But Samson's wife was given to his companion, whom he had used as his friend.

JUDGES 14:20KJV
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Judges 14:20 (KJV)

What does Judges 14:20 mean?

Judges 14:20 describes the breakup of Samson’s new marriage: his wife is given to a man who had been close to him. The verse marks a sharp turn in the wedding story, as someone Samson counted as a friend takes his place as her husband.

The narrator reports the change after Samson leaves in anger in verse 19. The KJV phrase “whom he had used as his friend” means the man had served as Samson’s companion at the wedding.

The Hebrew behind Judges 14:20

  • “companion” — מֵרֵעַ (mēreaʿ): This word means a companion or associate. Here it points to someone among the men connected with Samson’s wedding celebrations.
  • “friend” — רָעָה (raʿah): This word can carry the sense of keeping company or acting as a companion. The wording describes the man’s role in relation to Samson, rather than giving his name.

Why Judges 14:20 matters

  • The marriage change sets up the conflict that follows. In Judges 15:1–2, Samson returns to visit his wife, but her father tells him she has been given to another man.
  • The verse makes the reversal personal. The new husband is not simply another man; he is someone Samson had treated as a companion.
  • The verse closes the wedding account on an abrupt note. Samson’s departure in anger is followed by a decision about his wife that changes what he finds when he returns.

Where else these words appear

“companion” Hebrew H4828 · used in 7 verses

  • Genesis 26:26 Then Abimelech went to him from Gerar, and Ahuzzath one of his friends, and Phichol the chief captain of his army.
  • Judges 15:2 And her father said, I verily thought that thou hadst utterly hated her; therefore I gave her to thy companion: is not her younger sister fairer than she? take her, I pray thee, instead of her.
  • 2 Samuel 3:8 Then was Abner very wroth for the words of Ishbosheth, and said, Am I a dog's head, which against Judah do shew kindness this day unto the house of Saul thy father, to his brethren, and to his friends, and have not delivered thee into the hand of David, that thou chargest me to day with a fault concerning this woman?

“Samson's” Hebrew H8123 · used in 37 verses

  • Judges 13:24 And the woman bare a son, and called his name Samson: and the child grew, and the LORD blessed him.
  • 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.
  • Judges 16:10 And Delilah said unto Samson, Behold, thou hast mocked me, and told me lies: now tell me, I pray thee, wherewith thou mightest be bound.

“friend” Hebrew H7462 · used in 144 verses

  • Genesis 4:2 And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.
  • Psalms 49:14 Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling.
  • Jeremiah 33:12 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Again in this place, which is desolate without man and without beast, and in all the cities thereof, shall be an habitation of shepherds causing their flocks to lie down.