Bible Strands
Judges 14:20
and his wife was given to one of the men who had accompanied him.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator reports Samson’s personal loss immediately after his violent retaliation in Ashkelon and his angry return home. The text states the father transferred Samson’s Philistine wife to one of the companions who had solved the riddle.
The words — The Hebrew verb וַתְּהִי (vattəhî) means “and she became” or “was given,” marking a transfer of status. The phrase אֵשֶׁת שִׁמְשׁוֹן לְרֵעֵהוּ (’ešet šimšôn lərē‘êhû) literally places “the wife of Samson to his companion,” underscoring the contractual nature of the arrangement.
The thread — The father repeats this transfer in Judges 15:2, while the language of belonging echoes the themes in John 3:29 and John 13:18. The narrative thread tracks how human arrangements of marriage and companionship intersect with divine sovereignty.
Why it lands — The verse demands recognition that broken relationships and human compromises often follow rash actions. It asks the reader to trace how personal betrayal triggers cycles of violence without excusing the characters’ choices.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
But Samson’s wife was given to his companion, whom he had used as his friend.
Cross-references
- Judges 15:2 “I was sure that you thoroughly hated her,” said her father, “so I gave her to one of the men who accompanied you. Is not her younger sister more beautiful than she? Please take her instead.”
- John 3:29 The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom stands and listens for him, and is overjoyed to hear the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete.
- John 13:18 I am not speaking about all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But this is to fulfill the Scripture: ‘The one who shares My bread has lifted up his heel against Me.’
- Judges 15:6 “Who did this?” the Philistines demanded. “It was Samson, the son-in-law of the Timnite,” they were told. “For his wife was given to his companion.” So the Philistines went up and burned her and her father to death.
- Psalms 55:12 For it is not an enemy who insults me; that I could endure. It is not a foe who rises against me; from him I could hide.
- Jeremiah 9:5 Each one betrays his friend; no one tells the truth. They have taught their tongues to lie; they wear themselves out committing iniquity.
- Micah 7:5 Do not rely on a friend; do not trust in a companion. Seal the doors of your mouth from her who lies in your arms.
- Matthew 26:49 Going directly to Jesus, he said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him.