Judges 15:4

KJV

And Samson went and caught three hundred foxes, and took firebrands, and turned tail to tail, and put a firebrand in the midst between two tails.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Samson {H8123} went {H3212} and caught {H3920} three {H7969} hundred {H3967} foxes {H7776}, and took {H3947} firebrands {H3940}, and turned {H6437} tail {H2180} to tail {H2180}, and put {H7760} a {H259} firebrand {H3940} in the midst {H8432} between two {H8147} tails {H2180}.

Complete Jewish Bible

So Shimshon went and caught three hundred foxes. Then he took torches, tied pairs of foxes to each other by their tails, and put a torch in the knot of every pair of tails.

Berean Standard Bible

Then Samson went out and caught three hundred foxes. And he took torches, turned the foxes tail-to-tail, and fastened a torch between each pair of tails.

American Standard Version

And Samson went and caught three hundred foxes, and took firebrands, and turned tail to tail, and put a firebrand in the midst between every two tails.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 15:4 details a pivotal moment in Samson's personal vendetta against the Philistines, where he executes an elaborate and destructive act of revenge. Following the betrayal by his Philistine father-in-law, who gave Samson's wife to another man, Samson devises a plan involving the capture of three hundred foxes, which he then ties together in pairs with firebrands between their tails. This ingenious, albeit cruel, method sets the stage for a widespread agricultural catastrophe, directly impacting the Philistine economy and escalating the conflict between Samson and his oppressors.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 15:4 immediately follows Samson's return to Timnah to reconcile with his wife, only to discover she has been given to his companion (Judges 15:1-2). His father-in-law's offer of her younger sister as a replacement further enrages Samson, who declares his blamelessness in the impending retaliation (Judges 15:3). This verse, therefore, is the direct execution of Samson's sworn revenge, setting the stage for the subsequent Philistine retaliation and Samson's further exploits detailed in Judges 15:5-20. It marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Samson and the Philistines, moving from personal grievances to large-scale destruction.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of the Judges (roughly 1200-1000 BCE) was characterized by a cyclical pattern of Israelite apostasy, divine judgment through foreign oppression, Israel's cry for deliverance, and God raising a "judge" to deliver them. The Philistines, a powerful maritime people who settled along the southwestern coast of Canaan, were a dominant oppressive force during Samson's time, as noted in [Judges 13:1](/judges/13-1 "Judges 13:1 - Philistine Oppression"). Their economy was heavily reliant on agriculture, particularly grain fields, vineyards, and olive groves. Samson's method of attack, targeting these vital resources, was a direct assault on their economic stability and a common form of warfare or reprisal in ancient agricultural societies. The capture of such a large number of animals, while challenging, speaks to the abundance of jackals (often identified with "foxes" in this context) in the region and Samson's extraordinary resolve.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully illustrates several key themes within the Book of Judges and Samson's narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Samson's unconventional and often destructive nature as a deliverer**. While divinely appointed to begin Israel's deliverance from the Philistines ([Judges 13:5](/judges/13-5 "Judges 13:5 - Samson's Prophetic Calling")), his actions are frequently driven by personal vengeance and passion rather than strategic military campaigns. Secondly, it underscores the **escalating cycle of violence and retribution** that characterizes much of the Judges period, where betrayal leads to revenge, which in turn provokes further retaliation. Thirdly, it demonstrates **God's sovereign use of flawed human instruments** to achieve His purposes, even when those instruments operate outside conventional morality or wisdom. Samson's cunning and destructive ingenuity, though born of personal rage, ultimately serves God's larger plan of judgment against Israel's oppressors, a theme prevalent throughout the book, as seen in the broader narrative of [Judges](/judges/1 "The Book of Judges").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Foxes (Hebrew, _shu'alim'_):** The Hebrew term שׁוּעָלִים (_shu'alim_), plural of שׁוּעָל (_shu'al_), is typically translated as "foxes." However, many scholars argue that in the context of ancient Israel and the large numbers mentioned, it more likely refers to "jackals." Jackals (Canis aureus) are more common in the region than foxes, tend to congregate in larger packs, and are known for scavenging and dwelling in fields, making them more plausible candidates for Samson's mass capture and their subsequent use in agricultural destruction. This distinction is significant for understanding the feasibility and effectiveness of Samson's plan.
* **Firebrands (Hebrew, _lappidim'_):** The Hebrew word לַפִּדִים (_lappidim_), plural of לַפִּיד (_lappid_), refers to torches or flaming brands. These were likely simple bundles of combustible material, such as straw, dried reeds, or wood splinters, easily ignited and capable of sustaining a flame long enough to set fields ablaze. The placement "in the midst between two tails" suggests a deliberate design to ensure the fire was carried effectively and spread widely as the panicked animals ran.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Samson went and caught three hundred foxes":** This phrase emphasizes Samson's extraordinary effort and determination. The sheer number, whether literal or a hyperbolic representation of a vast quantity, signifies the scale of his planned revenge. It speaks to his cunning and ability to execute an elaborate scheme, transcending mere physical strength.
* **"and took firebrands":** This details the instrument of destruction. The firebrands are not just a means to an end but symbolize the destructive intent of Samson's actions, aiming to inflict maximum damage on the Philistine agricultural economy.
* **"and turned tail to tail":** This describes the ingenious and cruel method of binding the animals. Tying two animals together by their tails would cause them to run in opposite directions, creating chaos and ensuring a wider spread of the fire. This detail highlights Samson's tactical brilliance in devising a highly effective, albeit brutal, form of sabotage.
* **"and put a firebrand in the midst between two tails":** This specifies the precise mechanism for ignition. Placing the firebrand between the bound tails ensures that as the animals flee in terror, the flame is carried directly into the dry fields, vineyards, and olive groves, maximizing the destructive potential and creating widespread conflagration.

