Judges 15:10 (KJV)

What does Judges 15:10 mean?

Judges 15:10 shows the men of Judah questioning the Philistine army about why they have come into their territory, and the Philistines reply that they are there to capture Samson and repay him for what he did to them. The verse sets up a confrontation, making clear that the Philistines’ main goal is to seize Samson in response to his earlier actions.

In this scene, the men of Judah are speaking directly to the Philistines, who have entered Judah’s land with a hostile force. The Philistines’ answer reveals their motive: they want to bind (capture) Samson because he had attacked them earlier. This exchange highlights the tension between the Philistines and Samson, and shows that the people of Judah are caught in the middle of this conflict.

The Hebrew behind Judges 15:10

• "bind" (אָסַר, ʼāsar): This word means to tie up or restrain. The Philistines’ intent is not just to confront Samson, but to physically capture and restrain him, showing the seriousness of their mission.
• "do" and "done" (עָשָׂה, ʿāsāh): The same Hebrew word is used for both what Samson did to the Philistines and what they now plan to do to him. This emphasizes the idea of retaliation or payback, making the cycle of revenge clear in the story.

Why Judges 15:10 matters

• This verse clarifies that the Philistines’ invasion is not a general attack on Judah, but a targeted mission against Samson, which helps explain the actions of the men of Judah in the following verses.
• The use of the same Hebrew word for “do” and “done” underlines the theme of retribution that runs through Samson’s story, showing how violence leads to more violence.
• The exchange sets up the moral and political dilemma for the people of Judah, who must choose between protecting one of their own and avoiding conflict with the powerful Philistines.