Judges 16 28

Judges 16:28 kjv

And Samson called unto the LORD, and said, O Lord God, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes.

Judges 16:28 nkjv

Then Samson called to the LORD, saying, "O Lord GOD, remember me, I pray! Strengthen me, I pray, just this once, O God, that I may with one blow take vengeance on the Philistines for my two eyes!"

Judges 16:28 niv

Then Samson prayed to the LORD, "Sovereign LORD, remember me. Please, God, strengthen me just once more, and let me with one blow get revenge on the Philistines for my two eyes."

Judges 16:28 esv

Then Samson called to the LORD and said, "O Lord GOD, please remember me and please strengthen me only this once, O God, that I may be avenged on the Philistines for my two eyes."

Judges 16:28 nlt

Then Samson prayed to the LORD, "Sovereign LORD, remember me again. O God, please strengthen me just one more time. With one blow let me pay back the Philistines for the loss of my two eyes."

Judges 16 verses

Judges 16 28 Meaning

Judges 16:28 depicts Samson's fervent prayer to the LORD (Yahweh) from his place of deepest humiliation. Stripped of his strength, sight, and dignity, he appeals to God for a final, singular act of divine empowerment. His explicit request is to be strengthened "only this once" so that he might avenge himself on the Philistines for his two eyes, which they had gouged out. This plea represents a return to acknowledging God as the source of his power, contrasting his previous self-reliance, and culminates in a climactic act of both personal retribution and divine judgment upon the Philistines and their god Dagon.

Judges 16 28 Context

Judges 16:28 finds Samson at his lowest point. He has been captured by the Philistines, his hair (the symbol of his Nazirite vow and God's enabling strength) has been shorn, and his eyes, which had previously led him astray (Jdg 14:1-3, 16:1), have been gouged out by his enemies. He is a prisoner, forced to grind grain in the Philistine prison in Gaza (Jdg 16:20-21). This humiliation reaches its climax when the Philistines, celebrating their victory over him, attribute it to their god Dagon (Jdg 16:23-24). They gather thousands in Dagon's temple, bring Samson out for entertainment and mockery. It is in this public spectacle, ridiculed and blind, that Samson reaches out to the God he had largely forsaken but who had never completely abandoned him. His prayer signals a final, desperate turning point where he humbly seeks God's power for one last purpose, combining personal revenge with divine judgment on the Philistine oppressors and their idol god. This act contrasts with his prior self-willed actions, representing a return to reliance on God.

Judges 16 28 Word analysis

• Then Samson called: This phrase signifies a decisive moment, a turning point. It highlights his initiative to seek God after his severe downfall.
• unto the LORD (YHWH - יְהוָה): Calling upon Yahweh, the covenant name of God, underscores Samson's direct appeal to the personal, faithful God of Israel, acknowledging Him as the true source of power, not Dagon or any other god.
• and said: Indicates a verbal, intentional act of prayer.
• O Lord GOD (Adonai Yahweh - אֲדֹנָי יְהֹוִה): The use of both Adonai (Master, Sovereign Lord) and Yahweh (covenant God) reflects a heightened sense of reverence and submission in Samson's prayer. He is addressing God as his ultimate Master and the Sovereign Ruler of all.
• remember me (zakhar - זָכַר): This Hebrew term means more than merely recalling past events. It implies an active and merciful intervention based on past relationship or promise. Samson pleads for God to recall his past service, perhaps even His original calling, and to act on his behalf with compassion. It is a plea for God to act justly concerning his state.
• I pray thee: A humble and earnest plea, indicating sincerity and dependence. It is a desperate request from a humbled man.
• and strengthen me (ḥāzaq - חָזַק): This word means to be firm, strong, courageous. Samson recognizes that his physical power was not inherent but was divinely bestowed. He pleads for the restoration of this supernatural enablement, signifying a renewed dependence on God.
• I pray thee, only this once: This poignant repetition and addition emphasize the exceptional nature of his request and the dire circumstances. It reflects both desperation and a final, focused intention. It points to a singular, climactic act.
• O God (Elohim - אֱלֹהִים): While Yahweh refers to God's covenant name, Elohim is the general term for God, emphasizing His might and power as the Creator and Ruler of all, even of the Philistines.
• that I may be at once avenged (nāqam - נָקַם): Nāqam implies a powerful act of retribution or vengeance. Samson's stated motive is personal vengeance for his suffering. However, this also serves God's wider purpose of executing justice upon the Philistines who had oppressed Israel and blasphemed His name.
• of the Philistines: The specific oppressors of Israel and mockers of God, showing Samson's focus.
• for my two eyes (ʿayin - עַיִן): The symbolic and literal core of his suffering. His blindness, the ultimate sign of his defeat and humiliation, becomes the driving force behind his final prayer for strength. It's a powerful personal injury, representing his complete vulnerability.

