Judges 14:5

KJV

Then went Samson down, and his father and his mother, to Timnath, and came to the vineyards of Timnath: and, behold, a young lion roared against him.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then went {H3381} Samson {H8123} down {H3381}, and his father {H1} and his mother {H517}, to Timnath {H8553}, and came {H935} to the vineyards {H3754} of Timnath {H8553}: and, behold, a young {H3715} lion {H738} roared {H7580} against {H7125} him.

Complete Jewish Bible

Shimshon went down with his father and mother to Timnah. When they came to the vineyards of Timnah, a young lion roared at him.

Berean Standard Bible

Then Samson went down to Timnah with his father and mother and came to the vineyards of Timnah. Suddenly a young lion came roaring at him,

American Standard Version

Then went Samson down, and his father and his mother, to Timnah, and came to the vineyards of Timnah: and, behold, a young lion roared against him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 14:5 details the initial leg of Samson's journey to Timnath with his parents, prompted by his controversial desire for a Philistine wife. As they traverse the vineyards outside the city, a sudden and ferocious encounter with a young lion dramatically interrupts their path, setting the stage for the first powerful demonstration of Samson's unique, divinely endowed strength, which will be fully revealed in the subsequent verse. This pivotal moment underscores the unexpected ways in which divine providence can intersect with human choices, even those seemingly contrary to God's ideal.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated early in the narrative of Samson, following his declaration of intent to marry a Philistine woman from Timnath ([Judges 14:1-3](/judges/14-1 "Judges 14:1-3 - Samson's Desire for a Philistine Wife")). His parents, despite their disapproval of this intermarriage, accompany him, highlighting the social customs of the time and their parental responsibility. The lion encounter serves as a crucial prelude to the wedding feast and the riddle, immediately preceding the explicit mention of the Spirit of the Lord empowering Samson in [Judges 14:6](/judges/14-6 "Judges 14:6 - The Spirit of the Lord Empowers Samson"). It sets the stage for the recurring theme of Samson's solitary exploits and his unique strength, often displayed in unexpected and dramatic fashion.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting, Timnath, was a Philistine city, underscoring the ongoing tension and interaction between Israel and the Philistines during the period of the Judges. Intermarriage with foreign peoples was explicitly forbidden by Mosaic Law ([Deuteronomy 7:3-4](/deuteronomy/7-3 "Deuteronomy 7:3-4 - Prohibition of Intermarriage")), particularly for a Nazarite like Samson, who was consecrated to God from birth ([Judges 13:5](/judges/13-5 "Judges 13:5 - Samson's Nazarite Vow")). Vineyards in ancient Israel were often located on the fringes of settled areas, bordering wilder terrain, making them common habitats for predators like lions. Lions were present in the Levant during this period, posing a genuine threat to travelers and livestock, making Samson's encounter a realistic, albeit extraordinary, danger.
* **Key Themes:** This verse introduces several significant themes that permeate Samson's story and the book of Judges. It immediately highlights **Divine Empowerment**, foreshadowing the miraculous strength Samson wields, which is explicitly attributed to the Spirit of the Lord in the very next verse ([Judges 14:6](/judges/14-6 "Judges 14:6 - The Spirit of the Lord Empowers Samson")). The unexpected nature of the attack also underscores **Providence in Peril**, demonstrating how God's sovereign plan can unfold even amidst human choices that seem ill-advised or dangerous. Furthermore, the solitary confrontation with a formidable foe subtly **Foreshadows Conflict**—Samson's life is characterized by individual battles against overwhelming odds, particularly against the Philistines, where he often operates outside conventional military structures, relying solely on his unique gifts.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Young Lion (Hebrew, _kĕphir'_):** This term (כְּפִיר) refers not to a cub, but to a strong, vigorous, and often aggressive adult lion. The use of _kĕphir_ emphasizes the formidable and dangerous nature of the beast Samson encountered, highlighting the gravity of the threat and magnifying the subsequent display of his strength. It suggests a full-grown, powerful predator, making the ensuing act of tearing it apart even more astounding.
* **Roared (Hebrew, _sha'ag'_):** The verb (שָׁאַג) vividly conveys the terrifying, guttural sound of a lion's roar. This onomatopoeic word emphasizes the suddenness and intensity of the attack, creating a sense of immediate, overwhelming danger. A lion's roar was not just a sound but a declaration of presence and dominance, often preceding an attack, intended to intimidate and paralyze prey.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then went Samson down, and his father and his mother, to Timnath":** This clause establishes the setting and the participants. "Went down" (יָרַד, _yarad'_) often implies a geographical descent, as Timnath was likely at a lower elevation than Samson's home. It also subtly hints at a metaphorical "descent" into Philistine territory and culture, a move that would prove problematic for Samson's Nazarite identity. The presence of his parents underscores the public and familial nature of the marriage arrangements, even as they likely harbored reservations about his choice of a Philistine wife.
* **"and came to the vineyards of Timnath":** This specifies the precise location of the encounter. Vineyards, while cultivated, often bordered wilder, uncultivated areas, making them natural habitats for wild animals like lions. For a Nazarite, the very presence in a vineyard, which produces grapes and wine (forbidden to him), adds a layer of ironic tension to the setting, though he does not consume anything here.
* **"and, behold, a young lion roared against him":** The interjection "behold" (וְהִנֵּה, _wəhinnēh'_) signals a sudden, unexpected, and significant event. The "young lion" is a powerful, dangerous predator, and its "roaring against him" signifies a direct, aggressive challenge. This is not a casual sighting but an immediate, life-threatening confrontation, setting the stage for Samson's first major display of supernatural strength.

