Judges 14:6

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
Judges 14:6 marks the first dramatic manifestation of Samson's divinely bestowed strength, as the Spirit of the LORD empowers him to effortlessly tear apart a young lion with his bare hands on his journey to Timnath. This extraordinary feat, performed without any weapon, underscores the supernatural nature of his anointing, yet Samson chooses to keep this powerful display of God's hand a secret from his parents, revealing a complex aspect of his character that will recur throughout his tumultuous narrative.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 14:6 is a pivotal moment within the narrative arc of Samson, serving as the inaugural public (though secretly performed) display of the supernatural strength promised at his birth. It immediately follows Samson's controversial decision to seek a Philistine wife in Timnath, a choice that initially displeases his parents but is revealed to be part of God's sovereign plan to instigate conflict with the Philistines ([Judges 14:4](/judges/14-4 "Judges 14:4 - God's Purpose in Samson's Marriage")). The lion encounter occurs en route to Timnath, positioning it as a divine affirmation or initial equipping for the larger mission of delivering Israel from Philistine oppression, a task Samson was set apart for from the womb ([Judges 13:5](/judges/13-5 "Samson's Nazirite Vow and Birth Prophecy")). This event sets the precedent for Samson's future exploits, where his strength is directly linked to the Spirit's empowerment, often in response to personal provocations rather than strategic military campaigns.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of the Judges (c. 1200-1000 BC) was characterized by a cyclical pattern of Israelite apostasy, foreign oppression, cries for deliverance, and God raising up a judge. The Philistines, a powerful "Sea Peoples" group who settled the southwestern coastal plain of Canaan, were a formidable enemy, technologically superior with iron weaponry and militarily organized. Their presence posed a constant threat to Israel's territorial integrity and religious fidelity. Marriage alliances with foreigners, though often discouraged in Israelite law for religious reasons, were not uncommon, but Samson's choice of a Philistine woman was particularly provocative given the ongoing oppression. The act of tearing a lion apart with bare hands, while supernatural, would have been an astonishing display of power in an ancient world where lions were a real and terrifying threat to livestock and humans, symbolizing immense danger and strength.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several overarching themes within the book of Judges and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, **Divine Empowerment** is central, highlighting God's direct intervention through His Spirit to equip individuals for specific tasks, a recurring motif seen in figures like Othniel ([Judges 3:10](/judges/3-10 "The Spirit of the LORD on Othniel")) and Gideon ([Judges 6:34](/judges/6-34 "The Spirit of the LORD on Gideon")). Secondly, **Supernatural Strength** is vividly displayed, emphasizing that Samson's power was not inherent or weapon-dependent but a miraculous gift, demonstrating God's ability to work beyond natural limitations. Thirdly, **Samson's Flawed Heroism** begins to emerge; despite being divinely chosen and empowered, his personal choices and secretive nature, as evidenced by his decision to conceal this feat from his parents, foreshadow the complex and often problematic trajectory of his judgeship, where personal desires frequently intertwine with divine purposes.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Spirit (Hebrew, _ruach_):** This term, often translated as "wind," "breath," or "spirit," refers here specifically to the "Spirit of the LORD" (_ruach Yahweh_), signifying a divine, supernatural empowering presence. In the context of Judges, it denotes a special anointing that equips individuals with extraordinary abilities for specific tasks, particularly for leadership and deliverance. It is not merely an emotional surge but a tangible, enabling force from God.
* **Came mightily upon (Hebrew, _va'titzlach alav_):** The verb _tatzlach_ (צלח) conveys a sense of bursting forth, rushing upon, or prevailing over. It implies an overwhelming, sudden, and effective divine force that seizes control and enables the recipient to accomplish a task far beyond human capability. It's an active, dynamic, and irresistible empowerment.
* **Rent (Hebrew, _y'sha'sēa'_):** This verb means to tear, split, or rip apart. The imagery of Samson tearing the lion "as he would have rent a kid" (_k'shasag ha'gedi_) emphasizes the incredible ease and swiftness with which he dispatched the powerful beast. A "kid" (young goat) would be relatively easy to tear apart, highlighting the immense disparity between the lion's natural strength and the Spirit-empowered Samson's effortless victory.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him":** This clause is the theological lynchpin of the verse, attributing Samson's extraordinary strength directly to divine intervention. It signifies a special, supernatural anointing from God, not an inherent quality of Samson himself. This empowering presence is what transforms an ordinary man into an instrument of God's power, enabling him to perform feats beyond human capability. It underscores God's active involvement in the lives of His chosen servants.
* **"and he rent him as he would have rent a kid":** This vivid simile illustrates the astonishing ease and overwhelming power with which Samson subdued the lion. The comparison to tearing a young goat emphasizes the effortlessness of the act, highlighting that the lion, a symbol of ferocity and strength, was no match for the Spirit-empowered Samson. It demonstrates the sheer magnitude of the divine force at work through him, making the seemingly impossible, simple.
* **"and [he had] nothing in his hand":** This detail further magnifies the miraculous nature of the event. Samson was unarmed, possessing no weapon or tool to aid him in this deadly encounter. This emphasizes that his victory was solely due to the supernatural power of God, not any human preparation, skill, or equipment. It serves to underscore that the power was entirely from the LORD.
* **"but he told not his father or his mother what he had done.":** This final clause introduces a significant character trait of Samson: his secrecy and independent nature. Despite performing such an incredible feat, he chooses to keep it hidden from his parents. This secrecy hints at a certain self-reliance or perhaps a desire to control his own narrative, foreshadowing future instances where his secrets and personal choices will play a crucial role in his story, sometimes leading to his downfall or complicating his divine mission.

