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They were quiet throughout the night, saying, "Let us wait until dawn; then we will kill him."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/judges/16-2.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/5/07_Jdg_16_02.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Judges 16:2 - Samson Escapes Gaza" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="When the Gazites heard that Samson was there, they surrounded that place and lay in wait for him all night at the city gate. 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They made no move during the night, saying, &#8220At dawn we&#8217ll kill him.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/judges/16.htm">New Living Translation</a> Word soon spread that Samson was there, so the men of Gaza gathered together and waited all night at the town gates. They kept quiet during the night, saying to themselves, “When the light of morning comes, we will kill him.” <a href="/esv/judges/16.htm">English Standard Version</a> The Gazites were told, “Samson has come here.” And they surrounded the place and set an ambush for him all night at the gate of the city. They kept quiet all night, saying, “Let us wait till the light of the morning; then we will kill him.” <a href="/bsb/judges/16.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> When the Gazites heard that Samson was there, they surrounded that place and lay in wait for him all night at the city gate. They were quiet throughout the night, saying, “Let us wait until dawn; then we will kill him.” <a href="/kjv/judges/16.htm">King James Bible</a> And it was told the Gazites, saying, Samson is come hither. And they compassed him in, and laid wait for him all night in the gate of the city, and were quiet all the night, saying, In the morning, when it is day, we shall kill him. <a href="/nkjv/judges/16.htm">New King James Version</a> When the Gazites were told, “Samson has come here!” they surrounded the place and lay in wait for him all night at the gate of the city. They were quiet all night, saying, “In the morning, when it is daylight, we will kill him.” <a href="/nasb_/judges/16.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> When it was reported to the Gazites, saying, “Samson has come here,” they surrounded the place and lay in wait for him all night at the gate of the city. And they kept silent all night, saying, “Let’s wait until the morning light, then we will kill him.” <a href="/nasb/judges/16.htm">NASB 1995</a> When it was told to the Gazites, saying, &#8220Samson has come here,&#8221 they surrounded the place and lay in wait for him all night at the gate of the city. And they kept silent all night, saying, &#8220Let us wait until the morning light, then we will kill him.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/judges/16.htm">NASB 1977 </a> When it was told to the Gazites, saying, “Samson has come here,” they surrounded the place and lay in wait for him all night at the gate of the city. And they kept silent all night, saying, “Let us wait until the morning light, then we will kill him.” <a href="/lsb/judges/16.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And it was told to the Gazites, saying, “Samson has come here,” so they surrounded the place and lay in wait for him all night at the gate of the city. And they kept silent all night, saying, “Let us wait until the morning light; then we will kill him.” <a href="/amp/judges/16.htm">Amplified Bible</a> The Gazites were told, “Samson has come here.” So they surrounded the place and waited all night at the gate of the city to ambush him. They kept quiet all night, saying, “In the morning, when it is light, we will kill him.” <a href="/csb/judges/16.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> When the Gazites heard that Samson was there, they surrounded the place and waited in ambush for him all that night at the city gate. They kept quiet all night, saying, “Let’s wait until dawn; then we will kill him.” <a href="/hcsb/judges/16.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> When the Gazites heard that Samson was there, they surrounded the place and waited in ambush for him all that night at the city gate. While they were waiting quietly, they said, &#8220Let us wait until dawn; then we will kill him.&#8221 <a href="/asv/judges/16.htm">American Standard Version</a> And it was told the Gazites, saying, Samson is come hither. And they compassed him in, and laid wait for him all night in the gate of the city, and were quiet all the night, saying, Let be till morning light, then we will kill him. <a href="/cev/judges/16.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> The people who lived in Gaza found out he was there, and they decided to kill him at sunrise. So they went to the city gate and waited all night in the guardrooms on each side of the gate. <a href="/erv/judges/16.htm">English Revised Version</a> And it was told the Gazites, saying, Samson is come hither. And they compassed him in, and laid wait for him all night in the gate of the city, and were quiet all the night, saying, Let be till morning light, then we will kill him. <a href="/gwt/judges/16.