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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 15:5 Then he lit the torches and released the foxes into the standing grain of the Philistines, burning up the piles of grain and the standing grain, as well as the vineyards and olive groves.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/judges/15-5.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/6/07_Jdg_15_05.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Judges 15:5 - Samson's Revenge" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Then he lit the torches and released the foxes into the standing grain of the Philistines, burning up the piles of grain and the standing grain, as well as the vineyards and olive groves." /><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/15-5.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/15-5.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/15.htm">Chapter 15</a> > Verse 5</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="/ad5.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/15-4.htm" title="Judges 15:4">◄</a> Judges 15:5 <a href="/judges/15-6.htm" title="Judges 15:6">►</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/15.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/15.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />lit the torches and let the foxes loose in the standing grain of the Philistines. He burned up the shocks and standing grain, together with the vineyards and olive groves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/judges/15.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Then he lit the torches and let the foxes run through the grain fields of the Philistines. He burned all their grain to the ground, including the sheaves and the uncut grain. He also destroyed their vineyards and olive groves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/judges/15.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And when he had set fire to the torches, he let the foxes go into the standing grain of the Philistines and set fire to the stacked grain and the standing grain, as well as the olive orchards.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/judges/15.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then he lit the torches and released the foxes into the standing grain of the Philistines, burning up the piles of grain and the standing grain, as well as the vineyards and olive groves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/judges/15.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And when he had set the brands on fire, he let <i>them</i> go into the standing corn of the Philistines, and burnt up both the shocks, and also the standing corn, with the vineyards <i>and</i> olives.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/judges/15.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />When he had set the torches on fire, he let <i>the foxes</i> go into the standing grain of the Philistines, and burned up both the shocks and the standing grain, as well as the vineyards <i>and</i> olive groves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/judges/15.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />When he had set fire to the torches, he released <i>the jackals</i> into the standing grain of the Philistines and set fire to both the bundled heaps and the standing grain, along with the vineyards <i>and</i> olive groves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/judges/15.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />When he had set fire to the torches, he released the foxes into the standing grain of the Philistines, thus burning up both the shocks and the standing grain, along with the vineyards and groves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/judges/15.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />When he had set fire to the torches, he released the foxes into the standing grain of the Philistines, thus burning up both the shocks and the standing grain, along with the vineyards <i>and</i> groves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/judges/15.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then he set fire to the torches and sent the foxes into the standing grain of the Philistines. So he caused both the shocks and the standing grain, along with the vineyards <i>and</i> groves, to burn.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/judges/15.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />When he had set the torches ablaze, he let the foxes go into the standing grain of the Philistines, and he burned up the heap of sheaves and the standing grain, along with the vineyards and olive groves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/judges/15.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then he ignited the torches and released the foxes into the standing grain of the Philistines. He burned the piles of grain and the standing grain as well as the vineyards and olive groves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/judges/15.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then he ignited the torches and released the foxes into the standing grain of the Philistines. He burned up the piles of grain and the standing grain as well as the vineyards and olive groves. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/judges/15.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And when he had set the brands on fire, he let them go into the standing grain of the Philistines, and burnt up both the shocks and the standing grain, and also the oliveyards.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/judges/15.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Then Samson took the foxes into the Philistine wheat fields that were ready to be harvested. He set the rags on fire and let the foxes go. The wheat fields went up in flames, and so did the stacks of wheat that had already been cut. Even the Philistine vineyards and olive orchards burned. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/judges/15.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And when he had set the brands on fire, he let them go into the standing corn of the Philistines, and burnt up both the shocks and the standing corn, and also the oliveyards.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/judges/15.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />He set the torches on fire and released the foxes in the Philistines' grain fields. So he set fire to all their grain, whether it was stacked or in the fields. Their olive orchards also caught on fire.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/judges/15.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Then he set fire to the torches and turned the foxes loose in the Philistine wheat fields. In this way he burned up not only the wheat that had been harvested but also the wheat that was still in the fields. The olive orchards were also burned. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/judges/15.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Then he ignited the torches, set the foxes loose into the Philistines' unharvested grain, and burned up both the harvested shocks and the standing grain, along with their vineyards and olive groves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/judges/15.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then he lit the torches and released the foxes into the standing grain of the Philistines, burning up the piles of grain and the standing grain, as well as the vineyards and olive groves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/judges/15.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />He lit the torches and set the jackals loose in the Philistines' standing grain. He burned up the grain heaps and the standing grain, as well as the vineyards and olive groves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/judges/15.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />And when he had set fire to the torches, he let them go into the standing grain of the Philistines, and burnt up both the shocks and the standing grain, as well as the vineyards and olive groves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/judges/15.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And when he had set the brands on fire, he let them go into the standing corn of the Philistines, and burnt up both the shocks and also the standing corn, with the vineyards and olives.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/judges/15.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />When he had set the torches on fire, he let them go into the standing grain of the Philistines, and burned up both the shocks and the standing grain, and also the olive groves. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/judges/15.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and kindles fire in the torches, and sends [them] out into the standing grain of the Philistines, and burns [it] from heap even to standing grain, even to vineyard [and] olive-yard.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/judges/15.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and kindleth fire in the torches, and sendeth them out into the standing corn of the Philistines, and burneth it from heap even unto standing corn, even unto vineyard -- olive-yard.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/judges/15.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And he will kindle fire upon the torches and will send into the standing grain of Philisteim, and will burn up from the heap of sheaves and even to the standing grain, and even to the vineyard and the olive.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/judges/15.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And setting them on fire he let the foxes go, that they might run about hither and thither. And they presently went into the standing corn of the Philistines. Which being set on fire, both the corn that was already carried together, and that which was yet standing, was all burnt, insomuch, that the flame consumed also the vineyards and the oliveyards. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/judges/15.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And setting these on fire, he released them, so that they might rush from place to place. And immediately they went into the grain fields of the Philistines, setting these on fire, both the grain that was already bound for carrying, and what was still standing on the stalk. These were completely burned up, so much so that the flame also consumed even the vineyards and the olive groves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/judges/15.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />He then kindled the torches and set the jackals loose in the standing grain of the Philistines, thus burning both the shocks and standing grain, the vineyards and olive groves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/judges/15.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />When he had set fire to the torches, he let the foxes go into the standing grain of the Philistines, and burned up the shocks and the standing grain, as well as the vineyards and olive groves.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/judges/15.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And when he had set the torches on fire, he let the foxes go into the standing grain of the Philistines, and burned up both the shocks and the standing grain, and also the vineyards and olives.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/judges/15.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And he set fire to the torches and he left them in the standing grain of the Philistines, and he burned from the shocks of corn and unto the standing grain and unto the vineyards and unto the olive trees<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/judges/15.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And when he had set the torches on fire, he let them go into the standing corn of the Philistines, and burnt up both the shocks and the standing corn, and also the oliveyards.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/judges/15.