And he went down, and talked with the woman; and she pleased Samson well.

JUDGES 14:7KJV
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Judges 14:7 (KJV)

What does Judges 14:7 mean?

Judges 14:7 describes Samson meeting and speaking with the Philistine woman he wanted to marry, and finding her pleasing to him. The verse simply notes that Samson was satisfied with her after their conversation.

Samson, an Israelite judge, has traveled to Timnah to pursue a marriage with a Philistine woman, which was unusual for his people. The verse highlights that after talking with her, Samson's attraction and approval were confirmed, setting the stage for the events that follow in his story.

The Hebrew behind Judges 14:7

  • The word for "pleased" is יָשַׁר (yāshar), which means "to be right" or "to be pleasing." Here, it suggests that Samson felt she was a good choice in his own eyes, not just that she was attractive.
  • The phrase "well" comes from the word עַיִן (ʿayin), meaning "eye." The text literally says she was right or pleasing "in Samson's eyes," emphasizing his personal perspective and judgment, rather than an objective or communal standard.

Why Judges 14:7 matters

  • The verse clarifies that Samson's motivation for pursuing the woman was based on his own judgment and feelings, not on family or cultural expectations.
  • The language about what is "right in his eyes" foreshadows a recurring theme in Judges, where people do what is right in their own eyes, often leading to trouble.
  • This moment sets up the conflict between Samson's personal desires and the expectations of his family and people, which becomes a key tension in his story.

Where else these words appear

“pleased” Hebrew H3474 · used in 26 verses

  • Numbers 23:27 And Balak said unto Balaam, Come, I pray thee, I will bring thee unto another place; peradventure it will please God that thou mayest curse me them from thence.
  • 1 Chronicles 13:4 And all the congregation said that they would do so: for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people.
  • Proverbs 9:15 To call passengers who go right on their ways:

“Samson” 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.