Judges 14:6 (KJV)

What does Judges 14:6 mean?

Judges 14:6 describes how the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon Samson, enabling him to tear apart a lion with his bare hands as easily as someone might tear a young goat, even though he had no weapon. Samson did not tell his parents what he had done.

In this verse, the story is about Samson, who is traveling with his parents but is alone when he encounters a lion. The verse highlights a sudden burst of supernatural strength that comes from the Spirit of the LORD, allowing Samson to do something impossible for an ordinary person. The detail that Samson keeps this event secret from his parents adds to the sense of wonder and mystery around his actions.

The Hebrew behind Judges 14:6

• "Spirit" (רוּחַ, ruach): This word often means "breath" or "wind," but here it refers to the empowering presence of God that gives Samson extraordinary strength.
• "Came mightily" (צָלַח, tsalach): This verb means to rush upon or to come powerfully. It emphasizes that Samson's strength was not his own, but a sudden, overwhelming force from God.
• "Rent" (שָׁסַע, shasa): This word means to tear or split apart. The use of this verb makes clear the violence and completeness of Samson’s action against the lion.
• "Kid" (גְּדִי, gedi): Refers to a young goat, which in ancient times was considered easy to tear apart, highlighting just how effortless the act was for Samson.

Why Judges 14:6 matters

• The verse clarifies that Samson’s strength was not natural, but directly tied to the Spirit of the LORD coming upon him, which is a key theme in his story.
• The comparison to tearing a young goat would have been familiar to ancient readers, showing just how extraordinary Samson’s feat was.
• Samson’s secrecy about the event sets up later developments in his story, showing his complex relationship with his family and his calling.