And Samson said unto the lad that held him by the hand, Suffer me that I may feel the pillars whereupon the house standeth, that I may lean upon them.

JUDGES 16:26KJV
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Judges 16:26 (KJV)

What does Judges 16:26 mean?

Judges 16:26 describes Samson, now a prisoner and blinded, asking the young servant who is guiding him to let him feel the pillars that support the building so he can lean against them. Samson is setting up his final act by positioning himself at the main supports of the Philistine temple.

In this scene, Samson is speaking to a young boy who is leading him by the hand during a Philistine celebration. The Philistines have captured Samson, and he is being displayed as a defeated enemy. By asking to touch the pillars, Samson is not just seeking comfort; he is preparing to bring down the house on his captors, which will be revealed in the following verses.

The Hebrew behind Judges 16:26

  • The word for "lad" is נַעַר (naʿar), which refers to a young boy or servant. This highlights Samson’s vulnerability, as he must rely on a child for guidance.
  • "Held" is חָזַק (ḥāzaq), meaning to grasp or hold firmly, showing the boy is physically leading Samson.
  • "Suffer" is נָטַשׁ (nāṭash), here meaning "allow" or "permit," showing Samson is politely requesting permission rather than demanding.
  • "Feel" is מָשַׁשׁ (māshash), which means to touch or grope, emphasizing Samson’s blindness and need to find the pillars by touch.
  • "Pillars" is עַמּוּד (ʿammūd), referring to the main supporting columns of the building, which are crucial for what Samson intends to do.

Why Judges 16:26 matters

  • This verse clears up that Samson’s request is not just about comfort but is a strategic move, setting up the dramatic climax of the story.
  • The detail that Samson is led by a young boy underlines how far he has fallen from his former strength and independence.
  • Understanding the specific words for "feel" and "pillars" helps readers see that Samson’s actions are deliberate and calculated, not accidental or desperate.

Where else these words appear

“feel” Hebrew H4184 · used in 3 verses

  • Genesis 27:21 And Isaac said unto Jacob, Come near, I pray thee, that I may feel thee, my son, whether thou be my very son Esau or not.
  • Psalms 115:7 They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat.

“lean” Hebrew H8172 · used in 20 verses

  • Genesis 18:4 Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree:
  • 2 Chronicles 13:18 Thus the children of Israel were brought under at that time, and the children of Judah prevailed, because they relied upon the LORD God of their fathers.
  • Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

“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.

“Suffer” Hebrew H3240 · used in 73 verses

  • Genesis 2:15 And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.
  • Judges 3:1 Now these are the nations which the LORD left, to prove Israel by them, even as many of Israel as had not known all the wars of Canaan;
  • Ecclesiastes 2:18 Yea, I hated all my labour which I had taken under the sun: because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me.