Now the house was full of men and women; and all the lords of the Philistines were there; and there were upon the roof about three thousand men and women, that beheld while Samson made sport.

JUDGES 16:27KJV
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Judges 16:27 (KJV)

What does Judges 16:27 mean?

Judges 16:27 describes a large gathering inside a building, where many Philistine men and women—including all their rulers—are present. About three thousand more people are on the roof, watching as Samson is made to perform for their entertainment.

The verse sets the scene for a major event in Samson’s story. The Philistines have captured Samson and are using him as a spectacle during a festival or celebration. The detail that the house is "full" and that so many people are on the roof highlights how public and significant this moment is, with all the Philistine leaders and a huge crowd gathered to watch Samson’s humiliation.

The Hebrew behind Judges 16:27

  • "Lords" (סְרָנִים, sĕrānîm): This word refers specifically to the five rulers of the Philistines, not just any leaders. Their presence shows the importance of the event.
  • "Roof" (גַּג, gag): In ancient buildings, flat roofs were often used as gathering spaces. The mention of about three thousand people on the roof emphasizes the massive crowd and the building’s size.
  • "Made sport" (שָׂחַק, sakhak): This word means to entertain or amuse, often by mocking or humiliating someone. Samson is being forced to perform in a way that is degrading, not just entertaining.

Why Judges 16:27 matters

  • The verse shows the scale of the event and the humiliation Samson faces, making the coming events even more dramatic.
  • Noting that all the Philistine rulers are present helps explain the significance of what happens next in the story.
  • The detail about the crowd on the roof gives a sense of the building’s structure and the number of people affected by what is about to happen.

Where else these words appear

“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.

“roof” Hebrew H1406 · used in 27 verses

  • Exodus 30:3 And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, the top thereof, and the sides thereof round about, and the horns thereof; and thou shalt make unto it a crown of gold round about.
  • 2 Samuel 11:2 And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon.
  • Proverbs 25:24 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.

“sport” Hebrew H7832 · used in 36 verses

  • Judges 16:25 And it came to pass, when their hearts were merry, that they said, Call for Samson, that he may make us sport. And they called for Samson out of the prison house; and he made them sport: and they set him between the pillars.
  • Job 39:7 He scorneth the multitude of the city, neither regardeth he the crying of the driver.
  • Proverbs 8:30 Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;

“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.