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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Judges 16:21 Then the Philistines seized him, gouged out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, where he was bound with bronze shackles and forced to grind grain in the prison.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/judges/16-21.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/6/07_Jdg_16_21.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Judges 16:21 - Delilah Discovers the Secret" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Then the Philistines seized him, gouged out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, where he was bound with bronze shackles and forced to grind grain in the prison." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/judges/16-21.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/judges/16-21.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/judges/">Judges</a> > <a href="/judges/16.htm">Chapter 16</a> > Verse 21</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/judges/16-20.htm" title="Judges 16:20">◄</a> Judges 16:21 <a href="/judges/16-22.htm" title="Judges 16:22">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/judges/16.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/judges/16.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Then the Philistines seized him, gouged out his eyes and took him down to Gaza. Binding him with bronze shackles, they set him to grinding grain in the prison.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/judges/16.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />So the Philistines captured him and gouged out his eyes. They took him to Gaza, where he was bound with bronze chains and forced to grind grain in the prison.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/judges/16.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And the Philistines seized him and gouged out his eyes and brought him down to Gaza and bound him with bronze shackles. And he ground at the mill in the prison.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/judges/16.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then the Philistines seized him, gouged out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, where he was bound with bronze shackles and forced to grind grain in the prison.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/judges/16.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />But the Philistines took him, and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass; and he did grind in the prison house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/judges/16.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then the Philistines took him and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza. They bound him with bronze fetters, and he became a grinder in the prison.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/judges/16.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then the Philistines seized him and gouged out his eyes; and they brought him down to Gaza and restrained him with bronze chains, and he became a grinder in the prison.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/judges/16.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Then the Philistines seized him and gouged out his eyes; and they brought him down to Gaza and bound him with bronze chains, and he was a grinder in the prison.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/judges/16.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Then the Philistines seized him and gouged out his eyes; and they brought him down to Gaza and bound him with bronze chains, and he was a grinder in the prison.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/judges/16.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then the Philistines seized him and gouged out his eyes; and they brought him down to Gaza and bound him with bronze chains, and he was a grinder in the prison.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/judges/16.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Then the Philistines seized him and gouged out his eyes; and they brought him down to Gaza and bound him with [two] bronze chains; and he was <i>forced to be</i> a grinder [of grain into flour at the mill] in the prison.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/judges/16.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The Philistines seized him and gouged out his eyes. They brought him down to Gaza and bound him with bronze shackles, and he was forced to grind grain in the prison.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/judges/16.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The Philistines seized him and gouged out his eyes. They brought him down to Gaza and bound him with bronze shackles, and he was forced to grind grain in the prison. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/judges/16.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And the Philistines laid hold on him, and put out his eyes; and they brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass; and he did grind in the prison-house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/judges/16.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The Philistines grabbed Samson and poked out his eyes. They took him to the prison in Gaza and chained him up. Then they put him to work, turning a millstone to grind grain. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/judges/16.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And the Philistines laid hold on him, and put out his eyes; and they brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass; and he did grind in the prison house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/judges/16.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The Philistines grabbed him. They poked out his eyes and took him to the prison in Gaza. They tied him up with double chains and made him grind grain in the mill there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/judges/16.