Judges 15:2

And her father said, I verily thought that thou hadst utterly hated her; therefore I gave her to thy companion: [is] not her younger sister fairer than she? take her, I pray thee, instead of her.

And her father {H1} said {H559}, I verily {H559} thought {H559} that thou hadst utterly {H8130} hated {H8130} her; therefore I gave {H5414} her to thy companion {H4828}: is not her younger {H6996} sister {H269} fairer {H2896} than she? take her, I pray thee, instead of her.

Her father said, "I really thought you hated her altogether, so I gave her to your best man. But her younger sister - isn't she even prettier? Why not take her instead?"

โ€œI was sure that you thoroughly hated her,โ€ said her father, โ€œso I gave her to one of the men who accompanied you. Is not her younger sister more beautiful than she? Please take her instead.โ€

And her father said, I verily thought that thou hadst utterly hated her; therefore I gave her to thy companion: is not her younger sister fairer than she? take her, I pray thee, instead of her.

Commentary

Judges 15:2 captures a pivotal moment in the tumultuous story of Samson, revealing the complex cultural dynamics and personal betrayals that defined his life.

Context

This verse immediately follows Samson's return to Timnah, intending to reconcile with his Philistine wife. Earlier, at their wedding feast (detailed in Judges chapter 14), Samson had posed a riddle. His wife, under duress from her own people, betrayed him by revealing the answer. Enraged, Samson left her and returned to his father's house. The father-in-law, assuming Samson had abandoned his wife permanently due to his long absence, acted according to Philistine custom by giving her to one of Samson's wedding companions. This verse is the father-in-law's attempt to explain his actions and offer a quick solution to the ensuing conflict, highlighting the cultural differences and misunderstandings prevalent in Samson's life.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Misunderstanding and Presumption: The father-in-law's statement, "I verily thought that thou hadst utterly hated her," highlights the danger of acting on assumptions rather than clear communication. His actions, though perhaps culturally justifiable from his perspective, were based on a misunderstanding of Samson's intentions, leading to further escalation of conflict.
  • Broken Covenant and Betrayal: The original marriage covenant was already strained by the wife's betrayal in revealing the riddle's secret. The father-in-law's subsequent action of giving her to another man further cemented the breach, leading to deep resentment and future conflict for Samson.
  • Objectification of Women: The casual offer of the younger sister as a replacement ("is not her younger sister fairer than she? take her, I pray thee, instead of her") starkly illustrates how women were often viewed as property or commodities in that cultural context. Their worth was tied to their physical appearance and their utility in familial alliances, rather than their individual personhood or marital bond.
  • Cultural Clash: The interaction underscores the significant differences between Israelite and Philistine customs regarding marriage, divorce, and personal honor, which frequently led to conflict in Samson's life and contributed to the tumultuous relationship between the two peoples.

Linguistic Insights

The term "companion" (Hebrew: mรชrฤ“aสฟ, ืžึตืจึตืขึท) refers to a close friend or associate, likely one of the wedding attendants or the "best man" from Samson's wedding feast. This makes the father-in-law's action even more provocative, as he essentially gave Samson's wife to a man who was supposed to be loyal to Samson. The word "fairer" (Hebrew: yฤpรข, ื™ึธืคึธื”) simply means "beautiful" or "pleasing," emphasizing the superficial basis of the father-in-law's proposed solution and his focus on physical appearance over the sanctity of the marital bond.

Practical Application

Judges 15:2 serves as a cautionary tale about the pitfalls of poor communication and hasty assumptions in relationships. It highlights the importance of seeking clarity before acting, especially in situations involving commitment and trust. Furthermore, it reminds us to value individuals for who they are, not merely for their perceived utility or physical attributes, promoting respect and dignity in all interactions, particularly within the sacred bond of marriage. This narrative encourages reflection on how we navigate misunderstandings and uphold integrity in our personal dealings.

Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.

Cross-References

  • Judges 14:20

    But Samson's wife was [given] to his companion, whom he had used as his friend.

  • Acts 26:9

    I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.

  • Genesis 38:14

    And she put her widow's garments off from her, and covered her with a vail, and wrapped herself, and sat in an open place, which [is] by the way to Timnath; for she saw that Shelah was grown, and she was not given unto him to wife.

  • Judges 14:16

    And Samson's wife wept before him, and said, Thou dost but hate me, and lovest me not: thou hast put forth a riddle unto the children of my people, and hast not told [it] me. And he said unto her, Behold, I have not told [it] my father nor my mother, and shall I tell [it] thee?
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