and his wife was given to one of the men who had accompanied him.
Parallel translations
- WEB But Samson’s wife was given to his companion who had been his friend.
- KJV But Samson’s wife was given to his companion, whom he had used as his friend.
- NKJV And Samson’s wife was given to his companion, who had been his best man.
- NASB But Samson’s wife was given to his companion who had been his friend.
- NLT So his wife was given in marriage to the man who had been Samson’s best man at the wedding.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Samson's wife is given to his best man. This betrayal sets up the next round of conflict.
Overview
The giving away of Samson's wife to his companion is a fresh provocation that will spark further retaliation in the chapter that follows. The broken marriage reflects the treachery surrounding Samson's life among the Philistines. Even this offense becomes part of God's providential design to stir Samson against Israel's oppressors.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 8
- Judg 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 3:29The 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 13:18I 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.’
- Mic 7:5Do not rely on a friend; do not trust in a companion. Seal the doors of your mouth from her who lies in your arms.
- Ps 55:12–13For 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.
- Jer 9:5Each one betrays his friend; no one tells the truth. They have taught their tongues to lie; they wear themselves out committing iniquity.
- Matt 26:49–50Going directly to Jesus, he said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him.
- Judg 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.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Israel's cycle of sin and rescue through flawed deliverers cries out for a Savior who never fails — the true and final Judge and Deliverer who saves his people not for a season but forever.
How Judges 14:20 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.