And her father said, I verily thought that thou hadst utterly hated her; therefore I gave her to thy companion: is not her younger sister fairer than she? take her, I pray thee, instead of her.

JUDGES 15:2KJV
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Judges 15:2 (KJV)

What does Judges 15:2 mean?

Judges 15:2 describes how Samson’s father-in-law explains to Samson that he gave Samson’s wife to another man because he thought Samson hated her. The father-in-law then offers Samson the younger sister as a replacement, saying she is even more attractive.

In this verse, Samson’s father-in-law is speaking directly to Samson after Samson returns to visit his wife. The father-in-law tries to justify his actions by saying he "verily thought" (truly believed) Samson had "utterly hated" his wife, so he gave her to Samson’s "companion" (best man or friend). The offer of the younger sister shows the father-in-law’s attempt to smooth things over, but also highlights the broken relationship and misunderstanding that sets up the conflict in the story.

The Hebrew behind Judges 15:2

  • "utterly hated" and "hated" — שָׂנֵא (śānē’): This word means to hate or be hostile toward. The doubling here ("utterly hated") emphasizes the father-in-law’s certainty that Samson no longer wanted his wife, which he uses to justify his decision.
  • "companion" — מֵרֵעַ (mērēa‘): This word refers to a close friend or companion, often used for a best man at a wedding. The fact that Samson’s wife was given to his companion adds a layer of betrayal to the story.
  • "fairer" — טוֹב (ṭov): This word means good, pleasant, or beautiful. The father-in-law’s claim that the younger sister is "fairer" is an attempt to persuade Samson to accept her instead, showing how he tries to resolve the situation with an offer he thinks is appealing.

Why Judges 15:2 matters

  • This verse clarifies the misunderstanding that leads to further conflict between Samson and the Philistines, showing how assumptions and broken promises escalate the situation.
  • The father-in-law’s reasoning and offer reveal cultural attitudes toward marriage and women at the time, where such exchanges were treated as negotiable.
  • Understanding the betrayal Samson feels here helps explain his later actions in the chapter, making the story’s progression clearer.

Where else these words appear

“companion” Hebrew H4828 · used in 7 verses

  • Genesis 26:26 Then Abimelech went to him from Gerar, and Ahuzzath one of his friends, and Phichol the chief captain of his army.
  • Judges 14:20 But Samson's wife was given to his companion, whom he had used as his friend.
  • 2 Samuel 3:8 Then was Abner very wroth for the words of Ishbosheth, and said, Am I a dog's head, which against Judah do shew kindness this day unto the house of Saul thy father, to his brethren, and to his friends, and have not delivered thee into the hand of David, that thou chargest me to day with a fault concerning this woman?

“younger” Hebrew H6996 · used in 100 verses

  • Genesis 1:16 And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.
  • 1 Samuel 16:11 And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither.
  • 2 Chronicles 34:30 And the king went up into the house of the LORD, and all the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the priests, and the Levites, and all the people, great and small: and he read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant that was found in the house of the LORD.

“sister” Hebrew H269 · used in 104 verses

  • Genesis 4:22 And Zillah, she also bare Tubalcain, an instructer of every artificer in brass and iron: and the sister of Tubalcain was Naamah.
  • Leviticus 18:13 Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy mother's sister: for she is thy mother's near kinswoman.
  • Job 1:4 And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them.

“utterly” Hebrew H8130 · used in 139 verses

  • Genesis 24:60 And they blessed Rebekah, and said unto her, Thou art our sister, be thou the mother of thousands of millions, and let thy seed possess the gate of those which hate them.
  • Esther 9:5 Thus the Jews smote all their enemies with the stroke of the sword, and slaughter, and destruction, and did what they would unto those that hated them.
  • Proverbs 1:29 For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD: