Judges 14 5

Judges 14:5 kjv

Then went Samson down, and his father and his mother, to Timnath, and came to the vineyards of Timnath: and, behold, a young lion roared against him.

Judges 14:5 nkjv

So Samson went down to Timnah with his father and mother, and came to the vineyards of Timnah. Now to his surprise, a young lion came roaring against him.

Judges 14:5 niv

Samson went down to Timnah together with his father and mother. As they approached the vineyards of Timnah, suddenly a young lion came roaring toward him.

Judges 14:5 esv

Then Samson went down with his father and mother to Timnah, and they came to the vineyards of Timnah. And behold, a young lion came toward him roaring.

Judges 14:5 nlt

As Samson and his parents were going down to Timnah, a young lion suddenly attacked Samson near the vineyards of Timnah.

Judges 14 verses

Judges 14 5 Meaning

Judges 14:5 describes Samson's journey with his parents from Zorah to the Philistine city of Timnath, where, upon arriving at the vineyards outside the city, he suddenly encounters and is charged by a young lion. This verse sets the stage for Samson's first recorded superhuman feat empowered by the Spirit of the Lord, demonstrating God's sovereign hand at work even amidst Samson's chosen path towards a forbidden marriage. It highlights a critical moment of confrontation and divine enablement.

Judges 14 5 Context

Judges 14 opens a new phase in Samson's story, following his birth and the initial stirrings of the Spirit of the Lord (Judg 13:25). At this point in the history of Israel during the period of the Judges, the Philistines were the dominant oppressive force (Judg 13:1). Samson, despite being consecrated as a Nazarite from birth with the divine mission to begin to deliver Israel from Philistine oppression (Judg 13:5), is driven by personal desires rather than explicit divine command in seeking a Philistine wife from Timnath (Judg 14:1-3). His parents object based on the Mosaic law forbidding marriage with foreigners. This verse is pivotal as it details the family's journey to finalize the marriage proposal and immediately introduces the first major divine intervention—the lion encounter—which simultaneously showcases Samson's extraordinary strength, reveals his vulnerability to temptation (entering a vineyard as a Nazarite), and foreshadows the violent, often chaotic, means God will use through Samson to vex the Philistines. The trip to Timnath represents a geographical descent, often symbolizing a spiritual or moral lowering in biblical narrative, leading Samson deeper into Philistine territory and their corrupting influences.

Judges 14 5 Word analysis

• Then went: Denotes the commencement of a purposeful journey. It immediately connects to the previous verses' discussion about Samson's desire for a Philistine wife.

• Samson (שִׁמְשׁוֹן, Shimshon): Meaning "sun-like" or "little sun." A unique individual, a Nazarite from birth, divinely chosen. His name ironically foreshadows both brilliance and ultimately, darkness.

• down (וַיֵּרֶד, vayye'red): Literally signifies descending in elevation, as Timnath was lower than Zorah. Figuratively, "going down" often implies a descent into trouble, compromise, or an unfavorable situation in biblical narratives (e.g., "going down to Egypt"). Here, it suggests moving away from consecrated ground (Zorah) towards a foreign, idolatrous, and forbidden alliance, symbolizing spiritual decline.

• and his father and his mother: Indicates the presence and initial support or accompaniment of his parents for this customary marriage negotiation. This detail underscores that the decision was a family affair, initially compliant with social customs, even though the specific choice of bride was problematic. It highlights their witness to this extraordinary event, though they do not intervene in the lion attack.

• to Timnath (תִּמְנָתָה, Timnathah): A Philistine city, part of enemy territory. Samson's journey here is significant; it is where he finds the woman who pleased him, marking his active choice to pursue what was forbidden by God's law regarding foreign marriages (Deut 7:3). It foreshadows his deep involvement with Philistine women.

• and came to the vineyards (כַּרְמֵי תִּמְנָתָה, karmei Timnathah - literally "vineyards of Timnath"): This detail is critically significant for a Nazarite. Numbers 6:3-4 strictly forbids a Nazarite from consuming any product of the grape vine, including wine, strong drink, grapes, or even grape seeds and husks. Merely entering a vineyard could pose a temptation or proximity to that which was forbidden. This highlights Samson's disregard for his vow's purity or his general lack of caution. It sets the stage for an immediate challenge to his Nazarite status.

