Judges 14 2

Judges 14:2 kjv

And he came up, and told his father and his mother, and said, I have seen a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines: now therefore get her for me to wife.

Judges 14:2 nkjv

So he went up and told his father and mother, saying, "I have seen a woman in Timnah of the daughters of the Philistines; now therefore, get her for me as a wife."

Judges 14:2 niv

When he returned, he said to his father and mother, "I have seen a Philistine woman in Timnah; now get her for me as my wife."

Judges 14:2 esv

Then he came up and told his father and mother, "I saw one of the daughters of the Philistines at Timnah. Now get her for me as my wife."

Judges 14:2 nlt

When he returned home, he told his father and mother, "A young Philistine woman in Timnah caught my eye. I want to marry her. Get her for me."

Judges 14 verses

Judges 14 2 Meaning

This verse details Samson's declaration to his parents upon his return from Timnah, stating he had seen a Philistine woman there whom he desired to take as his wife. It reveals his immediate, self-initiated request for marriage to a foreign woman, a practice explicitly forbidden for Israelites, showcasing his impulsive nature and the beginning of a key narrative arc in his life.

Judges 14 2 Context

Judges chapter 14 begins a new phase in Samson's story, following his miraculous birth foretold in chapter 13, which also detailed the Nazirite vow he was under. He was set apart by God from birth to begin delivering Israel from the Philistine oppression. However, this verse immediately introduces Samson's personal desire, which runs contrary to established Mosaic Law and the wisdom of his parents. Israel was under Philistine rule (Jdg 13:1), and intermarriage was forbidden to prevent spiritual assimilation and idolatry. Samson's "seeing" and subsequent demand for a Philistine wife sets the stage for a narrative where his personal choices intertwine with, and are used by, God's sovereign plan to instigate conflict with the Philistines.

Judges 14 2 Word analysis

• And he came up and told (וַיַּגֵּד - vayyaggēd): From the Hebrew root nagad, meaning to declare, report, tell. The swift action of "came up" (likely from Timnah, which was lower elevation relative to Zorah, his hometown) coupled with "told" emphasizes Samson's immediate and unhesitating presentation of his desire to his parents. There's no hint of deliberation or seeking their advice first.
• his father and his mother: The direct addressing of both parents indicates the significant family authority involved in marriage arrangements in ancient Israel. Samson bypasses tradition by demanding rather than requesting or seeking consent in the typical manner for this specific request.
• I saw (רָאִיתִי - rāʾîtî): From the Hebrew root ra'ah, "to see." This is a crucial word. It highlights that Samson's initial attraction and decision were purely visual, based on appearance rather than character, faith, or family background. This emphasizes a fleshly, rather than spiritual or divinely-guided, impulse. It contrasts sharply with how wives were traditionally sought (e.g., Abraham for Isaac, Gen 24).
• a woman: General term, but its specificity will come in the next phrase. Samson identifies her purely on her external aspect.
• in Timnah: A Philistine city, significant because it means Samson was intentionally or unintentionally within enemy territory. His travel there places him in a context where he would encounter those explicitly forbidden for marriage by divine law (Deut 7:3).
• one of the daughters of the Philistines (בְּנוֹת פְלִשְׁתִּים - bᵉnōṯ pᵉlištîm): This phrase makes the problem explicit. "Philistines" (Pelishtim) were sworn enemies of Israel and were distinct from God's covenant people. Identifying her as a "daughter of the Philistines" directly links Samson's desire to a violation of the clear commands against intermarriage. It indicates a woman from the very nation Israel was to be delivered from, not merely a gentile.
• Now get her for me as my wife (קַח־לִי לְאִשָּׁה - qaḥ-lî lᵉʾiššāh): The verb qaḥ is an imperative, "take," indicating a forceful command or strong demand. "For me" indicates his personal ownership and self-interest. "As my wife" indicates the purpose, marriage. The combined phrasing signifies an insistent, entitled demand rather than a polite request, reflecting Samson's domineering personality. This direct, peremptory demand highlights his self-will.

Judges 14 2 Bonus section

The strong emphasis on Samson's "seeing" ("I saw a woman") serves as a recurring motif throughout his story (Jdg 16:1 "saw a harlot"; Jdg 16:4 "loved a woman," a desire originating from observation). This aligns with biblical warnings against the "lust of the eyes" (1 Jn 2:16) as a pathway to sin. Samson's personal choices, though seemingly contrary to God's law, are noted in the subsequent verse (Jdg 14:4) as being "from the LORD," a demonstration of divine sovereignty working through imperfect human will and even sin to achieve God's purposes, specifically to "seek an occasion against the Philistines." This doesn't endorse Samson's sin but highlights God's ability to redeem and redirect human actions within His larger redemptive plan.

Judges 14 2 Commentary

Judges 14:2 succinctly portrays Samson's initial departure from his Nazirite calling and the spirit of the Law. His desire for the Philistine woman originates from merely "seeing" her, indicative of a superficial, flesh-driven attraction, contrasting with discerning and godly choices. His imperative "Now get her for me" reveals a demanding, self-willed nature that prioritizes personal gratification over parental counsel, Israelite custom, or divine prohibition. This impulsive act of choosing a foreign wife, an action explicitly condemned for its potential to lead Israel into idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness (Deut 7:3-4), foreshadows Samson's consistent struggle with his carnal desires and sets the stage for God's use of even Samson's failures to advance His ultimate purpose of delivering Israel. The narrative does not condemn Samson for his choice alone, but it emphasizes how this initial deviation forms a pattern of decisions that reflect his unchecked desires, ultimately leading to significant consequences for him personally.