Judges 15 7

Judges 15:7 kjv

And Samson said unto them, Though ye have done this, yet will I be avenged of you, and after that I will cease.

Judges 15:7 nkjv

Samson said to them, "Since you would do a thing like this, I will surely take revenge on you, and after that I will cease."

Judges 15:7 niv

Samson said to them, "Since you've acted like this, I swear that I won't stop until I get my revenge on you."

Judges 15:7 esv

And Samson said to them, "If this is what you do, I swear I will be avenged on you, and after that I will quit."

Judges 15:7 nlt

"Because you did this," Samson vowed, "I won't rest until I take my revenge on you!"

Judges 15 verses

Judges 15 7 Meaning

Judges 15:7 declares Samson's unyielding determination to retaliate against the Philistines. After the Philistines burned his wife and father-in-law, Samson vocalizes a sworn resolution to exact full vengeance upon them for their violent act, refusing to desist until his personal retribution is complete. This statement underscores his fierce independence and sets the stage for further violent conflict, emphasizing his role as an individual instrument of judgment against Israel's oppressors.

Judges 15 7 Context

Judges 15:7 follows a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Samson and the Philistines. In the preceding chapter (Judges 14), Samson had been betrayed by his Philistine wife concerning a riddle, leading to her being given to another man. His initial retaliation involved setting foxes loose in Philistine fields (Jdg 15:4-5). The Philistines, in turn, burned Samson's wife and her father in retaliation for Samson's previous act (Jdg 15:6), indicating a cycle of escalating violence. Verse 7 is Samson's direct response to this recent and severe provocation. It is his verbal declaration of an uncompromising commitment to avenge the death of his wife and father-in-law, setting the stage for his subsequent powerful, yet often individualistic and brutal, acts against the Philistine oppressors, further revealing the complex and often raw nature of the period of the Judges, where divinely appointed deliverers acted in sometimes flawed or morally ambiguous ways.

Judges 15 7 Word analysis

• Samson (שִׁמְשׁוֹן, Shimshon): Meaning "like the sun" or "of the sun." A Nazirite from birth (Jdg 13:5), set apart by God with extraordinary strength, intended to "begin to save Israel from the hand of the Philistines." His actions, while often driven by personal vendettas, inadvertently serve God's larger plan to weaken Philistine dominance.
• said (וַיֹּאמֶר, va-yo'mer): Hebrew verb indicating speech. Here, it denotes a deliberate, confrontational declaration rather than a casual remark, underscoring the gravity of his words and intent.
• to them (לָהֶם, lahem): Referring to the Philistines responsible for burning his wife and father-in-law, as detailed in Judges 15:6. This specifies the direct object of his wrath.
• Since (כִּי, ki): A conjunction, often translated as "for," "because," "indeed," or "surely." Here it introduces a causal clause, establishing a clear link between the Philistines' actions and Samson's retaliatory response. It functions as his justification.
• you have done (עֲשִׂיתֶם, ‘asitem): From the verb `‘āsâ` (עָשָׂה), meaning "to do," "make," "perform." The plural form emphasizes the collective responsibility of the Philistines for the act of burning. It implies a conscious, willful act of violence.
• this (זֹאת, zo't): Refers directly to the burning of Samson's wife and father-in-law mentioned immediately prior in Judges 15:6. This brutal act escalated the conflict beyond Samson's previous pranks and field burning.
• I will not cease (לֹא־אֶשְׁלֹךְ, lo-’eshloch): A strong negative (`lo`) combined with a verb derived from `shalach` (שָׁלַךְ), which can mean "to send forth," "to cast," or in this context, "to desist" or "to let go." Thus, "I will not let up" or "I will not desist." It conveys absolute resolve and an unwavering commitment to his purpose.
• until (עַד, ‘ad): A preposition meaning "until" or "unto." It marks the complete fulfillment of his objective before he will stop his efforts.
• I have avenged myself (נִקְמָתִי, niqmātî): From `neqōmāh` (נְקֹמָה), meaning "vengeance," "retribution," or "recompense." The suffix `–ātî` indicates "my vengeance." This signifies a personal, not communal, act of retribution. While God is the ultimate avenger (Deut 32:35, Rom 12:19), Samson, as a flawed deliverer, operates within the parameters of a warrior code, acting as an instrument through which God's judgment against the Philistines will eventually unfold.
• on you (בָכֶם, bachem): Plural direct object, reaffirming that his vengeance is specifically targeted at the Philistines who perpetrated the offense. This clearly defines the aggressors and the recipients of his coming judgment.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• Samson said to them: Highlights Samson's direct challenge and open declaration of hostilities. This is not a hidden plan but a public announcement to his enemies.
• Since you have done this: Establishes the 'cause and effect' of Samson's retaliation. The Philistines' act of burning his family is presented as the justification for his impending violence, demonstrating a relentless cycle of vengeance prevalent in this period.
• I will not cease until I have avenged myself on you: This phrase functions as a solemn oath or vow of retribution. It emphasizes Samson's fierce, unyielding determination. His personal need for vengeance intertwines with his divinely ordained role as a deliverer, illustrating God working through imperfect, self-interested means to achieve His redemptive purposes. This powerful declaration signals a shift from previous localized conflicts to a sustained, personal vendetta against the Philistine oppressors.

Judges 15 7 Bonus section

Samson's "I will not cease" vow contrasts sharply with the wisdom tradition of the Bible, which often warns against personal vengeance (Prov 20:22, Prov 24:29) and directs believers to leave vengeance to the Lord (Rom 12:19). This highlights the unique, raw nature of the Judges period, where God worked through morally ambiguous characters for His sovereign purposes. Samson’s personal vendetta, fueled by perceived injustice, aligns with God's long-term plan to weaken the Philistines and deliver Israel, showcasing how divine sovereignty can utilize even human flaws and acts of personal retribution within a broader redemptive narrative. He consistently fights alone, lacking the tribal unity seen under other judges, making his personal vows all the more significant.

Judges 15 7 Commentary

Judges 15:7 encapsulates Samson's personal philosophy of 'an eye for an eye, a life for a life,' taken to its most extreme and individualistic expression. It follows an act of brutal Philistine retaliation, burning his wife and father-in-law, a collective punishment for Samson's previous acts of destruction against their fields. Samson's response is not a request for divine intervention but a sworn, personal oath of relentless retribution. His declaration "I will not cease until I have avenged myself on you" speaks to his strong, often defiant, character and his singular focus. He is not leading an army or uniting Israel; rather, he acts as a lone warrior, whose personal grievances ignite acts that serve God's larger plan to oppress the Philistines. This verse highlights the tension between a divinely appointed deliverer and his human flaws, where vengeance, though personal, paradoxically becomes an instrument of God's will against Israel's oppressors. Samson's pledge is immediate, unflinching, and serves as a prelude to the devastating "great slaughter" that immediately follows.

• Examples: This verse can be seen as an ancient example of a tit-for-tat escalation, where an initial offense (Samson burning fields) is met with an extreme counter-offense (burning his family), leading to Samson's vow of unceasing retribution.