Back to Judges 16

Judges 16:21-31

The Philistines laid hold on him and put out his eyes; and they brought him down to Gaza and bound him with fetters of bronze; and he ground at the mill in the prison. However, the hair of his head began to grow again after he was shaved.

The lords of the Philistines gathered together to offer a great sacrifice to Dagon their god, and to rejoice; for they said, “Our god has delivered Samson our enemy into our hand.” When the people saw him, they praised their god; for they said, “Our god has delivered our enemy and the destroyer of our country, who has slain many of us, into our hand.”

When their hearts were merry, they said, “Call for Samson, that he may entertain us.” They called for Samson out of the prison; and he performed before them. They set him between the pillars; and Samson said to the boy who held him by the hand, “Allow me to feel the pillars on which the house rests, that I may lean on them.” Now the house was full of men and women; and all the lords of the Philistines were there; and there were on the roof about three thousand men and women, who saw while Samson performed. Samson called to Yahweh, and said, “Lord Yahweh, remember me, please, and strengthen me, please, only this once, God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes.” Samson took hold of the two middle pillars on which the house rested and leaned on them, the one with his right hand and the other with his left. Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines!” He bowed himself with all his might; and the house fell on the lords, and on all the people who were in it. So the dead that he killed at his death were more than those who he killed in his life.

Then his brothers 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 burial site of Manoah his father. He judged Israel twenty years.

World English Bible · Public Domain

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Parallel Translations

  • WEB World English Bible

    The Philistines laid hold on him and put out his eyes; and they brought him down to Gaza and bound him with fetters of bronze; and he ground at the mill in the prison.

    However, the hair of his head began to grow again after he was shaved.

    The lords of the Philistines gathered together to offer a great sacrifice to Dagon their god, and to rejoice; for they said, “Our god has delivered Samson our enemy into our hand.”

    When the people saw him, they praised their god; for they said, “Our god has delivered our enemy and the destroyer of our country, who has slain many of us, into our hand.”

    When their hearts were merry, they said, “Call for Samson, that he may entertain us.” They called for Samson out of the prison; and he performed before them. They set him between the pillars;

    and Samson said to the boy who held him by the hand, “Allow me to feel the pillars on which the house rests, that I may lean on them.”

    Now the house was full of men and women; and all the lords of the Philistines were there; and there were on the roof about three thousand men and women, who saw while Samson performed.

    Samson called to Yahweh, and said, “Lord Yahweh, remember me, please, and strengthen me, please, only this once, God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes.”

    Samson took hold of the two middle pillars on which the house rested and leaned on them, the one with his right hand and the other with his left.

    Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines!” He bowed himself with all his might; and the house fell on the lords, and on all the people who were in it. So the dead that he killed at his death were more than those who he killed in his life.

    Then his brothers 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 burial site of Manoah his father. He judged Israel twenty years.

  • KJV King James Version

    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.

    Howbeit the hair of his head began to grow again after he was shaven.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

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  • JPS JPS Tanakh (1917)

    And the Philistines laid hold on him, and put out his eyes; and they brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass; and he did grind in the prison-house.

    Howbeit the hair of his head began to grow again after he was shaven.

    And the lords of the Philistines gathered them together 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.'

    And when the people saw him, they praised their god; for they said: 'Our god hath delivered into our hand our enemy, and the destroyer of our country, who hath slain many of us.'

    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 sport before them; and they set him between the pillars.

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

    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.

    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 this once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes.'

    And Samson took fast hold of the two middle pillars upon which the house rested, and leaned upon them, the one with his right hand, and the other with his left.

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

    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 burying-place of Manoah his father. And he judged Israel twenty years.

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Cross-references (98)

