Judges 16:30

And Samson said, Let me die with the Philistines. And he bowed himself with [all his] might; and the house fell upon the lords, and upon all the people that [were] therein. So the dead which he slew at his death were more than [they] which he slew in his life.

And Samson {H8123} said {H559}, Let me die {H4191}{H5315} with the Philistines {H6430}. And he bowed {H5186} himself with all his might {H3581}; and the house {H1004} fell {H5307} upon the lords {H5633}, and upon all the people {H5971} that were therein. So the dead {H4191} which he slew {H4191} at his death {H4194} were more {H7227} than they which he slew {H4191} in his life {H2416}.

Then, crying, "Let me die with the P'lishtim!" he pushed with all his might; and the building collapsed on the chiefs and on all the people inside. So he killed more at his death than he had killed during his life.

Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines.” Then he pushed with all his might, and the temple fell on the lords and all the people in it. So in his death he killed more than he had killed in his life.

And Samson said, Let me die with the Philistines. And he bowed himself with all his might; and the house fell upon the lords, and upon all the people that were therein. So the dead that he slew at his death were more than they that he slew in his life.

Commentary

Judges 16:30 records the dramatic and climactic end of Samson's life, a powerful testament to divine strength and judgment. In this verse, Samson, having been captured, blinded, and humiliated by the Philistines, makes a final, desperate prayer to God for strength. He then collapses the temple of Dagon, killing himself along with thousands of Philistine lords and people, achieving a greater victory in his death than in his lifetime.

Historical and Cultural Context

Samson was one of the last judges of Israel, raised with a Nazarite vow that entailed lifelong dedication to God, including refraining from cutting his hair. Despite his incredible strength, Samson often yielded to his personal desires and weaknesses, culminating in his betrayal by Delilah, loss of strength, and capture by the Philistines. This verse takes place during a grand festival held by the Philistines in Gaza, celebrating their perceived triumph over Samson and, by extension, over the God of Israel. They had gathered in the temple dedicated to their fish-god, Dagon, to offer sacrifices and revel, bringing Samson out for their entertainment.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Empowerment in Weakness: Even after his failures and in his physical debilitation (blindness and imprisonment), God answers Samson's plea, demonstrating that divine strength can work through the most unlikely and flawed vessels. This echoes the principle that God's strength is made perfect in weakness.
  • Redemptive Self-Sacrifice: Samson's act, while motivated by a desire for vengeance against his tormentors, also served as a divinely purposed act of deliverance for Israel, eliminating a significant number of their oppressors. His death became a paradoxical victory.
  • Judgment on Idolatry: The collapse of Dagon's temple, filled with its worshippers, represents God's decisive judgment against the Philistines and their false deity. It asserts the supremacy of the God of Israel over pagan gods.
  • Greater Impact in Death: The verse explicitly states that "the dead which he slew at his death were more than they which he slew in his life." This highlights the profound and ultimate impact of Samson's final act, demonstrating that God can use even a tragic end for His greater purposes.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "bowed himself with [all his] might" translates the Hebrew verb natah (נָטָה), meaning "to stretch out, incline, bend," and the noun koach (כֹּחַ), meaning "strength, power, ability." This emphasizes the tremendous physical effort and supernatural power Samson exerted in his final moments. His cry, "Let me die with the Philistines" (tamut naphshi im-pelishtim), reveals a final desperate prayer for divine enablement to fulfill his calling as a deliverer, even if it meant his own demise.

Related Scriptures

Samson's story is complex, often highlighting human failure alongside divine purpose. His inclusion in the "Hall of Faith" in Hebrews 11:32 despite his personal failings underscores God's ability to use imperfect instruments for His perfect will. This final act of judgment against Israel's enemies also resonates with earlier divine interventions, such as God's fighting for His people against their oppressors.

Practical Application

Samson's final act in Judges 16:30 offers several profound lessons. It reminds us that God can use anyone, regardless of their past mistakes or present weaknesses, to accomplish His will, provided there is a turning back to Him. It speaks to the power of repentance and a final, desperate cry for God's strength. Furthermore, it reassures us that God's ultimate plan of deliverance and judgment will prevail, even when human efforts seem to fail. Our greatest impact for God's kingdom might come in unexpected ways or at unexpected times, often when we humbly rely completely on His power, not our own.

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Cross-References

  • Philippians 2:8 (3 votes)

    And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

  • Matthew 16:25 (3 votes)

    For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

  • Psalms 62:3 (2 votes)

    How long will ye imagine mischief against a man? ye shall be slain all of you: as a bowing wall [shall ye be, and as] a tottering fence.

  • Genesis 3:15 (2 votes)

    And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

  • Job 20:5 (2 votes)

    That the triumphing of the wicked [is] short, and the joy of the hypocrite [but] for a moment?

  • Job 31:3 (2 votes)

    [Is] not destruction to the wicked? and a strange [punishment] to the workers of iniquity?

  • Acts 21:13 (2 votes)

    Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.