the oppressive Philistines. The verse occurs within the context of Samson's conflict with the Philistines, which is a recurring theme throughout the book of Judges. In this particular incident, Samson has taken revenge on the Philistines for a personal wrong—his Philistine wife had been given to another man after Samson had revealed the answer to a riddle he posed at their wedding feast.
In response to this betrayal, Samson catches three hundred foxes, ties them tail to tail in pairs, and fastens torches to their tails. He then sets the torches on fire and releases the foxes into the Philistines' fields. The result is devastating: the fire spreads and consumes not only the harvested sheaves (shocks) but also the standing grain, as well as the vineyards and olive groves. This act of arson is a direct assault on the agricultural economy of the Philistines, which is central to their livelihood and prosperity.
The historical context of this verse reflects the ongoing struggle between the Israelites and the Philistines during the time of the judges, a period characterized by cycles of apostasy, oppression, repentance, and deliverance among the Israelites. Samson's actions embody the spirit of guerrilla warfare and personal vengeance that are part of his judicial leadership, which is markedly different from the more organized military campaigns led by other judges. The verse highlights the extreme measures taken by individuals in times of conflict and the collateral damage inflicted upon the land and its resources. It also underscores the complex and sometimes morally ambiguous nature of Samson's character, as he operates both as a divinely empowered hero and as a deeply flawed individual driven by personal vendettas.
*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: H1197
There are 90 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בָּעַר
Transliteration: bâʻar
Pronunciation: baw-ar'
Description: a primitive root; also as denominative from בַּעַר; to kindle, i.e. consume (by fire or by eating); to be(-come) brutish; be brutish, bring (put, take) away, burn, (cause to) eat (up), feed, heat, kindle, set (on fire), waste. - Strong's Number: H3940
There are 13 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: לַפִּיד
Transliteration: lappîyd
Pronunciation: lap-peed'
Description: or לַפִּד; from an unused root probably meaning to shine; a flambeau, lamp or flame; (fire-) brand, (burning) lamp, lightning, torch. - Strong's Number: H784
There are 549 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֵשׁ
Transliteration: ʼêsh
Pronunciation: aysh
Description: a primitive word; fire (literally or figuratively); burning, fiery, fire, flaming, hot. - Strong's Number: H7971
There are 790 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁלַח
Transliteration: shâlach
Pronunciation: shaw-lakh'
Description: a primitive root; to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications); [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). - Strong's Number: H7054
There are 8 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קָמָה
Transliteration: qâmâh
Pronunciation: kuw-maw'
Description: feminine of active participle of קוּם; something that rises, i.e. a stalk of grain; (standing) corn, grown up, stalk. - Strong's Number: H6430
There are 244 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פְּלִשְׁתִּי
Transliteration: Pᵉlishtîy
Pronunciation: pel-ish-tee'
Description: patrial from פְּלֶשֶׁת; a Pelishtite or inhabitant of Pelesheth; Philistine. - Strong's Number: H1430
There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: גָּדִישׁ
Transliteration: gâdîysh
Pronunciation: gaw-deesh'
Description: from an unused root (meaning to heap up); a stack of sheaves; by analogy, a tomb; shock (stack) (of corn), tomb. - Strong's Number: H3754
There are 82 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כֶּרֶם
Transliteration: kerem
Pronunciation: keh'-rem
Description: from an unused root of uncertain meaning; a garden or vineyard; vines, (increase of the) vineyard(-s), vintage. See also בֵּית הַכֶּרֶם. - Strong's Number: H2132
There are 36 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: זַיִת
Transliteration: zayith
Pronunciation: zay'-yith
Description: probably from an unused root (akin to זִו); an olive (as yielding illuminating oil), the tree, the branch or the berry; olive (tree, -yard), Olivet.