And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he went down to Ashkelon, and slew thirty men of them, and took their spoil, and gave change of garments unto them which expounded the riddle. And his anger was kindled, and he went up to his father's house.
JUDGES 14:19KJVWhat does Judges 14:19 mean?
Judges 14:19 describes how the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon Samson, leading him to go to Ashkelon, where he killed thirty men, took their belongings, and gave their clothes to those who had solved his riddle. Afterwards, Samson, angry at what had happened, returned to his father’s house.
In this verse, Samson is reacting to being tricked by the Philistines, who had pressured his wife into revealing the answer to his riddle. The verse shows Samson acting with sudden strength and anger, taking vengeance by attacking men in Ashkelon (a Philistine city) and using their garments to pay his debt. The passage highlights a turning point in Samson’s relationship with the Philistines and sets the stage for further conflict.
The Hebrew behind Judges 14:19
- "Spirit" (רוּחַ, ruach): This word means "spirit" or "wind" and here refers to a special empowerment from God, not just a feeling or mood. It signals that Samson’s actions are not just personal revenge but are connected to a larger purpose.
- "Came" (צָלַח, tsalach): This verb often means to "rush upon" or "come mightily upon," emphasizing the sudden and overwhelming nature of the Spirit’s influence on Samson.
- "Spoil" (חֲלִיצָה, chalitzah): This word refers to clothing or armor taken from the defeated, showing that Samson literally stripped the slain men to fulfill his promise.
- "Riddle" (חִידָה, chidah): This word means a puzzle or enigmatic saying, reminding the reader that the conflict began with a contest of wit, not just physical strength.
Why Judges 14:19 matters
- The verse clarifies that Samson’s strength and actions are not just from personal ability but are directly empowered by the Spirit of the LORD, highlighting a key theme in his story.
- It shows the escalation of conflict between Samson and the Philistines, moving from a wedding riddle to deadly violence, which will shape the rest of Samson’s life.
- The detail about Samson’s anger and return to his father’s house hints at his isolation and the breakdown of his marriage, which are important for understanding his later choices and struggles.