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 15:2KJVWhat 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.