Samson's Death and the Fall of the Philistine Temple
Judges 16:23-31
Jud.16.23 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וסרני: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- פלשתים: NOUN,m,pl,cstr
- נאספו: VERB,niphal,perf,3,m,pl
- לזבח: VERB,qal,inf
- זבח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- גדול: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- לדגון: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אלהיהם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+3mp
- ולשמחה: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ויאמרו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,pl
- נתן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אלהינו: NOUN,m,pl,abs,poss:1,pl
- בידנו: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,1,_,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- שמשון: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- אויבינו: NOUN,m,pl,abs+1pl
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 5:1-5 (thematic): Philistines place a captured sacred object or image (Dagon) in a temple and interpret events as their god's victory over Israel’s God—parallel in Philistine religious rejoicing and attribution of Samson's capture to Dagon.
- Psalm 115:4-8 (thematic): Contrast between human/idol attribution of power and the impotence of idols; thematically parallels the Philistines' confidence in Dagon despite Yahweh’s sovereignty.
- Judges 16:28 (structural): Immediate narrative contrast: after the Philistines celebrate Samson’s capture as Dagon’s deliverance, Samson prays to Yahweh for strength—sets up the theological reversal.
- Judges 16:30 (structural): Narrative fulfillment and reversal of 16:23: the Philistines’ celebration ends in disaster when Samson brings down the temple, showing that their claim of divine deliverance is overturned.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the lords of the Philistines were gathered to offer a great sacrifice to Dagon their god and to make merry; and they said, “Our god has given Samson our enemy into our hands.”
- And the rulers of the Philistines were gathered to sacrifice a great sacrifice to Dagon their god and to be glad; and they said, 'Our god has delivered Samson, our enemy, into our hand.'
Jud.16.24 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויראו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויהללו: VERB,piel,impf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- אלהיהם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+3mp
- כי: CONJ
- אמרו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- נתן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אלהינו: NOUN,m,pl,abs,poss:1,pl
- בידנו: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,1,_,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- אויבנו: NOUN,m,pl,poss1pl
- ואת: CONJ
- מחריב: PART,hiph,act,m,sg
- ארצנו: NOUN,f,sg,poss1pl
- ואשר: CONJ+PRON,rel
- הרבה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- חללינו: NOUN,m,pl,poss1pl
Parallels
- Judg.16:23 (structural): Same narrative context — the Philistines in Dagon's temple rejoice and attribute Samson's capture/death to their god, explicitly claiming their god gave their enemy into their hand.
- 1 Sam.17:46-47 (verbal): David declares that the LORD will give Goliath into his hand; parallels the language and theology of a deity ‘giving’ an enemy into the worshipers' hand and thereby being honored.
- Exod.17:11-13 (verbal): As Moses holds up his hands Israel prevails and Amalek is defeated—an example of the motif that God effects military victory and enemies are delivered into Israel’s hand.
- 2 Chron.20:21-24 (thematic): Jehoshaphat’s army sees the LORD bring about the rout of its enemies and the people praise God; thematically parallels attributing victory and the destruction of foes to a deity’s action.
Alternative generated candidates
- When the people saw him they praised their god, saying, “Our god has delivered into our hands our enemy, the destroyer of our land, who had slain many of us.”
- When the people saw him they praised their god, for they said, 'Our god has given into our hand our enemy, the destroyer of our country, who multiplied the slain among us.'
Jud.16.25 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- כטוב: PREP+ADJ,m,sg
- לבם: NOUN,m,sg,poss
- ויאמרו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,pl
- קראו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- לשמשון: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- וישחק: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- לנו: PREP+PRON,1,pl
- ויקראו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- לשמשון: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- מבית: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- האסורים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ויצחק: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- לפניהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- ויעמידו: VERB,hiphil,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- אותו: PRON,3,m,sg,obj
- בין: PREP
- העמודים: NOUN,m,pl,def
Parallels
- Judg.16:21-30 (structural): Immediate literary context and continuation: Samson is brought out, placed between the temple pillars, laughs, and finally brings the roof down—verse 25 is a moment inside this climactic scene.
