Judges 14 9

Judges 14:9 kjv

And he took thereof in his hands, and went on eating, and came to his father and mother, and he gave them, and they did eat: but he told not them that he had taken the honey out of the carcass of the lion.

Judges 14:9 nkjv

He took some of it in his hands and went along, eating. When he came to his father and mother, he gave some to them, and they also ate. But he did not tell them that he had taken the honey out of the carcass of the lion.

Judges 14:9 niv

He scooped out the honey with his hands and ate as he went along. When he rejoined his parents, he gave them some, and they too ate it. But he did not tell them that he had taken the honey from the lion's carcass.

Judges 14:9 esv

He scraped it out into his hands and went on, eating as he went. And he came to his father and mother and gave some to them, and they ate. But he did not tell them that he had scraped the honey from the carcass of the lion.

Judges 14:9 nlt

He scooped some of the honey into his hands and ate it along the way. He also gave some to his father and mother, and they ate it. But he didn't tell them he had taken the honey from the carcass of the lion.

Judges 14 verses

Judges 14 9 Meaning

Judges 14:9 reveals Samson's actions of consuming honey from the carcass of a lion he had previously slain and subsequently giving some of it to his parents. Crucially, he concealed from them the source of the honey, leading them to unknowingly partake of something ritually defiling according to the Law of Moses, and himself transgressing his Nazarite vow through contact with the dead body. The verse highlights Samson's secrecy, the impurity incurred, and the lack of full adherence to God's commandments despite being a man empowered by the Spirit.

Judges 14 9 Context

Judges chapter 14 describes the initial stages of Samson's personal story and divine commission as a deliverer of Israel from the Philistines. Despite being empowered by the Spirit of the Lord (v. 6), Samson acts on personal desires, choosing a Philistine woman for a wife against his parents' counsel (v. 3). During his journey to Timnah, he kills a young lion with his bare hands (v. 6). On a subsequent trip, he discovers a beehive and honey within the lion's carcass (v. 8). Judges 14:9 recounts his act of taking and consuming this honey, and giving it to his parents, without revealing its defiled origin. This secret act of impurity directly violates the Nazarite vow he had taken from birth (Num 6), specifically the prohibition against coming near any dead body. It foreshadows a pattern of secrecy, self-indulgence, and eventual disregard for his consecrated status that will characterize Samson's tragic life. Historically, this occurs during a period in Israel where there was no king, and "everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (Jdg 21:25), even God's appointed leaders struggled with faithfulness to the Law. The tension between Israel's Mosaic Law (purity laws) and the surrounding Philistine culture (which had no such restrictions) is palpable in Samson's actions.

Judges 14 9 Word analysis

• So he took them down,: This refers to Samson removing the honey (referred to as "them," a pluralization used for substance or collective items in Hebrew). The action of "taking down" implies accessing it, likely from within the dead lion's body, requiring physical interaction with the carcass.
• and gave them: This highlights Samson's active role in presenting the honey. The same "them" refers to the honey.
• to his father and his mother,: Direct beneficiaries of Samson's actions. They represent those unwittingly drawn into his sin, particularly concerning ritual defilement. This reflects Samson's desire to share the "sweetness" without revealing the "bitterness" of its source, reflecting a pattern of selective transparency.
• and they did eat: A simple, factual statement indicating consumption. Their consumption underscores their unwitting defilement. According to Mosaic Law, anyone partaking of food that had come into contact with a carcass would be unclean until the evening (Lev 11:39-40).
• but he told not them: This is the crucial negative detail. "Told not" (וְלֹא הִגִּיד) (ve-lo' higgid) comes from the Hebrew root nagad (נגד), meaning to declare, report, tell. The Hifil stem emphasizes the causative "he caused them not to know," or "he did not inform them." This signifies a deliberate act of withholding information, indicating deception or a desire to hide his transgression. His secrecy protected him from confrontation, but exposed his parents to sin against the Law.
• that he had taken the honey: Emphasizes the source and action. Samson personally procured the honey.
• out of the carcase: "Carcass" is נִבְלָה (nivlāh), a Hebrew term for a dead body, carrion. This is a highly significant detail, as any contact with a nivlāh, especially by a Nazarite, and partaking of anything from it, was strictly forbidden and highly defiling under the Law (Num 6:6; Lev 11:8, 27). This directly violates his Nazarite vow, making him ceremonially unclean.
• of the lion: The specific animal is a lion (אֲרִי, ʾărî), which would be considered an unclean animal according to Levitical laws (Lev 11). Thus, its dead body imparted uncleanness. This context shows Samson, despite his special consecration to God, already compromising his vow very early in his mission, an action which points to deeper character flaws.

Judges 14 9 Bonus section

• The paradox of "sweetness from strength" or "food from death" is a powerful image Samson later uses in his riddle. While honey from a dead lion can represent the unexpected goodness or blessing God brings even through seemingly defiling or chaotic circumstances, Samson's act of partaking in and sharing the honey from the carcass without acknowledgement constitutes a willful defilement on his part. This contrast highlights that God's ability to bring good out of darkness does not excuse human disobedience or a casual attitude toward holiness.
• The incident here foreshadows Samson's future failures concerning secrecy, deception, and improper relationships with Philistines. His willingness to compromise here sets a precedent for greater compromises later, eventually leading to the betrayal by Delilah.
• From a theological perspective, the narrative implies that Samson's divine empowerment by the Spirit (Jdg 14:6) did not negate his personal responsibility for adherence to the Law, particularly his Nazarite vow. The Spirit worked through his physical strength for deliverance, but did not automatically purify his character or force his obedience. This highlights the importance of personal choice and sanctification alongside divine gifting.

Judges 14 9 Commentary

Judges 14:9 is a pivotal moment revealing Samson's character and foreshadowing his future downfall. Having previously slain the lion (v. 6), Samson, upon finding honey in its carcass, performs an act that violates his Nazarite vow twice: first, by approaching and physically interacting with a dead body, and second, by consuming what was essentially "defiled" food. Adding to this, he actively deceives his parents by giving them the honey without revealing its origins, thereby causing them to unknowingly partake in his defilement. This secrecy highlights a profound character flaw in Samson: a willingness to compromise divine mandates for personal gratification or convenience, while avoiding accountability.

This incident reveals Samson's internal struggle, showing how divine power (the Spirit empowering him) could operate even through flawed vessels. It also critiques a "works righteousness" or superficial piety, where external strength and divine gifting don't equate to internal purity or faithful obedience to God's law. Samson's actions subtly defy the Law of Moses concerning clean and unclean things, indicating a prevailing attitude of doing "what was right in his own eyes" that characterized the era of Judges. His parents' unwitting participation underscores the ripple effect of one's secret sins, potentially bringing defilement and dishonor upon others. The verse, though simple, speaks volumes about Samson's disregard for his sacred vows and the foundational principles of Israel's covenant relationship with God. It exemplifies a common human tendency to conceal transgressions rather than seek purification and obedience.