Judges 14 3

Judges 14:3 kjv

Then his father and his mother said unto him, Is there never a woman among the daughters of thy brethren, or among all my people, that thou goest to take a wife of the uncircumcised Philistines? And Samson said unto his father, Get her for me; for she pleaseth me well.

Judges 14:3 nkjv

Then his father and mother said to him, "Is there no woman among the daughters of your brethren, or among all my people, that you must go and get a wife from the uncircumcised Philistines?" And Samson said to his father, "Get her for me, for she pleases me well."

Judges 14:3 niv

His father and mother replied, "Isn't there an acceptable woman among your relatives or among all our people? Must you go to the uncircumcised Philistines to get a wife?" But Samson said to his father, "Get her for me. She's the right one for me."

Judges 14:3 esv

But his father and mother said to him, "Is there not a woman among the daughters of your relatives, or among all our people, that you must go to take a wife from the uncircumcised Philistines?" But Samson said to his father, "Get her for me, for she is right in my eyes."

Judges 14:3 nlt

His father and mother objected. "Isn't there even one woman in our tribe or among all the Israelites you could marry?" they asked. "Why must you go to the pagan Philistines to find a wife?" But Samson told his father, "Get her for me! She looks good to me."

Judges 14 verses

Judges 14 3 Meaning

Judges 14:3 depicts a direct confrontation between Samson's parents, embodying covenant wisdom and tradition, and Samson's impulsive self-will. His parents question his choice to marry a Philistine woman, emphasizing the availability of eligible women within their kinship group and the broader Israelite community. Their strong objection stems from the Philistines being "uncircumcised," a derogatory term marking them as outsiders to God's covenant and practice. Despite this, Samson dismisses their concern, demanding she be acquired for him because she is "right in his eyes," signifying a decision driven by personal desire and superficial attraction rather than divine command or parental wisdom.

Judges 14 3 Context

Judges 14:3 is situated at the outset of Samson's destructive relationship with the Philistines. Samson, a Nazirite dedicated to God from birth to deliver Israel, immediately deviates from the expectations of his parents and the Law. This verse highlights his parents' deep concern that Samson is considering marrying an "uncircumcised Philistine," violating clear Mosaic prohibitions against intermarriage with idolatrous nations (Dt 7:3-4). Their rhetorical question underscores the ample availability of Israelite women and their apprehension over the potential for spiritual corruption. Samson's insistence, driven by personal gratification rather than obedience to God or family, epitomizes the theme prevalent in the Book of Judges: "everyone did what was right in his own eyes." This state of moral anarchy and disregard for divine authority underpins many of the tragic events in the book, foreshadowing Samson's eventual downfall through his own unbridled desires, despite God sovereignly using his actions to initiate conflict with the Philistines (Judg 14:4).

Judges 14 3 Word analysis

• his father and mother: Representatives of parental authority and covenant fidelity. Their collective voice indicates shared concern for Samson's adherence to God's commands and their traditions. They prioritize spiritual heritage over immediate desire.
• Is there no woman: A rhetorical question expressing shock, dismay, and deep disapproval. It highlights their perception of Samson's choice as utterly illogical and spiritually misguided given available Israelite options.
• among the daughters of your relatives: Refers to eligible women within their close kin, emphasizing purity of lineage and tribal connections (tribe of Dan). This aligns with traditional Israelite marriage practices aiming to maintain tribal integrity and familial bonds.
• or among all our people: Expands the scope beyond immediate relatives to all Israelite women. This underscores that Samson had a vast array of eligible partners who shared the covenant faith and heritage, making his foreign choice even more perplexing and offensive.
• that you must go to take a wife: Implies a willful and unnecessary act of going against clear social, familial, and religious norms. It conveys their bewilderment at his determined pursuit of an outsider.
• from the uncircumcised Philistines?: "Uncircumcised" (Hebrew: ha'arēlîm) is a pejorative and covenantal term of contempt. Circumcision was the physical mark of the Abrahamic covenant (Gen 17), distinguishing Israel from all pagan nations. To marry an "uncircumcised" person was to ally with the profane and idolatrous, violating a fundamental aspect of Israel's unique identity. This term powerfully articulates the cultural and spiritual divide, seeing Philistines as ritually impure and enemies of God.
• But Samson said to his father: Denotes a direct confrontation and a clear defiance of parental authority. It indicates Samson's resolve to follow his own path, regardless of wise counsel. The shift to addressing only his father implies Samson sees him as the primary decision-maker, or the most relevant party for his demand.
• Get her for me: A forceful and demanding command, not a polite request. It reflects Samson's self-centeredness and determined will, indicating he expects his desire to be met without argument or deference to his parents' wisdom or God's law.
• for she is right in my eyes: (Hebrew: ki hi yashra b'einay). This is the key phrase of the verse. It signifies a subjective and individualistic standard of judgment. "Right" (yashra) here means pleasing or agreeable to his personal preference, primarily implying visual or emotional appeal, not moral or spiritual rectitude. This echoes the recurring theme in Judges where "everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (Judg 17:6, 21:25), highlighting Israel's moral decay and rejection of objective divine truth in favor of personal autonomy and fleeting desires.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Then his father and mother said to him, 'Is there no woman among the daughters of your relatives, or among all our people, that you must go to take a wife from the uncircumcised Philistines?'": This powerful interrogative challenges Samson on two levels: first, the practical (availability of suitable Israelite women), and second, the profound theological/covenantal (marrying an "uncircumcised" Philistine, an act of assimilation with pagans, specifically a covenant breaker). It articulates a familial and national shock at his deviation from established laws and traditions for maintaining their distinctive holy identity.
• "But Samson said to his father, 'Get her for me, for she is right in my eyes.'": This succinct response lays bare Samson's character: an unyielding self-will prioritizing personal gratification over familial counsel, Mosaic Law, and even his Nazirite vow. The phrase "right in my eyes" encapsulates the spirit of the age of Judges—moral relativism where personal perception became the ultimate authority, leading to widespread spiritual and social breakdown, foreshadowing the challenges and trials that will ensue from this ill-fated choice.