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> The people of Gaza were told, "Samson's here!" So they surrounded the place and waited all night at the city gate to ambush him. They were quiet all night. They thought, "We'll kill him at dawn." <a href="/gnt/judges/16.htm">Good News Translation</a> The people of Gaza found out that Samson was there, so they surrounded the place and waited for him all night long at the city gate. They were quiet all night, thinking to themselves, "We'll wait until daybreak, and then we'll kill him." <a href="/isv/judges/16.htm">International Standard Version</a> When the Gazites were informed, "Samson has come here!" they surrounded him, intending to lay in wait for him at the city gate throughout the entire night. They kept quiet all night, telling each other, "At first light, let's kill him!" <a href="/msb/judges/16.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> When the Gazites heard that Samson was there, they surrounded that place and lay in wait for him all night at the city gate. They were quiet throughout the night, saying, ?Let us wait until dawn; then we will kill him.? <a href="/net/judges/16.htm">NET Bible</a> The Gazites were told, "Samson has come here!" So they surrounded the town and hid all night at the city gate, waiting for him to leave. They relaxed all night, thinking, "He will not leave until morning comes; then we will kill him!" <a href="/nheb/judges/16.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> And it was reported to the Gazites, saying, "Samson is here." They surrounded him, and lay in wait for him all night at the gate of the city, and were quiet all night, saying, "Wait until morning light, then we will kill him." <a href="/wbt/judges/16.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And it was told the Gazites, saying, Samson is come hither. And they encompassed him, and laid wait for him all night in the gate of the city, and were quiet all the night, saying, In the morning when it is day we shall kill him. <a href="/web/judges/16.htm">World English Bible</a> The Gazites were told, “Samson is here!” They surrounded him and laid wait for him all night in the gate of the city, and were quiet all the night, saying, “Wait until morning light; then we will kill him.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/judges/16.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> [it is told] to the Gazathites, saying, “Samson has come in here”; and they go around and lay wait for him all the night at the gate of the city, and keep themselves silent all the night, saying, “Until the morning light—then we have slain him.” <a href="/ylt/judges/16.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> it is told to the Gazathites, saying, 'Samson hath come in hither;' and they go round and lay wait for him all the night at the gate of the city, and keep themselves silent all the night, saying, 'Till the light of the morning -- then we have slain him.' <a href="/slt/judges/16.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> To the Gazites, saying, Samson came here. And they will encompass, and will lie in wait for him all the night in the gate of the city, and they will be silent all the night, saying, During the light of the morning and we killed him.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/judges/16.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And when the Philistines had beard this, and it was noised about among them, that Samson was come into the city, they surrounded him, setting guards at the gate of the city, and watching there all the night in silence, that in the morning they might kill him as he went out. <a href="/cpdv/judges/16.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And when the Philistines had heard of this, and it had become well known among them, that Samson had entered the city, they surrounded him, placing guards at the gate of the city. And there they were keeping watch all night in silence, so that, in the morning, they might kill him as he was going out. <a href="/nabre/judges/16.htm">New American Bible</a> The people of Gaza were told, “Samson has come here,” and they surrounded him with an ambush at the city gate all night long. And all the night they waited, saying, “At morning light we will kill him.” <a href="/nrsvce/judges/16.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> The Gazites were told, “Samson has come here.” So they circled around and lay in wait for him all night at the city gate. They kept quiet all night, thinking, “Let us wait until the light of the morning; then we will kill him.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/judges/16.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And it was told the Gazites, saying, Samson has come here. And they lay in wait for him all night in the gate of the city, and were whispering all night, saying, When the morning dawns, we shall kill him. <a href="/hpbt/judges/16.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And it was said: “Samson has come here”, and they Lie in wait for him all night at the gate of the city, and they were whispering all night and they said, “When morning dawns we shall kill him!”<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/judges/16.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> [And it was told] the Gazites, saying: 'Samson is come hither.' And they compassed him in, and lay in wait for him all night in the gate of the city, and were quiet all the night, saying: 'Let be till morning light, then we will kill him.' <a href="/sep/judges/16.