Words-Group analysis:

• "Then Samson called unto the LORD, and said, O Lord GOD": This opening demonstrates Samson's return to Yahweh after years of misusing His gifts and neglecting His commands. It's a pivotal moment of desperate but true prayer, showing he still knew the true God, even in his apostasy.
• "remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once": This heart-wrenching plea is loaded with urgency and humility. It highlights Samson's total dependency on God for any hope of action, acknowledging his complete inability in his current state. The "only this once" reveals his understanding that this is his final chance and act.
• "that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes": This phrase presents Samson's explicit motivation. While it has a personal vengeance aspect (for his physical suffering), it also implicitly functions as a cry for God's justice against the oppressors and against their idol, Dagon, who had been glorified over Yahweh (Judges 16:24). It merges personal retribution with the divine imperative for judgment.

Judges 16 28 Bonus section

Samson's prayer and subsequent death also function as a strong polemic against the Philistine god Dagon. By bringing down Dagon’s temple, Samson's act proved Yahweh's supremacy over the false god to whom the Philistines attributed their victory. This mirrors other instances in the Bible where God publicly demonstrates His power over pagan deities (e.g., the plagues in Egypt against their gods). Samson's end, while a personal tragedy, became a strategic divine blow against the oppressive Philistine power structure and their religious beliefs. Though his request seems rooted in personal revenge, it directly serves God's sovereign plan for Israel's ongoing conflict with the Philistines and is often viewed as a sacrifice of self for the sake of his people and for the vindication of God's name. This final, prayer-empowered act surpassed all his previous achievements in terms of its impact on the Philistine leadership (Judges 16:30), cementing his role as one of the judges, even if controversial.

Judges 16 28 Commentary

Judges 16:28 marks a profound turn in Samson's tragic narrative. From a self-indulgent, often rebellious individual, Samson, in his ultimate brokenness and humiliation, turns back to the only true source of his former strength—the LORD God of Israel. His prayer is not without human failing; the explicit motivation to "be avenged for my two eyes" reveals a deep personal desire for retribution for his torment and degradation. However, within this intensely personal cry, God’s ultimate purpose is also at work. The Philistines had blasphemed Yahweh by attributing their victory to Dagon. Samson’s subsequent act of strength, though fueled by a personal sense of vengeance, becomes God’s powerful response against Dagon and His people’s oppressors. Samson’s humility in calling upon Adonai Yahweh (Sovereign Lord, Covenant God) and admitting his total dependence by requesting strength "only this once" speaks to a final, authentic turning. The biblical narrative, especially Samson's inclusion in the 'faith hall of fame' in Hebrews 11:32, suggests that despite his significant flaws, his ultimate act, in this moment of genuine repentance and reliance on God, was one of faith that God honored, bringing about a greater deliverance for Israel than any single victory in his previous life. This verse exemplifies God's willingness to use flawed vessels for His divine purposes, answering desperate prayers even from those who have strayed far.

• Example 1: When we find ourselves at rock bottom due to our own missteps, this verse shows it's never too late to humbly call upon God for strength and deliverance.
• Example 2: God can use even our past mistakes and their consequences as a catalyst for our turning back to Him and for His greater glory.
• Example 3: Our weaknesses can become platforms for God's strength to be perfectly demonstrated, transforming humiliation into a moment of divine victory.