Judges 15 11

Judges 15:11 kjv

Then three thousand men of Judah went to the top of the rock Etam, and said to Samson, Knowest thou not that the Philistines are rulers over us? what is this that thou hast done unto us? And he said unto them, As they did unto me, so have I done unto them.

Judges 15:11 nkjv

Then three thousand men of Judah went down to the cleft of the rock of Etam, and said to Samson, "Do you not know that the Philistines rule over us? What is this you have done to us?" And he said to them, "As they did to me, so I have done to them."

Judges 15:11 niv

Then three thousand men from Judah went down to the cave in the rock of Etam and said to Samson, "Don't you realize that the Philistines are rulers over us? What have you done to us?" He answered, "I merely did to them what they did to me."

Judges 15:11 esv

Then 3,000 men of Judah went down to the cleft of the rock of Etam, and said to Samson, "Do you not know that the Philistines are rulers over us? What then is this that you have done to us?" And he said to them, "As they did to me, so have I done to them."

Judges 15:11 nlt

So 3,000 men of Judah went down to get Samson at the cave in the rock of Etam. They said to Samson, "Don't you realize the Philistines rule over us? What are you doing to us?" But Samson replied, "I only did to them what they did to me."

Judges 15 verses

Judges 15 11 Meaning

Judges 15:11 reveals the profound spiritual and moral decline of the tribe of Judah, Samson’s own kinsmen. Faced with the Philistine oppression, Judah, instead of supporting their divinely-appointed deliverer, viewed Samson's actions against their oppressors as a liability that disturbed their tenuous peace. They confronted Samson not to offer aid, but to rebuke him for upsetting the Philistine overlords and bringing trouble upon themselves, effectively showing their submission and fear rather than a desire for freedom.

Judges 15 11 Context

This verse is situated immediately after Samson's devastating actions against the Philistines in retaliation for them burning his wife and father-in-law (Judges 15:1-8). Samson, having avenged himself, takes refuge in the "cleft of the rock Etam." The Philistines, incensed, march into Judah, demanding Samson's surrender. Rather than rising to defend their fellow Israelite and seize an opportunity for deliverance, the three thousand men of Judah, intimidated and desiring to avoid conflict with their oppressors, confront Samson to hand him over. This confrontation underscores the prevailing spirit of subjugation and spiritual lethargy that characterized the Judges period in Israel, particularly Judah's submission to the Philistine yoke. The period lacked strong national leadership and faithfulness, leading to cycles of foreign oppression, precisely the state highlighted by Judah's actions.

Judges 15 11 Word analysis

• Then three thousand men of Judah: The number "three thousand" (šəlōšet ʾǎlāp̄îm) is a significant figure, indicating a large contingent of armed men. This was not a small mob but a sizable force representing the leadership or collective will of Judah. This underscores the extent of Judah's fear and willingness to cooperate with the enemy. Their identity as "men of Judah" is critical; they are Samson's own tribal kin, who should have been his allies, but instead chose collaboration with the oppressor. This highlights their profound spiritual decline and compromise.
• went down to the cleft of the rock Etam: "Went down" (wayyēreḏū) suggests descending from their normal dwelling place to a specific location, perhaps a more difficult, natural fortress. The "cleft of the rock" (šelahʾ hasselaʿ) (Strong's H5553 - sela’ means cliff, rock, crag) denotes a stronghold or hiding place, possibly implying Samson had sought a strategic position for defense. Etam (ʿÊṭām Strong's H5863), a place in Judah, implies specific geographical knowledge and confirms the tribal boundary. This setting establishes the physical location of the confrontation.
• and said to Samson: The immediate shift to direct dialogue reveals their clear purpose: to accost him, not assist him.
• "Do you not know that the Philistines are rulers over us?": The opening rhetorical question in Hebrew (Hǎlōʾ yādaʿtā kî mošlîm bānû pelištîm?) is a strong accusation. "Do you not know" (yādaʿtā) expresses indignation, implying that Samson's ignorance or defiance of their reality is baffling or irresponsible. The term "rulers over us" (mošlîm bānû - from Strong's H4910, māšal, to rule, reign, govern, have dominion) explicitly acknowledges Philistine suzerainty and Judah's complete submission. It underscores their view that Philistine dominion was a settled and unavoidable fact, one that Samson was recklessly disturbing. This reflects their spiritual apathy and practical unbelief in God's power to deliver them.
• "What then is this that you have done to us?'": This direct accusation (mah-zōʾt ʿāśîtā lānu?) further condemns Samson. They view Samson’s heroic actions, which were meant to provoke Philistine aggression against themselves rather than the broader Israelite population, as an imposition and a problem for Judah specifically, rather than for the Philistines. They are effectively saying, "Your actions threaten our peace and standing with the Philistines, and our fragile existence under their rule." This encapsulates their focus on immediate, earthly security over their divine mandate or desire for national freedom.

Judges 15 11 Bonus section

The phrase "rulers over us" reveals a stark truth about the spiritual state of Judah. They had not only submitted physically to Philistine rule but had also largely accepted it mentally and spiritually. This contrasts sharply with Samson, who, despite his personal flaws and often self-serving actions, remained an instrument for God's purposes against the Philistines. The episode with the three thousand men underscores a recurring theme in Judges: Israel's failure to collectively cooperate with God's designated deliverers, often viewing them as threats to their personal comfort or status quo rather than agents of divine liberation. This reveals a spiritual crisis where the fear of man superseded the fear of God, and worldly compromise eclipsed faith in God's covenant promises for their freedom and land.

Judges 15 11 Commentary

Judges 15:11 provides a sobering indictment of Israel’s spiritual condition during the period of the Judges. It paints a picture of a people so thoroughly oppressed and demoralized that they prefer a subservient peace under their enemies to the unsettling, divinely-initiated efforts for deliverance. The tribe of Judah, Samson's own kin, tragically exemplifies this spiritual lethargy. Instead of uniting with their strength-endowed kinsman, they accused him of disrupting their "order." Their rhetorical question "Do you not know that the Philistines are rulers over us?" reveals a people who had internalized their oppression, accepted foreign domination as their fate, and had lost the courage and faith to contend for their God-given freedom. This scene highlights the spiritual blindness and complacency of God's people, where the potential deliverer is seen as a troublemaker, and conformity to the oppressor is chosen over the call to faith and courage.