Judges 14:10 (KJV)

What does Judges 14:10 mean?

Judges 14:10 describes Samson’s father going to meet the woman Samson wanted to marry, and Samson holding a feast there, which was the common custom for young men at the time. The verse highlights the traditional wedding practices in that culture.

In this scene, Samson is preparing for his marriage to a Philistine woman, and his father is involved in the arrangements. The feast mentioned was likely a multi-day celebration, typical for weddings in ancient Israel and neighboring cultures. This verse sets the stage for the events that follow at the wedding, showing Samson participating in local customs even though he is among the Philistines.

The Hebrew behind Judges 14:10

• מִשְׁתֶּה (mishteh, “feast”): This word often refers to a drinking party or banquet, not just a meal. Its use here suggests a lively, possibly wine-filled celebration, which was standard for weddings but also sets up the story’s coming tension.
• נַעַר (naʿar, “young men”): This term can mean young men or youths, emphasizing that this kind of feast was a typical part of a young man’s wedding festivities in that society.

Why Judges 14:10 matters

• The verse clarifies that Samson, though an Israelite, is following Philistine wedding customs, which becomes important for understanding the cultural tensions in the story.
• The mention of the feast helps explain the social setting for the riddle and conflict that will soon unfold at the wedding.
• By noting that “so used the young men to do,” the verse shows that Samson’s actions were not unusual for his age and situation, grounding the story in the everyday life of the time.