Judges 16:3

KJV

And Samson lay till midnight, and arose at midnight, and took the doors of the gate of the city, and the two posts, and went away with them, bar and all, and put [them] upon his shoulders, and carried them up to the top of an hill that [is] before Hebron.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Samson {H8123} lay {H7901} till midnight {H2677}{H3915}, and arose {H6965} at midnight {H2677}{H3915}, and took {H270} the doors {H1817} of the gate {H8179} of the city {H5892}, and the two {H8147} posts {H4201}, and went away {H5265} with them, bar {H1280} and all, and put {H7760} them upon his shoulders {H3802}, and carried them up {H5927} to the top {H7218} of an hill {H2022} that is before {H6440} Hebron {H2275}.

Complete Jewish Bible

However, Shimshon stayed in bed until midnight; then he got up, took hold of the doors of the city gate and the two posts as well, pulled them up, bar and all, hoisted them on his shoulders, and carried them up to the top of the hill overlooking Hevron.

Berean Standard Bible

But Samson lay there only until midnight, when he got up, took hold of the doors of the city gate and both gateposts, and pulled them out, bar and all. Then he put them on his shoulders and took them to the top of the mountain overlooking Hebron.

American Standard Version

And Samson lay till midnight, and arose at midnight, and laid hold of the doors of the gate of the city, and the two posts, and plucked them up, bar and all, and put them upon his shoulders, and carried them up to the top of the mountain that is before Hebron.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 16:3 vividly portrays Samson's audacious escape from the Philistine city of Gaza, an act of supernatural strength that profoundly humiliated his enemies. After being ambushed by the Philistines who lay in wait at the city gate, Samson, empowered by God, arose at midnight, tore out the massive city gates, including their posts and bar, and carried them a significant distance to a hilltop overlooking Hebron. This dramatic display served as a powerful testament to God's continued, though paradoxical, work through His flawed chosen instrument, demonstrating divine protection and the potential for Israel's deliverance despite Samson's moral compromises.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal moment in the narrative of Samson, falling within the broader book of Judges, which chronicles Israel's cyclical pattern of apostasy, oppression, repentance, and deliverance through divinely appointed judges. Judges 16 opens with Samson's moral decline, as he goes to Gaza and associates with a harlot, a clear violation of his Nazirite vows and a continuation of his pattern of seeking companionship outside of God's covenant people, first seen with his marriage to a Philistine woman in [Judges 14](/judges/14 "Judges 14 - Samson's Marriage and Riddle"). The Philistines, Israel's oppressors, seize this opportunity, planning to ambush him at the city gate at dawn. Samson's pre-emptive and overwhelming response in Judges 16:3 serves as a final, spectacular display of his God-given strength and God's continued, albeit conditional, favor before his ultimate capture and tragic end, which is detailed later in [Judges 16:4-31](/judges/16 "Judges 16 - Samson and Delilah"). This act highlights the tension between Samson's personal failings and God's unwavering purpose to deliver Israel through him.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Gaza was one of the five major Philistine city-states (the Philistine Pentapolis), a heavily fortified and strategically vital stronghold on the coastal plain. City gates in the ancient Near East were not merely doors; they were massive, multi-layered defensive structures, often reinforced with metal, and secured by heavy wooden or iron bars. They were the primary point of entry and defense, symbolizing the city's security, power, and control over its inhabitants and trade routes. For Samson to physically remove these gates, along with their deeply set posts and the securing bar, was an act of profound public shaming and military humiliation for the Philistines. The destination, "a hill that is before Hebron," is significant. Hebron was a prominent Israelite city in the Judean hills, approximately 40 miles (64 km) inland from Gaza. Carrying such an immense load that distance, and then up a hill, was an utterly impossible human feat, designed to be a public spectacle that would leave no doubt about the source of Samson's power and the Philistines' utter inability to contain him.

