King James Version

What Does Judges 14:9 Mean?

Judges 14:9 in the King James Version says “And he took thereof in his hands, and went on eating, and came to his father and mother, and he gave them, and they did ...” — study this verse from Judges chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And he took thereof in his hands, and went on eating, and came to his father and mother, and he gave them, and they did eat: but he told not them that he had taken the honey out of the carcase of the lion.”

Judges 14:9 · KJV

Context

7

And he went down, and talked with the woman; and she pleased Samson well .

8

And after a time he returned to take her, and he turned aside to see the carcase of the lion: and, behold, there was a swarm of bees and honey in the carcase of the lion.

9

And he took thereof in his hands, and went on eating, and came to his father and mother, and he gave them, and they did eat: but he told not them that he had taken the honey out of the carcase of the lion.

10

So his father went down unto the woman: and Samson made there a feast; for so used the young men to do.

11

And it came to pass, when they saw him, that they brought thirty companions to be with him.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And he took thereof in his hands, and went on eating, and came to his father and mother, and he gave them, and they did eat: but he told not them that he had taken the honey out of the carcase of the lion.

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
רָדָ֥ה1 of 22

“And he took”

H7287

to tread down, i.e., subjugate; specifically, to crumble off

אֶל2 of 22
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

כַּפָּ֗יו3 of 22

“thereof in his hands”

H3709

the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-

וַיֵּ֙לֶךְ֙4 of 22

“and came”

H1980

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

וַיֵּ֙לֶךְ֙5 of 22

“and came”

H1980

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

וַיֹּאכֵ֑לוּ6 of 22

“eating”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

וַיֵּ֙לֶךְ֙7 of 22

“and came”

H1980

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

אֶל8 of 22
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אָבִ֣יו9 of 22

“to his father”

H1

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

וְאֶל10 of 22
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אִמּ֔וֹ11 of 22

“and mother”

H517

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

וַיִּתֵּ֥ן12 of 22

“and he gave”

H5414

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

לָהֶ֖ם13 of 22
H0
וַיֹּאכֵ֑לוּ14 of 22

“eating”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

וְלֹֽא15 of 22
H3808

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

הִגִּ֣יד16 of 22

“but he 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

לָהֶ֔ם17 of 22
H0
כִּ֛י18 of 22
H3588

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

מִגְּוִיַּ֥ת19 of 22

“out of the carcase”

H1472

a body, whether alive or dead

הָֽאַרְיֵ֖ה20 of 22

“of the lion”

H738

a lion

רָדָ֥ה21 of 22

“And he took”

H7287

to tread down, i.e., subjugate; specifically, to crumble off

הַדְּבָֽשׁ׃22 of 22

“the honey”

H1706

honey (from its stickiness); by analogy, syrup

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 14:9 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 14:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Samuel 14:25-30Proverbs 25:15

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