And he was sore athirst, and called on the LORD, and said, Thou hast given this great deliverance into the hand of thy servant: and now shall I die for thirst, and fall into the hand of the uncircumcised?

JUDGES 15:18KJV
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Judges 15:18 (KJV)

What does Judges 15:18 mean?

Judges 15:18 describes Samson, exhausted and extremely thirsty after a great victory, crying out to the LORD and asking if he will now die of thirst and fall into the hands of his enemies, even after God has just given him a great deliverance. Samson is openly expressing his desperation and dependence on God, questioning why he would be allowed to suffer after such a miraculous rescue.

In this verse, Samson is speaking directly to God after defeating the Philistines with the jawbone of a donkey. He acknowledges that the victory came from God but is now physically spent and fears dying of thirst, which would leave him vulnerable to being captured by the "uncircumcised" (a term for the Philistines). The verse shows Samson’s humanity—his need for help even after a triumph—and his willingness to call on God in his weakness.

The Hebrew behind Judges 15:18

  • "sore" (מְאֹד, me'od): This word means "very" or "greatly," emphasizing just how intense Samson’s thirst was. It highlights the extremity of his physical need.
  • "athirst" (צָמֵא, tsame): This word means "to be thirsty," but in this context, it carries the sense of being parched or desperate for water, not just mildly thirsty.
  • "deliverance" (תְּשׁוּעָה, teshua): This word means "salvation" or "rescue." Samson credits God with a dramatic act of saving him from his enemies.
  • "uncircumcised" (עָרֵל, arel): This term refers to those outside the covenant community of Israel, here meaning the Philistines. It underscores the danger Samson faces if he is captured by them.

Why Judges 15:18 matters

  • Judges 15:18 shows that even a strong leader like Samson can feel weak and vulnerable, reminding readers that physical needs can humble anyone.
  • The verse highlights Samson’s relationship with God—he recognizes God’s power in victory but also feels free to voice his fears and needs directly to God.
  • This moment connects to the larger story by showing that Samson’s strength is not his own; he relies on God not just for victory but for survival itself.

Where else these words appear

“athirst” Hebrew H6770 · used in 10 verses

  • Exodus 17:3 And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst?
  • Job 24:11 Which make oil within their walls, and tread their winepresses, and suffer thirst.
  • Isaiah 48:21 And they thirsted not when he led them through the deserts: he caused the waters to flow out of the rock for them: he clave the rock also, and the waters gushed out.

“thirst” Hebrew H6772 · used in 17 verses

  • Exodus 17:3 And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst?
  • Psalms 69:21 They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.
  • Jeremiah 48:18 Thou daughter that dost inhabit Dibon, come down from thy glory, and sit in thirst; for the spoiler of Moab shall come upon thee, and he shall destroy thy strong holds.

“deliverance” Hebrew H8668 · used in 32 verses

  • 1 Samuel 11:9 And they said unto the messengers that came, Thus shall ye say unto the men of Jabeshgilead, To morrow, by that time the sun be hot, ye shall have help. And the messengers came and shewed it to the men of Jabesh; and they were glad.
  • 2 Chronicles 6:41 Now therefore arise, O LORD God, into thy resting place, thou, and the ark of thy strength: let thy priests, O LORD God, be clothed with salvation, and let thy saints rejoice in goodness.
  • Psalms 119:41 VAU. Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, even thy salvation, according to thy word.

“uncircumcised” Hebrew H6189 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 17:14 And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant.
  • 1 Samuel 17:36 Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.
  • Ezekiel 32:21 The strong among the mighty shall speak to him out of the midst of hell with them that help him: they are gone down, they lie uncircumcised, slain by the sword.