* **Key Themes:** Judges 16:3 powerfully underscores several key themes prevalent in the book of Judges and the broader biblical narrative. Foremost is the theme of **Supernatural Strength and Divine Empowerment**, demonstrating that Samson's power was not inherent but a direct gift from God, as seen when [the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon him](/judges/14-6 "Judges 14:6 - The Spirit of the Lord Empowers Samson"). This strength is paradoxically displayed even amidst Samson's moral compromises, highlighting God's **Divine Sovereignty and Purpose**—His plan for Israel's deliverance would proceed despite the flaws of His chosen instruments. The act also emphasizes the **Humiliation of Enemies**, as Samson's public removal of Gaza's gates served as a symbolic and literal dismantling of Philistine authority and security, a direct challenge to their dominance over Israel. Finally, it subtly reinforces the theme of **God Working Through Imperfect Vessels**, a recurring motif throughout Scripture, where God often uses the weak or flawed to accomplish His mighty purposes, thereby ensuring that the glory belongs to Him alone, a principle echoed in [1 Corinthians 1:27](/1_corinthians/1-27 "1 Corinthians 1:27 - God Chooses the Weak").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **doors (Hebrew, _deleth_):** This term refers to the leaves or panels of the gate, which would have been exceptionally large, thick, and heavy, often constructed of multiple layers of wood and reinforced with iron or bronze. Their removal signifies not merely opening, but physically detaching the entire entry system.
* **posts (Hebrew, _mezuzah_):** These were the massive, vertical doorframes, deeply set into the ground and foundational to the gate structure. To remove them implies an even greater exertion of force, as they would have been firmly anchored to support the immense weight of the doors and withstand siege attempts.
* **bar (Hebrew, _beriach_):** This refers to the heavy crossbar, typically made of wood or iron, that would slide into sockets on the gateposts to secure the doors from the inside. The inclusion of "bar and all" emphasizes the completeness of Samson's act—he took the entire locking mechanism, rendering the gate utterly useless and the city defenseless at that point.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Samson lay till midnight, and arose at midnight":** This detail highlights Samson's awareness and strategic timing. The Philistines were planning to ambush him at dawn, assuming he would be asleep. By rising at midnight, Samson demonstrates his cunning and pre-empts their plot, turning their intended trap into an opportunity for his escape and their humiliation.
* **"and took the doors of the gate of the city, and the two posts, and went away with them, bar and all":** This clause describes the extraordinary feat itself. It's not just the doors, but the entire defensive apparatus—doors, posts, and the securing bar—that Samson removes. This underscores the sheer impossibility of the act for any ordinary human, emphasizing the supernatural strength bestowed upon him by God. It was a complete dismantling of Gaza's primary security feature.
* **"and put [them] upon his shoulders, and carried them up to the top of an hill that [is] before Hebron":** This final part of the verse details the incredible display of power and the public nature of Samson's act. Carrying such an immense load a significant distance (approximately 40 miles) and then up a hill is a testament to his unparalleled strength. Placing them "before Hebron" (an Israelite city) suggests a visible location, making the Philistines' humiliation a public spectacle and a clear declaration of God's power over their oppressors.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative of Judges 16:3 employs several powerful literary devices. **Hyperbole** is evident in the description of Samson carrying the entire city gate, posts, and bar for a distance of 40 miles up a hill; while the exact distance carried might be debated, the *effect* is to magnify the incredible, superhuman nature of his strength, pushing the boundaries of believable human action to emphasize divine intervention. **Symbolism** is central, as the city gates themselves symbolize the strength, security, and authority of Gaza; Samson's act of tearing them down and carrying them away symbolizes the dismantling of Philistine power and their inability to contain God's chosen deliverer. This act serves as a powerful visual metaphor for Israel's potential liberation. Furthermore, there is a strong element of **Irony**, as Samson, despite his ongoing moral failings and association with a harlot, is still the vessel through which God's mighty power is displayed, highlighting God's sovereignty and His ability to work through imperfect individuals to achieve His purposes.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 16:3 stands as a profound testament to God's extraordinary power and His unwavering commitment to His redemptive plan, even when His chosen instruments are deeply flawed. Samson's strength is a direct manifestation of the Spirit of the Lord, demonstrating that divine empowerment can transcend human weakness and moral compromise for God's sovereign purposes. This act of tearing down the gates of Gaza foreshadows a greater spiritual victory, illustrating God's capacity to break through any stronghold—physical or spiritual—that opposes His will and His people. It reminds us that ultimate power and deliverance reside with God, not with human might or fortified cities.