#### Literary Devices
Judges 15:4 employs several potent literary devices. The most prominent is **Hyperbole**, particularly in the mention of "three hundred foxes." While not impossible, the number is likely an exaggeration or a round number intended to convey the immense scale and audacious nature of Samson's act, emphasizing the widespread devastation he intended to inflict. There is also a strong element of **Irony** at play; Samson, a divinely appointed judge meant to deliver Israel, uses methods that are destructive and chaotic, reflecting the moral ambiguity and spiritual decline of the Judges period. The act itself is a form of **Symbolism**, with the fire representing divine judgment and destructive vengeance, and the foxes/jackals acting as agents of chaos and ruin, unleashed by Samson's cunning. This incident also serves as **Foreshadowing**, signaling the escalating conflict and the destructive path that Samson's personal vendettas will continue to take throughout his narrative, ultimately leading to his own tragic end.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This passage, while depicting a vengeful act, is deeply embedded in the theological narrative of Judges, where God uses imperfect and even morally ambiguous individuals to achieve His sovereign purposes. Samson's actions, driven by personal grievance, are nevertheless instrumental in "beginning to deliver Israel from the hand of the Philistines" ([Judges 13:5](/judges/13-5 "Judges 13:5 - Samson's Prophetic Calling")). It underscores the theme of divine judgment against oppressors and the consequences of betrayal, even when enacted through human passion. The narrative does not necessarily endorse Samson's methods but portrays them as part of God's larger, often mysterious, plan for justice and deliverance in a fallen world.

* [Judges 13:5](/judges/13-5 "Judges 13:5 - Samson's Prophetic Calling")
* [Judges 16:28-30](/judges/16-28 "Judges 16:28-30 - Samson's Final Act")
* [Psalm 105:14-15](/psalm/105-14 "Psalm 105:14-15 - God Protects His Anointed")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While Samson's destructive methods are not to be emulated by believers, this account offers profound insights into God's character and His interaction with humanity. It reminds us that God's power is not constrained by human limitations or even moral failings. He can use unconventional, flawed, and even violent means within a fallen world to advance His ultimate purposes of justice and deliverance. For us, this should foster humility, recognizing that God's ways are often higher than our own, and His sovereignty extends over all circumstances, even those born of human sin and conflict. It also serves as a stark reminder of the destructive cycle of revenge and the importance of seeking reconciliation and peace, rather than perpetuating cycles of harm. Believers are called to be wise and resourceful in navigating life's challenges, not through vengeance, but through discernment and actions that reflect God's love and justice, as exemplified in [Matthew 10:16](/matthew/10-16 "Matthew 10:16 - Wise as Serpents, Harmless as Doves") and [Romans 12:19-21](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19-21 - Do Not Avenge Yourselves").

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Samson's ingenuity in this passage challenge or affirm your understanding of God's use of human abilities, even in morally ambiguous situations?**
* **What does this account reveal about the destructive nature of unchecked anger and the cycle of vengeance?**
* **How can believers apply the principle of "resourcefulness" from Samson's story in ways that honor God and promote peace, rather than conflict?**
* **In what ways does God's sovereignty over Samson's actions, despite their flawed nature, encourage or challenge your faith?**

### FAQ

**Was it truly 300 foxes, or is that number symbolic?**

Answer: The number "three hundred" is substantial and has led to scholarly debate. While not impossible, especially if referring to jackals which are more numerous and social in the region, it is often interpreted as a round number or an example of hyperbole. In biblical narratives, large numbers can emphasize the scale, magnitude, or completeness of an event rather than being a precise census. The primary point is the vastness of the destruction Samson intended and achieved, not the exact count of animals. Whether literal or hyperbolic, it underscores the audacious nature of Samson's revenge.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Samson, despite his supernatural strength and divine calling, remains a deeply flawed and often self-serving deliverer, acting out of personal vengeance rather than pure obedience to God's will. His destructive act with the foxes and firebrands, while serving God's purpose of judging the Philistines, highlights the inadequacy of human deliverers and the ongoing need for a perfect Savior. Samson's story, marked by cycles of sin, judgment, and imperfect deliverance, points forward to Jesus Christ, the ultimate and perfect Deliverer. Unlike Samson, who brought destructive fire upon his enemies, Jesus is the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), offering Himself as the ultimate sacrifice to reconcile humanity to God. While Samson's actions initiated a physical battle against an earthly oppressor, Christ's work on the cross defeated sin and death, the true spiritual oppressors, offering a [deliverance that is eternal and complete](/hebrews/9-12 "Hebrews 9:12 - Eternal Redemption"). Jesus, the true Judge, does not come to destroy the fields of His enemies but to [bring light to those sitting in darkness and in the shadow of death](/luke/1-79 "Luke 1:79 - The Dawn from On High"), ultimately establishing a kingdom not of destructive fire, but of [righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit](/romans/14-17 "Romans 14:17 - The Kingdom 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.