#### Literary Devices
Judges 14:6 is rich in **Imagery** and **Simile**, vividly portraying Samson's supernatural strength. The phrase "rent him as he would have rent a kid" uses a **Simile** to convey the effortless nature of Samson's act, comparing the powerful lion to a vulnerable young goat. This **Hyperbole** emphasizes the extraordinary, almost unbelievable, ease with which the feat was accomplished, underscoring the divine power at work. The encounter itself serves as a **Foreshadowing** of Samson's future exploits, establishing his characteristic strength and the direct link to the Spirit of the LORD. The narrative also employs **Irony** in Samson's secrecy; he performs a monumental act of divine power, yet chooses to conceal it, hinting at the complex and often contradictory nature of his character, which will later lead to his downfall through the revelation of his secrets.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 14:6 profoundly illustrates the biblical theme of divine empowerment for specific purposes, demonstrating God's sovereign ability to equip and use individuals, even those with significant flaws, to accomplish His will. Samson's strength is not a product of his own physical prowess or training, but a direct, supernatural infusion of God's Spirit, highlighting that true power for God's work originates from Him alone. This event establishes a pattern of divine enablement that will characterize Samson's judgeship, where his personal actions, though often driven by self-interest, are paradoxically woven into God's larger plan for Israel's deliverance from Philistine oppression. The secrecy surrounding this act also introduces the tension between divine calling and human autonomy, a recurring motif in Samson's life.

* [Judges 15:14](/judges/15-14 "Judges 15:14 - The Spirit of the LORD on Samson at Lehi")
* [1 Samuel 11:6](/1-samuel/11-6 "1 Samuel 11:6 - The Spirit of God on Saul")
* [Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - Power of the Holy Spirit for Witnessing")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Judges 14:6 offers profound insights for contemporary believers, reminding us that God's power is not limited by our natural abilities or the magnitude of our challenges. Samson, despite his personal weaknesses and eventual failures, was powerfully used by God. This should encourage us to recognize that our effectiveness in God's kingdom is not contingent upon our inherent strength, wisdom, or righteousness, but upon the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit. When we face "lions" in our lives—overwhelming obstacles, spiritual battles, or seemingly impossible tasks—we are called not to rely on our own limited resources, but to trust in the boundless strength that God provides. This verse also subtly challenges us to consider the nature of our "secrets." While Samson's secrecy here might be benign, it foreshadows a pattern that ultimately leads to his downfall. It prompts us to reflect on areas where we might be tempted to operate outside of accountability or to hoard the glory for divine accomplishments, rather than openly acknowledging God's hand. Ultimately, it calls us to humble dependence on God's Spirit and to use His gifts for His glory, not our own.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "lions" or overwhelming challenges in your life feel impossible to overcome in your own strength?**
* **How does the concept of "the Spirit of the LORD coming mightily upon" someone apply to the believer's experience of the Holy Spirit today?**
* **In what ways might we be tempted to keep God's powerful work in our lives a "secret," and what are the implications of such secrecy?**
* **How can we better acknowledge and rely on God's supernatural empowerment in our daily lives and ministries?**

### FAQ
**Was Samson's strength magical, or was it divine?**

Answer: Samson's strength was unequivocally divine, not magical. The text explicitly states, "the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him." This phrase is a recurring motif in the book of Judges and elsewhere in the Old Testament, signifying a special, supernatural empowering by God for a specific purpose. It was not an inherent ability Samson possessed, nor was it derived from any pagan or occult source. Rather, it was a direct manifestation of God's power working through him, enabling him to perform feats far beyond normal human capability. His strength was a miraculous gift, contingent upon his adherence to the Nazirite vow, which symbolized his consecration to God ([Judges 13:5](/judges/13-5 "Samson's Nazirite Vow")). When he broke that vow, the Spirit departed, and his strength left him ([Judges 16:20](/judges/16-20 "The Spirit Departs from Samson")). This clearly indicates its divine origin and conditional nature, distinguishing it sharply from any concept of magic.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Samson's divinely empowered act of tearing apart a lion foreshadows the ultimate victory of Christ over the forces of evil and death. Just as the Spirit of the LORD "came mightily upon" Samson, enabling him to overcome a physical threat with supernatural ease, so too was Jesus "anointed with the Holy Spirit and with power" ([Acts 10:38](/acts/10-38 "Jesus Anointed with the Holy Spirit")) to confront and conquer the spiritual "lion," Satan, who "prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour" ([1 Peter 5:8](/1-peter/5-8 "The Devil, a Roaring Lion")). Samson's unarmed victory over the lion points to Christ's triumph on the cross, where He disarmed the powers and authorities ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Christ's Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")) not with physical weapons, but through His sacrificial love and resurrection power. Furthermore, Samson's secrecy, while a character flaw, can be seen as a dim reflection of Christ's "messianic secret" in the Gospels, where He often commanded silence about His identity or miracles until the appointed time of His full revelation. Ultimately, Samson's strength, though flawed in its application, points to Jesus, the true and perfect deliverer, who by the power of the Spirit, truly takes away the sin of the world and defeats its ultimate enemy, leading His people to ultimate freedom and victory ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "Jesus, the Lamb 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.

Cross-References

Judges 3:10

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

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

Judges 13:25

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

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

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

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

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