Judges 15:6

Then the Philistines said, Who hath done this? And they answered, Samson, the son in law of the Timnite, because he had taken his wife, and given her to his companion. And the Philistines came up, and burnt her and her father with fire.

Then the Philistines {H6430} said {H559}, Who hath done {H6213} this? And they answered {H559}, Samson {H8123}, the son in law {H2860} of the Timnite {H8554}, because he had taken {H3947} his wife {H802}, and given {H5414} her to his companion {H4828}. And the Philistines {H6430} came up {H5927}, and burnt {H8313} her and her father {H1} with fire {H784}.

The P'lishtim asked, "Who did this?" They answered, "Shimshon the son-in-law of the man from Timnah, because he took Shimshon's wife and gave her to his best man." Then the P'lishtim came up and burned both her and her father to death.

“Who did this?” the Philistines demanded. “It was Samson, the son-in-law of the Timnite,” they were told. “For his wife was given to his companion.” So the Philistines went up and burned her and her father to death.

Then the Philistines said, Who hath done this? And they said, Samson, the son-in-law of the Timnite, because he hath taken his wife, and given her to his companion. And the Philistines came up, and burnt her and her father with fire.

Commentary

Judges 15:6 describes a dramatic and violent escalation in the ongoing conflict between Samson and the Philistines. Following Samson's destructive act of burning the Philistine fields (Judges 15:4-5), this verse details the Philistine response, revealing both their motive and their brutal retaliation.

Context

This verse is a pivotal moment in the narrative of Samson, one of Israel's judges. It directly follows Samson's revenge on the Philistines for their earlier betrayal at his wedding feast. After discovering that his Philistine wife had been given to his best man by her father (an act detailed in Judges 15:1-2), Samson unleashed a furious retaliation by catching 300 foxes, tying their tails together with torches, and sending them into the Philistine grain fields, vineyards, and olive groves (Judges 15:4-5). The Philistines, suffering immense economic loss, sought to understand the cause of this devastation. Upon learning it was Samson, the son-in-law of the Timnite, and understanding the reason (his wife being given away), they took matters into their own hands, initiating a further act of violence against the very people who, in their eyes, had provoked Samson.

Key Themes

  • The Cycle of Retaliation: Judges 15:6 powerfully illustrates how violence begets violence. Samson's act of revenge for his marital slight leads to the Philistines' brutal counter-revenge, setting the stage for further conflict. This destructive pattern is a recurring theme in the book of Judges, highlighting a period of moral decline in Israel where "every man did that which was right in his own eyes" (Judges 21:25).
  • Consequences of Human Actions: The verse grimly demonstrates the far-reaching and often unintended consequences of personal and inter-group conflicts. The Timnite father's decision to give his daughter to another man, perhaps to appease the Philistines or out of fear of Samson, ultimately led to his and his daughter's tragic deaths.
  • Brutality of the Philistines: The Philistines' response—burning the woman and her father with fire—showcases their severe and merciless nature, reflecting the harsh realities of ancient warfare and tribal disputes. This act also serves to further provoke Samson, leading to even greater Philistine losses (Judges 15:7-8).

Linguistic Insights

The KJV uses the phrase "burnt her and her father with fire." The Hebrew word for "burnt" here is saraph (שָׂרַף), which consistently denotes destruction by fire, often with a sense of complete consumption or as a form of severe judgment or punishment. This highlights the absolute and devastating nature of the Philistines' retribution in this specific instance. The detail "son in law of the Timnite" identifies Samson not just by name but by his connection to the town of Timnah, emphasizing the local context of the dispute.

Practical Application

The events in Judges 15:6 serve as a stark reminder of the destructive nature of unchecked anger and the endless cycle of revenge. When individuals or groups resort to "an eye for an eye" without seeking reconciliation or divine wisdom, the outcome is often escalating violence and tragic loss, as seen in the fate of Samson's wife and her father. This narrative encourages reflection on the importance of breaking cycles of conflict and seeking peaceful, just resolutions, rather than succumbing to the urge for personal retribution, a principle later emphasized in the New Testament concerning leaving vengeance to the Lord.

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Cross-References

  • Judges 14:15 (6 votes)

    And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they said unto Samson's wife, Entice thy husband, that he may declare unto us the riddle, lest we burn thee and thy father's house with fire: have ye called us to take that we have? [is it] not [so]?

  • Proverbs 22:8 (3 votes)

    ¶ He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail.

  • 1 Thessalonians 4:6 (3 votes)

    That no [man] go beyond and defraud his brother in [any] matter: because that the Lord [is] the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.

  • Judges 12:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ And the men of Ephraim gathered themselves together, and went northward, and said unto Jephthah, Wherefore passedst thou over to fight against the children of Ammon, and didst not call us to go with thee? we will burn thine house upon thee with fire.