King James Version

What Does Judges 15:14 Mean?

Judges 15:14 in the King James Version says “And when he came unto Lehi, the Philistines shouted against him: and the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and ...” — study this verse from Judges chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And when he came unto Lehi, the Philistines shouted against him: and the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and the cords that were upon his arms became as flax that was burnt with fire, and his bands loosed from off his hands. loosed: Heb. were melted”

Judges 15:14 · KJV

Holy Spirit

Context

12

And they said unto him, We are come down to bind thee, that we may deliver thee into the hand of the Philistines. And Samson said unto them, Swear unto me, that ye will not fall upon me yourselves.

13

And they spake unto him, saying, No; but we will bind thee fast, and deliver thee into their hand: but surely we will not kill thee. And they bound him with two new cords, and brought him up from the rock.

14

And when he came unto Lehi, the Philistines shouted against him: and the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and the cords that were upon his arms became as flax that was burnt with fire, and his bands loosed from off his hands. loosed: Heb. were melted

15

And he found a new jawbone of an ass, and put forth his hand, and took it, and slew a thousand men therewith. new: Heb. moist

16

And Samson said, With the jawbone of an ass, heaps upon heaps, with the jaw of an ass have I slain a thousand men. heaps upon: Heb. an heap, two heaps

Read Judges 15 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And when he came unto Lehi, the Philistines shouted against him: and the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and the cords that were upon his arms became as flax that was burnt with fire, and his bands loosed from off his hands.

This verse belongs to the Samson cycle addressing Samson's exploits of vengeance. 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 exploits of vengeance. 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 exploits of vengeance 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 · 24 words
הוּא1 of 24
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

בָ֣א2 of 24

“And when he came”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

עַד3 of 24
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

לֶ֔חִי4 of 24

“unto Lehi”

H3896

lechi, a place in palestine

וּפְלִשְׁתִּ֖ים5 of 24

“the Philistines”

H6430

a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth

הֵרִ֣יעוּ6 of 24

“shouted”

H7321

to mar (especially by breaking); figuratively, to split the ears (with sound), i.e., shout (for alarm or joy)

לִקְרָאת֑וֹ7 of 24

“against”

H7125

an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite)

וַתִּצְלַ֨ח8 of 24

“came mightily”

H6743

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

עָלָ֜יו9 of 24
H5921

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

ר֣וּחַ10 of 24

“him 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

יְהוָ֗ה11 of 24

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

וַתִּֽהְיֶ֨ינָה12 of 24
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

הָֽעֲבֹתִ֜ים13 of 24

“upon him and the cords”

H5688

something intwined, i.e., a string, wreath or foliage

אֲשֶׁ֣ר14 of 24
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

עַל15 of 24
H5921

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

זְרֽוֹעוֹתָ֗יו16 of 24

“that were upon his arms”

H2220

the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively, force

כַּפִּשְׁתִּים֙17 of 24

“became as flax”

H6593

linen (i.e., the thread, as carded)

אֲשֶׁ֣ר18 of 24
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

בָּֽעֲר֣וּ19 of 24

“that was burnt”

H1197

to be(-come) brutish

בָאֵ֔שׁ20 of 24

“with fire”

H784

fire (literally or figuratively)

וַיִּמַּ֥סּוּ21 of 24

“loosed”

H4549

to liquefy; figuratively, to waste (with disease), to faint (with fatigue, fear or grief)

אֱסוּרָ֖יו22 of 24

“and his bands”

H612

a bond (especially manacles of a prisoner)

מֵעַ֥ל23 of 24
H5921

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

יָדָֽיו׃24 of 24

“from off his hands”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

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 15:14 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 15:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Judges 14:19Psalms 118:11Judges 3:101 Samuel 17:35Judges 14:61 Samuel 11:6

Places in This Verse

LehiSettlement · Modern: Khirbet es Siyyagh · 31.75°N, 35.00°E4 verses across 2 books
View all places in Judges 15 →

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