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And it was reported to the Gazites, saying, Sampson is come hither: and they compassed him and laid wait for him all night in the gate of the city, and they were quiet all the night, saying, Let us wait till the dawn appear, and we will slay him. <a href="/parallel/judges/16-2.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AjzBiIYY2Dc?start=4693" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/judges/16.htm">Samson Escapes Gaza</a> 1One day Samson went to Gaza, where he saw a prostitute and went in to spend the night with her. 2<a href="/hebrew/5841.htm" title="5841: la·‘az·zā·ṯîm (Prep-l, Art:: N-proper-mp) -- Inhab. of Gaza. Patrial from Azzah; an Azzathite or inhabitant of Azzah.">When the Gazites</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: lê·mōr (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">heard that</a> <a href="/hebrew/8123.htm" title="8123: šim·šō·wn (N-proper-ms) -- A deliverer of Isr. From shemesh; sunlight; Shimshon, an Israelite.">Samson</a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: bā (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">was</a> <a href="/hebrew/2008.htm" title="2008: hên·nāh (Adv) -- Hither. From hen; hither or thither.">there,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5437.htm" title="5437: way·yā·sōb·bū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- A primitive root; to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively.">they surrounded that place</a> <a href="/hebrew/693.htm" title="693: way·ye·’er·ḇū- (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To lie in wait. A primitive root; to lurk.">and lay in wait</a> <a href="/hebrew/lōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- ">for him</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: ḵāl (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">all</a> <a href="/hebrew/3915.htm" title="3915: hal·lay·lāh (Art:: N-ms) -- Night. Or leyl; also laylah; from the same as luwl; properly, a twist, i.e. Night; figuratively, adversity.">night</a> <a href="/hebrew/5892.htm" title="5892: hā·‘îr (Art:: N-fs) -- Excitement. Or par; or ayar; from uwr a city in the widest sense.">at the city</a> <a href="/hebrew/8179.htm" title="8179: bə·ša·‘ar (Prep-b:: N-msc) -- A gate. From sha'ar in its original sense; an opening, i.e. Door or gate.">gate.</a> <a href="/hebrew/2790.htm" title="2790: way·yiṯ·ḥā·rə·šū (Conj-w:: V-Hitpael-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To cut in, engrave, plow, devise.">They were quiet</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: ḵāl (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">throughout</a> <a href="/hebrew/3915.htm" title="3915: hal·lay·lāh (Art:: N-ms) -- Night. Or leyl; also laylah; from the same as luwl; properly, a twist, i.e. Night; figuratively, adversity.">the night,</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: lê·mōr (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">saying,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5704.htm" title="5704: ‘aḏ- (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.">“Let us wait until</a> <a href="/hebrew/216.htm" title="216: ’ō·wr (N-csc) -- A light. From 'owr; illumination or luminary.">dawn;</a> <a href="/hebrew/1242.htm" title="1242: hab·bō·qer (Art:: N-ms) -- Morn- ing. From baqar; properly, dawn; generally, morning."></a> <a href="/hebrew/2026.htm" title="2026: wa·hăr·ḡə·nu·hū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-1cp:: 3ms) -- To kill, slay. A primitive root; to smite with deadly intent.">then we will kill him.”</a> 3But Samson lay there only until midnight, when he got up, took hold of the doors of the city gate and both gateposts, and pulled them out, bar and all. Then he put them on his shoulders and took them to the top of the mountain overlooking Hebron.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/joshua/2-1.htm">Joshua 2:1-7</a> Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim, saying, “Go, inspect the land, especially Jericho.” So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there. / And it was reported to the king of Jericho: “Behold, some men of Israel have come here tonight to spy out the land.” / So the king of Jericho sent to Rahab and said, “Bring out the men who came to you and entered your house, for they have come to spy out the whole land.” ... <a href="/1_samuel/19-11.htm">1 Samuel 19:11</a> Then Saul sent messengers to David’s house to watch him and kill him in the morning. But David’s wife Michal warned him, “If you do not run for your life tonight, tomorrow you will be dead!” <a href="/2_kings/6-13.htm">2 Kings 6:13-14</a> So the king said, “Go and see where he is, that I may send men to capture him.” On receiving the report, “Elisha is in Dothan,” / the king of Aram sent horses, chariots, and a great army. They went there by night and surrounded the city. <a href="/acts/9-24.htm">Acts 9:24</a> but Saul learned of their plot. Day and night they watched the city gates in order to kill him. <a href="/matthew/26-4.htm">Matthew 26:4</a> and they conspired to arrest Jesus covertly and kill Him. <a href="/1_samuel/23-23.htm">1 