King James Version

What Does Judges 14:2 Mean?

Judges 14:2 in the King James Version says “And he came up, and told his father and his mother, and said, I have seen a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Phi...” — study this verse from Judges chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And he came up, and told his father and his mother, and said, I have seen a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines: now therefore get her for me to wife.”

Judges 14:2 · KJV

Context

1

And Samson went down to Timnath, and saw a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines.

2

And he came up, and told his father and his mother, and said, I have seen a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines: now therefore get her for me to wife.

3

Then his father and his mother said unto him, Is there never a woman among the daughters of thy brethren, or among all my people, that thou goest to take a wife of the uncircumcised Philistines? And Samson said unto his father, Get her for me; for she pleaseth me well . pleaseth: Heb. is right in mine eyes

4

But his father and his mother knew not that it was of the LORD, that he sought an occasion against the Philistines: for at that time the Philistines had dominion over Israel.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And he came up, and told his father and his mother, and said, I have seen a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines: now therefore get her for me to wife.

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 · 15 words
וַיַּ֗עַל1 of 15

“And he came up”

H5927

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

וַיַּגֵּד֙2 of 15

“and 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

לְאָבִ֣יו3 of 15

“his father”

H1

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

וּלְאִמּ֔וֹ4 of 15

“and his mother”

H517

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

וַיֹּ֗אמֶר5 of 15

“and said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לְאִשָּֽׁה׃6 of 15

“a woman”

H802

a woman

רָאִ֥יתִי7 of 15

“I have seen”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

בְתִמְנָ֖תָה8 of 15

“in Timnath”

H8553

timnah, the name of two places in palestine

מִבְּנ֣וֹת9 of 15

“of the daughters”

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

פְּלִשְׁתִּ֑ים10 of 15

“of the Philistines”

H6430

a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth

וְעַתָּ֕ה11 of 15
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

קְחוּ12 of 15

“now therefore get”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

אוֹתָ֥הּ13 of 15
H853

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

לִּ֖י14 of 15
H0
לְאִשָּֽׁה׃15 of 15

“a woman”

H802

a woman

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 14:2 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 14:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 34:4Genesis 24:2-3Genesis 21:212 Kings 14:9Genesis 38:6

Places in This Verse

Timnah 1Settlement · Modern: Tel Batash · 31.78°N, 34.91°E9 verses across 3 books
View all places in Judges 14 →

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