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The Philistines captured him and put his eyes out. They took him to Gaza, chained him with bronze chains, and put him to work grinding at the mill in the prison. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/judges/16.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Then the Philistines grabbed him, gouged out his eyes, brought him down to Gaza, tied him up in bronze chains, and made him grind grain in their prison.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/judges/16.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then the Philistines seized him, gouged out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, where he was bound with bronze shackles and forced to grind grain in the prison.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/judges/16.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The Philistines captured him and gouged out his eyes. They brought him down to Gaza and bound him in bronze chains. He became a grinder in the prison.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/judges/16.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The Philistines seized him, and gouged out his eyes. And they brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with bronze shackles, and he ground at the mill in the prison.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/judges/16.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />But the Philistines took him and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass; and he did grind in the prison-house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/judges/16.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The Philistines laid hold on him and put out his eyes; and they brought him down to Gaza and bound him with fetters of bronze; and he ground at the mill in the prison. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/judges/16.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And the Philistines seize him, and pick out his eyes, and bring him down to Gaza, and bind him with two bronze chains; and he is grinding in the prison-house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/judges/16.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And the Philistines seize him, and pick out his eyes, and bring him down to Gaza, and bind him with two brazen fetters; and he is grinding in the prison-house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/judges/16.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Philisteim will seize him, and they will bore out his eyes, and will bring him down to Gaza and bind him with fetters of brass, and he will be grinding in the house of bonds.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/judges/16.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Then the Philistines seized upon him, and forthwith pulled out his eyes, and led him bound in chains to Gaza, and shutting him up in prison made him grind. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/judges/16.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And when the Philistines had seized him, they immediately plucked out his eyes. And they led him, bound in chains, to Gaza. And enclosing him in a prison, they made him work a millstone.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/judges/16.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />But the Philistines seized him and gouged out his eyes. Then they brought him down to Gaza and bound him with bronze fetters, and he was put to grinding grain in the prison.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/judges/16.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />So the Philistines seized him and gouged out his eyes. They brought him down to Gaza and bound him with bronze shackles; and he ground at the mill in the prison.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/judges/16.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And the Philistines seized him, and put out his eyes and bound him with fetters and brought him down to Gaza, and he did grind wheat in the prison house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/judges/16.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And the Philistines seized him and they put out his eyes, and they bound him with chains, and they took him down to Azath, and he was grinding meal in the house of prisoners<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/judges/16.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And the Philistines laid hold on him, and put out his eyes; and they brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass; and he did grind in the prison-house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/judges/16.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And the Philistines took him, and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass; and he ground in the prison-house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/judges/16-21.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AjzBiIYY2Dc?start=4957" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/judges/16.htm">Delilah Discovers the Secret</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">20</span>Then she called out, “Samson, the Philistines are here!” When Samson awoke from his sleep, he thought, “I will escape as I did before and shake myself free.” But he did not know that the LORD had departed from him. <span class="reftext">21</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/6430.htm" title="6430: p̄ə·liš·tîm (N-proper-mp) -- Inhab. of Philistia. Patrial from Plesheth; a Pelishtite or inhabitant of Pelesheth.">Then the Philistines</a> <a href="/hebrew/270.htm" title="270: way·yō·ḥă·zū·hū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp:: 3ms) -- To grasp, take hold, take possession. A primitive root; to seize.">seized