Judges 14 13

Judges 14:13 kjv

But if ye cannot declare it me, then shall ye give me thirty sheets and thirty change of garments. And they said unto him, Put forth thy riddle, that we may hear it.

Judges 14:13 nkjv

But if you cannot explain it to me, then you shall give me thirty linen garments and thirty changes of clothing." And they said to him, "Pose your riddle, that we may hear it."

Judges 14:13 niv

If you can't tell me the answer, you must give me thirty linen garments and thirty sets of clothes." "Tell us your riddle," they said. "Let's hear it."

Judges 14:13 esv

but if you cannot tell me what it is, then you shall give me thirty linen garments and thirty changes of clothes." And they said to him, "Put your riddle, that we may hear it."

Judges 14:13 nlt

But if you can't solve it, then you must give me thirty fine linen robes and thirty sets of festive clothing." "All right," they agreed, "let's hear your riddle."

Judges 14 verses

Judges 14 13 Meaning

Judges 14:13 details Samson's demanding wager for the Philistine young men at his wedding feast. He stipulated that if they failed to solve his riddle within the seven days of the feast, they would owe him a very substantial payment of thirty fine linen garments and thirty changes of outer garments. This set a high-stakes challenge, demonstrating Samson's confidence and potentially his arrogance, while also indicating the significant value of the items demanded as payment.

Judges 14 13 Context

Judges chapter 14 describes a critical period in Samson's life, characterized by his increasing involvement with the Philistines. Samson, a Nazirite dedicated to God, expresses a desire to marry a Philistine woman, against the wishes of his parents. This choice leads him into a series of confrontations with the Philistines. The specific context of Judges 14:13 occurs at the wedding feast in Timnah, where Samson has proposed a riddle to thirty Philistine companions. This riddle stems from a private incident where he killed a lion and later found honey in its carcass, an event known only to him. Samson's challenge, accompanied by high stakes, serves as both entertainment and a test of their wit. The Philistines' inability to solve the riddle within the allotted time fuels their frustration, leading them to coerce Samson's wife for the answer, setting the stage for subsequent conflicts and escalating tensions between Samson and the Philistines. This act reflects the moral decline of the Philistines and Samson's own rash behavior.

Judges 14 13 Word analysis

• And he said to them (וַיֹּאמֶר אֲלֵיהֶם, vayyo'mer 'alehem): A standard Hebrew narrative transition, indicating direct speech. Here, Samson takes the initiative to set the terms of the challenge, asserting his authority in the context of the wager.
• If you cannot explain it to me (אִם־לֹא תוּכְלוּן לְהַגִּיד לִי, 'im-lo' tukhluun lehaggid li):
  • explain (לְהַגִּיד, lehaggid): From the root nāgad, meaning "to declare, tell, explain, reveal." It implies not just a correct guess but a clear articulation of the riddle's solution. This word highlights the Philistines' expected intellectual inability without Samson's own insight or external aid.
  • The conditional "if you cannot" sets the terms for the specified outcome, laying the groundwork for their obligation.
• within the seven days (בְּשֶׁבַע יְמֵי הַמִּשְׁתֶּה, b'sheva' yemey hammishteh):
  • seven days: This refers to the duration of the wedding feast, a common period for such celebrations in ancient Near Eastern culture. This fixed time limit adds pressure and intensifies the challenge. The number seven is often associated with completion or covenant.
  • the feast (hammishteh): Refers specifically to the wedding celebration. This setting makes the riddle a form of entertainment and social interaction, but Samson's high stakes transform it into a serious gamble.
• then you shall give me (וּנְתַתֶּם־לִי, un'tattem-li): This conjunction introduces the consequence for failure. It's a direct command or obligation, showing Samson's demanding nature.
• thirty linen garments (שְׁלֹשִׁים סְדִינִים, shloshim sedinim):
  • thirty (shloshim): A substantial quantity, emphasizing the high value of the wager.
  • linen garments (sedinim): These were likely fine inner tunics or shirts made of linen, a luxurious and valuable material, especially prized for comfort in warm climates. They were often worn by those of wealth or status. To possess 30 of these would be a significant display of riches.
• and thirty changes of clothes (וּשְׁלֹשִׁים חֲלִיפוֹת בְּגָדִים, u'shloshim chalifot bgadim):
  • thirty (shloshim): Reinforces the considerable sum involved.
  • changes of clothes (chalifot bgadim): Refers to complete sets of outer garments or festive attire suitable for special occasions. These would be even more valuable than the sedinim, indicating luxury and status. The phrase suggests ready-to-wear outfits.
• thirty linen garments and thirty changes of clothes: This phrase collectively represents an extremely valuable sum. In ancient economies, garments, especially fine ones, served as a form of currency or significant assets, comparable to livestock or silver. This massive prize reflects Samson's audacity and the immense personal confidence (or perhaps arrogance) he has in his riddle being unsolvable by conventional means. It also sets up a profound financial burden on the Philistines, increasing the tension and motivation for them to find the solution at any cost.

Judges 14 13 Bonus section

• Significance of "Thirty": The number thirty (30) in this context likely represents a very large, substantial amount, not necessarily symbolic but rather indicative of the great material value being wagered. Such a quantity of fine garments would constitute a significant portion of a city's or a wealthy individual's treasure, making the stakes extremely high for the Philistines. It was a sum meant to burden them greatly if they lost.
• Cultural Context of Garments: In ancient Near Eastern cultures, fine garments were highly valued and often used as status symbols, diplomatic gifts, or even a form of wealth. Accumulating such a quantity of high-quality clothing (especially linen which required complex manufacturing) was an indication of immense riches and prestige.
• Samson's Hubris: This verse explicitly highlights Samson's personal audacity. He knows his riddle is effectively un-guessable without foreknowledge, placing the Philistines in an unwinnable position, and is willing to impose a massive debt on them for failing. This displays both his shrewdness in the wager and a measure of hubris, contributing to the escalation of conflict.
• A "Judicial" Act: While Samson is known for his physical feats, this act of setting a riddle with a high wager, which serves as a test of "wisdom" and leads to a judgment or payment, can be seen as an unconventional, though not necessarily divine, act within his broader role as a judge. He's imposing his terms and expecting a verdict in his favor.

Judges 14 13 Commentary

Judges 14:13 showcases Samson's bold challenge to his Philistine companions. By demanding thirty fine linen garments and thirty changes of clothes, he sets an incredibly high financial stake, revealing his self-assuredness stemming from the private nature of his riddle's solution. This seemingly casual wedding custom is elevated into a serious wager that highlights the underlying tension between Samson, the flawed deliverer of Israel, and his Philistine adversaries. The extensive value of the proposed payment underscores Samson's willingness to extract a significant toll from his oppressors and reflects his confident, yet perhaps overconfident, demeanor. This demand precipitates the Philistines' deceitful actions in the following verses, illustrating the corrupt nature of their society and setting the stage for the dramatic conflicts to come, rooted in betrayal and vengeance.