Judges 14:3

Then his father and his mother said unto him, [Is there] never a woman among the daughters of thy brethren, or among all my people, that thou goest to take a wife of the uncircumcised Philistines? And Samson said unto his father, Get her for me; for she pleaseth me well.

Then his father {H1} and his mother {H517} said {H559} unto him, Is there never {H369} a woman {H802} among the daughters {H1323} of thy brethren {H251}, or among all my people {H5971}, that thou goest {H1980} to take {H3947} a wife {H802} of the uncircumcised {H6189} Philistines {H6430}? And Samson {H8123} said {H559} unto his father {H1}, Get {H3947} her for me; for she pleaseth me well {H3474}{H5869}.

His father and mother replied, "Isn't there any woman from the daughters of your kinsmen or among all my people? Must you go to the uncircumcised P'lishtim to find a wife?" Shimshon said to his father, "Get her for me. I like her."

But his father and mother replied, “Can’t you find a young woman among your relatives or among any of our people? Must you go to the uncircumcised Philistines to get a wife?” But Samson told his father, “Get her for me, for she is pleasing to my eyes.”

Then his father and his mother said unto him, Is there never a woman among the daughters of thy brethren, or among all my people, that thou goest to take a wife of the uncircumcised Philistines? And Samson said unto his father, Get her for me; for she pleaseth me well.

Commentary

Judges 14:3 captures a pivotal moment in the life of Samson, a Nazirite consecrated to God from birth, as he expresses his desire to marry a Philistine woman. This verse highlights the immediate tension between Samson's personal desires and the expectations of his parents, as well as the broader covenantal principles for Israel.

Historical and Cultural Context

The Book of Judges portrays a tumultuous period in Israel's history, marked by cycles of apostasy, oppression by surrounding nations, and deliverance through divinely raised judges. The Philistines, a powerful and often hostile people, were a constant threat to Israel's western border. For an Israelite, especially one dedicated to God like Samson, marrying outside the covenant people was highly problematic. While specific laws like those in Deuteronomy 7:3-4 primarily prohibited intermarriage with Canaanite nations, the underlying principle was to prevent assimilation into idolatrous cultures and preserve the distinct identity of God's chosen people. Samson's parents' question, "Is there never a woman among the daughters of thy brethren, or among all my people?", underscores this expectation of endogamy within the Israelite community.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Disregard for Parental Counsel and Covenant Principles: Samson's immediate and insistent response, "Get her for me; for she pleaseth me well," demonstrates a striking disregard for his parents' wisdom and the implicit spiritual dangers of such a union. This foreshadows a pattern of impulsive, self-gratifying decisions throughout his life.
  • The Lure of Personal Desire: The phrase "she pleaseth me well" (Hebrew: yashar b'einai - "is right in my eyes" or "is pleasing in my sight") emphasizes Samson's subjective preference over objective spiritual discernment. This theme of personal pleasure overriding divine guidance is a recurring motif in the Book of Judges, where "every man did that which was right in his own eyes" (Judges 21:25).
  • Divine Sovereignty Amidst Human Flaws: Though Samson's choice appears to be a clear act of rebellion, the subsequent verse (Judges 14:4) reveals that "his father and his mother knew not that it was of the LORD, that he sought an occasion against the Philistines." This introduces the profound theological concept that God can orchestrate His sovereign plan even through human disobedience and flawed choices, turning potential stumbling blocks into instruments for His purposes against Israel's enemies.

Linguistic Insights

The term "uncircumcised Philistines" is highly significant. Circumcision was the physical sign of God's covenant with Abraham and his descendants (Genesis 17:11). Calling the Philistines "uncircumcised" was not merely a physical description but a potent cultural and religious insult, emphasizing their status as outsiders, idolaters, and enemies of God's people. Samson's desire for a woman from this group highlights his detachment from the spiritual identity and separation expected of an Israelite, particularly a Nazirite.

Practical Application

Judges 14:3 offers several timeless lessons for believers today:

  • The Importance of Wise Counsel: Samson's parents offered sound, biblically aligned advice. We are wise to heed the counsel of godly mentors, parents, and spiritual leaders, especially in major life decisions like marriage.
  • Discerning God's Will vs. Personal Desire: Our personal preferences, while not inherently wrong, should always be submitted to God's revealed will and wisdom. Choosing a life partner, for instance, should prioritize spiritual compatibility and adherence to biblical principles, as outlined in passages like 2 Corinthians 6:14 regarding being "unequally yoked."
  • God's Sovereignty: While we are responsible for our choices, this passage reminds us of God's incredible ability to work His purposes, even when we make poor decisions. This is not an excuse for sin, but a comfort that His ultimate plan will prevail.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Judges 15:18

    ¶ And he was sore athirst, and called on the LORD, and said, Thou hast given this great deliverance into the hand of thy servant: and now shall I die for thirst, and fall into the hand of the uncircumcised?

  • 1 Samuel 17:36

    Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.

  • 1 Samuel 31:4

    Then said Saul unto his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword, and fell upon it.

  • 2 Samuel 1:20

    Tell [it] not in Gath, publish [it] not in the streets of Askelon; lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.

  • 1 Samuel 17:26

    And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who [is] this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?

  • Deuteronomy 7:2

    And when the LORD thy God shall deliver them before thee; thou shalt smite them, [and] utterly destroy them; thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor shew mercy unto them:

  • Deuteronomy 7:3

    Neither shalt thou make marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son.
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