Judges 15:3 - Samson said to them, “This time I will be blameless in the case of the Philistines, when I harm them.”
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Judges 15:3" mean?
This verse, Judges 15:3, is a declaration by Samson right before he undertakes an act of vengeance against the Philistines. Let's break down what it means:
"Samson said to them...": This sets the scene. He's speaking to an audience, likely other Israelites, although that's not explicitly stated in this verse.
"This time I will be blameless in the case of the Philistines...": This is the key part. Samson is asserting that his actions against the Philistines in this instance are justifiable. "Blameless" here means he considers himself to be acting righteously or legitimately. He believes he has a valid reason to harm them.
"...when I harm them.": This is a direct statement of intent. He plans to inflict harm on the Philistines.
Interpretation and Context
To fully understand this verse, consider the context:
Prior Events: Samson's wife, a Philistine, was given to another man by her father after Samson left. This enraged Samson. He believed the Philistines had wronged him.
Justification: Samson's declaration of "blamelessness" is crucial. He doesn't see his planned harm as mere revenge. He likely sees it as a justified response to the Philistines' betrayal regarding his wife.
Samson's Role: Remember, Samson was chosen by God to begin the deliverance of Israel from the Philistines. This role likely contributed to his sense of justified vengeance.
In essence, Samson is saying, "What I am about to do to the Philistines is not simply an act of anger. They have wronged me, and therefore I am justified in harming them."
Important Considerations:
Moral Ambiguity: The Book of Judges is filled with stories of imperfect people chosen by God. Samson is one of those people. While God uses him, Samson's actions are often driven by personal anger and vengeance, which sometimes clash with a purely righteous or morally clear path.
Different Interpretations: Some scholars believe that Samson's sense of justification is primarily based on his personal grievances. Others argue that he genuinely sees himself as an instrument of God's justice against the Philistines. It's likely a combination of both.
"An Eye for an Eye": The concept of "an eye for an eye" was prevalent in ancient law, and it might be influencing Samson's thinking. He believes the Philistines deserve retribution for their actions.
Therefore, Judges 15:3 provides insight into Samson's mindset as he prepares to enact vengeance on the Philistines, expressing his belief that his actions are justifiable in light of the wrongs he has suffered at their hands.
Judges 15:3 - Samson said to them, “This time I will be blameless in the case of the Philistines, when I harm them.”
What does "Judges 15:3" mean?
This verse, Judges 15:3, is a declaration by Samson right before he undertakes an act of vengeance against the Philistines. Let's break down what it means:
"Samson said to them...": This sets the scene. He's speaking to an audience, likely other Israelites, although that's not explicitly stated in this verse.
"This time I will be blameless in the case of the Philistines...": This is the key part. Samson is asserting that his actions against the Philistines in this instance are justifiable. "Blameless" here means he considers himself to be acting righteously or legitimately. He believes he has a valid reason to harm them.
"...when I harm them.": This is a direct statement of intent. He plans to inflict harm on the Philistines.
Interpretation and Context
To fully understand this verse, consider the context:
Prior Events: Samson's wife, a Philistine, was given to another man by her father after Samson left. This enraged Samson. He believed the Philistines had wronged him.
Justification: Samson's declaration of "blamelessness" is crucial. He doesn't see his planned harm as mere revenge. He likely sees it as a justified response to the Philistines' betrayal regarding his wife.
Samson's Role: Remember, Samson was chosen by God to begin the deliverance of Israel from the Philistines. This role likely contributed to his sense of justified vengeance.
In essence, Samson is saying, "What I am about to do to the Philistines is not simply an act of anger. They have wronged me, and therefore I am justified in harming them."
Important Considerations:
Moral Ambiguity: The Book of Judges is filled with stories of imperfect people chosen by God. Samson is one of those people. While God uses him, Samson's actions are often driven by personal anger and vengeance, which sometimes clash with a purely righteous or morally clear path.
Different Interpretations: Some scholars believe that Samson's sense of justification is primarily based on his personal grievances. Others argue that he genuinely sees himself as an instrument of God's justice against the Philistines. It's likely a combination of both.
"An Eye for an Eye": The concept of "an eye for an eye" was prevalent in ancient law, and it might be influencing Samson's thinking. He believes the Philistines deserve retribution for their actions.
Therefore, Judges 15:3 provides insight into Samson's mindset as he prepares to enact vengeance on the Philistines, expressing his belief that his actions are justifiable in light of the wrongs he has suffered at their hands.