King James Version

What Does Judges 16:31 Mean?

Judges 16:31 in the King James Version says “Then his brethren and all the house of his father came down, and took him, and brought him up, and buried him between Zo...” — study this verse from Judges chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Then his brethren and all the house of his father came down, and took him, and brought him up, and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the buryingplace of Manoah his father. And he judged Israel twenty years.”

Judges 16:31 · KJV

Context

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

31

Then his brethren and all the house of his father came down, and took him, and brought him up, and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the buryingplace of Manoah his father. And he judged Israel twenty years.

Read Judges 16 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Then his brethren and all the house of his father came down, and took him, and brought him up, and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the buryingplace of Manoah his father. And he judged Israel twenty years.

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 · 23 words
וַיֵּֽרְד֨וּ1 of 23

“came 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

אֶחָ֜יו2 of 23

“Then his brethren”

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

וְכָל3 of 23
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

בֵּ֣ית4 of 23

“and all the house”

H1004

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

אָבִ֑יו5 of 23

“his father”

H1

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

וַיִּשְׂא֣וּ6 of 23

“and took”

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

אֹתוֹ֒7 of 23
H853

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

וַֽיַּעֲל֣וּ׀8 of 23

“him and brought him up”

H5927

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

וַיִּקְבְּר֣וּ9 of 23

“and buried”

H6912

to inter

אוֹת֗וֹ10 of 23
H853

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

בֵּ֤ין11 of 23
H996

between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or

צָרְעָה֙12 of 23

“him between Zorah”

H6881

tsorah, a place in palestine

וּבֵ֣ין13 of 23
H996

between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or

אֶשְׁתָּאֹ֔ל14 of 23

“and Eshtaol”

H847

eshtaol, a place in palestine

בְּקֶ֖בֶר15 of 23

“in the buryingplace”

H6913

a sepulcher

מָנ֣וֹחַ16 of 23

“of Manoah”

H4495

manoach, an israelite

אָבִ֑יו17 of 23

“his father”

H1

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

וְה֛וּא18 of 23
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

שָׁפַ֥ט19 of 23

“And he judged”

H8199

to judge, i.e., pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literal

אֶת20 of 23
H853

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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל21 of 23

“Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

עֶשְׂרִ֥ים22 of 23

“twenty”

H6242

twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth

שָׁנָֽה׃23 of 23

“years”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

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 16:31 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 16:31 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Judges 15:20Judges 13:25Judges 13:2Joshua 19:41John 19:39-42

Places in This Verse

EshtaolSettlement · Modern: Khirbet Deir Shubeib · 31.80°N, 34.99°E8 verses across 3 books
ZorahSettlement · Modern: Tel Tzora · 31.77°N, 34.99°E11 verses across 5 books
View all places in Judges 16 →

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