- 1 Kgs.7:15-22 (structural): Architectural description of large temple pillars (Jachin and Boaz); parallels the concrete image of massive supporting pillars and the structural symbolism of a building held up by its columns.
- Mark 15:29-30 (thematic): Crowds mock a condemned figure and demand a display (’He saved others; let him save himself’); thematically parallels the Philistine crowd calling Samson to perform and jeering at him before his final act.
- Gen.18:12 (verbal): Uses the same root of ‘to laugh’ (צחק); connects linguistically and thematically to moments of laughter as disbelief, derision, or pivotal reaction in biblical narrative.
Alternative generated candidates
- As their hearts were merry they said, “Call Samson that he may entertain us.” So they called Samson from the prison, and he entertained them, and they set him between the pillars.
- And as their hearts pleased them they said, 'Call Samson, that he may play for us.' So they called Samson out of the prison-house; and he performed before them, and they set him between the pillars.
Jud.16.26 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- שמשון: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- אל: NEG
- הנער: NOUN,m,sg,def
- המחזיק: VERB,qal,ptc,3,m,sg,def
- בידו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+3,m,sg
- הניחה: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,sg
- אותי: PRON,1,sg,acc
- והמשני: VERB,hiphil,ptc,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- העמדים: VERB,qal,ptc,0,m,pl
- אשר: PRON,rel
- הבית: NOUN,m,sg,def
- נכון: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- עליהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- ואשען: VERB,qal,impf,1,sg
- עליהם: PREP,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Judges 16:28 (structural): Samson’s prayer immediately precedes his request to the attendant; he asks God for strength 'this once' so he can take vengeance—sets motive for leaning on the pillars.
- Judges 16:29 (structural): The direct continuation: Samson places his hands on the two central pillars and pushes the house, accomplishing the action he requested permission to feel in v.26.
- Judges 16:30 (structural): Conclusion of the same episode: Samson’s final act brings down the temple, killing him and many Philistines—connects his leaning on the pillars to his death and Israel’s victory.
- Proverbs 9:1 (thematic): Uses the image of a house supported by pillars ('Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn out its seven pillars'), echoing the symbolic role of pillars as foundational supports.
- 1 Kings 7:15-22 (thematic): Describes the two bronze pillars (Jachin and Boaz) that stood at the entrance of Solomon’s temple—parallels the motif of prominent pillars supporting a sacred or public structure.
Alternative generated candidates
- 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 upon them.”
- Then 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.'
Jud.16.27 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והבית: NOUN,m,sg,def
- מלא: ADJ,m,sg
- האנשים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- והנשים: CONJ+NOUN,f,pl,def
- ושמה: CONJ+ADV,loc
- כל: DET
- סרני: NOUN,m,pl,cs
- פלשתים: NOUN,m,pl,cstr
- ועל: CONJ+PREP
- הגג: NOUN,m,sg,def
- כשלשת: NUM,card
- אלפים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואשה: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- הראים: VERB,qal,ptc,masc,pl
- בשחוק: PREP
- שמשון: NOUN,m,sg,prop
Parallels
- Judg.16:25 (structural): Immediate continuation of the same scene: the Philistines call for Samson to entertain them in their temple, paralleling the filled house and the spectacle on the roof.
- Judg.16:30 (thematic): Culmination of the scene: Samson brings down the house, killing the thousands who were watching on the roof — directly related outcome to the crowd described in v.27.
- Judg.16:21 (structural): Earlier stage of the episode: Samson is captured, blinded, and put in prison, which explains why the Philistines bring him out to be mocked before the assembled crowd.
- Judg.16:23 (quotation): Describes the Philistine leaders assembling to offer a great sacrifice to Dagon and to rejoice — parallels v.27's depiction of a large celebratory gathering of Philistine dignitaries and revelers.
- Exod.32:6 (verbal): Scene of mass revelry after idolatry — 'they rose up to play' (שׂחֵק) uses the same root and echoes the mockery/revelry language used about the crowd's laughter at Samson.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now the house was full of men and women; and all the lords of the Philistines were there. On the roof were about three thousand men and women watching Samson as he entertained them.
