Judges 16:31 (KJV)

What does Judges 16:31 mean?

Judges 16:31 describes how Samson’s family came to retrieve his body after his death, brought him back to his homeland, and buried him in his father Manoah’s tomb between the towns of Zorah and Eshtaol. The verse also notes that Samson had served as a judge over Israel for twenty years.

This verse comes at the end of Samson’s story, after he died in the collapse of the Philistine temple. The text highlights the respect shown to Samson by his family (his “brethren” and his father’s household) in giving him a proper burial. By mentioning the length of Samson’s leadership, the verse closes the account of his life and role among the Israelites.

The Hebrew behind Judges 16:31

• אֶחָיו (’eḥav, “brethren”): This word refers to Samson’s brothers or close male relatives. The use of this term emphasizes that it was not just immediate family, but a wider kin group who honored him in death.
• בֵּית (bêt, “house”): This word means “household” or “family,” showing that the whole family line, not just a few individuals, was involved in caring for Samson’s remains.
• קָבַר (qāvar, “buried”): The act of burial here is significant, as it shows respect and closure, especially in the context of ancient Israelite customs.
• שָׁפַט (shāfaṭ, “judged”): This word means to govern or lead. The verse uses it to sum up Samson’s role as a leader, not just a warrior, over Israel for twenty years.

Why Judges 16:31 matters

• The verse clarifies that despite Samson’s troubled life and dramatic end, his family and community still honored him, restoring some dignity to his story.
• By naming Zorah and Eshtaol and connecting Samson to his father Manoah, the verse roots Samson’s story in a real place and family, grounding the narrative in history.
• The mention of Samson judging Israel for twenty years provides closure to his life’s account and links him to the line of Israel’s judges, showing his place in the larger story of Israel.