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And he set fire to the torches, and sent <i>the foxes</i> into the corn of the Philistines; and every thing was burnt from the threshing floor to the standing corn, and even to the vineyard and olives.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/judges/15-5.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=4494" 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/15.htm">Samson's Revenge</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">4</span>Then Samson went out and caught three hundred foxes. And he took torches, turned the foxes tail-to-tail, and fastened a torch between each pair of tails. <span class="reftext">5</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1197.htm" title="1197: way·yaḇ·‘er- (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To kindle, consume, to be, brutish. A primitive root; to kindle, i.e. Consume; also to be(-come) brutish.">Then he lit</a> <a href="/hebrew/784.htm" title="784: ’êš (N-cs) -- A fire. A primitive word; fire."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3940.htm" title="3940: bal·lap·pî·ḏîm (Prep-b, Art:: N-mp) -- A torch. Or lappid; from an unused root probably meaning to shine; a flambeau, lamp or flame.">the torches</a> <a href="/hebrew/7971.htm" title="7971: way·šal·laḥ (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To send. A primitive root; to send away, for, or out.">and released the foxes</a> <a href="/hebrew/7054.htm" title="7054: bə·qā·mō·wṯ (Prep-b:: N-fpc) -- Standing grain. Feminine of active participle of quwm; something that rises, i.e. A stalk of grain.">into the standing grain</a> <a href="/hebrew/6430.htm" title="6430: pə·liš·tîm (N-proper-mp) -- Inhab. of Philistia. Patrial from Plesheth; a Pelishtite or inhabitant of Pelesheth.">of the Philistines,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1197.htm" title="1197: way·yaḇ·‘êr (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To kindle, consume, to be, brutish. A primitive root; to kindle, i.e. Consume; also to be(-come) brutish.">burning up</a> <a href="/hebrew/1430.htm" title="1430: mig·gā·ḏîš (Prep-m:: N-ms) -- A stack of sheaves, a tomb. From an unused root; a stack of sheaves; by analogy, a tomb.">the piles of grain</a> <a href="/hebrew/5704.htm" title="5704: wə·‘aḏ- (Conj-w:: Prep) -- As far as, even to, up to, until, while. Properly, the same as ad; as far as, whether of space or time or degree."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7054.htm" title="7054: qā·māh (N-fs) -- Standing grain. Feminine of active participle of quwm; something that rises, i.e. A stalk of grain.">and the standing grain,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5704.htm" title="5704: wə·‘aḏ- (Conj-w:: Prep) -- As far as, even to, up to, until, while. Properly, the same as ad; as far as, whether of space or time or degree.">as well as</a> <a href="/hebrew/3754.htm" title="3754: ke·rem (N-msc) -- A vineyard. From an unused root of uncertain meaning; a garden or vineyard.">the vineyards</a> <a href="/hebrew/2132.htm" title="2132: zā·yiṯ (N-ms) -- Olive tree, olive. Probably from an unused root; an olive, the tree, the branch or the berry.">and olive groves.</a> </span><span class="reftext">6</span>“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.…<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="/exodus/22-6.htm">Exodus 22:6</a></span><br />If a fire breaks out and spreads to thornbushes so that it consumes stacked or standing grain, or the whole field, the one who started the fire must make full restitution.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/14-30.htm">2 Samuel 14:30</a></span><br />Then Absalom said to his servants, “Look, Joab’s field is next to mine, and he has barley there. Go and set it on fire!” And Absalom’s servants set the field on fire.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/5-24.htm">Isaiah 5:24</a></span><br />Therefore, as a tongue of fire consumes the straw, and as dry grass shrivels in the flame, so their roots will decay and their blossoms will blow away like dust; for they have rejected the instruction of the LORD of Hosts and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joel/1-19.htm">Joel 1:19-20</a></span><br />To You, O LORD, I call, for fire has consumed the open pastures and flames have scorched all the trees of the field. / Even the beasts of the field pant for You, for the streams of water have dried up, and fire has consumed the open pastures.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/6-12.htm">1 Samuel 6:12</a></span><br />And the cows headed straight up the road toward Beth-shemesh, staying on that one highway and lowing as they went, never straying to the right or to the left. The rulers of the Philistines followed behind them to the border of Beth-shemesh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/19-23.htm">2 Kings 19:23</a></span><br />Through your servants you have taunted the Lord, and you have said: “With my many chariots I have ascended to the heights of the mountains, to the remote peaks of Lebanon. I have cut down its tallest cedars, the finest of its cypresses. I have reached its farthest outposts, the densest of its forests.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/83-14.htm">Psalm 83:14</a></span><br />As fire consumes a forest, as a flame sets the mountains ablaze,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/9-18.htm">Isaiah 9:18</a></span><br />For wickedness burns like a fire that consumes the thorns and briers and kindles the forest thickets, which roll upward in billows of smoke.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/3-12.htm">Matthew 3:12</a></span><br />His winnowing fork is in His hand to clear His threshing floor and to gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/3-17.htm">Luke 3:17</a></span><br />His winnowing fork is in His hand to clear His threshing floor and to gather the wheat into His barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/3-5.htm">James 3:5</a></span><br />In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things. Consider how small a spark sets a great forest ablaze.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/3-13.htm">1 Corinthians 3:13</a></span><br />his workmanship will be evident, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will prove the quality of each man’s work.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/12-29.htm">Hebrews 12:29</a></span><br />“For our God is a consuming fire.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/8-7.htm">Revelation 8:7</a></span><br />Then the first angel sounded his trumpet, and hail and fire mixed with blood were hurled down upon the earth. A third of the earth was burned up, along with a third of the trees and all the green grass.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/9-4.htm">Revelation 9:4</a></span><br />They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any plant or tree, but only those who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And when he had set the brands on fire, he let them go into the standing corn of the Philistines, and burnt up both the shocks, and also the standing corn, with the vineyards and olives.</p><p class="hdg">he let them go</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/22-6.htm">Exodus 22:6</a></b></br> If fire break out, and catch in thorns, so that the stacks of corn, or the standing corn, or the field, be consumed <i>therewith</i>; he that kindled the fire shall surely make restitution.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/14-30.htm">2 Samuel 14:30</a></b></br> Therefore he said unto his servants, See, Joab's field is near mine, and he hath barley there; go and set it on fire. And Absalom's servants set the field on fire.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/jude/1-23.htm">Brands</a> <a href="/judges/13-23.htm">Burnt</a> <a href="/exodus/28-14.htm">Corded</a> <a href="/joshua/5-12.htm">Corn</a> <a href="/joshua/8-29.htm">Heap</a> <a href="/james/3-5.htm">Kindleth</a> <a href="/numbers/8-3.htm">Lit</a> <a href="/judges/9-9.htm">Olive</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/28-40.htm">Olives</a> <a href="/exodus/23-11.htm">Olive-Yard</a> <a href="/joshua/24-13.htm">Oliveyards</a> <a href="/jeremiah/48-33.htm">Orchards</a> <a href="/judges/15-3.htm">Philistines</a> <a href="/joshua/2-20.htm">Released</a> <a href="/exodus/22-6.htm">Shocks</a> <a href="/judges/9-35.htm">Standing</a> <a href="/judges/8-16.htm">Stems</a> <a href="/judges/15-4.htm">Torches</a> <a href="/joshua/8-31.htm">Uncut</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/28-30.htm">Vineyard</a> <a href="/judges/14-5.htm">Vineyards</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_samuel/22-9.htm">Brands</a> <a href="/judges/15-6.htm">Burnt</a> <a href="/ruth/2-16.htm">Corded</a> <a href="/ruth/2-2.htm">Corn</a> <a href="/ruth/3-7.htm">Heap</a> <a href="/job/19-11.htm">Kindleth</a> <a href="/ezekiel/43-2.htm">Lit</a> <a href="/1_samuel/8-14.htm">Olive</a> <a href="/2_samuel/15-30.htm">Olives</a> <a href="/exodus/23-11.htm">Olive-Yard</a> <a href="/1_samuel/8-14.htm">Oliveyards</a> <a href="/1_samuel/8-14.htm">Orchards</a> <a href="/judges/15-6.htm">Philistines</a> <a href="/2_samuel/6-6.htm">Released</a> <a href="/exodus/22-6.htm">Shocks</a> <a href="/judges/18-16.htm">Standing</a> <a href="/job/21-18.htm">Stems</a> <a href="/job/41-19.htm">Torches</a> <a href="/job/8-12.htm">Uncut</a> <a href="/1_kings/21-1.htm">Vineyard</a> <a href="/judges/21-20.htm">Vineyards</a><div class="vheading2">Judges 15</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/15-1.htm">Samson is denied his wife</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/15-3.htm">He burns the Philistines' corn with foxes and firebrands</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/15-6.htm">His wife and her father are burnt by the Philistines</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/15-8.htm">Samson smites them hip and thigh</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/15-9.htm">He is bound by the men of Judah, and delivered to the Philistines</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/15-14.htm">He kills them with a jawbone</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/15-18.htm">God makes the fountain En-hakkore for him in Lehi</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/15.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/15.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Then he lit the torches</b><br>Samson's actions here are a continuation of his personal vendetta against the Philistines, who were oppressing Israel. Lighting the torches signifies the beginning of his plan to cause destruction. Fire is often used in the Bible as a symbol of judgment and purification (e.g., <a href="/malachi/3-2.htm">Malachi 3:2-3</a>).<p><b>and released the foxes into the standing grain of the Philistines</b><br>The use of foxes (or possibly jackals, as the Hebrew word can mean either) is significant. Foxes were common in the region, and their release into the fields would cause chaos and destruction. This act of releasing them into the standing grain symbolizes a direct attack on the Philistine economy and sustenance, as grain was a staple food source.<p><b>burning up the piles of grain and the standing grain</b><br>The destruction of both the harvested and unharvested grain indicates a comprehensive devastation. This act would have had severe economic repercussions for the Philistines, as it destroyed both immediate and future food supplies. The burning of grain can be seen as a form of divine retribution, as fire often represents God's judgment (e.g., Sodom and Gomorrah in <a href="/genesis/19.htm">Genesis 19</a>).<p><b>as well as the vineyards and olive groves</b><br>Vineyards and olive groves were valuable agricultural assets in ancient Israel and Philistia, providing wine and oil, essential for daily life and religious practices. The destruction of these resources would have been a significant blow to the Philistines, affecting their economy and way of life. This act of destruction can be seen as a precursor to the ultimate deliverance of Israel from Philistine oppression, foreshadowing the complete victory that God would eventually bring through David and ultimately through Jesus Christ, who is the true deliverer.<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. He was a Nazirite, dedicated to God from birth, and his life was marked by conflict with 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 during the time of the judges. They oppressed the Israelites and were often in conflict with them.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/f/foxes.htm">Foxes</a></b><br>In this passage, Samson uses foxes as a tool for his revenge against the Philistines. He ties their tails together with torches to set the Philistine fields on fire.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/torches.htm">Torches</a></b><br>Used by Samson to ignite the fields of the Philistines, symbolizing destruction and judgment.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/f/fields_of_the_philistines.htm">Fields of the Philistines</a></b><br>The target of Samson's revenge, representing the wealth and sustenance of the Philistine people.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/d/divine_empowerment_and_responsibility.htm">Divine Empowerment and Responsibility</a></b><br>Samson's strength was a gift from God, but his actions remind us that divine gifts come with responsibility. We must use our God-given talents for His glory and purposes.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/consequences_of_personal_vendettas.htm">Consequences of Personal Vendettas</a></b><br>Samson's actions were driven by personal revenge. This teaches us the importance of seeking God's justice rather than taking matters into our own hands.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_human_affairs.htm">God's Sovereignty in Human Affairs</a></b><br>Despite Samson's flawed character, God used him to fulfill His purposes. This reassures us that God can work through imperfect people to accomplish His will.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_destructive_power_of_sin.htm">The Destructive Power of Sin</a></b><br>The destruction of the Philistine fields symbolizes the broader impact of sin and disobedience. It serves as a warning of the consequences of living outside of God's will.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_obedience.htm">The Importance of Obedience</a></b><br>Samson's life is a reminder of the importance of obedience to God's commands. As believers, we are called to live lives that reflect God's holiness and righteousness.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_judges_15.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Judges 15</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_samson_catch_300_foxes_safely.htm">In Judges 15:4, how could Samson realistically capture 300 foxes and tie torches to their tails without them escaping or injuring him? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_of_philistine_fields_burning.htm">In Judges 15:4-5, is there any historical or archaeological evidence suggesting that the widespread burning of Philistine fields by torched foxes actually took place?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/are_'little_foxes'_in_song_2_15_literal.htm">In Song of Solomon 2:15, is there any documented threat from 'little foxes' spoiling vineyards in that region, or is it purely metaphorical?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/did_jesus_judge_(john_8_15_vs._5_22).htm">Did Jesus judge others? (John 8:15 vs. John 5:22)</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/judges/15.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(5) <span class= "bld">Into the standing corn of the Philistines.</span>--He probably did this at night, when his actions would be unobserved, and no one would be at hand to quench the flames. We may imagine him watching the trails of fire from his rocky fastness, and exulting as the conflagration reddened the night. The heat of a tropical country makes everything so dry that his plan would be certain to succeed. To burn the crops of an Arab is to this day the deadliest of all injuries (Burckhardt). This was the method adopted by Absalom, in <a href="/2_samuel/14-30.htm" title="Therefore he said to his servants, See, Joab's field is near mine, and he has barley there; go and set it on fire. And Absalom's servants set the field on fire.">2Samuel 14:30</a>, to gain an interview with Joab. It is needless to point out that the adoption of these rough, coarse, and cruel expedients must be as little judged by a later and better standard as his thirst for the revenge of personal wrongs. There can be no ground to question the literal truth of the narrative. It is in entire accordance with the custom of the East, and it finds curious confirmation from the story in Ovid's <span class= "ital">Fasti, </span>that every year, at the Cerealia, torches were tied to the tails of foxes, and they were let loose in the Roman circus, to commemorate the incident that on one occasion a young man at Carseoli, to punish a fox for depredations on his hen-coops, had wrapped it up in straw, and set it on fire, and that the creature had escaped into the corn-fields and burnt down the standing crops (Ovid, <span class= "ital">Fasti, </span>iv. 681-711). The attempt of Bochart to establish any connection between this custom and the revenge of Samson is quite untenable, but the incident itself throws light on the possibility of the narrative. Ewald refers to <span class= "ital">Meghad-ta, </span>liv. 4; Babrius, <span class= "ital">Fab., </span>11<p><span class= "bld">Both the shocks, and also the standing corn.</span>--Literally, <span class= "ital">from the heap, even up to the standing. </span>The extent of the vengeance and its terrible future consequences would be fully, and we fear ruthlessly, estimated by Samson, as he saw the rivers of fire running and spreading through that vast plain of corn-land in harvest-time. (Comp. <a href="/exodus/22-6.htm" title="If fire break out, and catch in thorns, so that the stacks of corn, or the standing corn, or the field, be consumed therewith; he that kindled the fire shall surely make restitution.">Exodus 22:6</a>.)