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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad11.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/14-10.htm" title="Judges 14:10">◄</a> Judges 14:11 <a href="/judges/14-12.htm" title="Judges 14:12">►</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/14.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/14.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />When the people saw him, they chose thirty men to be his companions.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/judges/14.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />When the bride’s parents saw him, they selected thirty young men from the town to be his companions.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/judges/14.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />As soon as the people saw him, they brought thirty companions to be with him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/judges/14.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />And when the Philistines saw him, they selected thirty men to accompany him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/judges/14.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And it came to pass, when they saw him, that they brought thirty companions to be with him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/judges/14.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And it happened, when they saw him, that they brought thirty companions to be with him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/judges/14.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />When they saw him, they brought thirty companions to be with him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/judges/14.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />When they saw him, they brought thirty companions to be with him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/judges/14.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And it came about when they saw him that they brought thirty companions to be with him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/judges/14.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Now it happened that when they saw him, they took thirty companions to be with him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/judges/14.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />When the people saw him, they brought thirty companions (wedding attendants) to be with him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/judges/14.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />When the Philistines saw him, they brought thirty men to accompany him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/judges/14.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />When the Philistines saw him, they brought 30 men to accompany him.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/judges/14.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And it came to pass, when they saw him, that they brought thirty companions to be with him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/judges/14.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />When the Philistines saw what Samson was like, they told 30 of their young men to stay with him at the party. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/judges/14.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And it came to pass, when they saw him, that they brought thirty companions to be with him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/judges/14.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />When [her family] saw him, they chose 30 of their friends to be with him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/judges/14.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />When the Philistines saw him, they sent thirty young men to stay with him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/judges/14.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />When they saw him, they brought 30 companions to accompany him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/judges/14.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />And when the Philistines saw him, they selected thirty men to accompany him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/judges/14.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />When the Philistines saw he had no attendants, they gave him thirty groomsmen who kept him company.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/judges/14.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />It happened, when they saw him, that they brought thirty companions to be with him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/judges/14.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And it came to pass, when they saw him, that they brought thirty companions to be with him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/judges/14.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />When they saw him, they brought thirty companions to be with him. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/judges/14.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and it comes to pass, when they see him, that they take thirty companions, and they are with him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/judges/14.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and it cometh to pass when they see him, that they take thirty companions, and they are with him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/judges/14.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And it will be when they saw him, and they will take thirty companions, and they will be with him.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/judges/14.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And when the citizens of that place saw him, they brought him thirty companions to be with him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/judges/14.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And when the citizens of that place had seen him, they presented to him thirty companions to be with him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/judges/14.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Out of their fear of him, they brought thirty men to be his companions.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/judges/14.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />When the people saw him, they brought thirty companions to be with him.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/judges/14.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And when they saw him, there came thirty men and became his groomsmen.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/judges/14.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And when they saw him, thirty men came and they were friends of the groom for him<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/judges/14.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And it came to pass, when they saw him, that they brought thirty companions to be with him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/judges/14.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And it came to pass when they saw him, that they took thirty guests, and they were with him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/judges/14-11.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=4317" 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/14.htm">Samson's Riddle</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">10</span>Then his father went to visit the woman, and Samson prepared a feast there, as was customary for the bridegroom. <span class="reftext">11</span><span class="highl"><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 when</a> <a href="/hebrew/7200.htm" title="7200: kir·’ō·w·ṯām (Prep-k:: V-Qal-Inf:: 3mp) -- To see. A primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively.">the Philistines saw him,</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/3947.htm" title="3947: way·yiq·ḥū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To take. A primitive root; to take.">they selected</a> <a href="/hebrew/7970.htm" title="7970: šə·lō·šîm (Number-cp) -- Thirty. Or shloshiym; multiple of shalowsh; thirty; or thirtieth.">thirty</a> <a href="/hebrew/4828.htm" title="4828: mê·rê·‘îm (N-mp) -- Friend, companion. From ra'ah in the sense of companionship; a friend.">men to accompany him.</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: way·yih·yū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass."></a> <a href="/hebrew/854.htm" title="854: ’it·tōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- With (denoting proximity). Probably from 'anah; properly, nearness, near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc."></a> </span><span class="reftext">12</span>“Let me tell you a riddle,” Samson said to them. “If you can solve it for me within the seven days of the feast, I will give you thirty linen garments and thirty sets of clothes.…<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="/genesis/29-22.htm">Genesis 29:22</a></span><br />So Laban invited all the men of that place and prepared a feast.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/22-2.htm">Matthew 22:2-4</a></span><br />“The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. / He sent his servants to call those he had invited to the banquet, but they refused to come. / Again, he sent other servants and said, ‘Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner. My oxen and fattened cattle have been killed, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/2-1.htm">John 2:1-10</a></span><br />On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, / and Jesus and His disciples had also been invited to the wedding. / When the wine ran out, Jesus’ mother said to Him, “They have no more wine.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/9-15.htm">Matthew 9:15</a></span><br />Jesus replied, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while He is with them? But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/5-34.htm">Luke 5:34-35</a></span><br />Jesus replied, “Can you make the guests of the bridegroom fast while He is with them? / But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/3-29.htm">John 3:29</a></span><br />The 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/19-7.htm">Revelation 19:7-9</a></span><br />Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him the glory. For the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready. / She was given clothing of fine linen, bright and pure.” For the fine linen she wears is the righteous acts of the saints. / Then the angel told me to write, “Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/25-36.htm">1 Samuel 25:36</a></span><br />When Abigail returned to Nabal, there he was in the house, holding a feast fit for a king, in high spirits and very drunk. So she told him nothing until morning light.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/esther/1-5.htm">Esther 1:5-7</a></span><br />At the end of this time, in the garden court of the royal palace, the king held a seven-day feast for all the people in the citadel of Susa, from the least to the greatest. / Hangings of white and blue linen were fastened with cords of fine white and purple material to silver rings on the marble pillars. Gold and silver couches were arranged on a mosaic pavement of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl, and other costly stones. / Beverages were served in an array of goblets of gold, each with a different design, and the royal wine flowed freely, according to the king’s bounty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/songs/3-11.htm">Song of Solomon 3:11</a></span><br />Come out, O daughters of Zion, and gaze at King Solomon, wearing the crown with which his mother crowned him on the day of his wedding—the day of his heart’s rejoicing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/25-1.htm">Matthew 25:1-10</a></span><br />“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. / Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. / The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take along any extra oil. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/2-19.htm">Mark 2:19-20</a></span><br />Jesus replied, “How can the guests of the bridegroom fast while He is with them? As long as He is with them, they cannot fast. / But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/14-8.htm">Luke 14:8</a></span><br />“When you are invited to a wedding banquet, do not sit in the place of honor, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/45-14.htm">Psalm 45:14-15</a></span><br />In colorful garments she is led to the king; her virgin companions are brought before you. / They are led in with joy and gladness; they enter the palace of the king.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/62-5.htm">Isaiah 62:5</a></span><br />For as a young man marries a young woman, so your sons will marry you; and as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so your God will rejoice over you.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And it came to pass, when they saw him, that they brought thirty companions to be with him.</p><p class="hdg">saw him</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/10-23.htm">1 Samuel 10:23</a></b></br> And they ran and fetched him thence: and when he stood among the people, he was higher than any of the people from his shoulders and upward.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/16-6.htm">1 Samuel 16:6</a></b></br> And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD'S anointed <i>is</i> before him.</p><p class="hdg">thirty</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/9-15.htm">Matthew 9:15</a></b></br> And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/3-29.htm">John 3:29</a></b></br> He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/judges/13-21.htm">Appeared</a> <a href="/judges/11-38.htm">Companions</a> <a href="/judges/12-14.htm">Thirty</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/judges/19-26.htm">Appeared</a> <a href="/judges/20-11.htm">Companions</a> <a href="/judges/14-12.htm">Thirty</a><div class="vheading2">Judges 14</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/14-1.htm">Samson desires a wife of the Philistines.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/14-6.htm">In his journey he kills a lion</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/14-8.htm">In a second journey he finds honey in the carcass</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/14-10.htm">Samson's marriage feast</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/14-12.htm">His riddle by his wife is made known</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/14-19.htm">He strikes down thirty Philistines</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/14-20.htm">His wife is married to another.</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/14.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/14.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>And when the Philistines saw him</b><br>The Philistines were a dominant force in the region during the time of the Judges, often oppressing the Israelites. Samson, a Nazirite from birth, was chosen by God to begin delivering Israel from Philistine control. The Philistines' observation of Samson indicates their awareness of his presence and potential threat. This moment foreshadows the tension between Samson and the Philistines, which is a recurring theme in his narrative.<p><b>they selected thirty men to accompany him</b><br>The selection of thirty men suggests a measure of both honor and surveillance. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, it was customary to provide companions or attendants for guests, especially during wedding feasts. However, the number thirty may also imply a precautionary measure, as Samson's reputation for strength and unpredictability was likely known. This group could serve as both witnesses to the marriage and as a means to keep an eye on Samson, ensuring he did not cause trouble. This act sets the stage for the riddle challenge that follows, which becomes a pivotal moment in the conflict between Samson and 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, given by God to deliver Israel from the Philistines. His life is marked by personal flaws and divine purpose.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/p/philistines.htm">Philistines</a></b><br>A group of people who were enemies of Israel. They were known for their advanced culture and military prowess, often oppressing the Israelites during the time of the Judges.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/timnah.htm">Timnah</a></b><br>A Philistine town where Samson went to marry a Philistine woman, which was against the traditional Israelite customs and laws.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/thirty_companions.htm">Thirty Companions</a></b><br>These were Philistine men who were brought to accompany Samson during his wedding feast. Their presence foreshadows the conflict that arises later in the account.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/w/wedding_feast.htm">Wedding Feast</a></b><br>A significant cultural event in ancient times, often lasting several days. It was a time of celebration but also a setting for the unfolding of God's plan through Samson's life.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_human_affairs.htm">God's Sovereignty in Human Affairs</a></b><br>Despite Samson's personal choices, God uses his life to fulfill divine purposes. This reminds us that God can work through our imperfections to achieve His will.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_compromise.htm">The Danger of Compromise</a></b><br>Samson's decision to marry a Philistine woman reflects a compromise of his Nazarite vow and Israelite identity. Believers are called to be in the world but not of it, maintaining their distinctiveness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_influence.htm">Community Influence</a></b><br>The presence of the thirty companions highlights the influence of community and peer pressure. Christians should be mindful of the company they keep and its impact on their spiritual walk.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_grace_and_redemption.htm">God's Grace and Redemption</a></b><br>Even when we stray, God's grace is available to redeem and redirect our paths. Samson's account is a testament to God's patience and redemptive power.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_judges_14.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Judges 14</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_for_judges_14_10-12_customs.htm">Is there any archaeological evidence supporting the wedding feast customs described in Judges 14:10-12?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_samson's_marriage_align_with_deut._7.htm">How does Samson's marriage to a Philistine (Judges 14:1-3) align with the prohibition on intermarriage in Deuteronomy 7:3-4?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/philistine-ammonite_oppression_verified.htm">(Judges 10:7) Is there any historical or archaeological verification of simultaneous oppression by Philistines and Ammonites?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_god_use_flawed_samson.htm">In Judges 16, why would God continue to work through Samson despite his moral failings?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/judges/14.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(11) <span class= "bld">When they saw him.</span>--The reason why this clause is added is somewhat obscure, and this is perhaps the reason why the LXX. and Josephus, without any warrant, render it "when they were afraid of him, which would involve a change in the reading.<p><span class= "bld">They brought thirty companions.</span>--It was necessary to the splendour of the marriage feast that there should be these paranymphs (<span class= "ital">shoshbenim, </span>or "children of the bride-chamber," <a href="/matthew/9-15.htm" title="And Jesus said to them, Can the children of the bridal chamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.">Matthew 9:15</a>). The fact that Samson had brought none with him seems to prove that his marriage was highly unpopular among his own countrymen. <span class= "ital">Thirty, </span>however, was a most unusual number.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/judges/14.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 11.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">When they saw him</span>, <span class="accented">i.e.</span> when the father and mother and friends of the bride saw him approaching, they went to meet him with the thirty companions who had been selected. We still see a strong resemblance to the wedding arrangements referred to in <a href="/matthew/9-15.htm">Matthew 9:15</a>, and Matthew 25:1-12; only in this case they were young men instead of young women who went out to meet the bridegroom. We may observe, by the way, that the scale of the wedding feast, as regards numbers and duration, indicates that Samson s family was one of wealth and position. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/judges/14-11.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">And when</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיְהִ֖י</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">[the Philistines] saw him,</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּרְאוֹתָ֣ם</span> <span class="translit">(kir·’ō·w·ṯām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7200.htm">Strong's 7200: </a> </span><span class="str2">To see</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they selected</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּקְחוּ֙</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiq·ḥū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3947.htm">Strong's 3947: </a> </span><span class="str2">To take</span><br /><br /><span class="word">thirty</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׁלֹשִׁ֣ים</span> <span class="translit">(šə·lō·šîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7970.htm">Strong's 7970: </a> </span><span class="str2">Thirty, thirtieth</span><br /><br /><span class="word">men to accompany him.</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵֽרֵעִ֔ים</span> <span class="translit">(mê·rê·‘îm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4828.htm">Strong's 4828: </a> </span><span class="str2">Friend, companion</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/judges/14-11.htm">Judges 14:11 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/judges/14-11.htm">Judges 14:11 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/judges/14-11.htm">Judges 14:11 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/judges/14-11.htm">Judges 14:11 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/judges/14-11.htm">Judges 14:11 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/judges/14-11.htm">Judges 14:11 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/judges/14-11.htm">Judges 14:11 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/judges/14-11.htm">Judges 14:11 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/judges/14-11.htm">Judges 14:11 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/judges/14-11.htm">Judges 14:11 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/judges/14-11.htm">OT History: Judges 14:11 It happened when they saw him that (Jd Judg. Jdg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/judges/14-10.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Judges 14:10"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Judges 14:10" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/judges/14-12.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Judges 14:12"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Judges 14:12" /></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>