Judges 16:27

KJV

Now the house was full of men and women; and all the lords of the Philistines [were] there; and [there were] upon the roof about three thousand men and women, that beheld while Samson made sport.

KJV (with Strong's)

Now the house {H1004} was full {H4390} of men {H582} and women {H802}; and all the lords {H5633} of the Philistines {H6430} were there; and there were upon the roof {H1406} about three {H7969} thousand {H505} men {H376} and women {H802}, that beheld {H7200} while Samson {H8123} made sport {H7832}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The building was full of men and women; and all the chiefs of the P'lishtim were there; in addition to them, there were about three thousand men and women on the roof, watching, as Shimshon performed.

Berean Standard Bible

Now the temple was full of men and women; all the lords of the Philistines were there, and about three thousand men and women were on the roof watching Samson entertain them.

American Standard Version

Now the house was full of men and women; and all the lords of the Philistines were there; and there were upon the roof about three thousand men and women, that beheld while Samson made sport.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 16:27 vividly portrays the scene of Samson's ultimate public humiliation within the temple of Dagon, the Philistine deity. The verse describes an overwhelming crowd—the temple itself filled with men and women, and an additional three thousand spectators gathered on the roof—all assembled to witness Samson, the once-mighty judge of Israel, being forced to "make sport" for their amusement and mockery. This setting underscores the Philistines' profound hubris and their perceived triumph over Samson and, by extension, over the God of Israel, setting the stage for the dramatic and divinely orchestrated climax of Samson's life.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 16:27 is the pivotal verse immediately preceding the dramatic climax of Samson's life and the book of Judges. The preceding verses detail Samson's tragic fall: his infatuation with Delilah, her persistent betrayal, the revelation of his Nazarite vow's secret, his subsequent capture, blinding, and enslavement by the Philistines ([Judges 16:4-21](/judges/16-4 "Judges 16:4-21 - Delilah's Betrayal and Samson's Capture")). After being imprisoned in Gaza and forced to grind grain, Samson is brought to the temple of Dagon. The Philistines are holding a grand festival to celebrate their perceived victory over Samson, attributing his capture to their god, Dagon ([Judges 16:23-24](/judges/16-23 "Judges 16:23-24 - Philistine Feast to Dagon")). This verse, therefore, sets the physical and emotional stage for Samson's final, divinely empowered act of vengeance and self-sacrifice, highlighting the immense scale of the Philistine gathering and their collective arrogance.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Philistines were a formidable sea people who had settled on the southwestern coast of Canaan, frequently clashing with the Israelites during the period of the Judges. Their society was highly organized, ruled by "lords" (seranim) from their five major cities (Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Gath, and Ekron). Dagon was a prominent Philistine deity, often depicted as a fish-god or grain-god, symbolizing their agricultural and maritime power. Public humiliation of defeated enemies was a common practice in the ancient Near East, serving to assert dominance and demoralize the conquered. Bringing Samson, a symbol of Israel's strength, into Dagon's temple was a profound act of religious and political triumphalism, designed to demonstrate Dagon's superiority over Yahweh. The mention of "three thousand men and women" on the roof suggests a large, open-air temple design, possibly with a central courtyard and surrounding colonnades supporting a roof accessible to spectators, typical of some ancient Near Eastern public buildings.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within the book of Judges and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Public Humiliation and Mockery**, as Samson, once a mighty deliverer, is reduced to a blind spectacle for his enemies' entertainment. Secondly, it underscores **Philistine Arrogance and Hubris**, demonstrating their overconfidence and their blasphemous attribution of victory to Dagon, which ultimately sets them up for a catastrophic fall. Thirdly, it subtly introduces the theme of **Divine Irony and Sovereignty**, as the very act of humiliation orchestrated by the Philistines becomes the means through which God will achieve a decisive victory for Israel, using Samson's apparent weakness. This foreshadows God's ability to work through unexpected means, even through the failures and suffering of His servants. Finally, the verse serves as a stark reminder of the **Consequences of Sin and Disobedience**, tracing Samson's degradation back to his repeated moral compromises and disregard for his Nazarite vow ([Judges 13:5](/judges/13-5 "Judges 13:5 - Samson's Nazarite Vow")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **House (Hebrew, בַּיִת _bayit_):** While generally meaning "house" or "dwelling," in this context, _bayit_ refers specifically to the temple of Dagon. This signifies that the gathering was not merely a social event but a religious festival, where the Philistines celebrated their victory as a triumph of Dagon over Yahweh. The temple was the central place for such a significant public and religious spectacle.
* **Lords (Hebrew, סַרְנֵי _sarney_):** This term specifically designates the Philistine rulers or princes of their five major city-states. Their presence indicates that this was not a casual gathering but a national assembly of the highest political and military importance, underscoring the Philistine's collective investment in Samson's humiliation and their unified celebration of perceived victory.
* **Made sport (Hebrew, שָׂחַק _sachaq_):** This verb carries a range of meanings, from "to laugh" or "to play" to "to mock" or "to make a spectacle of." In this context, it clearly denotes Samson being forced to perform for the Philistines' amusement and ridicule. It implies a demeaning, humiliating display, perhaps involving feats of strength performed in his blind and weakened state, or simply being paraded as an object of scorn. It emphasizes his utter degradation from a formidable judge to a mere entertainer.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Now the house was full of men and women":** This clause immediately establishes the immense scale of the gathering inside the temple. It suggests a packed, overflowing space, indicating the widespread public interest and the significance of the event for the Philistine populace.
* **"and all the lords of the Philistines [were] there":** The presence of the Philistine leadership highlights the official and national importance of this celebration. Their attendance signifies not just popular enthusiasm but also the political and religious establishment's endorsement of Samson's humiliation and Dagon's supposed triumph.
* **"and [there were] upon the roof about three thousand men and women":** This detail further emphasizes the sheer magnitude of the crowd. Ancient Near Eastern temples often had flat roofs accessible to large numbers of people, providing an elevated vantage point for public spectacles. The "three thousand" figure underscores the Philistines' collective desire to witness Samson's degradation, making it a truly massive public event.
* **"that beheld while Samson made sport":** This final clause clarifies the purpose of the vast gathering. All these thousands of people, from the highest lords to the common men and women, were there specifically to observe Samson's forced performance, reveling in his humiliation and their perceived victory over him and his God.