• and, behold (וְהִנֵּה, v'hineh): A strong Hebrew interjection signifying surprise, suddenness, and a drawing of attention to an unexpected or significant event that follows. It creates immediate narrative tension. It often signals divine intervention or a critical turn in the story.

• a young lion (כְּפִיר אֲרָיוֹת, kephir 'arayoth): Specifically a "young lion" (kəphîr), denoting a strong, robust, and often more aggressive lion than an older, weary one. Lions symbolize raw power, ferocity, and danger. In a spiritual sense, lions can represent fierce adversaries or even God's instruments of judgment. This immediate, natural danger serves as a literal and symbolic test for Samson.

• roared against him (שֹׁאֲגָה בּוֹ, sho'agah bo): The lion's roar signifies its intent to attack, asserting dominance and power. The phrase "against him" indicates direct aggression and confrontation. This roar is a prelude to a physical struggle, showcasing the lion's full hostile intent towards Samson.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "Then went Samson down... to Timnath...": This sequence describes a literal journey that mirrors a metaphorical or spiritual descent. Zorah (Samson's home) was a higher, Israelite settlement, while Timnath was a Philistine city in the Shephelah, lower geographically. This movement represents Samson’s venturing into forbidden territory both physically and morally, laying the groundwork for future compromises with his divine calling.
  • "and came to the vineyards of Timnath": This setting is highly problematic for a Nazarite. The presence in a vineyard, given the strict prohibition against grape products for Nazarites, underscores Samson’s proximity to sin and disregard for his vow, even before the physical encounter with the lion. It signals a test of his dedication, or a precursor to a spiritual failure.
  • "and, behold, a young lion roared against him": The sudden appearance and aggression of the lion is presented as an unexpected, critical encounter. The "behold" emphasizes the immediate nature of this confrontation. This moment serves as Samson’s first major physical test where God’s Spirit will powerfully manifest through him, foreshadowing his role as a deliverer against the Philistine "lions."

Judges 14 5 Bonus section

The juxtaposition of the vineyard (Nazarite restriction) and the roaring lion (immediate physical threat) within the same verse highlights the multi-faceted nature of the tests and challenges Samson faced. This scene symbolically prefigures Samson’s entire career, which will be characterized by a mixture of divine power and personal compromise. The lion itself is not just a predator; it becomes an instrument for God to activate Samson's power, ultimately providing the raw material (its carcass) for the riddle that leads to more conflict and further demonstrates Samson's unique strength and peculiar means of warfare. This event underscores that God’s methods are not always conventional or straightforward, often working through flawed individuals and challenging circumstances to achieve His redemptive purposes. The "roaring" of the lion can also be understood as a direct, menacing challenge to Samson’s divine mandate, representing the adversary that the Lord is equipping Samson to overcome.

Judges 14 5 Commentary

Judges 14:5 serves as a crucial turning point in Samson’s narrative. His journey "down" to Timnath represents more than a geographical shift; it signifies a dangerous moral descent into forbidden territory driven by personal desires rather than God's expressed will for Israel's deliverance from the Philistines. The setting of the "vineyards of Timnath" immediately places Samson in violation or near-violation of his lifelong Nazarite vow, which strictly forbade contact with any product of the vine. Into this compromised setting, God interjects with a sudden, ferocious "young lion." The "behold" signals divine orchestration or a pivotal moment. This isn't merely a random attack; it's a divinely permitted test, a trial that sets the stage for the dramatic display of the Spirit of the Lord upon Samson in the very next verse. This initial, intense confrontation with a powerful beast provides the first direct evidence of Samson’s extraordinary physical strength, essential for his future conflicts with the Philistines, who are often portrayed metaphorically as ravening beasts. Thus, God, in His sovereignty, uses Samson’s problematic choices to begin to fulfill His own plan of delivering Israel, transforming what appears to be a personal, potentially disastrous outing into an occasion for divine empowerment.