Judges 14 12

Judges 14:12 kjv

And Samson said unto them, I will now put forth a riddle unto you: if ye can certainly declare it me within the seven days of the feast, and find it out, then I will give you thirty sheets and thirty change of garments:

Judges 14:12 nkjv

Then Samson said to them, "Let me pose a riddle to you. If you can correctly solve and explain it to me within the seven days of the feast, then I will give you thirty linen garments and thirty changes of clothing.

Judges 14:12 niv

"Let me tell you a riddle," Samson said to them. "If you can give me the answer within the seven days of the feast, I will give you thirty linen garments and thirty sets of clothes.

Judges 14:12 esv

And Samson said to them, "Let me now put a riddle to you. If you can tell me what it is, within the seven days of the feast, and find it out, then I will give you thirty linen garments and thirty changes of clothes,

Judges 14:12 nlt

Samson said to them, "Let me tell you a riddle. If you solve my riddle during these seven days of the celebration, I will give you thirty fine linen robes and thirty sets of festive clothing.

Judges 14 verses

Judges 14 12 Meaning

Judges 14:12 describes Samson initiating an intellectual challenge to the Philistines gathered at his wedding feast. He proposes a high-stakes riddle: if his Philistine companions can solve and explain his riddle within the seven days of the feast, he will reward them with a lavish prize of thirty fine linen garments and thirty complete changes of clothes.

Judges 14 12 Context

This verse is set during Samson's wedding feast with a Philistine woman in Timnah. The narrative earlier reveals that Samson's decision to marry a Philistine, though against his parents' initial desires and Israelite custom, was part of God's overarching plan to provoke conflict with the Philistines, who oppressed Israel. The riddle emerges from a secret experience of Samson: finding honey in the carcass of a lion he had previously torn apart with his bare hands. During the seven-day feast, it was customary for guests to participate in games and intellectual challenges, making the proposal of a riddle a culturally appropriate activity, yet the high stakes transform it into a significant personal and inter-cultural challenge.

Judges 14 12 Word analysis

• And Samson said: Initiates a direct quote, highlighting Samson's active role in setting the challenge. It underscores his personal initiative and confidence.

• “Let me now put forth (אָחוּדָה — aḥûdāh): From the Hebrew verb חוּד (chud), meaning "to propose a riddle," "to make an enigma." It signifies an intellectual challenge or a test of wits.

• a riddle (חִידָה — chidah): A perplexing question, an obscure or intricate saying that requires insight or deep understanding to solve. In various biblical contexts, chidah can also refer to dark sayings, parables, or prophetic enigmas (e.g., Ps 49:4, Ezek 17:2).

• to you: Directly addresses the thirty Philistine companions given to him by the Philistines for the feast.

• if you can indeed explain it (פַּשֵּׁר תְּפַשְּׁרוּ — passher tepasheru): The double verb (infinitive absolute and finite verb) emphasizes certainty and completion, meaning "truly explain" or "thoroughly interpret." The verb פָּשַׁר (pashar) means to interpret, clarify, or solve, commonly used for interpreting dreams or complex sayings.

• to me within the seven days of the feast (בְּשִׁבְעַת יְמֵי הַמִּשְׁתֶּה — bəšiv'at yəmei hammishte): Specifies the strict time limit. A "feast" (mishteh) refers to a banquet or drinking party. Seven days was a standard length for ancient wedding feasts or significant communal celebrations, making the deadline appropriate to the occasion's duration.

• and find it out: Emphasizes the requirement for genuine discovery and understanding, not just a lucky guess.

• then I will give you thirty linen garments (שְׁלֹשִׁים סְדִינִים — shəlošîm sədhînîm): Sadin refers to a fine linen garment, possibly an undergarment or a robe, often associated with luxury and expense due to its material. Thirty is a significant number, implying substantial value and effort on Samson's part.

• and thirty changes of clothes (וּשְׁלֹשִׁים חֲלִיפוֹת בְּגָדִים — ūšəlošîm ḥalîphôt bəghadîm): Haliphot begadim refers to complete sets of fresh garments, or new suits of clothing, meant for change, travel, or special occasions. This represents additional, significant wealth and a considerable wager, indicating Samson's immense confidence or his rash impulsiveness.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "put forth a riddle... explain it... and find it out": This sequence establishes the terms of the intellectual challenge, requiring not just a superficial answer but genuine insight and understanding. It highlights Samson's confidence in the unique nature of his personal experience that formed the basis of the riddle.
  • "seven days of the feast": This phrase contextualizes the riddle within the celebration, transforming what should be a joyful occasion into a tense competition with a clear time constraint. It sets the stage for the dramatic conflict that will follow.
  • "thirty linen garments and thirty changes of clothes": The magnitude of this proposed prize reveals the extremely high stakes Samson is placing. It signifies immense material wealth in that cultural context, underlining Samson's overconfidence and the serious consequences that would ensue if he lost.

Judges 14 12 Bonus section

• The riddle serves as a literary device to engineer conflict, which is a key element of the book of Judges. Samson's confidence in his secret leads to an arrogant bet, setting him up for betrayal and providing the immediate cause for his righteous indignation and destructive actions against the Philistines.
• The paradox of the riddle itself – "Out of the eater came something to eat, and out of the strong came something sweet" (Judg 14:14) – deeply connects to Samson's Nazirite vow. His direct interaction with a dead carcass, which should have defiled him, resulted in something sweet (honey). This ironic violation forms the basis of his riddle, highlighting his problematic approach to his divine calling even as God uses his actions.
• The payment of "thirty" for the garments resonates with biblical numerical significance, often denoting a unit of value or a substantial quantity, reinforcing the significant worth placed on this bet and, by extension, the tension between Samson and the Philistines.

Judges 14 12 Commentary

Judges 14:12 sets in motion a critical turn in Samson's narrative, underscoring his self-assured, almost reckless, character. By proposing a riddle with such an extravagant wager, Samson places himself in a precarious position. The riddle itself arises from a secret experience (finding honey in a lion's carcass) known only to him, leading to his perceived invincibility in this challenge. The Philistine wedding feast, typically a time of peace and celebration, becomes a proving ground for Samson's cunning and strength, prefiguring the deeper conflicts to come. The value of the prize — thirty sets of luxurious garments — reveals the depth of Samson's gamble and the seriousness of the social consequences for both parties, escalating the personal rivalry into a catalyst for the broader divine plan against the Philistines (Judg 14:4), all channeled through Samson's imperfect human choices and interactions.