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 15:4KJV
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Judges 15:4 (KJV)

What does Judges 15:4 mean?

Judges 15:4 describes how Samson caught three hundred foxes, tied them together in pairs by their tails, attached a burning torch between each pair, and prepared to use them in a plan of destruction. This verse shows Samson’s unusual method for taking revenge on the Philistines by setting fire to their crops.

In the story, Samson is acting alone and is not speaking to anyone in this verse. The setting is after the Philistines have wronged him, and he is seeking retaliation. The verse highlights Samson’s creativity and determination, using animals and firebrands (torches) as tools in his conflict with the Philistines.

The Hebrew behind Judges 15:4

  • The word for "foxes" is שׁוּעָלִים (shu‘alim), which can also mean jackals in Hebrew. Some readers debate whether these were foxes or jackals, but the main idea is a large number of wild animals.
  • The word for "firebrands" is לַפִּידִים (lapidim), meaning torches or burning sticks. This detail shows Samson’s intent to use fire as a weapon, not just to harm the animals but to destroy property.
  • The phrase "turned tail to tail" uses זָנָב (zanav) for "tail," showing that Samson tied the animals in pairs, making it harder for them to escape quickly and ensuring the torches would stay lit as they ran.

Why Judges 15:4 matters

  • This verse clears up that Samson’s actions were premeditated and resourceful, not random violence; he carefully planned how to maximize the damage to the Philistines’ crops.
  • Understanding the use of animals and firebrands helps readers see the scale and impact of Samson’s revenge, setting up the dramatic events that follow in the chapter.
  • The verse connects to the wider story by showing Samson’s ongoing conflict with the Philistines and his willingness to use unconventional means to fight back.

Where else these words appear

“foxes” Hebrew H7776 · used in 6 verses

  • Nehemiah 4:3 Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him, and he said, Even that which they build, if a fox go up, he shall even break down their stone wall.
  • Psalms 63:10 They shall fall by the sword: they shall be a portion for foxes.
  • Lamentations 5:18 Because of the mountain of Zion, which is desolate, the foxes walk upon it.

“tail” Hebrew H2180 · used in 9 verses

  • Exodus 4:4 And the LORD said unto Moses, Put forth thine hand, and take it by the tail. And he put forth his hand, and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand:
  • Deuteronomy 28:44 He shall lend to thee, and thou shalt not lend to him: he shall be the head, and thou shalt be the tail.
  • Isaiah 9:14 Therefore the LORD will cut off from Israel head and tail, branch and rush, in one day.

“firebrands” Hebrew H3940 · used in 13 verses

  • Genesis 15:17 And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces.
  • Judges 15:5 And when he had set the brands on fire, he let them go into the standing corn of the Philistines, and burnt up both the shocks, and also the standing corn, with the vineyards and olives.
  • Ezekiel 1:13 As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, and like the appearance of lamps: it went up and down among the living creatures; and the fire was bright, and out of the fire went forth lightning.

“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.