Bible Strands
Judges 15:4
Then Samson went out and caught three hundred foxes. And he took torches, turned the foxes tail-to-tail, and fastened a torch between each pair of tails.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Samson acts alone after declaring to the Philistines that he will harm them without blame. He goes out to execute a retaliatory strike by capturing animals and preparing them as weapons.
The words — The Hebrew שׁוּעָלִים (shu'a.Lim) translates literally to "foxes," while לַפִּדִים (la.pi.Dim) means "torches" or "brands." These terms describe the specific materials Samson uses to construct his method of destruction.
The thread — Foxes appear elsewhere as symbols of desolation or ruin, such as patrolling Mount Zion in Lamentations 5:18 or claiming the portion of the wicked in Psalms 63:10. Song of Solomon 2:15 also mentions foxes destroying vineyards, mirroring the agricultural damage Samson inflicts.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition of how ordinary creatures become instruments of judgment when directed by a chosen agent. It requires the reader to observe the mechanics of retaliation without excusing the violence or spiritualizing the details.
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
And Samson went and caught three hundred foxes, and took firebrands, and turned tail to tail, and put a firebrand in the midst between two tails.
Cross-references
- Lamentations 5:18 because of Mount Zion, which lies desolate, patrolled by foxes.
- Psalms 63:10 They will fall to the power of the sword; they will become a portion for foxes.
- Song of Solomon 2:15 Catch for us the foxes—the little foxes that ruin the vineyards—for our vineyards are in bloom.