But the Philistines took him, and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass; and he did grind in the prison house.

JUDGES 16:21KJV
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Judges 16:21 (KJV)

What does Judges 16:21 mean?

Judges 16:21 describes how the Philistines captured Samson, blinded him, took him to Gaza, chained him with bronze shackles, and forced him to grind grain in prison. This verse shows the complete downfall of Samson after he was betrayed and lost his strength.

In the story, Samson was a judge of Israel known for his great strength, but he was captured after Delilah revealed the secret of his power. The Philistines, long-time enemies of Israel, humiliated Samson by taking away his sight and making him do the work of a slave. The verse marks a turning point in Samson’s life, showing the consequences of his choices and the power his enemies now held over him.

The Hebrew behind Judges 16:21

  • "Put out his eyes" uses the Hebrew word נָקַר (naqár), which means to gouge or dig out. This is a violent action, emphasizing the cruelty of the Philistines toward Samson.
  • "Grind" comes from טָחַן (ṭāḥán), which means to grind grain. This was usually work done by slaves or animals, highlighting Samson’s humiliation and loss of status.
  • "Fetters of brass" uses the word נְחֹשֶׁת (neḥóshet), meaning bronze or copper. Bronze shackles were strong and heavy, showing that the Philistines wanted to make sure Samson could not escape.

Why Judges 16:21 matters

  • This verse clears up any idea that Samson’s defeat was minor; the details show a complete reversal from his earlier strength and freedom.
  • The mention of Gaza connects this event to earlier parts of Samson’s story, as Gaza was a major Philistine city and a place where Samson had previously shown his power.
  • The verse sets up the dramatic ending of Samson’s life, where his humiliation in prison leads to the final act of his story.

Where else these words appear

“out” Hebrew H5365 · used in 6 verses

  • Numbers 16:14 Moreover thou hast not brought us into a land that floweth with milk and honey, or given us inheritance of fields and vineyards: wilt thou put out the eyes of these men? we will not come up.
  • 1 Samuel 11:2 And Nahash the Ammonite answered them, On this condition will I make a covenant with you, that I may thrust out all your right eyes, and lay it for a reproach upon all Israel.
  • Proverbs 30:17 The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it.

“grind” Hebrew H2912 · used in 8 verses

  • Exodus 32:20 And he took the calf which they had made, and burnt it in the fire, and ground it to powder, and strawed it upon the water, and made the children of Israel drink of it.
  • Deuteronomy 9:21 And I took your sin, the calf which ye had made, and burnt it with fire, and stamped it, and ground it very small, even until it was as small as dust: and I cast the dust thereof into the brook that descended out of the mount.
  • Ecclesiastes 12:3 In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows be darkened,

“Gaza” Hebrew H5804 · used in 20 verses

  • Genesis 10:19 And the border of the Canaanites was from Sidon, as thou comest to Gerar, unto Gaza; as thou goest, unto Sodom, and Gomorrah, and Admah, and Zeboim, even unto Lasha.
  • Judges 6:4 And they encamped against them, and destroyed the increase of the earth, till thou come unto Gaza, and left no sustenance for Israel, neither sheep, nor ox, nor ass.
  • Jeremiah 25:20 And all the mingled people, and all the kings of the land of Uz, and all the kings of the land of the Philistines, and Ashkelon, and Azzah, and Ekron, and the remnant of Ashdod,

“took” Hebrew H270 · used in 63 verses

  • Genesis 22:13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.
  • 2 Samuel 4:10 When one told me, saying, Behold, Saul is dead, thinking to have brought good tidings, I took hold of him, and slew him in Ziklag, who thought that I would have given him a reward for his tidings:
  • Psalms 48:6 Fear took hold upon them there, and pain, as of a woman in travail.