King James Version

What Does Judges 14:16 Mean?

Judges 14:16 in the King James Version says “And Samson's wife wept before him, and said, Thou dost but hate me, and lovest me not: thou hast put forth a riddle unto...” — study this verse from Judges chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Samson's wife wept before him, and said, Thou dost but hate me, and lovest me not: thou hast put forth a riddle unto the children of my people, and hast not told it me. And he said unto her, Behold, I have not told it my father nor my mother, and shall I tell it thee?”

Judges 14:16 · KJV

Context

14

And he said unto them, Out of the eater came forth meat, and out of the strong came forth sweetness. And they could not in three days expound the riddle.

15

And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they said unto Samson's wife, Entice thy husband, that he may declare unto us the riddle, lest we burn thee and thy father's house with fire: have ye called us to take that we have? is it not so? take: Heb. possess us, or, impoverish us?

16

And Samson's wife wept before him, and said, Thou dost but hate me, and lovest me not: thou hast put forth a riddle unto the children of my people, and hast not told it me. And he said unto her, Behold, I have not told it my father nor my mother, and shall I tell it thee?

17

And she wept before him the seven days, while their feast lasted: and it came to pass on the seventh day, that he told her, because she lay sore upon him: and she told the riddle to the children of her people. the seven: or, the rest of the seven days

18

And the men of the city said unto him on the seventh day before the sun went down, What is sweeter than honey? and what is stronger than a lion? And he said unto them, If ye had not plowed with my heifer, ye had not found out my riddle.

Read Judges 14 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Samson's wife wept before him, and said, Thou dost but hate me, and lovest me not: thou hast put forth a riddle unto the children of my people, and hast not told it me. And he said unto her, Behold, I have not told it my father nor my mother, and shall I tell it thee?

This verse belongs to the Samson cycle addressing Samson's marriage and riddle at Timnath. Samson represents both the heights of God-empowered strength and the depths of human weakness through moral compromise. His Nazirite vow (Numbers 6:1-21) set him apart as holy to God, yet his persistent violations of this vow—contact with dead animals (14:8-9), seven-day feast (likely involving wine, 14:10), and finally revealing his hair's secret (16:17)—demonstrate progressive spiritual decline.

Theologically, Samson illustrates how spiritual gifts don't guarantee spiritual maturity. The Spirit of the LORD came upon Samson repeatedly, giving superhuman strength, yet this empowerment didn't produce corresponding moral transformation. His attraction to Philistine women (14:1-3, 16:1, 16:4) directly violated God's command against intermarriage with Canaanites (Deuteronomy 7:3-4). This demonstrates that God can use flawed instruments for His purposes, but this never excuses or endorses sin.

Samson's final prayer—"O Lord God, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me" (16:28)—shows genuine repentance and renewed faith. His death accomplished more than his life (16:30), suggesting that even spectacular failure can be redeemed when we return to God. However, the tragedy is that Samson's potential was largely wasted through moral compromise. His story warns believers that consistent holy living, not merely spectacular spiritual experiences, characterizes faithful discipleship.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Historical Setting: The Book of Judges spans approximately 350-400 years (c. 1375-1050 BCE) during the Late Bronze Age collapse and early Iron Age. This period saw the disintegration of major empires (Hittites, Mycenaeans) and weakening of Egyptian control over Canaan, creating a power vacuum filled by emerging peoples including Philistines (Sea Peoples), Aramaeans, and regional kingdoms. The decentralized tribal structure left Israel vulnerable to external oppression and internal chaos.

Cultural Context: This passage relates to Samson's marriage and riddle at Timnath. Canaanite religion dominated the region, centered on Baal (storm/fertility god), Asherah (mother goddess), and Anat (war goddess). Archaeological discoveries at Ugarit (Ras Shamra) have provided extensive information about Canaanite mythology and religious practices. Baal worship involved ritual prostitution, child sacrifice, and fertility rites tied to agricultural seasons. Israel's persistent attraction to these gods demonstrates the strong cultural pressure to conform to surrounding nations' religious practices.

The material culture of this period shows gradual Israelite settlement in the Canaanite hill country, with simpler pottery and architecture than coastal Canaanite cities. Iron technology was beginning to spread, giving military advantage to peoples who mastered it (note the Philistines' iron monopoly, 1 Samuel 13:19-22). The absence of centralized government during the judges period stands in stark contrast to the bureaucratic city-states of Canaan and the imperial administration of Egypt and Mesopotamia. This political structure reflected Israel's theocratic ideal—God as king—yet the repeated cycles of apostasy showed this ideal required more than political structures; it demanded heart transformation.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage about Samson's marriage and riddle at Timnath reveal God's character in dealing with persistent human rebellion and incomplete obedience?
  2. What patterns of spiritual compromise or incomplete obedience in your own life mirror Israel's failures during the judges period?
  3. How does understanding the cyclical nature of sin and deliverance in Judges help you appreciate Christ's perfect and final deliverance from sin's power?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
וַתֵּבְךְּ֩1 of 25

“wept”

H1058

to weep; generally to bemoan

אֵ֨שֶׁת2 of 25

“wife”

H802

a woman

שִׁמְשׁ֜וֹן3 of 25

“And Samson's”

H8123

shimshon, an israelite

עָלָ֗יו4 of 25
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר5 of 25

“before him and said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

רַק6 of 25
H7535

properly, leanness, i.e., (figuratively) limitation; only adverbial, merely, or conjunctional, although

שְׂנֵאתַ֙נִי֙7 of 25

“Thou dost but hate”

H8130

to hate (personally)

וְלֹ֣א8 of 25
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

אֲהַבְתָּ֔נִי9 of 25

“me and lovest”

H157

to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)

הַֽחִידָ֥ה10 of 25

“a riddle”

H2420

a puzzle, hence, a trick, conundrum, sententious maxim

חַ֙דְתָּ֙11 of 25

“me not thou hast put forth”

H2330

properly, to tie a knot, i.e., (figuratively) to propound a riddle

לִבְנֵ֣י12 of 25

“unto the children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

עַמִּ֔י13 of 25

“of my people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

וְלִ֖י14 of 25
H0
לֹ֣א15 of 25
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

אַגִּֽיד׃16 of 25

“and hast not told”

H5046

properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר17 of 25

“before him and said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לָ֗הּ18 of 25
H0
הִנֵּ֨ה19 of 25
H2009

lo!

לְאָבִ֧י20 of 25

“it my father”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

וּלְאִמִּ֛י21 of 25

“nor my mother”

H517

a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])

לֹ֥א22 of 25
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

אַגִּֽיד׃23 of 25

“and hast not told”

H5046

properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to

וְלָ֥ךְ24 of 25
H0
אַגִּֽיד׃25 of 25

“and hast not told”

H5046

properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Judges. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Judges 14:16 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Judges 14:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Judges 16:15Genesis 2:24

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