Judges 14:6

And the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and he rent him as he would have rent a kid, and [he had] nothing in his hand: but he told not his father or his mother what he had done.

And the Spirit {H7307} of the LORD {H3068} came mightily {H6743} upon him, and he rent {H8156} him as he would have rent {H8156} a kid {H1423}, and he had nothing {H3972} in his hand {H3027}: but he told {H5046} not his father {H1} or his mother {H517} what he had done {H6213}.

The Spirit of ADONAI came powerfully upon Shimshon, and barehanded he tore the lion to pieces as easily as if it had been a young goat. But he didn't tell his father or mother what he had done.

and the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon him, and he tore the lion apart with his bare hands as one would tear a young goat. But he did not tell his father or mother what he had done.

And the Spirit of Jehovah came mightily upon him, and he rent him as he would have rent a kid; and he had nothing in his hand: but he told not his father or his mother what he had done.

Commentary

Judges 14:6 vividly describes the first major display of Samson's supernatural strength, directly attributed to divine empowerment. This pivotal moment occurs as Samson is on his way to Timnath, where he encounters a young lion.

Context

This verse is crucial in the narrative of Samson, one of the final and most enigmatic judges of Israel. Born under extraordinary circumstances with a Nazirite vow from birth, he was set apart to begin the deliverance of Israel from the Philistines. The encounter with the lion happens while he is traveling to Timnath to pursue a Philistine woman for marriage, a decision that initially troubled his parents but was part of God's larger plan against the Philistines. This event serves as the first overt manifestation of the special anointing upon him, setting the stage for his powerful and often turbulent ministry.

Key Themes

  • Divine Empowerment: The central theme is the direct intervention of God's Spirit. The phrase "the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him" (Hebrew: ruach Yahweh) signifies a special, supernatural enabling for a specific purpose. This power was not inherent in Samson but was a gift from God, transforming him into an instrument of divine will. This is a recurring motif in the book of Judges, seen also with other leaders like Othniel and Gideon.
  • Supernatural Strength: Samson's ability to tear apart a lion "as he would have rent a kid" and "with nothing in his hand" underscores the extraordinary nature of his strength. It highlights that his power was not dependent on weapons or physical training, but on God's miraculous provision. This feat demonstrates the sheer magnitude of the divine force at work through him.
  • Samson's Secrecy: His decision to keep this incredible feat from his parents hints at Samson's independent and often secretive nature. This secrecy becomes a characteristic pattern throughout his story, sometimes leading to isolation or complicating his relationships, foreshadowing later events where his secrets would be exploited.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase "ื•ึทืชึผึดืฆึฐืœึทื— ืขึธืœึธื™ื• ืจื•ึผื—ึท ื™ึฐื”ื•ึธื”" (va'titzlach alav ruach Yahweh), translated as "the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him," literally means "the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon him" or "prevailed upon him." The verb tatzlach (ืฆืœื—) conveys a sense of bursting forth or succeeding, indicating an overwhelming and effective divine force. The comparison "as he would have rent a kid" (k'shasag ha'gedi) emphasizes the ease and swiftness with which Samson dispatched the powerful beast, highlighting the immense disparity between Samson's human strength and the Spirit's power acting through him.

Practical Application

Judges 14:6 reminds us that God can equip individuals with extraordinary abilities for specific purposes, even when those individuals are flawed. Samson's strength was a testament to God's power, not his own righteousness. For believers today, this verse can encourage us to recognize that:

  • God's Power is Sufficient: When faced with overwhelming challenges that seem beyond our natural capabilities, we can rely on God's strength, not just our own limited resources.
  • Divine Gifting: God grants unique gifts and empowerments to accomplish His will, often in ways that defy natural explanation. We are called to discern and utilize these gifts for His glory.
  • Humility and Trust: While Samson's secrecy might reflect his personal quirks, it also underscores that the power was from God, not his own doing. We are called to use our gifts for God's glory, acknowledging the source of our strength and trusting in His plan.

This foundational display of Samson's power sets the stage for his future exploits and reinforces the theme that God uses diverse means and people to fulfill His purposes in history, even through a complex figure like Samson, who was called to begin to deliver Israel from the Philistines.

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Cross-References

  • Judges 3:10 (6 votes)

    And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he judged Israel, and went out to war: and the LORD delivered Chushanrishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand; and his hand prevailed against Chushanrishathaim.

  • 1 Samuel 11:6 (4 votes)

    And the Spirit of God came upon Saul when he heard those tidings, and his anger was kindled greatly.

  • Judges 13:25 (4 votes)

    And the Spirit of the LORD began to move him at times in the camp of Dan between Zorah and Eshtaol.

  • 1 John 3:8 (3 votes)

    He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

  • Zechariah 4:6 (2 votes)

    Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This [is] the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.

  • Matthew 11:29 (2 votes)

    Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

  • Isaiah 42:2 (2 votes)

    He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street.