Then the lords of the Philistines gathered them together for to offer a great sacrifice unto Dagon their god, and to rejoice: for they said, Our god hath delivered Samson our enemy into our hand.

JUDGES 16:23KJV
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Judges 16:23 (KJV)

What does Judges 16:23 mean?

Judges 16:23 describes how the leaders of the Philistines gathered to offer a large sacrifice to their god Dagon, celebrating because they believed their god had given them victory over Samson, their enemy. The verse highlights the Philistines’ joy and religious ceremony after capturing Samson.

The verse takes place after Samson, a judge of Israel known for his great strength, has been captured by the Philistines. The Philistine rulers organize a public celebration and religious ritual, crediting their god Dagon for delivering Samson into their hands. This sets the stage for the dramatic events that follow, showing the Philistines’ confidence and their belief that their god is superior to the God of Israel.

The Hebrew behind Judges 16:23

  • דָּגוֹן (Dagon, transliterated "Dagon"): This is the name of the Philistine god. Mentioning Dagon by name emphasizes the religious rivalry between the Philistines and Israel, as Dagon was a major deity in Philistine culture.
  • שָׂרְנֵי (sarney, transliterated "lords"): This word refers to the rulers or leaders of the Philistines, highlighting that this was an official, high-level gathering, not just a common celebration.
  • זֶבַח (zevach, transliterated "sacrifice"): This word for "sacrifice" points to a formal religious offering, showing that the Philistines saw Samson’s capture as a spiritual victory, not just a military one.
  • שִׂמְחָה (simchah, transliterated "rejoice"): This word for "rejoicing" or "joy" underlines the celebratory and triumphant mood of the Philistines, making their confidence and sense of victory clear.

Why Judges 16:23 matters

  • The verse clarifies that the Philistines viewed Samson’s capture as a victory of their god Dagon over the God of Israel, not just a personal or political win.
  • It sets up the dramatic irony for readers, who know that Samson’s story is not yet finished and that the Philistines’ confidence will soon be challenged.
  • The verse connects to the broader theme in Judges of the ongoing struggle between Israel and its neighbors, especially in matters of faith and worship.

Where else these words appear

“Dagon” Hebrew H1712 · used in 7 verses

  • 1 Samuel 5:2 When the Philistines took the ark of God, they brought it into the house of Dagon, and set it by Dagon.
  • 1 Samuel 5:4 And when they arose early on the morrow morning, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of the LORD; and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off upon the threshold; only the stump of Dagon was left to him.
  • 1 Samuel 5:7 And when the men of Ashdod saw that it was so, they said, The ark of the God of Israel shall not abide with us: for his hand is sore upon us, and upon Dagon our god.

“lords” Hebrew H5633 · used in 20 verses

  • Joshua 13:3 From Sihor, which is before Egypt, even unto the borders of Ekron northward, which is counted to the Canaanite: five lords of the Philistines; the Gazathites, and the Ashdothites, the Eshkalonites, the Gittites, and the Ekronites; also the Avites:
  • Judges 16:30 And Samson said, Let me die with the Philistines. And he bowed himself with all his might; and the house fell upon the lords, and upon all the people that were therein. So the dead which he slew at his death were more than they which he slew in his life.
  • 1 Samuel 6:18 And the golden mice, according to the number of all the cities of the Philistines belonging to the five lords, both of fenced cities, and of country villages, even unto the great stone of Abel, whereon they set down the ark of the LORD: which stone remaineth unto this day in the field of Joshua, the Bethshemite.

“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 15:4 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 16:9 Now there were men lying in wait, abiding with her in the chamber. And she said unto him, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he brake the withs, as a thread of tow is broken when it toucheth the fire. So his strength was not known.

“rejoice” Hebrew H8057 · used in 89 verses

  • Genesis 31:27 Wherefore didst thou flee away secretly, and steal away from me; and didst not tell me, that I might have sent thee away with mirth, and with songs, with tabret, and with harp?
  • Esther 9:18 But the Jews that were at Shushan assembled together on the thirteenth day thereof, and on the fourteenth thereof; and on the fifteenth day of the same they rested, and made it a day of feasting and gladness.
  • Ecclesiastes 5:20 For he shall not much remember the days of his life; because God answereth him in the joy of his heart.