  • Jeremiah 15:15 (v28) Yahweh, you know. Remember me, visit me, and avenge me of my persecutors. You are patient, so don’t take me away. Know that for your sake I…
  • Lamentations 3:31-32 (v28) For the Lord will not cast off forever. For though he causes grief, yet he will have compassion according to the multitude of his loving…
  • Psalms 91:15 (v28) He will call on me, and I will answer him. I will be with him in trouble. I will deliver him, and honor him.
  • Psalms 143:12 (v28) In your loving kindness, cut off my enemies, and destroy all those who afflict my soul, For I am your servant.
  • Revelation 6:10 (v28) They cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, Master, the holy and true, until you judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the…
Show all 95 cross-references
  • Leviticus 26:44 (v22) Yet for all that, when they are in the land of their enemies, I will not reject them, neither will I abhor them, to destroy them utterly…
  • Psalms 50:15 (v28) Call on me in the day of trouble. I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”
  • Psalms 58:10-11 (v28) The righteous shall rejoice when he sees the vengeance. He shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked, so that men shall say, “Most…
  • Psalms 106:44-45 (v22) Nevertheless he regarded their distress, when he heard their cry. He remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the…
  • Psalms 107:13-14 (v22) Then they cried to Yahweh in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of…
  • Proverbs 2:19 (v21) None who go to her return again, neither do they attain to the paths of life.
  • Deuteronomy 22:8 (v27) When you build a new house, then you shall make a railing around your roof, so that you don’t bring blood on your house if anyone falls…
  • Deuteronomy 32:36 (v22) For Yahweh will judge his people, and have compassion on his servants, when he sees that their power is gone; that there is no one…
  • Proverbs 14:14 (v21) The unfaithful will be repaid for his own ways; likewise a good man will be rewarded for his ways.
  • Jonah 2:1-2 (v28) Then Jonah prayed to Yahweh, his God, out of the fish’s belly. He said, “I called because of my affliction to Yahweh. He answered me. Out…
  • 2 Timothy 4:14 (v28) Alexander, the coppersmith, did much evil to me. The Lord will repay him according to his deeds,
  • Exodus 11:5 (v21) and all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne, even to the firstborn of the…
  • Judges 15:20 (v31) He judged Israel twenty years in the days of the Philistines.
  • Psalms 74:18-23 (v28) Remember this, that the enemy has mocked you, Yahweh. Foolish people have blasphemed your name. Don’t deliver the soul of your dove to wild…
  • Proverbs 24:17 (v23) Don’t rejoice when your enemy falls. Don’t let your heart be glad when he is overthrown,
  • Isaiah 47:2 (v21) Take the millstones and grind flour. Remove your veil, lift up your skirt, uncover your legs, and wade through the rivers.
  • Daniel 5:4 (v24) They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of bronze, of iron, of wood, and of stone.
  • Matthew 16:25 (v30) For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, and whoever will lose his life for my sake will find it.
  • Matthew 24:41 (v21) Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and one will be left.
  • Philippians 2:8 (v30) And being found in human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, yes, the death of the cross.
  • Psalms 35:15-16 (vv23, 25) But in my adversity, they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together. The attackers gathered themselves together against me, and I didn’t…
  • Joshua 2:8 (v27) Before they had lain down, she came up to them on the roof.
  • Judges 9:27 (v25) They went out into the field, harvested their vineyards, trod the grapes, celebrated, and went into the house of their god and ate and…
  • Judges 13:2 (v31) There was a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren, and childless.
  • Judges 13:25 (v31) Yahweh’s Spirit began to move him in Mahaneh Dan, between Zorah and Eshtaol.
  • Judges 19:6 (v25) So they sat down, ate, and drank, both of them together. Then the young lady’s father said to the man, “Please be pleased to stay all…
  • 1 Samuel 5:2-5 (v23) The Philistines took God’s ark, and brought it into the house of Dagon and set it by Dagon. When the people of Ashdod arose early on the…
  • 1 Samuel 31:9 (v24) They cut off his head, stripped off his armor, and sent into the land of the Philistines all around, to carry the news to the house of…
  • 2 Samuel 11:2 (v27) At evening, David arose from his bed and walked on the roof of the king’s house. From the roof, he saw a woman bathing, and the woman was…
  • 2 Samuel 13:28 (v25) Absalom commanded his servants, saying, “Mark now, when Amnon’s heart is merry with wine; and when I tell you, ‘Strike Amnon,’ then kill…
  • 2 Kings 25:7 (v21) They killed Zedekiah’s sons before his eyes, then put out Zedekiah’s eyes, bound him in fetters, and carried him to Babylon.
  • 2 Chronicles 33:11 (v21) Therefore Yahweh brought on them the captains of the army of the king of Assyria, who took Manasseh in chains, bound him with fetters, and…
  • Psalms 107:10-12 (v21) Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron, because they rebelled against the words of God, and…
  • Psalms 116:4 (v28) Then I called on Yahweh’s name: “Yahweh, I beg you, deliver my soul.”
  • Psalms 149:8 (v21) to bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron;
  • Proverbs 5:22 (v21) The evil deeds of the wicked ensnare him. The cords of his sin hold him firmly.
  • Matthew 24:38-39 (v30) For as in those days which were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah…
  • John 19:39-42 (v31) Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred Roman pounds. So they took…
  • Acts 21:13 (v30) Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem…
  • Philippians 2:17 (v30) Yes, and if I am poured out on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice, and rejoice with you all.
  • 1 Thessalonians 5:2 (v30) For you yourselves know well that the day of the Lord comes like a thief in the night.
  • Hebrews 11:36 (v25) Others were tried by mocking and scourging, yes, moreover by bonds and imprisonment.
  • Revelation 11:10 (v24) Those who dwell on the earth rejoice over them, and they will be glad. They will give gifts to one another, because these two prophets…
  • Judges 15:8 (vv24, 30) He struck them hip and thigh with a great slaughter; and he went down and lived in the cave in Etam’s rock.
  • Job 30:9-10 (vv23, 25) “Now I have become their song. Yes, I am a byword to them. They abhor me, they stand aloof from me, and don’t hesitate to spit in my face.
  • Genesis 3:15 (v30) I will put hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will bruise your head, and you will bruise…
  • Deuteronomy 32:27 (v24) were it not that I feared the provocation of the enemy, lest their adversaries should judge wrongly, lest they should say, ‘Our hand is…
  • Joshua 19:41 (v31) The border of their inheritance was Zorah, Eshtaol, Irshemesh,
  • Judges 5:31 (v28) “So let all your enemies perish, Yahweh, but let those who love him be as the sun when it rises in its strength.” Then the land had rest…
  • Judges 9:51 (v27) But there was a strong tower within the city, and all the men and women of the city fled there, and shut themselves in, and went up to the…
  • Judges 15:16 (v24) Samson said, “With the jawbone of a donkey, heaps on heaps; with the jawbone of a donkey I have struck a thousand men.”
  • Judges 15:18 (v28) He was very thirsty, and called on Yahweh and said, “You have given this great deliverance by the hand of your servant; and now shall I die…
  • Judges 18:20 (v25) The priest’s heart was glad, and he took the ephod, the teraphim, and the engraved image, and went with the people.
  • Judges 19:9 (v25) When the man rose up to depart, he, and his concubine, and his servant, his father-in-law, the young lady’s father, said to him, “Behold,…
  • 1 Kings 20:12 (v25) When Ben Hadad heard this message, as he was drinking, he and the kings, in the pavilions, he said to his servants, “Prepare to attack!”…
  • 1 Chronicles 10:9 (v24) They stripped him, and took his head and his armor, and sent into the land of the Philistines all around, to carry the news to their idols,…
  • 1 Chronicles 10:10 (v23) They put his armor in the house of their gods, and fastened his head in the house of Dagon.
  • 2 Chronicles 20:12 (v28) Our God, will you not judge them? For we have no might against this great company that comes against us. We don’t know what to do, but our…
  • Esther 3:15 (v25) The couriers went out in haste by the king’s commandment, and the decree was given out in the citadel of Susa. The king and Haman sat down…
  • Job 20:5 (v30) that the triumphing of the wicked is short, the joy of the godless but for a moment?
  • Job 31:3 (v30) Is it not calamity to the unrighteous, and disaster to the workers of iniquity?
  • Psalms 62:3 (v30) How long will you assault a man? Would all of you throw him down, like a leaning wall, like a tottering fence?
  • Psalms 69:12 (v25) Those who sit in the gate talk about me. I am the song of the drunkards.
  • Psalms 69:26 (v25) For they persecute him whom you have wounded. They tell of the sorrow of those whom you have hurt.
  • Proverbs 24:17-18 (v25) Don’t rejoice when your enemy falls. Don’t let your heart be glad when he is overthrown, lest Yahweh see it, and it displease him, and he…
  • Ecclesiastes 9:12 (v30) For man also doesn’t know his time. As the fish that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare, even so are…
  • Isaiah 22:13 (v25) and behold, joy and gladness, killing cattle and killing sheep, eating meat and drinking wine: “Let’s eat and drink, for tomorrow we will…
  • Isaiah 37:20 (v24) Now therefore, Yahweh our God, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you are Yahweh, even you only.”
  • Jeremiah 2:11 (v23) Has a nation changed its gods, which really are no gods? But my people have changed their glory for that which doesn’t profit.
  • Ezekiel 20:14 (v24) But I worked for my name’s sake, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, in whose sight I brought them out.
  • Daniel 5:2-3 (v25) Belshazzar, while he tasted the wine, commanded that the golden and silver vessels which Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken out of the…
  • Daniel 5:23 (v24) but have lifted up yourself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before you, and you and your lords,…
  • Micah 4:5 (v23) Indeed all the nations may walk in the name of their gods; but we will walk in the name of Yahweh our God forever and ever.
  • Habakkuk 1:16 (v24) Therefore he sacrifices to his net, and burns incense to his dragnet, because by them his life is luxurious, and his food is good.
  • Matthew 14:6-7 (v25) But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced among them and pleased Herod. Whereupon he promised with an oath to give…
  • Matthew 26:67-68 (v25) Then they spat in his face and beat him with their fists, and some slapped him, saying, “Prophesy to us, you Christ! Who hit you?”
  • Matthew 27:29 (v25) They braided a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and a reed in his right hand; and they kneeled down before him, and mocked him,…
  • Matthew 27:39-44 (v25) Those who passed by blasphemed him, wagging their heads, and saying, “You who destroy the temple, and build it in three days, save…
  • Acts 20:24 (v30) But these things don’t count; nor do I hold my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I…
  • Romans 1:23-25 (v23) and traded the glory of the incorruptible God for the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of birds, four-footed animals, and…
  • 1 Corinthians 8:4-5 (v23) Therefore concerning the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that no idol is anything in the world, and that there is no other…
  • Philippians 2:30 (v30) because for the work of Christ he came near to death, risking his life to supply that which was lacking in your service toward me.
  • Colossians 2:15 (v30) Having stripped the principalities and the powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
  • Hebrews 2:14-15 (v30) Since then the children have shared in flesh and blood, he also himself in the same way partook of the same, that through death he might…
  • Hebrews 12:1-4 (v30) Therefore let’s also, seeing we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily…
  • Judges 14:19 (v30) Yahweh’s Spirit came mightily on him, and he went down to Ashkelon and struck thirty men of them. He took their plunder, then gave the…
  • Judges 15:15 (v30) He found a fresh jawbone of a donkey, put out his hand, took it, and struck a thousand men with it.
  • Micah 7:8-10 (v25) Don’t rejoice against me, my enemy. When I fall, I will arise. When I sit in darkness, Yahweh will be a light to me. I will bear the…
  • 1 Corinthians 10:20 (v23) But I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons, and not to God, and I don’t desire that you would have…
  • Hebrews 11:32 (v28) What more shall I say? For the time would fail me if I told of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets,

