Judges 14 7

Judges 14:7 kjv

And he went down, and talked with the woman; and she pleased Samson well.

Judges 14:7 nkjv

Then he went down and talked with the woman; and she pleased Samson well.

Judges 14:7 niv

Then he went down and talked with the woman, and he liked her.

Judges 14:7 esv

Then he went down and talked with the woman, and she was right in Samson's eyes.

Judges 14:7 nlt

When Samson arrived in Timnah, he talked with the woman and was very pleased with her.

Judges 14 verses

Judges 14 7 Meaning

Judges 14:7 describes Samson's continued pursuit of the Philistine woman from Timnah. After his initial visit, he "went down and spoke with the woman," confirming his intention. Crucially, the verse states that "she pleased Samson well," signifying that his personal desire and attraction to her remained strong and fully satisfied his carnal criteria, overriding any concerns for covenant purity or parental guidance. This decision to prioritize personal pleasure over God's commands sets the trajectory for Samson's life, highlighting a pervasive theme of individual self-will throughout the book of Judges.

Judges 14 7 Context

Judges 14:7 is a key moment in the narrative of Samson, the last of the major judges in Israel. Chapter 14 opens with Samson's audacious demand to his parents for a Philistine wife, explicitly stating that "she is right in my eyes" (Jdg 14:3). His parents object based on the Mosaic Law prohibiting intermarriage with foreign nations, particularly the uncircumcised Philistines. Just prior to this verse, Judges 14:6 recounts Samson, empowered by the Spirit of the Lord, tearing a lion apart with bare hands—a display of extraordinary divine strength. Immediately following this powerful act, the current verse reveals his return to pursue the Philistine woman, emphasizing that his desires remain unchanged and satisfied. This period of Israel's history, described in the book of Judges, is characterized by moral and spiritual decline, exemplified by the oft-repeated phrase "everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (Jdg 17:6, 21:25). Samson's decision to marry a Philistine woman, driven solely by his own preference, is a microcosm of this wider national apostasy and failure to obey God's covenant.

Judges 14 7 Word analysis

• So he went down (וַיֵּרֶד - vayyered):

  • This is the Hebrew verb "to descend" or "go down." Timnah, where the woman lived, was geographically lower than Zorah, Samson's hometown.
  • Symbolically, Samson's descent into Philistine territory for a forbidden marriage can also represent a spiritual and moral downward trajectory.
  • This indicates a deliberate action, not a casual encounter.

• and spoke with (וַיְדַבֵּר - vaydabber):

  • From the root דָּבַר (davar), meaning "to speak, to converse."
  • Implies intentional conversation, engagement, and likely negotiation regarding the marital arrangement, moving beyond mere visual attraction.
  • This active verbal interaction solidifies Samson's commitment to his chosen path.

• the woman (הָאִשָּׁה - ha'ishshah):

  • Refers to the specific Philistine woman whom Samson had desired in Timnah. The definite article highlights her specific identification in his persistent pursuit.
  • She represents a direct violation of the covenant commands against marrying foreigners, especially those from nations hostile to Israel.

• and she pleased (וַתִּיטַב - vattitav):

  • Derived from the verb יָטַב (yatav), meaning "to be good" or "to be pleasing." The form here suggests "she became pleasing" or "she made herself agreeable."
  • Emphasizes subjective satisfaction: she met Samson's personal desires.

• Samson well (בְּעֵינֵי שִׁמְשׁוֹן - b'eyney Shimshon):

  • Literally "in the eyes of Samson." This Hebrew idiom signifies "in Samson's opinion" or "to Samson's judgment."
  • This phrase is crucial as it directly contrasts with "in the eyes of the Lord" (e.g., Deut 6:18), which denotes obedience to God.
  • It aligns Samson's actions with the pervasive theme in Judges, "everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (Jdg 17:6, 21:25), highlighting a time of moral relativism and disobedience to divine authority.

• Words-group analysis

  • "So he went down and spoke with the woman": This phrase details Samson's decisive actions. Despite any objections from his parents and despite being divinely set apart as a Nazirite, he actively returned to initiate deeper engagement with the Philistine woman. This highlights his personal willfulness and his proactive step towards a forbidden union, demonstrating his conviction in his self-chosen path. It sets the scene for the formal marriage negotiations.
  • "and she pleased Samson well": This concluding statement is the crux of the verse. The Hebrew expression "pleased... well" (literally, "was good/right in his eyes") underscores Samson's choice was driven purely by personal desire and carnal attraction. This self-pleasing motivation stands in stark contrast to God's commands for His consecrated people and is emblematic of the prevailing spiritual rebellion during the era of Judges, where individual desires overshadowed divine mandates. It reveals the superficial basis for Samson's significant life decision, which would ultimately lead to great personal struggle and serve as a "catalyst" for his conflicts with the Philistines.

Judges 14 7 Bonus section

While Samson's motives were undeniably fleshly in desiring a forbidden marriage, Judges 14:4 provides crucial theological insight: "But his father and mother did not know that it was from the Lord, for He was seeking an occasion against the Philistines." This means that God, in His profound sovereignty, superintended even Samson's sinful desires to initiate His divine plan against the Philistine oppressors of Israel. It's vital to understand that God does not tempt or approve of sin (James 1:13); rather, He is so powerful that He can use the consequences and even the initial acts of human sin, stemming from free will, to advance His righteous purposes. This perspective highlights the complexity of divine providence working through flawed human instruments and difficult situations, turning what was meant for evil into a catalyst for God's redemptive work, despite Samson's immediate motivation being self-gratification rather than divine obedience.

Judges 14 7 Commentary

Judges 14:7 is pivotal as it confirms Samson's unwavering resolve to pursue the Philistine woman based on his personal preference. Even after a remarkable display of divine strength tearing a lion, his human desires dictated his actions, indicating a striking disjunction between his divine endowment and his carnal inclination. The repeated emphasis on "she pleased Samson well," mirroring his earlier declaration that "she is right in my eyes" (Jdg 14:3), directly ties into the overarching message of the Book of Judges: an era where "everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (Jdg 17:6, 21:25). Samson's decision embodies Israel's greater failure to live by God's Law and illustrates how gifted individuals can be profoundly compromised by unbridled self-will. This verse sets in motion the chain of events that God, in His sovereignty (Jdg 14:4), would use to fulfill His purposes against the Philistines, yet it never justifies Samson's underlying disobedient motivation.