King James Version

What Does Judges 15:18 Mean?

Judges 15:18 in the King James Version says “And he was sore athirst, and called on the LORD, and said, Thou hast given this great deliverance into the hand of thy s...” — study this verse from Judges chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And he was sore athirst, and called on the LORD, and said, Thou hast given this great deliverance into the hand of thy servant: and now shall I die for thirst, and fall into the hand of the uncircumcised?”

Judges 15:18 · KJV

Context

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

17

And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking, that he cast away the jawbone out of his hand, and called that place Ramathlehi. Ramathlehi: that is, the lifting up of the jawbone, or, casting away of the jawbone

18

And he was sore athirst, and called on the LORD, and said, Thou hast given this great deliverance into the hand of thy servant: and now shall I die for thirst, and fall into the hand of the uncircumcised?

19

But God clave an hollow place that was in the jaw, and there came water thereout; and when he had drunk, his spirit came again, and he revived: wherefore he called the name thereof Enhakkore, which is in Lehi unto this day. Enhakkore: that is, the well of him that called or, cried the jaw: or, Lehi

20

And he judged Israel in the days of the Philistines twenty years.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And he was sore athirst, and called on the LORD, and said, Thou hast given this great deliverance into the hand of thy servant: and now shall I die for thirst, and fall into the hand of the uncircumcised?

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 · 20 words
וַיִּצְמָא֮1 of 20

“athirst”

H6770

to thirst (literally or figuratively)

מְאֹד֒2 of 20

“And he was sore”

H3966

properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or

וַיִּקְרָ֤א3 of 20

“and called”

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

אֶל4 of 20
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יְהוָה֙5 of 20

“on the LORD”

H3068

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

וַיֹּאמַ֔ר6 of 20

“and said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אַתָּה֙7 of 20
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

נָתַ֣תָּ8 of 20

“Thou hast given”

H5414

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

בְּיַ֥ד9 of 20

“into the hand”

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

עַבְדְּךָ֔10 of 20

“of thy servant”

H5650

a servant

אֶת11 of 20
H853

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

הַתְּשׁוּעָ֥ה12 of 20

“deliverance”

H8668

rescue (literal or figurative, persons, national or spiritual)

הַגְּדֹלָ֖ה13 of 20

“this great”

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

הַזֹּ֑את14 of 20
H2063

this (often used adverb)

וְעַתָּה֙15 of 20
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

אָמ֣וּת16 of 20

“and now shall I die”

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

בַּצָּמָ֔א17 of 20

“for thirst”

H6772

thirst (literally or figuratively)

וְנָֽפַלְתִּ֖י18 of 20

“and fall”

H5307

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

בְּיַ֥ד19 of 20

“into the hand”

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

הָֽעֲרֵלִֽים׃20 of 20

“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)

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 15:18 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 15:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Corinthians 12:7-82 Corinthians 4:8-9Psalms 18:31-40Hebrews 11:32Psalms 3:7-8Judges 8:4

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