King James Version

What Does Judges 16:3 Mean?

Judges 16:3 in the King James Version says “And Samson lay till midnight , and arose at midnight , and took the doors of the gate of the city, and the two posts, an... — study this verse from Judges chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And Samson lay till midnight , and arose at midnight , and took the doors of the gate of the city, and the two posts, and went away with them, bar and all, and put them upon his shoulders, and carried them up to the top of an hill that is before Hebron. bar: Heb. with the bar

Judges 16:3 · KJV


Context

1

Then went Samson to Gaza, and saw there an harlot , and went in unto her. harlot: Heb. a woman an harlot

2

And it was told the Gazites, saying, Samson is come hither. And they compassed him in, and laid wait for him all night in the gate of the city, and were quiet all the night, saying, In the morning, when it is day, we shall kill him. quiet: Heb. silent

3

And Samson lay till midnight , and arose at midnight , and took the doors of the gate of the city, and the two posts, and went away with them, bar and all, and put them upon his shoulders, and carried them up to the top of an hill that is before Hebron. bar: Heb. with the bar

4

And it came to pass afterward, that he loved a woman in the valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah. in: or, by the brook

5

And the lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and said unto her, Entice him, and see wherein his great strength lieth, and by what means we may prevail against him, that we may bind him to afflict him: and we will give thee every one of us eleven hundred pieces of silver. afflict: or, humble


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Samson lay till midnight, and arose at midnight, and took the doors of the gate of the city, and the two posts, and went away with them, bar and all, and put them upon his shoulders, and carried them up to the top of an hill that is before Hebron.

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 · 28 words
וַיִּשְׁכַּ֣ב1 of 28

lay

H7901

to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose)

שִׁמְשׁוֹן֮2 of 28

And Samson

H8123

shimshon, an israelite

עַד3 of 28
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

בַּֽחֲצִ֣י4 of 28

at midnight

H2677

the half or middle

הַלַּיְלָה֒5 of 28
H3915

properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity

וַיָּ֣קָם׀6 of 28

and arose

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

בַּֽחֲצִ֣י7 of 28

at midnight

H2677

the half or middle

הַלַּ֗יְלָה8 of 28
H3915

properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity

וַיֶּֽאֱחֹ֞ז9 of 28

and took

H270

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

בְּדַלְת֤וֹת10 of 28

the doors

H1817

something swinging, i.e., the valve of a door

שַֽׁעַר11 of 28

of the gate

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate

הָעִיר֙12 of 28

of the city

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

וּבִשְׁתֵּ֣י13 of 28

and the two

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

הַמְּזֻז֔וֹת14 of 28

posts

H4201

a door-post (as prominent)

וַיִּסָּעֵם֙15 of 28

and went away

H5265

properly, to pull up, especially the tent-pins, i.e., start on a journey

עִֽם16 of 28
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

הַבְּרִ֔יחַ17 of 28

with them bar

H1280

a bolt

וַיָּ֖שֶׂם18 of 28

and all and put

H7760

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

עַל19 of 28
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

כְּתֵפָ֑יו20 of 28

them upon his shoulders

H3802

the shoulder (proper, i.e., upper end of the arm; as being the spot where the garments hang); figuratively, side-piece or lateral projection of anythi

וַֽיַּעֲלֵם֙21 of 28

and carried them up

H5927

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

אֶל22 of 28
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

רֹ֣אשׁ23 of 28

to the top

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

הָהָ֔ר24 of 28

of an hill

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

אֲשֶׁ֖ר25 of 28
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

עַל26 of 28
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

פְּנֵ֥י27 of 28

that is before

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

חֶבְרֽוֹן׃28 of 28

Hebron

H2275

chebron, the name of two israelites


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 16:3 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 16:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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