- Now the house was full of men and women; and all the rulers of the Philistines were there. On the roof were about three thousand men and women watching while they looked on at Samson's sport.
Jud.16.28 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקרא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- שמשון: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- אל: NEG
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אדני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- זכרני: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,sg
- נא: PART
- וחזקני: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,sg
- נא: PART
- אך: PART
- הפעם: NOUN,f,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
- האלהים: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ואנקמה: VERB,qal,imperfect,1,m,sg
- נקם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אחת: NUM,f,sg
- משתי: PREP+NUM,f,dual
- עיני: NOUN,f,pl,cons+1s
- מפלשתים: PREP+NOUN,prop,pl
Parallels
- 2 Samuel 22:33-36; Psalm 18:32-36 (thematic): Both passages depict God as the one who girds/strengthens the speaker for battle—paralleling Samson’s plea “strengthen me” to accomplish a final act of deliverance/vengeance.
- Hebrews 11:32-34 (allusion): Samson is listed among the heroes who “out of weakness were made strong” and achieved victories by divine power—an interpretive reflection on the kind of final, God-enabled deed described in Judges 16:28.
- Judges 6:36-40; Judges 7:2-22 (structural): Gideon’s request for signs and subsequent divine empowerment and victory mirrors the narrative pattern of a judge seeking God’s confirmation/strength and being enabled to overthrow Israel’s enemies.
- 1 Samuel 30:6-8 (thematic): David ‘strengthened himself in the LORD’ and inquired of God about pursuing and avenging those who wronged him—similar motifs of seeking divine strength and authorization for vengeance.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then Samson called to the LORD and said, “Sovereign LORD, remember me—please, strengthen me only this once, O God, that I may be avenged on the Philistines for my two eyes.”
- And Samson called to the LORD and said, 'O Lord GOD, remember me, I pray, and strengthen me, I pray, only this once, O God, that I may be avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes.'
Jud.16.29 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וילפת: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- שמשון: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- את: PRT,acc
- שני: NUM,m,pl,construct
- עמודי: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- התוך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- הבית: NOUN,m,sg,def
- נכון: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- עליהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- ויסמך: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- עליהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- אחד: NUM,card,m,sg
- בימינו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+3,m,sg
- ואחד: CONJ+NUM,m,sg
- בשמאלו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+3,m,sg
Parallels
- 1 Kings 7:15-22 (structural): Describes the two large brass pillars (Jachin and Boaz) set at the temple porch; parallels the concrete image of two supporting pillars on which a house rests (architectural/pillar motif).
- Proverbs 9:1 (verbal): Uses the language of a house built with pillars ('Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn out its seven pillars'), echoing the motif of a structure supported by pillars as in Samson's final act.
- Psalm 75:3 (thematic): Speaks of the LORD holding or steadying the earth’s pillars when the earth trembles; thematically contrasts divine support of foundations with Samson’s human act of seizing pillars to bring a building down.
- Hebrews 11:32 (allusion): Lists Samson among the heroes of faith for his exploits; the reference connects Samson’s final deed (grasping the pillars and collapsing the house) with the New Testament portrayal of his faith-filled, self-sacrificial act.
Alternative generated candidates
- Samson grasped the two central pillars on which the house rested, one with his right hand and one with his left.
- Then Samson took hold of the two central pillars on which the house rested; and he leaned his right hand on the one and his left hand on the other.
Jud.16.30 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- שמשון: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- תמות: VERB,qal,yiqtol,2,m,sg
- נפשי: NOUN,f,sg,abs+1cs
- עם: PREP
- פלשתים: NOUN,m,pl,cstr
- ויט: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- בכח: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויפל: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- הבית: NOUN,m,sg,def
- על: PREP
- הסרנים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ועל: CONJ+PREP
- כל: DET
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- בו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- ויהיו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- המתים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- המית: VERB,hiph,perf,3,m,sg
- במותו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- רבים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- מאשר: PREP+REL
- המית: VERB,hiph,perf,3,m,sg
- בחייו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 31:4-6 (thematic): Saul and his armor‑bearer commit death in the presence of the enemy to avoid capture and humiliation; like Samson’s final act, death occurs amid enemy triumph and brings decisive consequences.