#### Literary Devices
Judges 16:27 is rich with **Irony**, setting the stage for a dramatic reversal. The Philistines believe they are celebrating their ultimate triumph over Samson and his God, yet their very act of public humiliation becomes the catalyst for their destruction. The immense crowd gathered to witness Samson's weakness will instead witness a display of divine power that far surpasses Samson's former strength. The verse also employs **Foreshadowing**, as the overwhelming numbers of Philistines assembled for mockery subtly hint at the scale of the impending catastrophe that will befall them. There is a strong **Contrast** between Samson's former glory as a mighty judge and deliverer, whose very name struck fear into the Philistines, and his current state of blindness, enslavement, and public ridicule. This stark contrast amplifies the depth of his fall and the Philistines' hubris. Finally, the mention of "three thousand men and women" on the roof can be seen as a form of **Hyperbole** or **Exaggeration**, not necessarily to be taken as an exact count, but to convey the overwhelming, almost unbelievable, scale of the Philistine assembly and their collective arrogance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 16:27 serves as a profound theological statement on divine sovereignty, the consequences of human sin, and the dangers of pride. The Philistines, in their arrogant celebration, believed they had defeated Samson and, by extension, the God of Israel. Their public spectacle was a declaration of Dagon's supremacy. However, this moment of ultimate humiliation for Samson becomes the very crucible through which God's power is most strikingly displayed. It illustrates that even through the failures and weaknesses of His chosen instruments, God can achieve His purposes and demonstrate His ultimate victory over idolatry and human hubris. Samson's suffering, a direct consequence of his disobedience, also highlights the painful reality that while God is merciful, our choices have real and often severe repercussions. Yet, even in this low point, God's plan for deliverance is not thwarted, but rather brought to its dramatic conclusion.

