And Samson said concerning them, Now shall I be more blameless than the Philistines, though I do them a displeasure.

JUDGES 15:3KJV
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Judges 15:3 (KJV)

What does Judges 15:3 mean?

Judges 15:3 shows Samson declaring that he will be more justified than the Philistines when he harms them, even though he is about to do them wrong. Samson is saying that, because of what the Philistines have done to him, he will not be as much to blame for his actions against them.

Samson is speaking after the Philistines have wronged him by giving his wife to another man. He is not talking to a specific person but making a statement about his own sense of justice. The verse highlights Samson’s belief that his upcoming revenge is justified, even though he admits it will cause harm.

The Hebrew behind Judges 15:3

  • "blameless" (נָקִי, naqiy): This word means to be innocent or free from guilt. Samson is saying he will be more "blameless" than the Philistines, suggesting he sees his actions as less blameworthy because of what they did first.
  • "displeasure" (רָעָה, ra‘ah): This word often means "evil" or "harm." Samson admits he is about to do something harmful, but he frames it as a response to the wrong done to him.

Why Judges 15:3 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Samson is not acting out of pure malice, but out of a sense of being wronged and seeking to justify his actions in his own eyes.
  • The verse sets up the cycle of retaliation between Samson and the Philistines that continues through the chapter, showing how personal vengeance escalates conflict.
  • Understanding Samson's reasoning helps explain the complicated moral landscape of the judges period, where personal justice often takes the place of formal law.

Where else these words appear

“blameless” Hebrew H5352 · used in 33 verses

  • Genesis 24:8 And if the woman will not be willing to follow thee, then thou shalt be clear from this my oath: only bring not my son thither again.
  • 1 Samuel 26:9 And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not: for who can stretch forth his hand against the LORD'S anointed, and be guiltless?
  • Proverbs 19:9 A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish.

“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 15:6 Then the Philistines said, Who hath done this? And they answered, Samson, the son in law of the Timnite, because he had taken his wife, and given her to his companion. And the Philistines came up, and burnt her and her father with fire.
  • 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.

“Now” Hebrew H6471 · used in 108 verses

  • Genesis 2:23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.
  • Deuteronomy 9:19 For I was afraid of the anger and hot displeasure, wherewith the LORD was wroth against you to destroy you. But the LORD hearkened unto me at that time also.
  • 2 Kings 5:14 Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.