King James Version

What Does Judges 15:6 Mean?

Judges 15:6 in the King James Version says “Then the Philistines said, Who hath done this? And they answered, Samson, the son in law of the Timnite, because he had ...” — study this verse from Judges chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Judges 15:6 · KJV

Context

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.

7

And Samson said unto them, Though ye have done this, yet will I be avenged of you, and after that I will cease.

8

And he smote them hip and thigh with a great slaughter: and he went down and dwelt in the top of the rock Etam.

Read Judges 15 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

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 · 22 words
וַיֹּֽאמְר֗וּ1 of 22

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

פְלִשְׁתִּ֔ים2 of 22

“And the Philistines”

H6430

a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth

מִ֣י3 of 22
H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

עָ֣שָׂה4 of 22

“Who hath done”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

זֹאת֒5 of 22
H2063

this (often used adverb)

וַיֹּֽאמְר֗וּ6 of 22

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

שִׁמְשׁוֹן֙7 of 22

“Samson”

H8123

shimshon, an israelite

חֲתַ֣ן8 of 22

“the son in law”

H2860

a relative by marriage (especially through the bride); figuratively, a circumcised child (as a species of religious espousal)

הַתִּמְנִ֔י9 of 22

“of the Timnite”

H8554

a timnite or inhabitant of timnah

כִּ֚י10 of 22
H3588

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

לָקַ֣ח11 of 22

“because he had taken”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

אֶת12 of 22
H853

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

אִשְׁתּ֔וֹ13 of 22

“his wife”

H802

a woman

וַֽיִּתְּנָ֖הּ14 of 22

“and given”

H5414

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

לְמֵֽרֵעֵ֑הוּ15 of 22

“her to his companion”

H4828

a friend

וַיַּֽעֲל֣וּ16 of 22

“came up”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

פְלִשְׁתִּ֔ים17 of 22

“And the Philistines”

H6430

a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth

וַיִּשְׂרְפ֥וּ18 of 22

“and burnt”

H8313

to be (causatively, set) on fire

אוֹתָ֛הּ19 of 22
H853

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

וְאֶת20 of 22
H853

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

אָבִ֖יהָ21 of 22

“her and her father”

H1

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

בָּאֵֽשׁ׃22 of 22

“with fire”

H784

fire (literally or figuratively)

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 15:6 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 15:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Judges 14:151 Thessalonians 4:6Proverbs 22:8Judges 12:1

Places in This Verse

Timnah 1Settlement · Modern: Tel Batash · 31.78°N, 34.91°E9 verses across 3 books
View all places in Judges 15 →

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