him,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5365.htm" title="5365: way·naq·qə·rū (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To bore, pick, dig. A primitive root; to bore.">gouged out</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5869.htm" title="5869: ‘ê·nāw (N-cdc:: 3ms) -- An eye. Probably a primitive word; an eye; by analogy, a fountain.">his eyes,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3381.htm" title="3381: way·yō·w·rî·ḏū (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To come or go down, descend. ">and brought him down</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’ō·w·ṯōw (DirObjM:: 3ms) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5804.htm" title="5804: ‘az·zā·ṯāh (N-proper-fs:: 3fs) -- A Philistine city. Feminine of az; strong; Azzah, a place in Palestine.">to Gaza,</a> <a href="/hebrew/631.htm" title="631: way·ya·’as·rū·hū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp:: 3ms) -- To tie, bind, imprison. A primitive root; to yoke or hitch; by analogy, to fasten in any sense, to join battle.">where he was bound</a> <a href="/hebrew/5178.htm" title="5178: ban·ḥuš·ta·yim (Prep-b, Art:: N-fd) -- Copper, bronze. For nchuwshah; copper, hence, something made of that metal, i.e. Coin, a fetter; figuratively, base.">with bronze shackles</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: way·hî (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">and forced</a> <a href="/hebrew/2912.htm" title="2912: ṭō·w·ḥên (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To grind. A primitive root; to grind meal; hence, to be a concubine.">to grind</a> <a href="/hebrew/1004.htm" title="1004: bə·ḇêṯ (Prep-b:: N-msc) -- A house. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house.">grain in the prison.</a> <a href="/hebrew/615.htm" title="615: hå̄·ʾă·sī·rīm (Art:: V-Qal-QalPassPrtcpl-mp) -- A bondman, prisoner. From 'acar; bound, i.e. A captive."></a> </span><span class="reftext">22</span>However, the hair of his head began to grow back after it had been shaved.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/25-7.htm">2 Kings 25:7</a></span><br />And they slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes. Then they put out his eyes, bound him with bronze shackles, and took him to Babylon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/39-7.htm">Jeremiah 39:7</a></span><br />Then he put out Zedekiah’s eyes and bound him with bronze chains to take him to Babylon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/12-11.htm">2 Samuel 12:11</a></span><br />This is what the LORD says: ‘I will raise up adversity against you from your own house. Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to another, and he will lie with them in broad daylight.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/lamentations/5-13.htm">Lamentations 5:13</a></span><br />Young men toil at millstones; boys stagger under loads of wood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/42-7.htm">Isaiah 42:7</a></span><br />to open the eyes of the blind, to bring prisoners out of the dungeon and those sitting in darkness out from the prison house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/25-4.htm">2 Kings 25:4-6</a></span><br />Then the city was breached; and though the Chaldeans had surrounded the city, all the men of war fled by night by way of the gate between the two walls near the king’s garden. They headed toward the Arabah, / but the army of the Chaldeans pursued the king and overtook him in the plains of Jericho, and his whole army deserted him. / The Chaldeans seized the king and brought him up to the king of Babylon at Riblah, where they pronounced judgment on him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/52-11.htm">Jeremiah 52:11</a></span><br />Then he put out Zedekiah’s eyes, bound him with bronze shackles, and took him to Babylon, where he kept him in custody until his dying day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/3-1.htm">Isaiah 3:1-3</a></span><br />For behold, the Lord GOD of Hosts is about to remove from Jerusalem and Judah both supply and support: the whole supply of food and water, / the mighty man and the warrior, the judge and the prophet, the soothsayer and the elder, / the commander of fifty and the dignitary, the counselor, the cunning magician, and the clever enchanter.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/33-11.htm">2 Chronicles 33:11</a></span><br />So the LORD brought against them the military commanders of the king of Assyria, who captured Manasseh, put a hook in his nose, bound him with bronze shackles, and took him to Babylon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/107-10.htm">Psalm 107:10-12</a></span><br />Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, prisoners in affliction and chains, / because they rebelled against the words of God and despised the counsel of the Most High. / He humbled their hearts with hard labor; they stumbled, and there was no one to help.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/18-34.htm">Matthew 18:34</a></span><br />In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should repay all that he owed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/12-4.htm">Acts 12:4</a></span><br />He arrested him and put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out to the people after the Passover.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/27-2.htm">Matthew 27:2</a></span><br />They bound Him, led Him away, and handed Him over to Pilate the governor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/18-12.htm">John 18:12</a></span><br />Then the band of soldiers, with its commander and the officers of the Jews, arrested Jesus and bound Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/16-23.htm">Acts 16:23-24</a></span><br />And after striking them with many blows, they threw them into prison and ordered the jailer to guard them securely. / On receiving this order, he placed them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">But the Philistines took him, and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass; and he did grind in the prison house.</p><p class="hdg">and put out.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/5-22.htm">Proverbs 5:22</a></b></br> His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/14-14.htm">Proverbs 14:14</a></b></br> The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man <i>shall be satisfied</i> from himself.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/2-19.htm">Judges 2:19</a></b></br> And it came to pass, when the judge was dead, <i>that</i> they returned, and corrupted <i>themselves</i> more than their fathers, in following other gods to serve them, and to bow down unto them; they ceased not from their own doings, nor from their stubborn way.</p><p class="hdg">bound him</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_kings/25-7.htm">2 Kings 25:7</a></b></br> And they slew the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, and put out the eyes of Zedekiah, and bound him with fetters of brass, and carried him to Babylon.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_chronicles/33-11.htm">2 Chronicles 33:11</a></b></br> Wherefore the LORD brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/107-10.htm">Psalm 107:10-12</a></b></br> Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, <i>being</i> bound in affliction and iron; … </p><p class="hdg">grind</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/11-5.htm">Exodus 11:5</a></b></br> And all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne, even unto the firstborn of the maidservant that <i>is</i> behind the mill; and all the firstborn of beasts.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/47-2.htm">Isaiah 47:2</a></b></br> Take the millstones, and grind meal: uncover thy locks, make bare the leg, uncover the thigh, pass over the rivers.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/24-42.htm">Matthew 24:42</a></b></br> Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/judges/16-13.htm">Bound</a> <a href="/joshua/22-8.htm">Brass</a> <a href="/jeremiah/52-11.htm">Chaining</a> <a href="/judges/8-26.htm">Chains</a> <a href="/judges/10-12.htm">Crushing</a> <a href="/judges/14-7.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/judges/16-3.htm">Hold</a> <a href="/judges/15-6.htm">House</a> <a href="/judges/16-2.htm">Laid</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/24-6.htm">Mill</a> <a href="/judges/16-20.htm">Philistines</a> <a href="/joshua/4-5.htm">Pick</a> <a href="/exodus/12-29.htm">Prison</a> <a href="/judges/6-8.htm">Prison-House</a> <a href="/judges/12-6.htm">Seize</a> <a href="/judges/15-15.htm">Seized</a> <a href="/luke/8-29.htm">Shackles</a> <a href="/judges/16-11.htm">Work</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/judges/20-16.htm">Bound</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-5.htm">Brass</a> <a href="/2_kings/25-7.htm">Chaining</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-32.htm">Chains</a> <a href="/ruth/2-17.htm">Crushing</a> <a href="/judges/16-28.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/judges/16-26.htm">Hold</a> <a href="/judges/16-25.htm">House</a> <a href="/judges/16-24.htm">Laid</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/12-4.htm">Mill</a> <a href="/judges/16-23.htm">Philistines</a> <a href="/ruth/2-2.htm">Pick</a> <a href="/judges/16-25.htm">Prison</a> <a href="/judges/16-25.htm">Prison-House</a> <a href="/judges/21-21.htm">Seize</a> <a href="/judges/19-25.htm">Seized</a> <a href="/2_kings/25-7.htm">Shackles</a> <a href="/judges/17-8.htm">Work</a><div class="vheading2">Judges 16</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/16-1.htm">Samson at Gaza escapes, and carries away the gates of the city</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/16-4.htm">Delilah corrupted by the Philistines, entices Samson</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/16-6.htm">Thrice she is deceived</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/16-15.htm">At last she overcomes him</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/16-21.htm">The Philistines take him, and put out his eyes</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/16-22.htm">His strength renewing, he pulls down the house upon the Philistines and dies</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/judges/16.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/judges/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/judges/16.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Then the Philistines seized him</b><br>This phrase marks the culmination of Samson's betrayal by Delilah, highlighting the consequences of his repeated disobedience and failure to adhere to his Nazirite vow. The Philistines, long-time enemies of Israel, finally capture Samson, symbolizing the triumph of pagan forces over God's chosen judge due to his personal failings.<p><b>gouged out his eyes</b><br>The act of gouging out Samson's eyes is both literal and symbolic. It represents the loss of his physical sight and the spiritual blindness that led to his downfall. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, blinding a captive was a common practice to humiliate and incapacitate them. This act also serves as a metaphor for Samson's inability to see the spiritual truths and consequences of his actions.<p><b>and brought him down to Gaza</b><br>Gaza was one of the five major Philistine cities and a place where Samson had previously demonstrated his strength (<a href="/judges/16.htm">Judges 16:1-3</a>). His being brought back to Gaza signifies a reversal of his earlier triumphs and underscores the Philistines' dominance over him. Gaza's location as a fortified city along the coastal plain made it a strategic and symbolic site for the Philistines.<p><b>where he was bound with bronze shackles</b><br>Bronze shackles indicate the severity of Samson's captivity. Bronze, a strong metal, symbolizes the strength of his bondage and the Philistines' determination to prevent any further threat from him. This imagery contrasts with Samson's previous freedom and strength, highlighting his complete subjugation.<p><b>and forced to grind grain in the prison</b><br>Grinding grain was typically a task for slaves or women, emphasizing Samson's humiliation and the loss of his status as a judge and leader of Israel. This menial labor in prison reflects his fall from a divinely empowered deliverer to a powerless captive. The image of grinding grain also foreshadows his eventual redemption and final act of strength, as it sets the stage for his ultimate sacrifice and victory over the Philistines.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/samson.htm">Samson</a></b><br>A judge of Israel known for his supernatural strength, which was a gift from God tied to his Nazirite vow. His downfall came through his relationship with Delilah, who betrayed him to the Philistines.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/p/philistines.htm">Philistines</a></b><br>A group of people who were enemies of Israel. They captured Samson after Delilah revealed the secret of his strength.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/g/gaza.htm">Gaza</a></b><br>A Philistine city where Samson was taken after his capture. It symbolizes the place of his humiliation and suffering.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/d/delilah.htm">Delilah</a></b><br>Although not mentioned in this specific verse, she played a crucial role in Samson's capture by betraying him to the Philistines.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/p/prison.htm">Prison</a></b><br>Represents the physical and spiritual bondage that Samson experienced as a result of his disobedience and the consequences of his actions.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_disobedience.htm">The Consequences of Disobedience</a></b><br>Samson's capture and suffering are direct results of his disobedience to God's commands. This serves as a reminder of the serious consequences that can follow when we stray from God's path.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_pride_and_complacency.htm">The Danger of Pride and Complacency</a></b><br>Samson's account illustrates how pride and complacency can lead to a fall. Believers are encouraged to remain humble and vigilant in their walk with God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_and_redemption.htm">God's Sovereignty and Redemption</a></b><br>Despite Samson's failures, God used him to begin delivering Israel from the Philistines. This demonstrates God's ability to work through our weaknesses and failures for His purposes.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_spiritual_vigilance.htm">The Importance of Spiritual Vigilance</a></b><br>Samson's physical blindness is symbolic of his spiritual blindness. Believers are called to remain spiritually vigilant and aware of the enemy's schemes.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hope_in_repentance.htm">Hope in Repentance</a></b><br>Samson's account ends with a redemptive act, showing that repentance and turning back to God can lead to restoration and fulfillment of God's purposes.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_judges_16.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Judges 16</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_mention_about_gaza.htm">What does the Bible mention about Gaza?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_samson's_strength_ruin_him.htm">How did Samson's strength lead to his downfall?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_for_philistines_arabs_invading_judah.htm">What historical or archaeological evidence supports the account of the Philistines and Arabs invading Judah (2 Chronicles 21:16-17)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_samson_carry_a_city_gate.htm">In Judges 16:1-3, how could Samson realistically carry away an entire city gate on his shoulders?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/judges/16.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(21) <span class= "bld">Put out his eyes.</span>--the margin, "bored out," is more correct. The Arabic version has the curious gloss that they burnt out his eyes with the red-hot style with which <span class= "ital">stibium </span>(see <a href="/job/42-14.htm" title="And he called the name of the first, Jemima; and the name of the second, Kezia; and the name of the third, Kerenhappuch.">Job 42:14</a>) is applied to the eyes. To blind a man was the most effectual humiliation (<a href="/2_kings/25-7.htm" title="And they slew the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, and put out the eyes of Zedekiah, and bound him with fetters of brass, and carried him to Babylon.">2Kings 25:7</a>). The story of Evenius, a priest of the sun-god, who is blinded by the people of Apollonia, who thereby incur the anger of the gods, seems to move in a similar circle of ideas to this.<p><span class= "bld">Fetters of brass.</span>--Literally, <span class= "ital">two brasses</span>--<span class= "ital">i.e., pairs of brazen fetters </span>(<span class= "ital">nechushtarim</span>)<span class= "ital">.</span><p><span class= "bld">He did grind in the prison house.</span>--This was the degrading work of slaves and females (<a href="/exodus/11-5.htm" title="And all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the first born of Pharaoh that sits on his throne, even to the firstborn of the maidservant that is behind the mill; and all the firstborn of beasts.">Exodus 11:5</a>; <a href="/isaiah/47-2.htm" title="Take the millstones, and grind meal: uncover your locks, make bore the leg, uncover the thigh, pass over the rivers.">Isaiah 47:2</a>). Grotius in a curious note says that slaves thus employed were blinded by the Scythians to save them from giddiness (see Herod. iv. 2). The end of Samson was mournful; <span class= "ital">"</span>his whole powerful life was only like a light, blazing up brightly at moments, and shining afar, but often dimmed, and utterly extinguished before its time" (Ewald).<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/judges/16.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 21.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Put out his eyes</span>. One of the cruel punishments of those times (see <a href="/numbers/16-14.htm">Numbers 16:14</a>; <a href="/2_kings/25-7.htm">2 Kings 25:7</a>), and still, or till quite lately, practised by Oriental despots to make their rivals incapable of reigning. So King John, in Shakespeare, ordered Arthur s eyes to be put out with a hot iron (<span class="accented">King John</span>, Act IV. scene 1.). Herodotus (Melp. 4:2) says that the Scythians used to put out the eyes of all their slaves. <span class="cmt_word">He did grind</span> - the most degrading form of labour, the punishment of slaves among the Greeks and Romans (see too <a href="/isaiah/47-2.htm">Isaiah 47:2</a>). <p> CHAPTER 16:23-31 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/judges/16-21.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Then the Philistines</span><br /><span class="heb">פְלִשְׁתִּ֔ים</span> <span class="translit">(p̄ə·liš·tîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6430.htm">Strong's 6430: </a> </span><span class="str2">Philistines -- inhabitants of Philistia</span><br /><br /><span class="word">seized him,</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּאחֲז֣וּהוּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·ḥă·zū·hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_270.htm">Strong's 270: </a> </span><span class="str2">To grasp, take hold, take possession</span><br /><br /><span class="word">gouged out</span><br /><span class="heb">וַֽיְנַקְּר֖וּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·naq·qə·rū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5365.htm">Strong's 5365: </a> </span><span class="str2">To bore, pick, dig</span><br /><br /><span class="word">his eyes,</span><br /><span class="heb">עֵינָ֑יו</span> <span class="translit">(‘ê·nāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - cdc | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5869.htm">Strong's 5869: </a> </span><span class="str2">An eye, a fountain</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and brought him down</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיּוֹרִ֨ידוּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·w·rî·ḏū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3381.htm">Strong's 3381: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come or go down, descend</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to Gaza,</span><br /><span class="heb">עַזָּ֗תָה</span> <span class="translit">(‘az·zā·ṯāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - feminine singular | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5804.htm">Strong's 5804: </a> </span><span class="str2">A Philistine city</span><br /><br /><span class="word">where he was bound</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיַּאַסְר֙וּהוּ֙</span> <span class="translit">(way·ya·’as·rū·hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_631.htm">Strong's 631: </a> </span><span class="str2">To yoke, hitch, to fasten, to join battle</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with bronze shackles</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּֽנְחֻשְׁתַּ֔יִם</span> <span class="translit">(ban·ḥuš·ta·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - fd<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5178.htm">Strong's 5178: </a> </span><span class="str2">Copper, something made of that metal, coin, a fetter, base</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and forced</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיְהִ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(way·hî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to grind</span><br /><span class="heb">טוֹחֵ֖ן</span> <span class="translit">(ṭō·w·ḥên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2912.htm">Strong's 2912: </a> </span><span class="str2">To grind meal, to be a, concubine</span><br /><br /><span class="word">grain in the prison.</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּבֵ֥ית</span> <span class="translit">(bə·ḇêṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1004.htm">Strong's 1004: </a> </span><span class="str2">A house</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/judges/16-21.htm">Judges 16:21 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/judges/16-21.htm">Judges 16:21 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/judges/16-21.htm">Judges 16:21 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/judges/16-21.htm">Judges 16:21 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/judges/16-21.htm">Judges 16:21 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/judges/16-21.htm">Judges 16:21 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/judges/16-21.htm">Judges 16:21 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/judges/16-21.htm">Judges 16:21 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/judges/16-21.htm">Judges 16:21 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/judges/16-21.htm">Judges 16:21 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/judges/16-21.htm">OT History: Judges 16:21 The Philistines laid hold on him (Jd Judg. Jdg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/judges/16-20.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Judges 16:20"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Judges 16:20" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/judges/16-22.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Judges 16:22"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Judges 16:22" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>