King James Version

What Does Judges 16:23 Mean?

Judges 16:23 in the King James Version says “Then the lords of the Philistines gathered them together for to offer a great sacrifice unto Dagon their god, and to rej...” — study this verse from Judges chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Judges 16:23 · KJV

Salvation

Context

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.

24

And when the people saw him, they praised their god: for they said, Our god hath delivered into our hands our enemy, and the destroyer of our country, which slew many of us. which: Heb. and who multiplied our slain

25

And it came to pass, when their hearts were merry, that they said, Call for Samson, that he may make us sport. And they called for Samson out of the prison house; and he made them sport: and they set him between the pillars. them: Heb. before them

Read Judges 16 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

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 · 16 words
וְסַרְנֵ֣י1 of 16

“Then the lords”

H5633

an axle

פְלִשְׁתִּ֗ים2 of 16

“of the Philistines”

H6430

a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth

נֶֽאֱסְפוּ֙3 of 16

“gathered them together”

H622

to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)

לִזְבֹּ֧חַ4 of 16

“for to offer”

H2076

to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice)

זֶֽבַח5 of 16

“sacrifice”

H2077

properly, a slaughter, i.e., the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the victim or the act)

גָּד֛וֹל6 of 16

“a great”

H1419

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

לְדָג֥וֹן7 of 16

“unto Dagon”

H1712

dagon, a philistine deity

אֱלֹהֵ֙ינוּ֙8 of 16

“Our god”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

וּלְשִׂמְחָ֑ה9 of 16

“and to rejoice”

H8057

blithesomeness or glee, (religious or festival)

וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ10 of 16

“for they said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

נָתַ֤ן11 of 16

“hath delivered”

H5414

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

אֱלֹהֵ֙ינוּ֙12 of 16

“Our god”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

בְּיָדֵ֔נוּ13 of 16

“into our 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

אֵ֖ת14 of 16
H853

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

שִׁמְשׁ֥וֹן15 of 16

“Samson”

H8123

shimshon, an israelite

אֽוֹיְבֵֽנוּ׃16 of 16

“our enemy”

H341

hating; an adversary

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 16:23 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 16:23 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Proverbs 24:171 Samuel 5:2-5Psalms 35:15-16Micah 4:5Romans 1:23-251 Corinthians 8:4-5

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Judges 16 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterJudges Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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