Judges 16:31

KJV

Then his brethren and all the house of his father came down, and took him, and brought [him] up, and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the buryingplace of Manoah his father. And he judged Israel twenty years.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then his brethren {H251} and all the house {H1004} of his father {H1} came down {H3381}, and took {H5375} him, and brought him up {H5927}, and buried {H6912} him between Zorah {H6881} and Eshtaol {H847} in the buryingplace {H6913} of Manoah {H4495} his father {H1}. And he judged {H8199} Israel {H3478} twenty {H6242} years {H8141}.

Complete Jewish Bible

His brothers and all his father's family came down, took him, brought him up and buried him between Tzor'ah and Eshta'ol, in the tomb of his father Manoach. He had judged Isra'el twenty years.

Berean Standard Bible

Then Samson’s brothers and his father’s family came down, carried him back, and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the tomb of his father Manoah. And he had judged Israel twenty years.

American Standard Version

Then his brethren and all the house of his father came down, and took him, and brought him up, and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the burying-place of Manoah his father. And he judged Israel twenty years.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 16:31 serves as the poignant epilogue to the tumultuous life of Samson, detailing the respectful retrieval and burial of his body by his family in the ancestral plot between Zorah and Eshtaol. This verse also provides the standard concluding formula for a judge's narrative, affirming his twenty-year tenure as a divinely appointed leader over Israel, despite the unconventional and often tragic nature of his service. It marks a moment of closure, bringing Samson's story full circle to his origins and formally acknowledging his place within the lineage of Israel's deliverers.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 16:31 immediately follows the climactic and devastating events of [Judges 16:30](/judges/16-30 "Judges 16:30 - Samson's Final Act"), where Samson, in a final surge of divinely empowered strength, collapses the Philistine temple, killing himself and a multitude of Philistines. This act, though self-sacrificial, achieved more against Israel's enemies than all his previous exploits combined, fulfilling, in a paradoxical way, his lifelong mission to begin the deliverance of Israel from Philistine oppression. The verse then shifts from the chaos of his death to the quiet solemnity of his burial, providing a necessary sense of closure to his individual narrative within the broader Book of Judges. It echoes the pattern seen with other judges, where their tenure is summarized at the end of their account, placing Samson within the established framework of God's chosen deliverers.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israelite and Near Eastern cultures, proper burial was of immense importance, signifying respect for the deceased and ensuring their place among their ancestors. To be left unburied or to have one's body desecrated was considered a grave dishonor. Despite Samson's controversial life, his Philistine entanglements, and the circumstances of his death, the act of his "brethren and all the house of his father" coming to retrieve his body underscores the enduring strength of familial bonds and the sacred duty to honor one's kin, regardless of their flaws. The burial in "the buryingplace of Manoah his father" between Zorah and Eshtaol connects Samson firmly to his tribal and family heritage, the very region where he was born and where his Nazirite vow was initiated, as described in [Judges 13:2-5](/judges/13-2 "Judges 13:2-5 - Samson's Birth and Nazirite Vow"). This act reaffirms his identity as an Israelite, despite his frequent deviations.
* **Key Themes:** This concluding verse contributes to several key themes prevalent in the Book of Judges. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Sovereignty** working through flawed human instruments; despite Samson's personal weaknesses and moral failures, God still used him to "begin to deliver Israel" ([Judges 13:5](/judges/13-5 "Judges 13:5 - Prophecy of Samson's Deliverance")). Secondly, it emphasizes **Family Loyalty and Honor**, demonstrating that even a prodigal or problematic family member was worthy of a respectful burial by their kin, a crucial aspect of ancient societal values. Thirdly, the return to Zorah and Eshtaol and the burial in his father's tomb illustrates a **Full Circle Journey** or **Inclusio**, bringing Samson's life geographically and ancestrally back to its origin point, providing a sense of completion. Finally, the summary statement "And he judged Israel twenty years" reinforces the overarching theme of the **Legacy of the Judges**, reminding the reader that Samson, for all his eccentricities, was part of God's cyclical pattern of raising up deliverers to rescue His people from oppression, a pattern introduced in [Judges 2:16](/judges/2-16 "Judges 2:16 - God Raises Up Judges").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Brethren (Hebrew, _‘achīm'_):** This term refers to Samson's brothers and, by extension, close male relatives. Their action of coming down to retrieve his body is significant. It signifies not only familial duty but also an act of courage, as they would have had to enter Philistine territory, potentially risking their own lives, to recover the body of a man who had just caused such devastation. This act underscores the deep-seated cultural importance of a proper burial and the enduring bond of kinship, even for a family member who had brought much trouble.
* **Judged (Hebrew, _shāphat'_):** The verb "judged" here (from the root שפט) signifies more than merely presiding over legal cases. In the context of the Book of Judges, it refers to a divinely appointed leader who delivers Israel from oppression, administers justice, and provides a period of peace or stability. While Samson's "judgeship" was highly unconventional, marked more by individual acts of strength and personal vendettas than by widespread judicial administration, this formulaic statement formally recognizes his role as one of God's chosen deliverers, affirming that his unique, often chaotic, life was indeed part of God's larger plan for Israel.
* **Twenty years (Hebrew, _‘esrîm shānāh'_):** This phrase is a common, formulaic expression used throughout the Book of Judges to denote the duration of a judge's leadership (e.g., Othniel in [Judges 3:11](/judges/3-11 "Judges 3:11 - Othniel's Judgeship"), Ehud in [Judges 3:30](/judges/3-30 "Judges 3:30 - Ehud's Judgeship"), Gideon in [Judges 8:28](/judges/8-28 "Judges 8:28 - Gideon's Judgeship")). It functions as a concluding summary, providing a chronological marker for Samson's period of influence. Its inclusion here, despite the tumultuous nature of Samson's life, validates his divinely ordained role and the impact, however paradoxical, he had on Israel's struggle against the Philistines.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then his brethren and all the house of his father came down, and took him, and brought [him] up,"**: This clause describes the immediate post-mortem actions concerning Samson. "Came down" implies a descent from the hill country of Judah (where Zorah and Eshtaol were located) into the Philistine plains where Gaza was situated. The phrase "all the house of his father" emphasizes the collective family effort, signifying a communal act of honor and duty. They "took him" (retrieved his body) and "brought him up" (back to their ancestral land), demonstrating respect for the deceased and adherence to proper burial customs, even for a controversial figure like Samson.
* **"and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the buryingplace of Manoah his father."**: This part specifies the location of Samson's final resting place. Zorah and Eshtaol were towns in the territory of Dan, Samson's tribe, and were the very places associated with his birth and early life ([Judges 13:2](/judges/13-2 "Judges 13:2 - Samson's Birthplace")). The burial in "the buryingplace of Manoah his father" signifies his return to his family's ancestral plot, ensuring he was laid to rest with his kin. This act provides a sense of closure and continuity, connecting his life's end to its beginning.
* **"And he judged Israel twenty years."**: This concluding statement is a standard editorial formula found at the end of many judges' narratives in the book. It serves as a formal summary of Samson's public role and the duration of his leadership. Despite his personal failings and the unconventional nature of his "judgeship," this phrase affirms his divinely appointed status as a leader who, for two decades, was instrumental in God's plan to begin the deliverance of Israel from Philistine oppression, as prophesied at his birth ([Judges 13:5](/judges/13-5 "Judges 13:5 - Prophecy of Samson's Deliverance")).

