Judges 15:7 (KJV)

What does Judges 15:7 mean?

Judges 15:7 records Samson telling the Philistines that, although they have wronged him, he will take revenge on them and then stop his retaliation. Samson makes it clear that his response will be measured: he intends to get even for what they have done, but after that, he will not continue the conflict.

In this verse, Samson is speaking directly to the Philistines after they have harmed him by burning his wife and her father. The situation is tense, as Samson has already been in conflict with the Philistines, and this act escalates things further. The verse shows Samson’s intent to balance the scales—he sees his next act as justified payback, not endless violence, and signals that he will stop once he feels justice is served.

The Hebrew behind Judges 15:7

• "Avenged" (נָקַם, naqam): This word means to take revenge or seek justice for a wrong. Here, Samson is not acting out of random anger but sees his actions as a response to a specific harm done to him.
• "Cease" (חָדַל, chadal): This word means to stop or refrain. Samson is promising that his retaliation will have a clear end point; he is not declaring a lasting war but a limited act of retribution.
• "After" (אַחַר, achar): This word means "after" or "following." It marks a turning point—Samson is saying that once he has taken his revenge, he will stop, showing a sense of restraint.

Why Judges 15:7 matters

• This verse clarifies that Samson’s actions are not meant to be an ongoing feud but a specific response to a personal wrong, which helps the reader understand his motives.
• The verse highlights the cycle of retaliation that characterizes much of the conflict between Samson and the Philistines, showing how personal grievances can escalate into larger violence.
• By stating that he will cease after his revenge, Samson introduces the idea of limits to vengeance, which stands out in a story often marked by escalating payback.