Judges 16 26

Judges 16:26 kjv

And Samson said unto the lad that held him by the hand, Suffer me that I may feel the pillars whereupon the house standeth, that I may lean upon them.

Judges 16:26 nkjv

Then Samson said to the lad who held him by the hand, "Let me feel the pillars which support the temple, so that I can lean on them."

Judges 16:26 niv

Samson said to the servant who held his hand, "Put me where I can feel the pillars that support the temple, so that I may lean against them."

Judges 16:26 esv

And Samson said to the young man who held him by the hand, "Let me feel the pillars on which the house rests, that I may lean against them."

Judges 16:26 nlt

Samson said to the young servant who was leading him by the hand, "Place my hands against the pillars that hold up the temple. I want to rest against them."

Judges 16 verses

Judges 16 26 Meaning

Judges 16:26 records Samson's seemingly humble request to a young Philistine attendant, asking to be guided to the central pillars supporting the hall where he was being displayed and mocked. Blinded and utterly dependent, his stated intention was to lean upon these pillars for support, yet this veiled his true, divinely-inspired purpose to bring down the edifice and exact final vengeance upon the Philistines and their god, Dagon. The verse encapsulates Samson’s profound degradation and, paradoxically, sets the stage for his final, decisive act of faith and judgment.

Judges 16 26 Context

Judges 16:26 occurs at the climax of Samson’s narrative within the book of Judges, serving as a pivot from his personal disgrace to a final act of divine judgment. Previously, Samson, endowed with supernatural strength from the Spirit of the LORD (Jdg 14:6, 19; 15:14), consistently yielded to his sinful desires, ultimately being betrayed by Delilah. His long hair, a sign of his Nazirite vow, was cut, the Spirit departed, and he was captured by the Philistines, who gouged out his eyes and forced him into servitude. This verse finds him in a state of utter humiliation – blind, captive, and serving as entertainment at a grand feast for Dagon, the Philistine god. The Philistines attribute their 'victory' over Samson to Dagon (Jdg 16:23-24), openly mocking Samson and, by extension, the God of Israel. Samson's request, seemingly an act of physical weakness and dependence, conceals a desperate, final, and God-enabled plan for the destruction of the enemy and vindication of Yahweh. The historical context indicates large Philistine public buildings and temples, which often featured central pillars supporting a vast roof structure, making Samson's ensuing action plausible within their architectural norms.

Judges 16 26 Word analysis

• And Samson: The name `Shimshon` (שִׁמְשׁוֹן) means "sun-like" or "man of the sun." The irony is striking, as the one named for light is now blind. This phrase highlights the individual who, despite his profound fall from grace and current degradation, is about to be used by God for a final powerful act.
• said: This simple act of verbal communication is profound, as it initiates the chain of events leading to the downfall of the Philistines' celebration and their false deity. It signifies Samson’s initiative and hidden intention.
• to the lad: Hebrew: `na'ar` (נַעַר), referring to a young boy or servant. This detail powerfully conveys Samson’s abject state. The once-mighty warrior, who had terrorized thousands of Philistines, is now so dependent that he requires a mere child to guide his steps. This symbolizes his ultimate humiliation.
• that held him by the hand: Hebrew: `chazaq` (חָזַק), meaning to hold firmly, seize, strengthen, or cling to. This describes the physical control the boy exercised over the blind Samson. It emphasizes Samson’s complete lack of autonomy and the extent of his helplessness.
• 'Permit me: Hebrew: `hanichah li` (הַנִּיחָה לִּי), literally "let me rest" or "cause me to settle down," meaning "allow me" or "permit me." This seemingly innocuous, even weary request, belies the strategic and deadly intent behind it. It portrays a feigned sense of resignation or need for comfort.
• to feel: Hebrew: `mashash` (מָשַׁשׁ). To touch, grope, or feel one's way, particularly as one who is blind. This word emphasizes Samson's impaired state and his reliance on senses other than sight. It lends credibility to his supposed need for support.
• the pillars: Hebrew: `ammudim` (עַמּוּדִים). These are architectural columns or posts designed to support heavy structures, in this case, a massive building likely designed for large assemblies. Samson’s specific request for the pillars, rather than simply any wall or structure, reveals a hidden knowledge of their critical function.
• upon which the house stands: This phrase clarifies that Samson is targeting the central, weight-bearing supports of the Philistine building (likely a temple to Dagon or a large assembly hall). It denotes his precise understanding of the architectural vulnerability, despite his blindness. The 'house' is the enemy's stronghold of idolatry and revelry.
• that I may lean against them:' Hebrew: `shamakh` (שָׁמַךְ), meaning to rest upon, support oneself, or lean upon. This is the stated, superficial reason for his request – seeking physical relief and stability in his blind, exhausted state. It conceals his true intention: to apply force against the pillars, fulfilling his God-given purpose to destroy his enemies.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:
• "to the lad that held him by the hand": This phrase paints a poignant picture of Samson’s profound downfall and current physical degradation. The once-independent and divinely strong Nazirite is reduced to needing guidance from a mere boy, emphasizing his external vulnerability and dependence.
• "Permit me to feel the pillars... that I may lean against them": This constitutes Samson's masterfully deceptive request. It is cloaked in apparent helplessness and a plea for simple physical support for his weary frame. However, this seemingly innocuous request serves as a critical step in his strategic, divinely inspired plan to locate and then leverage the structural weakness of the Philistine temple, leading to his final destructive act against Dagon and the Philistines.

Judges 16 26 Bonus section

• The Power of the Seemingly Insignificant: The presence of the "lad" guiding Samson underscores a powerful biblical principle: God often chooses the weak and the humble (like a boy) to facilitate great deeds and to shame the strong (1 Cor 1:27). Samson, at his weakest, becomes an instrument for divine power through a seemingly trivial request involving a child.
• Architectural Insight: The description of the pillars supporting the "house" is consistent with Philistine assembly halls or temples that were open in the center and whose roofs were supported by large, often centrally located, columns. This architectural detail makes Samson's action not merely symbolic, but physically plausible within the context of the time, allowing his God-empowered strength to bring down the entire structure effectively.
• Spiritual Blindness vs. Physical Blindness: Samson’s physical blindness at this moment ironically coincides with his spiritual awakening (evident in Jdg 16:28). For much of his life, he was spiritually blind to his own sins and God’s specific instructions, which led to his downfall. Now, in physical darkness, he regains spiritual clarity and turns back to the Lord, trusting God's power over his own.
• God's Sovereignty in Human Failure: This verse highlights God's steadfast commitment to His purposes despite human sin and failure. Even in Samson's deepest humiliation, God orchestrates the means for His judgment on idolatry and the deliverance of His people. The enemies' moment of triumph turns into their utter defeat, showcasing God's reversal of fortunes.

Judges 16 26 Commentary

Judges 16:26 captures a critical juncture in Samson’s narrative. Stripped of his strength, sight, and dignity, he is reduced to a spectacle of ridicule for his enemies, the Philistines. His seemingly simple request to "feel" the main pillars of the Dagon temple, implying a need to lean for support due to his blindness and exhaustion, is laden with both irony and purpose. It speaks to his abject dependence, as he must be led by a "lad" – a powerful contrast to his past self-reliance and overwhelming power. However, beneath this external humiliation and a facade of weariness, lies Samson's shrewd tactical intelligence, newly combined with a profound turning to God, which prepares him for a final, divinely empowered act. This moment of extreme physical vulnerability becomes the catalyst for God's ultimate deliverance and vengeance against the Philistine worship of Dagon, proving that God's power is perfected in human weakness, and His sovereign will can use even deeply flawed instruments for His purposes.