#### Literary Devices
Judges 16:31 employs several literary devices to bring Samson's narrative to a powerful close. The most prominent is **Inclusio**, as Samson's burial "between Zorah and Eshtaol" brings his life full circle, geographically returning him to the very region where he was born and where his Nazirite vow was initiated. This literary framing device provides a sense of completion and closure to his tumultuous journey. There is also a subtle **Irony** in the fact that Samson's most effective act of deliverance against the Philistines occurred in his death, achieving more in his final moments than in much of his life. This ironic twist underscores the paradoxical nature of God's working through human weakness. Finally, the concluding summary of his "twenty years" of judgeship acts as a **Formulaic Conclusion**, a recurring literary convention in the Book of Judges that formally places Samson within the lineage of Israel's divinely appointed deliverers, despite the unique and often tragic trajectory of his individual story.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 16:31, in its quiet finality, powerfully underscores God's unwavering sovereignty and His ability to accomplish His purposes even through deeply flawed human instruments. Samson's story is a testament to divine grace, demonstrating that God's plan for Israel's deliverance was not contingent upon Samson's moral perfection but upon God's own faithfulness to His covenant. The family's act of retrieving and burying Samson highlights the enduring importance of familial love, honor, and the redemptive power of community, even in the face of scandal and failure. It reminds us that even when a life is marked by significant personal shortcomings, God can still weave it into His grand tapestry of redemption, ultimately using the weak things of the world to shame the strong.