- Judges 15:15 (verbal): Samson single‑handedly slays a large number of Philistines with extraordinary physical strength (jawbone episode); parallels the motif of one man delivering Israel by a spectacular, deadly act.
- Hebrews 11:32-34 (allusion): The New Testament lists Samson among the heroes of faith who, 'through weakness were made strong' and 'conquered kingdoms'—an interpretive framing that connects his final, sacrificial victory to faithfulness.
- John 10:17-18 (thematic): Jesus speaks of laying down his life voluntarily; thematically parallels the motif of a deliberate self‑sacrifice that results in victory over foes, though with different theological intent.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines.” He pushed with all his might, and the house fell upon the lords and upon all the people who were in it. Thus the dead whom he killed at his death were more than those whom he had killed in his life.
- And Samson said, 'Let me die with the Philistines.' He bowed himself with all his might, and the house fell upon the rulers and upon all the people who were in it; and those whom he slew at his death were more than those whom he had slain in his life.
Jud.16.31 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וירדו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- אחיו: NOUN,3,m,sg,abs
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אביהו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- וישאו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- ויעלו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- ויקברו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- אותו: PRON,3,m,sg,obj
- בין: PREP
- צרעה: NOUN,prop,f,sg
- ובין: CONJ+PREP
- אשתאל: NOUN,prop,f,sg
- בקבר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מנוח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אביו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3,m,sg
- והוא: CONJ+PRON,3,m,sg
- שפט: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עשרים: NUM,card,pl
- שנה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Judg.8.32 (verbal): Like Judg 16:31, reports the judge's death and burial in his father's tomb (Gideon buried in the tomb of Joash), using similar closing language about the judge's end.
- Judg.12.7 (structural): Follows the same Judges-era closing formula: summary of years of leadership ('he judged Israel X years'), death, and burial in his city/lineage—parallel structure to Samson's epitaph.
- 1 Sam.25.1 (verbal): Also records the death and burial of a national leader with brief communal notice ('Samuel died... and they buried him'), echoing the concise funerary notice in Judg 16:31.
- Josh.24.32 (thematic): Emphasizes burial in an ancestral/heritage location (the bones of Joseph buried at Shechem), paralleling Samson's interment in the tomb of his father Manoah.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then his brothers and all his father’s household came down and took him, brought him up, and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the tomb of Manoah his father. He judged Israel twenty years.
- Then his brothers and all his father's household came down and took him, and they brought him up and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the tomb of Manoah his father. And he judged Israel twenty years.
And the lords of the Philistines were gathered to offer a great sacrifice to Dagon their god, and to rejoice; and they said, 'Our god has given Samson our enemy into our hand.'
When the people saw him they praised their god; for they said, 'Our god has delivered into our hand our enemy, the one who ruined our land and made many of us fall.'
As their hearts were merry they said, 'Call Samson, that he may make sport for us.' So they called Samson out of the prisonhouse, and he made sport before them; and they set him between the pillars.
Then Samson said to the young man who held him by the hand, 'Let me feel the pillars by which the house stands, that I may lean upon them.' Now the house was full of men and women; and all the lords of the Philistines were there—and on the roof about three thousand men and women looked on while Samson made sport. And Samson called to the LORD and said, 'O Lord God, remember me, I pray, and strengthen me, I pray, this once only, O God, that I may take vengeance on the Philistines for my two eyes.'
Samson laid hold of the two middle pillars on which the house rested, and he braced himself—one with his right hand, and one with his left.
'Let me die with the Philistines,' Samson said; and he bowed with all his might, and the house fell upon the lords and upon all the people who were in it. Thus the dead whom he killed at his death were more than those he had killed in his life.
Then his brothers and all his father's household went down and took him, and brought him up and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the tomb of Manoah his father. And he judged Israel twenty years.