95 distinct cross-references across this passage (98 total citations).

Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)

Explain this passage (20 sources)

Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.

Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv22, 25, 27, 28, 30 Yet had he not his strength again, till he…

Yet had he not his strength again, till he had called upon God, and reconciled himself.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.

John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv21–31 Jdg 16:21 But the Philistines took him, and put…
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv21, 22, 23, 25, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 The Philistines now durst apprehend him, because they rested…
Matthew Henry 1710 · Public Domain On v22 Though the last stage of Samson's life was inglorious,…
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv21–31 But the Philistines took him,.... Being assured by Delilah…
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 31 His eyes - Which was done both out of…
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv21, 22, 23, 25, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 Verse 21. Put out his eyes] Thus was the…
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On vv21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 31 Jdg 16:21. The Philistines put out his eyes —…
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28, 31 Put out his eyes - Thus effectually, as they…
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv21, 22, 23, 25, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 Chains. Hebrew and Septuagint add, "of brass," which were…
Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures 1864 · Public Domain On v21 Samson’s end. He slays more Philistines in his death…
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On vv21, 22, 23, 27, 28, 31 THE PHILISTINES TOOK HIM AND PUT OUT HIS EYES.…
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 31 SAMSON’S IMPRISONMENT AND DEATH, Jdg_16:21-31.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28, 30, 31 21. to Gaza] ‘His degeneration began at Gaza, therefore…
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv21, 23, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 31 (21) Put out his eyes.—the margin, “bored out,” is…
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 Put out his eyes. One of the cruel punishments…
Alexander MacLaren 1905 · Public Domain On v21 Jdg 16:21 - Jdg 16:31.
C. I. Scofield 1917 · Public Domain On v31 The character and work of Samson are alike enigmatical.…
Paul E. Kretzmann 1924 · Public Domain On v22 The end of Samson
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv23, 25, 27, 28, 30 a major false god of the Philistines (See: How…
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