King James Version

What Does Judges 16:28 Mean?

Judges 16:28 in the King James Version says “And Samson called unto the LORD, and said, O Lord GOD, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only th...” — study this verse from Judges chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Samson called unto the LORD, and said, O Lord GOD, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes.”

Judges 16:28 · KJV

Prayer

Context

26

And Samson said unto the lad that held him by the hand, Suffer me that I may feel the pillars whereupon the house standeth, that I may lean upon them.

27

Now the house was full of men and women; and all the lords of the Philistines were there; and there were upon the roof about three thousand men and women, that beheld while Samson made sport.

28

And Samson called unto the LORD, and said, O Lord GOD, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes.

29

And Samson took hold of the two middle pillars upon which the house stood, and on which it was borne up, of the one with his right hand, and of the other with his left. on which: or, he leaned on them

30

And Samson said, Let me die with the Philistines. And he bowed himself with all his might; and the house fell upon the lords, and upon all the people that were therein. So the dead which he slew at his death were more than they which he slew in his life. me: Heb. my soul

Read Judges 16 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Samson called unto the LORD, and said, O Lord GOD, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes.

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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

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 · 21 words
וַיִּקְרָ֥א1 of 21

“called”

H7121

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

שִׁמְשׁ֛וֹן2 of 21

“And Samson”

H8123

shimshon, an israelite

אֶל3 of 21
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יְהוָ֖ה4 of 21

“GOD”

H3069

god

וַיֹּאמַ֑ר5 of 21

“and said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲדֹנָ֣י6 of 21

“O Lord”

H136

the lord (used as a proper name of god only)

יֱהוִֹ֡ה7 of 21

“unto the LORD”

H3068

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

זָכְרֵ֣נִי8 of 21

“remember”

H2142

properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male

נָא֩9 of 21
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

וְחַזְּקֵ֨נִי10 of 21

“me I pray thee and strengthen”

H2388

to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restra

נָ֜א11 of 21
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

אַ֣ךְ12 of 21
H389

a particle of affirmation, surely; hence (by limitation) only

הַפַּ֤עַם13 of 21

“me I pray thee only this once”

H6471

a stroke, literally or figuratively (in various applications, as follow)

הַזֶּה֙14 of 21
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

הָֽאֱלֹהִ֔ים15 of 21

“O 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

וְאִנָּֽקְמָ֧ה16 of 21

“avenged”

H5358

to grudge, i.e., avenge or punish

נְקַם17 of 21
H5359

revenge

אַחַ֛ת18 of 21

“that I may be at once”

H259

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

מִשְּׁתֵ֥י19 of 21

“for my two”

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

עֵינַ֖י20 of 21

“eyes”

H5869

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

מִפְּלִשְׁתִּֽים׃21 of 21

“of the Philistines”

H6430

a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth

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 16:28 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 16:28 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Lamentations 3:31-32Jeremiah 15:15Revelation 6:10Psalms 143:12Psalms 91:15Psalms 50:15

Test Your Knowledge

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

Continue Your Study

Read Judges 16 with CommentaryAll Judges ChaptersComplete Judges QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes