Bible Strands
Judges 16:30
Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines.” Then he pushed with all his might, and the temple fell on the lords and all the people in it. So in his death he killed more than he had killed in his life.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Samson utters this declaration immediately after bracing his hands against the two central pillars of the Philistine temple. The text presents it as a statement of personal resolve rather than a direct address to the lords or crowd inside.
The words — תָּמוֹת (ta.Mot) translates literally as "let it die" or "die," while נַפְשִׁי (naf.shi) means "my life" or "my soul." Together they form Samson’s explicit intent to perish alongside his enemies.
The thread — The motif of surrendering life for a divine purpose appears in Matthew 16:25 and Philippians 2:8, which contrast self-preservation with obedience unto death. Matthew 24:38 further illustrates the contrast between ordinary daily life and impending divine judgment.
Why it lands — The text records a historical act of self-sacrifice that brings down a structure, not a theological prescription for suicide. It asks the reader to observe how the narrative uses Samson’s final act to conclude his judgeship and demonstrate the reversal of his earlier failures.
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 said, Let me die with the Philistines. And he bowed himself with all his might; and the house fell upon the lords, and upon all the people that were therein. So the dead which he slew at his death were more than they which he slew in his life.
Cross-references
- Matthew 16:25 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.
- Philippians 2:8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross.
- Matthew 24:38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark.
- Acts 21:13 Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”
- Philippians 2:17 But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:2 For you are fully aware that the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
- Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed. He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”
- Job 20:5 the triumph of the wicked has been brief and the joy of the godless momentary?
- Job 31:3 Does not disaster come to the unjust and calamity to the workers of iniquity?
- Psalms 62:3 How long will you threaten a man? Will all of you throw him down like a leaning wall or a tottering fence?