Judges 14 3 Bonus section

The seemingly innocent phrase "right in my eyes" is a profoundly unsettling thematic link within Judges. It acts as a verbal echo chamber, resounding with Judg 17:6 and Judg 21:25. Samson's choice is thus not merely an isolated act of disobedience but a microcosm of Israel's spiritual decline. For a Nazirite, consecrated to God from birth, to prioritize an uncircumcised pagan simply because she appeals to his sight demonstrates a profound disconnect from his calling and covenant responsibilities. The Philistines were not just foreign, they were an antagonistic, idol-worshipping people (Dagon). Samson's decision represents a deliberate stepping into the enemy's camp, a blurring of lines that God had clearly drawn. It serves as a precursor to his later repeated breaches of his Nazirite vow (touching a dead lion, engaging with harlots) and his consistent gravitation towards personal desire over divine directive. This early incident with the Timnite woman establishes a pattern that ultimately contributes to his enslavement and a humiliating, self-sacrificial death.

Judges 14 3 Commentary

Judges 14:3 is a pivotal moment, succinctly portraying the core tension in Samson's story and indeed, in the Book of Judges itself. Samson's parents represent adherence to the covenant and familial duty, expressed through their dismay at his desire for a Philistine woman. Their "Is there no woman...?" serves not just as a question, but a lament, emphasizing the clear divine command against intermarriage (Dt 7:3-4) that protected Israel's spiritual integrity from the idolatry and pagan practices of foreign nations. The pointed mention of the "uncircumcised Philistines" underscores the profound chasm—covenantal, religious, and cultural—between Israel and its adversaries.

However, Samson's terse, self-assured demand, "Get her for me, for she is right in my eyes," directly defies parental wisdom and Mosaic law. This statement is the antithesis of covenant obedience, reflecting the pervasive moral autonomy of the Judges period, where "everyone did what was right in his own eyes." Samson prioritizes superficial attraction and personal gratification over divine principles and his sacred Nazirite calling. While Judges 14:4 immediately follows to reveal God's sovereign hand in orchestrating events against the Philistines through Samson's actions, this divine use of Samson's sin does not condone his disobedience. Instead, it highlights God's amazing capacity to work through human flaws and even sin to achieve His purposes, even as Samson's personal choices bring about his tragic downfall. This verse thus stands as a warning about the perilous consequences of unbridled self-will and the rejection of God's objective standards for subjective desire.

• Examples:
  • Ignoring the counsel of godly mentors or parents when making significant life decisions like choosing a spouse, pursuing a career, or settling in a location, simply because it "feels right."
  • Prioritizing fleeting personal pleasure or societal trends over the clear principles outlined in Scripture concerning morality, ethics, or spiritual purity.
  • Entering into a deeply committed relationship with someone who does not share one's core faith or commitment to Christ, solely based on physical or emotional appeal.