King James Version

What Does Judges 15:4 Mean?

Judges 15:4 in the King James Version says “And Samson went and caught three hundred foxes, and took firebrands, and turned tail to tail, and put a firebrand in the...” — study this verse from Judges chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Samson went and caught three hundred foxes, and took firebrands, and turned tail to tail, and put a firebrand in the midst between two tails. firebrands: or, torches”

Judges 15:4 · KJV

Context

2

And her father said, I verily thought that thou hadst utterly hated her; therefore I gave her to thy companion: is not her younger sister fairer than she? take her, I pray thee, instead of her. take: Heb. let her be thine

3

And Samson said concerning them, Now shall I be more blameless than the Philistines, though I do them a displeasure. more: or, blameless from the Philistines though, etc

4

And Samson went and caught three hundred foxes, and took firebrands, and turned tail to tail, and put a firebrand in the midst between two tails. firebrands: or, torches

5

And when he had set the brands on fire, he let them go into the standing corn of the Philistines, and burnt up both the shocks, and also the standing corn, with the vineyards and olives.

6

Then the Philistines said, Who hath done this? And they answered, Samson, the son in law of the Timnite, because he had taken his wife, and given her to his companion. And the Philistines came up, and burnt her and her father with fire.

Read Judges 15 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Samson went and caught three hundred foxes, and took firebrands, and turned tail to tail, and put a firebrand in the midst between two tails.

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 · 19 words
וַיֵּ֣לֶךְ1 of 19
H1980

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

שִׁמְשׁ֔וֹן2 of 19

“And Samson”

H8123

shimshon, an israelite

וַיִּלְכֹּ֖ד3 of 19

“and caught”

H3920

to catch (in a net, trap or pit); generally, to capture or occupy; also to choose (by lot); figuratively, to cohere

שְׁלֹשׁ4 of 19

“three”

H7969

three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice

מֵא֣וֹת5 of 19

“hundred”

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

שֽׁוּעָלִ֑ים6 of 19

“foxes”

H7776

a jackal (as a burrower)

וַיִּקַּ֣ח7 of 19

“and took”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

לַפִּ֥יד8 of 19

“firebrand”

H3940

a flambeau, lamp or flame

וַיֶּ֤פֶן9 of 19

“and turned”

H6437

to turn; by implication, to face, i.e., appear, look, etc

הַזְּנָב֖וֹת10 of 19

“tail”

H2180

the tail (literally or figuratively)

אֶל11 of 19
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַזְּנָב֖וֹת12 of 19

“tail”

H2180

the tail (literally or figuratively)

וַיָּ֨שֶׂם13 of 19

“and put”

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

לַפִּ֥יד14 of 19

“firebrand”

H3940

a flambeau, lamp or flame

אֶחָ֛ד15 of 19

“a”

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

בֵּין16 of 19
H996

between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or

שְׁנֵ֥י17 of 19

“between two”

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

הַזְּנָב֖וֹת18 of 19

“tail”

H2180

the tail (literally or figuratively)

בַּתָּֽוֶךְ׃19 of 19

“in the midst”

H8432

a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center

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 15:4 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 15:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 63:10Lamentations 5:18Song of Solomon 2:15

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