Judges 14:6 - Yahweh’s Spirit came mightily on him, and he tore him as he would have torn a young goat; and he had nothing in his hand, but he didn’t tell his father or his mother what he had done.

Generated Verse: Judges 14:6

What does "Judges 14:6" mean?


This verse from Judges 14:6 is part of the story of Samson, a judge of Israel known for his immense strength. Let's break down its meaning:

"Yahweh's Spirit came mightily on him": This is a recurring theme in the Samson narrative. It signifies that Samson's extraordinary strength was not his own, but divinely granted. When "the Spirit of the Lord" comes upon him, he's empowered to perform feats of incredible strength.

"and he tore him as he would have torn a young goat": The "him" refers to a young lion that confronted Samson. This phrase vividly illustrates the ease with which Samson, empowered by the Spirit of the Lord, overcame the lion. It's like tearing apart a young goat, a relatively easy task for someone with normal strength, emphasizing that his strength was far beyond normal.

"and he had nothing in his hand": This emphasizes that Samson defeated the lion barehanded. He had no weapon, no tool, just his God-given strength. This adds to the sense of the miraculous and the power of the Spirit.

"but he didn’t tell his father or his mother what he had done": This detail adds an element of secrecy and foreshadows Samson's later behavior. It could be interpreted in a few ways:
Humility: Perhaps Samson didn't want to boast about his feat, recognizing it was God's power, not his own.
Defiance: It could be a sign of his independent and often impulsive nature. He wasn't seeking approval or validation from his parents.
Strategic: Maybe he had a plan that he didn't want to reveal yet.

In summary, the verse highlights:

The source of Samson's strength: It came from the Spirit of the Lord.
The immensity of Samson's strength: He tore a lion apart barehanded with ease.
Samson's secretive nature: He chose not to share his experience with his parents.

This event is important in the Samson narrative because it's the first clear demonstration of his supernatural strength, foreshadowing the battles and conflicts to come. It also sets up the riddle that Samson later poses at his wedding feast, based on this encounter with the lion.