But it came to pass within a while after, in the time of wheat harvest, that Samson visited his wife with a kid; and he said, I will go in to my wife into the chamber. But her father would not suffer him to go in.
JUDGES 15:1KJVWhat does Judges 15:1 mean?
Judges 15:1 describes how, some time after an earlier conflict, Samson goes to visit his wife during the wheat harvest, bringing a young goat as a gift, intending to see her in her private room. However, her father refuses to let Samson enter and see her.
The verse sets the scene during the wheat harvest, a time of year that often signified festivity and abundance in ancient Israel. Samson, acting on his own initiative, brings a customary gift (a young goat) to his wife, but is unexpectedly blocked by her father. This moment introduces the tension that will drive the events of the chapter, showing a breakdown in Samson’s marriage and family relations.
The Hebrew behind Judges 15:1
- "Wheat" (חִטָּה, ḥittah) and "harvest" (קָצִיר, qatsir): The mention of wheat harvest highlights both the time of year and a season of plenty, which contrasts with the conflict and loss that follows.
- "Kid" (גְּדִי, gedi; עֵז, ez): The word for "kid" here refers to a young goat, a common gift or offering in ancient times, signaling goodwill or reconciliation.
- "Chamber" (חֶדֶר, cheder): This word means an inner room or private chamber, indicating Samson’s intention to visit his wife in a personal, intimate setting, not just a public visit.
- "Suffer" (נָתַן, natan): Here, "suffer" means "permit" or "allow," so the verse is saying that the father would not allow Samson to enter, not that he caused him pain.
Why Judges 15:1 matters
- The verse clarifies that Samson’s relationship with his wife was not yet fully severed in his mind, as he brings a gift and expects to see her, which sets up the personal betrayal he feels.
- The detail about the wheat harvest helps readers place the story in its agricultural and cultural context, showing that this was a time when people would normally be celebrating, not feuding.
- The refusal by the father-in-law to let Samson see his wife is a turning point that leads directly to the escalating conflict and violence in the following verses, making this a key moment in the narrative.