This verse from Judges 16:27 paints a picture of the grand spectacle Samson was forced to perform at in the temple of Dagon. Let's break it down:
"Now the house was full of men and women; and all the lords of the Philistines were there;" This highlights the scale of the event. It wasn't just a small gathering; the temple was packed with Philistines, including their rulers (the "lords"), showing that this was a significant celebration and public humiliation of Samson. The presence of the Philistine lords emphasizes the importance of this event in celebrating their victory over Samson and, by extension, their god Dagon's triumph over the God of Israel.
"and there were on the roof about three thousand men and women, who saw while Samson performed." This is where the verse emphasizes the sheer number of people watching Samson's humiliation. The rooftop was packed with an estimated 3,000 people, indicating the intense interest and the public nature of Samson's spectacle. The phrase "who saw while Samson performed" is significant. It emphasizes that Samson was being made into a public spectacle for the entertainment and mockery of the Philistines.
In summary, the verse depicts a scene where the Philistines are celebrating their victory over Samson and the God of Israel. They have gathered in large numbers, including their leaders, to witness Samson's humiliation as he performs for their amusement. This sets the stage for Samson's final act of revenge, where he uses his restored strength to bring down the temple and kill himself along with the Philistine leaders and the masses gathered inside and on the roof.
This verse from Judges 16:27 paints a picture of the grand spectacle Samson was forced to perform at in the temple of Dagon. Let's break it down:
"Now the house was full of men and women; and all the lords of the Philistines were there;" This highlights the scale of the event. It wasn't just a small gathering; the temple was packed with Philistines, including their rulers (the "lords"), showing that this was a significant celebration and public humiliation of Samson. The presence of the Philistine lords emphasizes the importance of this event in celebrating their victory over Samson and, by extension, their god Dagon's triumph over the God of Israel.
"and there were on the roof about three thousand men and women, who saw while Samson performed." This is where the verse emphasizes the sheer number of people watching Samson's humiliation. The rooftop was packed with an estimated 3,000 people, indicating the intense interest and the public nature of Samson's spectacle. The phrase "who saw while Samson performed" is significant. It emphasizes that Samson was being made into a public spectacle for the entertainment and mockery of the Philistines.
In summary, the verse depicts a scene where the Philistines are celebrating their victory over Samson and the God of Israel. They have gathered in large numbers, including their leaders, to witness Samson's humiliation as he performs for their amusement. This sets the stage for Samson's final act of revenge, where he uses his restored strength to bring down the temple and kill himself along with the Philistine leaders and the masses gathered inside and on the roof.