* [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Before a Fall")
* [1 Corinthians 1:27](/1_corinthians/1-27 "1 Corinthians 1:27 - God Uses the Weak")
* [Psalm 75:7](/psalms/75-7 "Psalm 75:7 - God Judges")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Judges 16:27 offers a poignant and challenging reflection for believers today. It reminds us that even in our deepest moments of humiliation, failure, or weakness, God's sovereign plan is not necessarily derailed. Samson, stripped of his strength and sight, becomes an instrument of God's most decisive victory against the Philistines. This encourages us to find hope and purpose even when we feel utterly broken or defeated, trusting that God can work through our vulnerabilities. The Philistines' excessive pride and their open mockery of Samson and his God serve as a stark warning against hubris. When we attribute our successes solely to ourselves or mock those who appear weak, we risk setting ourselves against God's ultimate authority. This passage calls us to humility, reminding us that "pride goes before destruction." Furthermore, Samson's journey to this point is a sobering reminder that our choices have consequences. While God's grace is boundless, a pattern of disobedience can lead to painful experiences. We are called to live lives of obedience, recognizing that true strength comes from humble reliance on God, not from our own abilities or perceived invincibility.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Samson's humiliation challenge our understanding of God's power working through apparent weakness?**
* **What warnings does the Philistines' collective arrogance and mockery offer us in our own lives or in society today?**
* **In what areas of our lives might we be tempted to compromise our convictions, and what potential long-term consequences might result, as seen in Samson's story?**
* **How can we maintain faith and trust in God's sovereignty when we find ourselves in situations of public shame or personal defeat?**

### FAQ
**What does "made sport" truly mean in this context?**

Answer: The phrase "made sport" in Judges 16:27 (from the Hebrew _sachaq_) means Samson was being compelled to perform for the Philistines' amusement and ridicule. It wasn't a friendly game but a demeaning spectacle. He was likely forced to perform feats of strength, perhaps in a pathetic, blind state, or simply paraded as an object of scorn and mockery. This public display was designed to humiliate him and celebrate the Philistines' perceived triumph over him and his God. It's a continuation of the Philistines bringing him out to "make us sport" as mentioned in [Judges 16:25](/judges/16-25 "Judges 16:25 - Samson Brought Out to Perform").

**Why were so many people on the roof, and what does it tell us about the event?**

Answer: Ancient Near Eastern temples and large public buildings often had flat roofs that could be accessed, especially for large gatherings or festivals. The "three thousand men and women" on the roof indicates the immense scale of the event and the widespread public interest in witnessing Samson's humiliation. It suggests that the temple was not only full inside but that the spectacle was so significant that people sought every available vantage point to observe it. This detail emphasizes the Philistines' collective triumph and their desire to publicly revel in the defeat of their formidable enemy.

**What was the significance of Dagon's temple in this narrative?**

Answer: Dagon was one of the chief deities of the Philistines, often associated with grain or fish. Bringing Samson, the Israelite judge and a symbol of Yahweh's power, into Dagon's temple was a profound act of religious and political triumphalism. It was meant to be a public declaration that Dagon had delivered Samson into their hands, thus proving Dagon's superiority over the God of Israel. This act of blasphemy and idolatry sets the stage for God's dramatic demonstration of His ultimate power, as seen in the later account of the Ark of the Covenant in Dagon's temple in [1 Samuel 5:1-5](/1_samuel/5-1 "1 Samuel 5:1-5 - Dagon's Fall Before the Ark").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Judges 16:27, depicting Samson's public humiliation and mockery, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Samson, a flawed and disobedient judge, was brought low and made a spectacle by his enemies, yet through his apparent weakness, God achieved a decisive victory. This foreshadows the infinitely greater humiliation of Jesus, the perfect Lamb of God, who willingly endured public scorn, mockery, and physical abuse not because of his own sin, but for the sins of humanity. Just as Samson was paraded before the Philistine lords and a vast crowd, Jesus was mocked by Herod's soldiers ([Luke 23:11](/luke/23-11 "Luke 23:11 - Jesus Mocked by Herod")), scourged, crowned with thorns, and made a spectacle before the Roman soldiers and the Jewish leaders ([Matthew 27:27-31](/matthew/27-27 "Matthew 27:27-31 - Jesus Mocked by Soldiers")). His crucifixion was the ultimate public humiliation, a perceived triumph for the powers of darkness and those who rejected Him. Yet, it was precisely through this apparent weakness and death that Christ triumphed definitively over sin, death, and the spiritual powers that held humanity captive ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). Samson's final act, though driven by vengeance, prefigures Christ's self-sacrifice, where His death became the means of ultimate deliverance, not just for Israel, but for all who believe in the [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!](/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.