King James Version

What Does Judges 14:19 Mean?

Judges 14:19 in the King James Version says “And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he went down to Ashkelon, and slew thirty men of them, and took their spoi...” — study this verse from Judges chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he went down to Ashkelon, and slew thirty men of them, and took their spoil, and gave change of garments unto them which expounded the riddle. And his anger was kindled, and he went up to his father's house. spoil: or, apparel”

Judges 14:19 · KJV

Holy Spirit

Context

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.

19

And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he went down to Ashkelon, and slew thirty men of them, and took their spoil, and gave change of garments unto them which expounded the riddle. And his anger was kindled, and he went up to his father's house. spoil: or, apparel

20

But Samson's wife was given to his companion, whom he had used as his friend.

Read Judges 14 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he went down to Ashkelon, and slew thirty men of them, and took their spoil, and gave change of garments unto them which expounded the riddle. And his anger was kindled, and he went up to his father's house.

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 · 22 words
וַתִּצְלַ֨ח1 of 22

“came”

H6743

to push forward, in various senses (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive)

עָלָ֜יו2 of 22
H5921

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

ר֣וּחַ3 of 22

“And the Spirit”

H7307

wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the

יְהוָ֗ה4 of 22

“of the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

וַיֵּ֨רֶד5 of 22

“upon him and he went down”

H3381

to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau

אַשְׁקְל֜וֹן6 of 22

“to Ashkelon”

H831

ashkelon, a place in palestine

וַיַּ֥ךְ7 of 22

“and slew”

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

מֵהֶ֣ם׀8 of 22
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

שְׁלֹשִׁ֣ים9 of 22

“thirty”

H7970

thirty; or (ordinal) thirtieth

אִ֗ישׁ10 of 22

“men”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

וַיִּקַּח֙11 of 22

“of them and took”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

אֶת12 of 22
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

חֲלִ֣יצוֹתָ֔ם13 of 22

“their spoil”

H2488

spoil

וַיִּתֵּן֙14 of 22

“and gave”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

הַֽחֲלִיפ֔וֹת15 of 22

“change”

H2487

alternation

לְמַגִּידֵ֖י16 of 22

“of garments unto them which expounded”

H5046

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

הַֽחִידָ֑ה17 of 22

“the riddle”

H2420

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

וַיִּ֣חַר18 of 22

“was kindled”

H2734

to glow or grow warm; figuratively (usually) to blaze up, of anger, zeal, jealousy

אַפּ֔וֹ19 of 22

“And his anger”

H639

properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire

וַיַּ֖עַל20 of 22

“and he went up”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

בֵּ֥ית21 of 22

“house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

אָבִֽיהוּ׃22 of 22

“to his father's”

H1

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

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 14:19 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 14:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Judges 3:101 Samuel 11:6Judges 13:25Judges 14:6Judges 15:14

Places in This Verse

AshkelonSettlement · Modern: Tel Ashkelon · 31.66°N, 34.55°E12 verses across 8 books
View all places in Judges 14 →

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