Judges 15:6 - Then the Philistines said, “Who has done this?” They said, “Samson, the son-in-law of the Timnite, because he has taken his wife, and given her to his companion.” The Philistines came up, and burned her and her father with fire.

Generated Verse: Judges 15:6

What does "Judges 15:6" mean?


This verse from Judges 15:6 is part of a cycle of escalating violence between Samson and the Philistines. Let's break it down:

"Then the Philistines said, “Who has done this?”": The Philistines are reacting to a previous act of Samson's. In the preceding verses, Samson had burned the Philistines' fields of grain, vineyards, and olive groves in retaliation for them having given his wife to another man.
"They said, “Samson, the son-in-law of the Timnite, because he has taken his wife, and given her to his companion.”": The Philistines' inquiry is answered. Someone has identified Samson as the culprit and explains the motivation: Samson's wife, a Philistine woman, was given to another man (his "companion" or best man) after she betrayed Samson in a riddle contest.
"The Philistines came up, and burned her and her father with fire.": This is the key, and most disturbing, part of the verse. Enraged by Samson's act of arson, the Philistines take revenge on Samson's former wife and her father. They burn them alive.

In essence, the verse highlights the following:

Retaliation and Escalation: The verse demonstrates a cycle of revenge. Samson retaliates for the loss of his wife; the Philistines retaliate against Samson's wife and her father. This cycle of violence is a recurring theme in the Samson narrative.
Collective Punishment: The Philistines are punishing the wife and her father for Samson's actions. This is an example of collective punishment, where individuals are punished for the actions of others.
Brutality: The burning alive of the woman and her father is a particularly gruesome act, showcasing the brutality of the conflict.
Motivation for Samson's Future Actions: This act of vengeance against his former wife and her father further fuels Samson's anger and desire for revenge against the Philistines, leading to further acts of violence in the subsequent verses.

In short, this verse is a pivotal moment in the Samson narrative, revealing the escalating conflict between Samson and the Philistines and the brutal consequences of their actions.