Then three thousand men of Judah went to the top of the rock Etam, and said to Samson, Knowest thou not that the Philistines are rulers over us? what is this that thou hast done unto us? And he said unto them, As they did unto me, so have I done unto them.

JUDGES 15:11KJV
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Judges 15:11 (KJV)

What does Judges 15:11 mean?

Judges 15:11 describes how three thousand men from the tribe of Judah confronted Samson at the top of the rock Etam, asking why he had acted against the Philistines, who ruled over them. Samson replied that he only did to the Philistines what they had done to him.

In this verse, the people of Judah are speaking to Samson because his actions have stirred up trouble with their Philistine rulers. The men are concerned about retaliation from the Philistines and question Samson’s motives. Samson’s answer shows he sees his actions as payback, not as an unprovoked attack, highlighting the cycle of revenge between him and the Philistines.

The Hebrew behind Judges 15:11

  • The word for "rulers" is מָשַׁל (mashal), which means to have dominion or rule over. This highlights that the Philistines were not just enemies but were actually in control of Judah at this time, explaining the fear and concern of the men of Judah.
  • The word for "done" is עָשָׂה (asah), used repeatedly here. This repetition emphasizes the tit-for-tat nature of Samson’s response and the ongoing cycle of actions and reactions between him and the Philistines.
  • The word for "rock" is סֶלַע (sela‘), referring to a specific rocky place, Etam, which served as Samson’s hiding spot. This detail shows Samson was in a defensible position, likely because he expected trouble after his actions.

Why Judges 15:11 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the people of Judah were living under Philistine rule and were more concerned with keeping peace than supporting Samson’s fight, which adds depth to their reaction.
  • The exchange reveals the tension between Samson and his own people, showing that his actions were not always supported or understood by those he was supposed to lead.
  • The verse sets up the next events in the story, where Samson’s relationship with both the Philistines and his fellow Israelites becomes even more complicated, highlighting the isolation of Samson as a judge in Israel.

Where else these words appear

“Etam” Hebrew H5862 · used in 5 verses

  • Judges 15:8 And he smote them hip and thigh with a great slaughter: and he went down and dwelt in the top of the rock Etam.
  • 1 Chronicles 4:3 And these were of the father of Etam; Jezreel, and Ishma, and Idbash: and the name of their sister was Hazelelponi:
  • 1 Chronicles 4:32 And their villages were, Etam, and Ain, Rimmon, and Tochen, and Ashan, five cities:

“top” Hebrew H5585 · used in 6 verses

  • Judges 15:8 And he smote them hip and thigh with a great slaughter: and he went down and dwelt in the top of the rock Etam.
  • Isaiah 2:21 To go into the clefts of the rocks, and into the tops of the ragged rocks, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth.
  • Isaiah 27:10 Yet the defenced city shall be desolate, and the habitation forsaken, and left like a wilderness: there shall the calf feed, and there shall he lie down, and consume the branches thereof.

“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 15:4 And Samson went and caught three hundred foxes, and took firebrands, and turned tail to tail, and put a firebrand in the midst between two tails.
  • 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.

“rock” Hebrew H5553 · used in 54 verses

  • Numbers 20:8 Take the rod, and gather thou the assembly together, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water, and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock: so thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink.
  • 2 Chronicles 25:12 And other ten thousand left alive did the children of Judah carry away captive, and brought them unto the top of the rock, and cast them down from the top of the rock, that they all were broken in pieces.
  • Isaiah 31:9 And he shall pass over to his strong hold for fear, and his princes shall be afraid of the ensign, saith the LORD, whose fire is in Zion, and his furnace in Jerusalem.