Question 1

What does Judges 14:7 mean?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 2

The Hebrew behind Judges 14:7

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 3

Why Judges 14:7 matters

Accepted Answer

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.

Judges 14:7 (KJV)