<p><span class= "bld">With the vineyards and olives.</span>--Literally, <span class= "ital">and to vineyard, to olive. </span>There may be some slight corruption in the text, or it may be an abbreviation of "from vineyard to vineyard, and from olive to olive." (Comp. <a href="/micah/7-12.htm" title="In that day also he shall come even to you from Assyria, and from the fortified cities, and from the fortress even to the river, and from sea to sea, and from mountain to mountain.">Micah 7:12</a>.) The low vines festooning the trees and trellis-work, and the olives with their dry trunks, would be sure to suffer injury.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/judges/15.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 5.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">The shocks and the standing corn</span>. See ver. 1, note. <span class="cmt_word">With the vineyards and olives</span>. The Hebrew text has <span class="accented">the orchards of olive trees - the</span> word <span class="accented">cherem</span>, usually translated <span class="accented">vineyard</span>, meaning also any <span class="accented">orchard</span>; but the Septuagint in both codices supplies and, as does the A. Y., which gives the more probable sense, <span class="accented">vineyards and olives.</span> It is unlikely that the vineyards should not be mentioned, in a district abounding in them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/judges/15-5.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 he lit</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיַּבְעֶר־</span> <span class="translit">(way·yaḇ·‘er-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1197.htm">Strong's 1197: </a> </span><span class="str2">To kindle, consume, to be, brutish</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the torches</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּלַּפִּידִ֔ים</span> <span class="translit">(bal·lap·pî·ḏîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3940.htm">Strong's 3940: </a> </span><span class="str2">A flambeau, lamp, flame</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and released [the foxes]</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיְשַׁלַּ֖ח</span> <span class="translit">(way·šal·laḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7971.htm">Strong's 7971: </a> </span><span class="str2">To send away, for, out</span><br /><br /><span class="word">into the standing grain</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּקָמ֣וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(bə·qā·mō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - feminine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7054.htm">Strong's 7054: </a> </span><span class="str2">Something that rises, a stalk of grain</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the Philistines,</span><br /><span class="heb">פְּלִשְׁתִּ֑ים</span> <span class="translit">(pə·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">burning up</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיַּבְעֵ֛ר</span> <span class="translit">(way·yaḇ·‘êr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1197.htm">Strong's 1197: </a> </span><span class="str2">To kindle, consume, to be, brutish</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the piles of grain</span><br /><span class="heb">מִגָּדִ֥ישׁ</span> <span class="translit">(mig·gā·ḏîš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1430.htm">Strong's 1430: </a> </span><span class="str2">A stack of sheaves, a tomb</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and the standing grain,</span><br /><span class="heb">קָמָ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(qā·māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7054.htm">Strong's 7054: </a> </span><span class="str2">Something that rises, a stalk of grain</span><br /><br /><span class="word">as well as</span><br /><span class="heb">וְעַד־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·‘aḏ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5704.htm">Strong's 5704: </a> </span><span class="str2">As far as, even to, up to, until, while</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the vineyards</span><br /><span class="heb">כֶּ֥רֶם</span> <span class="translit">(ke·rem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3754.htm">Strong's 3754: </a> </span><span class="str2">A garden, vineyard</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and olive groves.</span><br /><span class="heb">זָֽיִת׃</span> <span class="translit">(zā·yiṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2132.htm">Strong's 2132: </a> </span><span class="str2">An olive, the tree, the branch, the berry</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/judges/15-5.htm">Judges 15:5 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/judges/15-5.htm">Judges 15:5 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/judges/15-5.htm">Judges 15:5 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/judges/15-5.htm">Judges 15:5 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/judges/15-5.htm">Judges 15:5 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/judges/15-5.htm">Judges 15:5 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/judges/15-5.htm">Judges 15:5 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/judges/15-5.htm">Judges 15:5 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/judges/15-5.htm">Judges 15:5 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/judges/15-5.htm">Judges 15:5 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/judges/15-5.htm">OT History: Judges 15:5 When he had set the brands (Jd Judg. Jdg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/judges/15-4.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Judges 15:4"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Judges 15:4" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/judges/15-6.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Judges 15:6"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Judges 15:6" /></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>