Judges 14:20

Judges 14:20 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)But Samson’s wife was given to his companion, whom he had used as his friend.
• New International Version (NIV)And Samson’s wife was given to one of his companions who had attended him at the feast.
• English Standard Version (ESV)And Samson's wife was given to his companion, who had been his best man.
• New King James Version (NKJV)And Samson’s wife was given to his companion, who had been his best man.

Context of Judges 14:20

18On the seventh day, before sunset, the men of the city said to him: What is sweeter than honey? What is stronger than a lion? So he said to them: If you hadn’t plowed with my young cow, you wouldn’t know my riddle now! 19The Spirit of the Lord came powerfully on him, and he went down to Ashkelon and killed thirty of their men. He stripped them and gave their clothes to those who had explained the riddle. In a rage, Samson returned to his father’s house, and his wife was given to one of the men who had accompanied him.

Judges 14:20 word by word

וַתְּהִ֖י אֵ֣שֶׁת שִׁמְשׁ֑וֹן לְמֵ֣רֵעֵ֔הוּ אֲשֶׁ֥ר רֵעָ֖ה לֽוֹ׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• But Samson’sשִׁמְשׁוֹןshimshôn · SamsonH8123
• wifeאִשָּׁה'ishshâh nâshîym · woman: wifeH802
• to his companionמֵרֵעַmêrêa‛ · companionH4828
• whom he had used as his friendרָעָהrâ‛âh · to befriendH7462

Cross-references for Judges 14:20

• Judges 15:2“I was sure you hated her,” her father said, “so I gave her to one of the men who accompanied you. Isn’t her younger sister more beautiful than she is? Why not take her instead?”
• Psalms 55:12Now it is not an enemy who insults me — otherwise I could bear it; it is not a foe who rises up against me — otherwise I could hide from him.
• Jeremiah 9:5Each one betrays his friend; no one tells the truth. They have taught their tongues to speak lies; they wear themselves out doing wrong.
• Micah 7:5Do not rely on a friend; don’t trust in a close companion. Seal your mouth from the woman who lies in your arms.
• Matthew 26:49So immediately he went up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him.
• John 3:29He who has the bride is the groom. But the groom’s friend, who stands by and listens for him, rejoices greatly at the groom’s voice. So this joy of mine is complete.
• John 13:18“I’m not speaking about all of you; I know those I have chosen. But the Scripture must be fulfilled: The one who eats my bread has raised his heel against me.

Commentaries on Judges 14:20

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 20But Samson's wife was given to his companion - This was the same kind of person who is called the friend of the bridegroom, John 3:29. And it is very likely that she loved this person better than she loved her husband, and went to him as soon as Samson had gone to his father's house at Zorah. She might, however, have thought herself abandoned by him, and therefore took another; this appears to have been the persuasion of her father, Judges 15:2. But her…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 20His companion - Perhaps one of those mentioned in Judges 14:11. The transaction denotes loose notions of the sanctity of marriage among the Philistines. It should be noted carefully that the practical lesson against ungodly marriages comes out most strongly in this case and that the providential purpose which out of this evil brought discomfiture to the Philistines, has nothing to do with the right or wrong of Samson‘s conduct.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 10-20Verses 10-20 Samson's riddle literally meant no more than that he had got honey, for food and for pleasure, from the lion, which in its strength and fury was ready to devour him. But the victory of Christ over Satan, by means of his humiliation, agonies, and death, and the exaltation that followed to him, with the glory thence to the Father, and spiritual advantages to his people, seem directly alluded to. And even death, that devouring monster, being…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 20According to some ancient customs, giving the bride to the best man was forbidden, even if the marriage was not completed. The father's action seems to have been deceitful (compare Judges 15:2–3, 6).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 19-2019-20. went down to Ashkelon, and slew thirty men of them--This town was about twenty-four miles west by southwest from Timnah; and his selection of this place, which was dictated by the Divine Spirit, was probably owing to its bitter hostility to Israel. took their spoil--The custom of stripping a slain enemy was unknown in Hebrew warfare.Read the comment

Topics related to Judges 14:20

• Samson

In the dictionaries

• Change
• Plow
• Put
• Riddle
• Samson
• Swarm
• Dan (1); Dan, Tribe of
• Dark Sayings
• Israel, History of
• Judges, Book of

Commentaries on Judges 14

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• Darby Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings