But Samson’s wife was given to his companion who had been his friend.
Parallel translations
- KJV But Samson’s wife was given to his companion, whom he had used as his friend.
- BSB and his wife was given to one of the men who had accompanied him.
- 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 15:2Her father said, “I most certainly thought that you utterly hated her; therefore I gave her to your companion. Isn’t her younger sister more beautiful than she? Please take her, instead.”
- John 3:29He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. This, my joy, therefore is made full.
- John 13:18I don’t speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen. But that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats bread with me has lifted up his heel against me.’
- Mic 7:5Don’t trust in a neighbor. Don’t put confidence in a friend. With the woman lying in your embrace, be careful of the words of your mouth!
- Ps 55:12–13For it was not an enemy who insulted me, then I could have endured it. Neither was it he who hated me who raised himself up against me, then I would have hidden myself from him.
- Jer 9:5Everyone will deceive their neighbors, and will not speak the truth. They have taught their tongue to speak lies. They weary themselves commiting iniquity.
- Matt 26:49–50Immediately he came to Jesus, and said, “Hail, Rabbi!” and kissed him.
- Judg 15:6Then the Philistines said, “Who has done this?” They said, “Samson, the son-in-law of the Timnite, because he has taken his wife, and given her to his companion.” The Philistines came up, and burned her and her father with fire.
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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.