* [Judges 13:5](/judges/13-5 "Prophecy of Samson's Deliverance")
* [Hebrews 11:32](/hebrews/11-32 "Samson in the Hall of Faith")
* [2 Corinthians 12:9](/2_corinthians/12-9 "God's Strength in Weakness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Samson's story, culminating in his burial and the summary of his judgeship in Judges 16:31, offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. It reminds us that God's call and purpose for our lives are not nullified by our imperfections or even our outright failures. While Samson's life serves as a cautionary tale against squandering divine gifts and succumbing to personal weaknesses, his ultimate inclusion among the faithful in [Hebrews 11:32](/hebrews/11-32 "Hebrews 11:32 - Samson in the Hall of Faith") testifies to God's enduring grace and His ability to bring about His will even through the most unlikely and flawed vessels. This verse also highlights the enduring importance of family and community in providing closure, honor, and a sense of belonging, even when a loved one's life has been challenging or controversial. It encourages us to extend grace and compassion, recognizing that God's redemptive work often unfolds in messy, unexpected ways, and that our ultimate hope rests not in our own strength or righteousness, but in His sovereign plan.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Samson's story, particularly his end, challenge or affirm your understanding of God's use of imperfect people?**
* **In what ways can we, like Samson's family, extend grace and honor to those who have fallen short, even in difficult circumstances?**
* **What does Samson's "twenty years" of judgeship, despite his personal flaws, teach us about the nature of divine calling and faithfulness?**

### FAQ

**Why did Samson's family retrieve his body from Philistine territory?**

Answer: In ancient Near Eastern cultures, proper burial was a sacred duty and a profound act of honor for the deceased. To leave a body unburied or to allow it to be desecrated was considered a grave dishonor, not only to the individual but also to their family and community. Despite Samson's tumultuous life, his Philistine entanglements, and the devastating circumstances of his death in the temple, his "brethren and all the house of his father" demonstrated profound familial loyalty and courage by venturing into Philistine territory to retrieve his body. This act ensured he received a respectful burial in his ancestral land, connecting him back to his heritage and providing closure for his family. It underscores the enduring bond of kinship and the importance of fulfilling one's duty to the dead, even for a controversial figure.

**What is the significance of the statement "And he judged Israel twenty years" for Samson's legacy?**

Answer: This phrase is a standard, formulaic concluding statement used throughout the Book of Judges (e.g., [Judges 3:11](/judges/3-11 "Judges 3:11 - Othniel's Judgeship"), [Judges 3:30](/judges/3-30 "Judges 3:30 - Ehud's Judgeship"), [Judges 8:28](/judges/8-28 "Judges 8:28 - Gideon's Judgeship")). Its inclusion for Samson, despite his highly unconventional and often self-serving "judgeship," formally validates his divinely appointed role as a leader and deliverer of Israel. It signifies that, for two decades, he was recognized as the one God was using to "begin to deliver Israel from the hand of the Philistines" ([Judges 13:5](/judges/13-5 "Judges 13:5 - Prophecy of Samson's Deliverance")). While his life was marked by personal failings, this statement affirms that God's overarching purpose for him was fulfilled, however paradoxically, and that he held a legitimate place among the judges who rescued Israel during times of oppression.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Samson's story, culminating in his death and burial, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment not in a direct type-antitype relationship, but in the overarching theological themes it presents regarding divine deliverance and strength in weakness. Samson, though a flawed deliverer, ultimately achieved his greatest victory over Israel's enemies through his own death, a self-sacrificial act that foreshadows the ultimate, perfect deliverance accomplished by Jesus Christ. Just as Samson's family retrieved his body for burial, signifying a return to his roots, Christ's body was taken down from the cross and laid in a tomb ([Matthew 27:57-60](/matthew/27-57 "Matthew 27:57-60 - Jesus' Burial")), only for Him to rise triumphantly, conquering sin and death. Samson's paradox—that his greatest strength and impact came in his moment of apparent weakness and death—points to the cross of Christ, where the Son of God, in His ultimate weakness and humility, defeated the powers of darkness and secured eternal redemption for humanity ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). Christ is the perfect Judge and Deliverer, unlike Samson who was limited by his sin, offering not just temporary relief from an oppressor, but eternal freedom from the bondage of sin and death, fulfilling the true spiritual deliverance that Samson could only imperfectly foreshadow ([Hebrews 9:12](/hebrews/9-12 "Hebrews 9:12 - Christ's Eternal Redemption")).

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

Judges 15:20

And he judged Israel in the days of the Philistines twenty years.

Judges 13:2

And there was a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name [was] Manoah; and his wife [was] barren, and bare not.

Judges 13:25

And the Spirit of the LORD began to move him at times in the camp of Dan between Zorah and Eshtaol.

Joshua 19:41

And the coast of their inheritance was Zorah, and Eshtaol, and Irshemesh,

John 19:39

And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound [weight].

John 19:42

There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews' preparation [day]; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand.