King James Version

What Does Judges 14:3 Mean?

Judges 14:3 in the King James Version says “Then his father and his mother said unto him, Is there never a woman among the daughters of thy brethren, or among all m...” — study this verse from Judges chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Judges 14:3 · 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.

5

Then went Samson down, and his father and his mother, to Timnath, and came to the vineyards of Timnath: and, behold, a young lion roared against him. against: Heb. in meeting him

Read Judges 14 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

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 · 28 words
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר1 of 28

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

ל֜וֹ2 of 28
H0
אָבִיו֙3 of 28

“Then his father”

H1

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

וְאִמּ֗וֹ4 of 28

“and his mother”

H517

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

הַאֵין֩5 of 28

“unto him Is there never”

H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

בִּבְנ֨וֹת6 of 28

“among the daughters”

H1323

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

אַחֶ֤יךָ7 of 28

“of thy brethren”

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

וּבְכָל8 of 28
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

עַמִּי֙9 of 28

“or among all my people”

H5971

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

אִשָּׁ֔ה10 of 28

“a wife”

H802

a woman

כִּֽי11 of 28
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אַתָּ֤ה12 of 28
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

הוֹלֵךְ֙13 of 28

“that thou goest”

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

קַֽח14 of 28

“Get”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

אִשָּׁ֔ה15 of 28

“a wife”

H802

a woman

מִפְּלִשְׁתִּ֖ים16 of 28

“Philistines”

H6430

a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth

הָֽעֲרֵלִ֑ים17 of 28

“of the uncircumcised”

H6189

properly, exposed, i.e., projecting loose (as to the prepuce); used only technically, uncircumcised (i.e., still having the prepuce uncurtailed)

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר18 of 28

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

שִׁמְשׁ֤וֹן19 of 28

“And Samson”

H8123

shimshon, an israelite

אֶל20 of 28
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אָבִיו֙21 of 28

“Then his father”

H1

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

אוֹתָ֣הּ22 of 28
H853

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

קַֽח23 of 28

“Get”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

לִ֔י24 of 28
H0
כִּי25 of 28
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

הִ֖יא26 of 28
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

יָֽשְׁרָ֥ה27 of 28

“her for me for she pleaseth me well”

H3474

to be straight or even; figuratively, to be (causatively, to make) right, pleasant, prosperous

בְעֵינָֽי׃28 of 28
H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

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 14:3 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 14:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Judges 15:181 Samuel 17:361 Samuel 14:61 Samuel 31:4Deuteronomy 7:2-31 Samuel 17:26

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