* [Judges 14:6](/judges/14-6 "Judges 14:6 - The Spirit of the Lord Rushes Upon Samson")
* [Zechariah 4:6](/zechariah/4-6 "Zechariah 4:6 - Not by Might, Nor by Power")
* [Psalm 24:7-10](/psalm/24-7 "Psalm 24:7-10 - The King of Glory Enters")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Samson's incredible feat in Judges 16:3 offers a complex yet deeply encouraging message for believers today. It reminds us that God's power is not limited by our circumstances or even our personal failings. While Samson's moral choices were clearly disobedient and ultimately led to his downfall, God's divine purpose for him as a deliverer of Israel remained, and His strength continued to manifest through him. This challenges us to consider that God can and does work through imperfect people, not because He condones their sin, but because His sovereignty is greater than human weakness. This narrative encourages us to trust in God's limitless power for deliverance from seemingly insurmountable "gates" or obstacles in our lives, whether they be spiritual strongholds, personal struggles, or external pressures. However, it also serves as a poignant reminder that divine gifting does not negate personal responsibility; Samson's story is a cautionary tale about the dangers of repeatedly testing God's grace and the inevitable consequences of unrepentant sin, even for those greatly used by God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Samson's strength, despite his moral failings, challenge our understanding of God's work through imperfect people?**
* **In what "gated cities" or seemingly insurmountable situations in our lives do we need to trust God for supernatural deliverance today?**
* **What lessons can we draw from Samson's story about the interplay of divine gifting and personal responsibility?**

### FAQ
**How far was Hebron from Gaza, and why is that significant?**

Answer: Hebron was approximately 40 miles (64 kilometers) inland from Gaza. This distance is highly significant because it underscores the utterly impossible nature of Samson's feat for any ordinary human. Carrying massive city gates, posts, and a bar for such a distance, and then up a hill, was a superhuman act. The location "before Hebron" (an Israelite city) suggests a visible, public display. This act was designed not just as an escape, but as a profound public humiliation for the Philistines and a clear, undeniable demonstration of God's power working through Samson, leaving no doubt about the source of his strength and the Philistines' inability to contain him.

**What was the symbolic significance of taking the city gates?**

Answer: In the ancient world, city gates were far more than mere entryways; they were the primary defensive structures, symbols of a city's strength, security, and authority. They were also centers for legal proceedings and public gatherings. For Samson to physically remove the entire gate structure of Gaza was an act of profound public humiliation and a direct challenge to Philistine dominance. It symbolized the stripping away of their security and power, making the city vulnerable and publicly shaming its inhabitants and rulers. It was a dramatic declaration that the Philistines could not contain God's chosen deliverer, foreshadowing the eventual breaking of their power over Israel.

**Did God approve of Samson's actions with the harlot in Gaza?**

Answer: No, the Bible does not indicate God's approval of Samson's moral compromises, including his association with a harlot in Gaza. Samson's Nazirite vow required separation and holiness, and his actions were a clear violation of these principles. However, the narrative in Judges consistently demonstrates God's sovereignty and His ability to work through imperfect, disobedient, and even sinful individuals to accomplish His divine purposes. In this instance, God used Samson's presence in Gaza and the Philistines' plot as an opportunity for another display of His power and to bring judgment upon Israel's oppressors. It's crucial to distinguish between God's *use* of a person despite their sin and God's *approval* of their sin. God's ultimate plan for Israel's deliverance continued, even as Samson's personal choices led him down a path of increasing moral decline.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Samson's astonishing act of tearing down and carrying away the gates of Gaza, a symbol of human strength and security, serves as a powerful Old Testament foreshadowing of Christ's ultimate victory over the spiritual strongholds that imprison humanity. While Samson's deliverance was physical and temporary, a flawed human effort empowered by God, Jesus Christ, the true and perfect Deliverer, utterly destroyed the gates of sin, death, and hell. Samson's strength, though supernatural, was a gift to an imperfect man; Christ's power is inherent, divine, and absolute. Just as Samson burst forth from the Philistine ambush, Christ, through His death and resurrection, broke the power of the grave and triumphed over the spiritual forces of darkness, disarming principalities and powers and leading captivity captive, as celebrated in [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities and Powers"). His victory ensures that "the gates of Hades will not overpower" His Church ([Matthew 16:18](/matthew/16-18 "Matthew 16:18 - The Gates of Hell Shall Not Prevail")), for He is the "stronger man" who has bound the strong man and plundered his house ([Luke 11:22](/luke/11-22 "Luke 11:22 - Stronger Man Overcomes")). Samson's carrying of the gates to a hill before Hebron, a public spectacle of triumph, points to Christ's public victory on the cross and His glorious resurrection, which forever opened the way to true freedom and eternal life, delivering all who believe from the power of sin and the fear of death ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Deliverance from the Fear of Death")).

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

Psalms 107:16

For he hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in sunder.

Acts 2:24

Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.

Micah 2:13

The breaker is come up before them: they have broken up, and have passed through the gate, and are gone out by it: and their king shall pass before them, and the LORD on the head of them.

Isaiah 63:1

¶ Who [is] this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this [that is] glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save.

Isaiah 63:5

And I looked, and [there was] none to help; and I wondered that [there was] none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me.