King James Version

What Does Judges 16:21 Mean?

Judges 16:21 in the King James Version says “But the Philistines took him, and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass; a...” — study this verse from Judges chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“But the Philistines took him, and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass; and he did grind in the prison house. put out: Heb. bored out”

Judges 16:21 · KJV

Context

19

And she made him sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head; and she began to afflict him, and his strength went from him.

20

And she said, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the LORD was departed from him.

21

But the Philistines took him, and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass; and he did grind in the prison house. put out: Heb. bored out

22

Howbeit the hair of his head began to grow again after he was shaven. after: or, as when he was shaven

23

Then the lords of the Philistines gathered them together for to offer a great sacrifice unto Dagon their god, and to rejoice: for they said, Our god hath delivered Samson our enemy into our hand.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
But the Philistines took him, and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass; and he did grind in the prison house.

This verse belongs to the Samson cycle addressing Samson, Delilah, and final victory in death. 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, Delilah, and final victory in death. 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, Delilah, and final victory in death 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 · 14 words
וַיֹּֽאחֲז֣וּהוּ1 of 14

“took”

H270

to seize (often with the accessory idea of holding in possession)

פְלִשְׁתִּ֔ים2 of 14

“But the Philistines”

H6430

a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth

וַֽיְנַקְּר֖וּ3 of 14

“him and put out”

H5365

to bore (penetrate, quarry)

אֶת4 of 14
H853

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

עֵינָ֑יו5 of 14

“his eyes”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

וַיּוֹרִ֨ידוּ6 of 14

“and brought him down”

H3381

to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau

אוֹת֜וֹ7 of 14
H853

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

עַזָּ֗תָה8 of 14

“to Gaza”

H5804

azzah, a place in palestine

וַיַּֽאַסְר֙וּהוּ֙9 of 14

“and bound”

H631

to yoke or hitch; by analogy, to fasten in any sense, to join battle

בַּֽנְחֻשְׁתַּ֔יִם10 of 14

“him with fetters of brass”

H5178

copper, hence, something made of that metal, i.e., coin, a fetter; figuratively, base (as compared with gold or silver)

וַיְהִ֥י11 of 14
H1961

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

טוֹחֵ֖ן12 of 14

“and he did grind”

H2912

to grind meal; hence, to be a concubine (that being their employment)

בְּבֵ֥ית13 of 14

“house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

הָֽאֲסיּרִֽים׃14 of 14
H615

bound, i.e., a captive

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 16:21 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 16:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Proverbs 2:19Proverbs 14:14Matthew 24:41Exodus 11:5Isaiah 47:2Psalms 149:8

Places in This Verse

GazaSettlement · Modern: Tell Harube · 31.50°N, 34.46°E22 verses across 12 books
View all places in Judges 16 →

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