And the men of the city said unto him on the seventh day before the sun went down, What is sweeter than honey? and what is stronger than a lion? And he said unto them, If ye had not plowed with my heifer, ye had not found out my riddle.

JUDGES 14:18KJV
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Judges 14:18 (KJV)

What does Judges 14:18 mean?

Judges 14:18 describes how the men of Timnah solve Samson’s riddle by giving him the answer just before the deadline, saying, “What is sweeter than honey? and what is stronger than a lion?” Samson responds that they would not have solved it if they had not gotten help from his wife. This verse shows the moment when Samson realizes they have cheated.

Samson had posed a riddle at his wedding feast, and the men of the city (Timnah) pressured his new wife to find out the answer for them. On the seventh day, just before sunset, the men answer Samson’s riddle with a clever reply. Samson’s statement about “plowing with my heifer” is a way of saying they used his wife to get the answer, making it clear he knows they did not solve it honestly.

The Hebrew behind Judges 14:18

  • "plowed" (חָרַשׁ, ḥāraš): This word means to plow or work the ground, but here it is used figuratively for meddling or interfering, showing Samson’s sense of betrayal.
  • "heifer" (עֶגְלָה, ʿeglâ): Literally a young cow, but Samson uses it as a metaphor for his wife, which was a common way in ancient speech to refer to women in riddles or proverbs.
  • "riddle" (חִידָה, ḥîdâ): This word means a puzzle or enigmatic saying, highlighting that Samson’s challenge was meant to be unsolvable without inside knowledge.

Why Judges 14:18 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Samson’s riddle was not solved by cleverness but by deceit, setting up the conflict that follows in the story.
  • The use of agricultural imagery (“plowed with my heifer”) gives insight into ancient ways of speaking and thinking, helping modern readers understand the tone and context.
  • The verse marks a turning point in Samson’s relationship with the Philistines and his wife, showing the breakdown of trust and foreshadowing further conflict.

Where else these words appear

“sun” Hebrew H2775 · used in 4 verses

  • Deuteronomy 28:27 The LORD will smite thee with the botch of Egypt, and with the emerods, and with the scab, and with the itch, whereof thou canst not be healed.
  • Judges 8:13 And Gideon the son of Joash returned from battle before the sun was up,
  • Job 9:7 Which commandeth the sun, and it riseth not; and sealeth up the stars.

“sweeter” Hebrew H4966 · used in 11 verses

  • Judges 14:14 And he said unto them, Out of the eater came forth meat, and out of the strong came forth sweetness. And they could not in three days expound the riddle.
  • Proverbs 24:13 My son, eat thou honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste:
  • Ecclesiastes 11:7 Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun:

“heifer” Hebrew H5697 · used in 13 verses

  • Genesis 15:9 And he said unto him, Take me an heifer of three years old, and a she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon.
  • 1 Samuel 16:2 And Samuel said, How can I go? if Saul hear it, he will kill me. And the LORD said, Take an heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to the LORD.
  • Jeremiah 48:34 From the cry of Heshbon even unto Elealeh, and even unto Jahaz, have they uttered their voice, from Zoar even unto Horonaim, as an heifer of three years old: for the waters also of Nimrim shall be desolate.

“If” Hebrew H3884 · used in 14 verses

  • Genesis 31:42 Except the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely thou hadst sent me away now empty. God hath seen mine affliction and the labour of my hands, and rebuked thee yesternight.
  • 2 Samuel 2:27 And Joab said, As God liveth, unless thou hadst spoken, surely then in the morning the people had gone up every one from following his brother.
  • Psalms 106:23 Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy them.