Judges 15 20

Judges 15:20 kjv

And he judged Israel in the days of the Philistines twenty years.

Judges 15:20 nkjv

And he judged Israel twenty years in the days of the Philistines.

Judges 15:20 niv

Samson led Israel for twenty years in the days of the Philistines.

Judges 15:20 esv

And he judged Israel in the days of the Philistines twenty years.

Judges 15:20 nlt

Samson judged Israel for twenty years during the period when the Philistines dominated the land.

Judges 15 verses

Judges 15 20 Meaning

Judges 15:20 succinctly states that Samson acted as a judge over Israel for a period of twenty years. This duration occurred concurrent with, and therefore implies, ongoing Philistine subjugation of Israel, highlighting the incomplete nature of the deliverance during his leadership.

Judges 15 20 Context

Judges 15:20 marks a transitional statement in the narrative of Samson, immediately following his mighty acts of vengeance against the Philistines (killing a thousand men with a jawbone and the "Lehi" incident). This verse serves as a summary evaluation of his time as Israel's judge, placing the preceding and subsequent accounts of his personal exploits within the framework of his divinely appointed, albeit complex and flawed, leadership role. Historically, the period of Judges was characterized by a cyclical pattern of Israelite disobedience, foreign oppression (including significant Philistine domination, especially highlighted from Judges 13 onwards), Israel crying out to God, and God raising a deliverer. Samson's "judgeship" is distinct; unlike many other judges, his actions are largely personal vendettas or feats of strength rather than unified military campaigns, and his leadership does not fully end the Philistine oppression, as implied by the phrase "in the days of the Philistines." The socio-religious context is one of great spiritual and moral decline, encapsulated by the recurring phrase "there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes."

Judges 15 20 Word analysis

• And he judged: (וַיִּשְׁפֹּט - wayyišpoṭ) From the root שָׁפַט (shaphat). In the context of Judges, this word signifies more than merely rendering judicial verdicts. It encompasses acting as a leader, ruler, deliverer, and military champion. For Samson, it particularly highlights his role as an appointed deliverer, even if his methods were unconventional and his character flawed. It signifies divine commissioning and a period of recognized authority over at least part of Israel.
• Israel: (יִשְׂרָאֵל - Yiśrā’ēl) Refers to the collective people of God's covenant. In Judges, Israel often refers to various tribes or segments of the nation rather than a fully unified entity, reflecting the fragmented nature of their leadership and tribal loyalties. Samson's influence likely extended more strongly in the tribal lands close to Philistine territories, like Dan and Judah.
• in the days of the Philistines: (בִּימֵי פְלִשְׁתִּים - bîmey Pəlištîm) This critical phrase defines the era of Samson's judgeship. It directly indicates that his leadership did not result in a complete cessation of Philistine dominion, but rather occurred within a continuing period of Philistine oppression (which Judg 13:1 states was forty years). This is a unique and significant detail among the summaries of judges; most others are credited with bringing decades of "rest." It highlights the limited, perhaps individualistic, nature of Samson's deliverance and Israel's continued spiritual and political malaise. This suggests that despite his supernatural strength and victories, Israel was not entirely liberated from Philistine subjugation during his time.
• twenty years: (עֶשְׂרִים שָׁנָה - ‘esrīm shānāh) Specifies the duration of Samson's judgeship. This period is a significant length for a judge, demonstrating an extended period of God using this particular, paradoxical figure. While long, it is half of the 40-year oppressions common in Judges and contrasts with longer periods of peace secured by some other judges.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And he judged Israel": Establishes Samson's divine appointment and function as a national leader/deliverer for the covenant people. His leadership, however, appears less broad than other judges like Deborah or Gideon, being more centered on direct confrontations with the Philistines stemming from his personal interactions.
• "in the days of the Philistines": This is a key interpretive phrase. It's a statement of ongoing historical reality. It underscores that Samson’s specific exploits and period of leadership did not entirely reverse the long-standing Philistine dominance over Israel. It contrasts sharply with summaries of other judges (e.g., Othniel bringing 40 years of rest, Ehud 80 years) which explicitly mark an end to the oppressor's rule. This indicates the partial or limited nature of the salvation experienced under Samson, perhaps reflecting Israel's continued unfaithfulness or God's overarching sovereign plan to eventually raise up a king.

Judges 15 20 Bonus section

This verse functions as a chiasmic bookend to Samson's official judicial summary, mirrored by Judges 16:31. Its repetition at the beginning (Jdg 15:20) and end (Jdg 16:31) of the Samson narratives ensures that despite the dramatic and personal nature of his exploits and his tragic demise, his life is consistently framed as divinely ordained judicial service. The repeated mention reinforces the official period of his judgeship regardless of his unconventional life or even his fatal last act, placing all his actions, good and bad, under God's overarching purpose for a specific period of time. This particular summary (20 years in "days of the Philistines") points forward to the persistent struggle that would define Israel's future dealings with the Philistines, continuing well into the period of Saul and David. It also highlights God's grace, allowing Samson to retain his judicial title despite personal and moral failures.

Judges 15 20 Commentary

Judges 15:20 is a pivotal, yet concise, statement summarizing Samson's official role. Despite his awe-inspiring feats of strength, divinely bestowed for Israel's deliverance, his tenure as judge did not usher in a complete cessation of Philistine oppression, rather it occurred "in the days of the Philistines." This unique phrase points to the ongoing, pervasive influence of the Philistines, implying that Samson's numerous, often self-serving, engagements provided flashes of deliverance and individual acts of vengeance rather than systematic national liberation. His judgeship highlights the paradoxical nature of God's working through deeply flawed human instruments. The 20-year duration underscores God's sustained patience and persistent use of even such a complex character for His purposes of preserving Israel. It sets the stage for the narrative's conclusion where even in his final weakness, Samson's most impactful act against the Philistines fulfills his divine calling more thoroughly than any single prior event.