#### Literary Devices
Judges 14:5 employs several potent literary devices. **Foreshadowing** is prominent, as the lion encounter serves as a dramatic prelude to Samson's future conflicts with the Philistines, often depicted as overwhelming, beast-like adversaries. The swift, solitary victory over the lion hints at his unique, divinely empowered strength, which will be the hallmark of his judgeship. There is also an element of **Irony** in the scene: Samson, a Nazarite consecrated to God, is on a journey to secure a marriage with a Philistine woman—a choice contrary to Israelite law—yet it is precisely on this journey that God's power is first overtly manifested through him. The **Juxtaposition** of the mundane family journey with the sudden, wild, and life-threatening confrontation creates dramatic tension. Furthermore, the lion can be seen as **Symbolism**, representing the formidable obstacles and enemies Samson will face, and by extension, the spiritual adversaries that confront God's people.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully illustrates the theme of divine sovereignty intersecting with human agency, even when that agency is flawed. Despite Samson's questionable choice of a Philistine wife, God's overarching plan for Israel's deliverance from the Philistines is advanced through this very journey. The unexpected lion attack becomes a providential opportunity for God to reveal and confirm the unique anointing upon Samson, demonstrating that His purposes can be fulfilled through unexpected means and in surprising contexts. It highlights that God can work through individuals and circumstances, even those that seem contrary to His immediate will, to accomplish His larger redemptive purposes, often preparing His chosen instruments through trials.

* [1 Samuel 17:34-37](/1_samuel/17-34 "1 Samuel 17:34-37 - David's Encounter with Lion and Bear")
* [1 Peter 5:8](/1_peter/5-8 "1 Peter 5:8 - The Roaring Lion")
* [Amos 3:8](/amos/3-8 "Amos 3:8 - The Lord's Roar")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Samson's encounter with the lion in the vineyards of Timnath serves as a profound reminder that life's most significant challenges often emerge unexpectedly, even when we are pursuing paths that may not align perfectly with divine wisdom. This verse invites us to consider how God's hand might be at work in our own "vineyards"—those places where our choices lead us, where danger lurks, or where we feel most vulnerable. It underscores that divine empowerment is not limited to perfect obedience but can manifest powerfully in moments of crisis, revealing gifts and callings we never knew we possessed. Just as the lion's roar was a terrifying sound, we too face "roaring lions" in our lives—whether they are spiritual attacks, personal crises, or overwhelming circumstances. The lesson is to trust that God's strength is made perfect in our weakness, enabling us to face and overcome what seems insurmountable, often in ways that reveal His glory rather than our own.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Where in your life do you sense an unexpected "lion" roaring against you, and how might God be preparing you to face it?**
* **How does Samson's encounter encourage you to look for God's providential hand even in situations that seem contrary to His ideal path for you?**
* **What "vineyards" (places or situations of potential vulnerability or compromise) have you found yourself in, and how did God's strength manifest there?**

### FAQ
**Why were Samson's parents with him if he was acting against their wishes?**

Answer: While Samson's parents expressed disapproval of his desire to marry a Philistine woman ([Judges 14:3](/judges/14-3 "Judges 14:3 - Parents' Disapproval")), it was customary for parents to accompany their son to formally negotiate a marriage, even if they disagreed with the choice of bride. Their presence highlights the societal norms of the time, where marriage was a family affair, and suggests their continued parental responsibility and perhaps a lingering hope that the situation might resolve differently or that they could influence the outcome. It also underscores that Samson's actions, though personal, had public implications.

**Was this lion attack a test from God?**

Answer: The text does not explicitly state that the lion attack was a "test" from God in the sense of a trial of obedience. However, it certainly served as a providential opportunity for God to demonstrate and confirm the unique anointing and supernatural strength that had been promised to Samson from birth ([Judges 13:5](/judges/13-5 "Judges 13:5 - Samson's Nazarite Vow")). The immediate aftermath, where "the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him" ([Judges 14:6](/judges/14-6 "Judges 14:6 - The Spirit of the Lord Empowers Samson")) enabling him to tear the lion apart, reveals it as a significant moment in God's unfolding plan, validating Samson's role as a deliverer.

**What is the significance of the "vineyards" in this verse?**

Answer: The "vineyards of Timnath" are significant for several reasons. Geographically, vineyards were often located on the outskirts of towns, bordering wilder areas, making them natural places for encounters with wild animals like lions. Thematically, for Samson, a Nazarite, contact with grape products (wine, grapes, etc.) was strictly forbidden ([Numbers 6:3-4](/numbers/6-3 "Numbers 6:3-4 - Nazarite Vow Restrictions")). While he does not consume anything, his presence in a vineyard adds a subtle layer of irony or tension, highlighting his proximity to elements forbidden by his vow, even as God's power is about to be displayed through him in this very setting.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Samson's solitary and divinely empowered victory over the roaring lion in Judges 14:5 serves as a profound Old Testament type, foreshadowing the ultimate triumph of Jesus Christ. Just as Samson faced a formidable beast, humanity faced a spiritual adversary, described in [1 Peter 5:8](/1_peter/5-8 "1 Peter 5:8 - The Roaring Lion") as "your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." Samson's strength came from the Spirit of the Lord, enabling him to overcome a physical threat; similarly, Christ, the true Lion of the Tribe of Judah ([Revelation 5:5](/revelation/5-5 "Revelation 5:5 - The Lion of the Tribe of Judah")), entered our world not merely to overcome physical foes but to conquer sin, death, and the devil himself. His victory was not through brute force but through His sacrificial death and resurrection, disarming the powers of darkness ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). Samson's isolated act of strength points to Christ's unique and unparalleled power to deliver His people, a power now available to believers through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, enabling us to stand firm against spiritual adversaries ([Ephesians 6:10-12](/ephesians/6-10 "Ephesians 6:10-12 - The Armor of God")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.