Samuel 23:23</a> Observe and find out all the places where he hides. Then come back to me with certainty, and I will go with you. If he is in the land, I will search him out among all the clans of Judah.” <a href="/2_samuel/17-1.htm">2 Samuel 17:1-3</a> Furthermore, Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Let me choose twelve thousand men and set out tonight in pursuit of David. / I will attack him while he is weak and weary; I will throw him into a panic, and all the people with him will flee; I will strike down only the king / and bring all the people back to you as a bride returning to her husband. You seek the life of only one man; then all the people will be at peace.” <a href="/john/11-53.htm">John 11:53</a> So from that day on they plotted to kill Him. <a href="/acts/23-12.htm">Acts 23:12-15</a> When daylight came, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. / More than forty of them were involved in this plot. / They went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have bound ourselves with a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed Paul. ... <a href="/1_kings/19-2.htm">1 Kings 19:2</a> So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “May the gods deal with me, and ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I have not made your life like the lives of those you killed!” <a href="/luke/22-2.htm">Luke 22:2</a> and the chief priests and scribes were looking for a way to put Jesus to death, for they feared the people. <a href="/jeremiah/11-19.htm">Jeremiah 11:19</a> For I was like a gentle lamb led to slaughter; I did not know that they had plotted against me: “Let us destroy the tree with its fruit; let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name may be remembered no more.” <a href="/mark/14-1.htm">Mark 14:1</a> Now the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread were two days away, and the chief priests and scribes were looking for a covert way to arrest Jesus and kill Him. <a href="/psalms/37-32.htm">Psalm 37:32</a> Though the wicked lie in wait for the righteous, and seek to slay them, <a href="/proverbs/1-11.htm">Proverbs 1:11</a> If they say, “Come along, let us lie in wait for blood, let us ambush the innocent without cause,</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And it was told the Gazites, saying, Samson is come here. And they compassed him in, and laid wait for him all night in the gate of the city, and were quiet all the night, saying, In the morning, when it is day, we shall kill him.a compassed<a href="/1_samuel/19-11.htm">1 Samuel 19:11</a> Saul also sent messengers unto David's house, to watch him, and to slay him in the morning: and Michal David's wife told him, saying, If thou save not thy life to night, to morrow thou shalt be slain.<a href="/1_samuel/23-26.htm">1 Samuel 23:26</a> And Saul went on this side of the mountain, and David and his men on that side of the mountain: and David made haste to get away for fear of Saul; for Saul and his men compassed David and his men round about to take them.<a href="/psalms/118-10.htm">Psalm 118:10-12</a> All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD will I destroy them… quite.<a href="/judges/15-18.htm">Judges 15:18</a> And he was sore athirst, and called on the LORD, and said, Thou hast given this great deliverance into the hand of thy servant: and now shall I die for thirst, and fall into the hand of the uncircumcised?<a href="/matthew/21-38.htm">Matthew 21:38</a> But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance.<a href="/matthew/27-1.htm">Matthew 27:1</a> When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death:<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/judges/14-18.htm">City</a> <a href="/judges/11-18.htm">Compassed</a> <a href="/revelation/20-9.htm">Encompassed</a> <a href="/judges/14-15.htm">Hither</a> <a href="/judges/8-19.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/judges/15-13.htm">Kill</a> <a href="/judges/12-6.htm">Laid</a> <a href="/judges/9-33.htm">Morning</a> <a href="/judges/16-1.htm">Night</a> <a href="/judges/5-16.htm">Quiet</a> <a href="/judges/16-1.htm">Samson</a> <a href="/numbers/30-14.htm">Silent</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/32-10.htm">Surrounded</a> <a href="/judges/9-43.htm">Wait</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/judges/16-3.htm">City</a> <a href="/1_samuel/23-26.htm">Compassed</a> <a href="/2_samuel/22-5.htm">Encompassed</a> <a href="/judges/18-3.htm">Hither</a> <a href="/judges/19-4.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/judges/20-5.htm">Kill</a> <a href="/judges/16-21.htm">Laid</a> <a href="/judges/19-5.htm">Morning</a> <a href="/judges/19-6.htm">Night</a> <a href="/judges/18-7.htm">Quiet</a> <a href="/judges/16-3.htm">Samson</a> <a href="/judges/18-9.htm">Silent</a> <a href="/judges/19-22.htm">Surrounded</a> <a href="/judges/16-9.htm">Wait</a><div class="vheading2">Judges 16</div>1. <a href="/judges/16-1.htm">Samson at Gaza escapes, and carries away the gates of the city</a> 4. <a href="/judges/16-4.htm">Delilah corrupted by the Philistines, entices Samson</a> 6. <a href="/judges/16-6.htm">Thrice she is deceived</a> 15. <a href="/judges/16-15.htm">At last she overcomes him</a> 21. <a href="/judges/16-21.htm">The Philistines take him, and put out his eyes</a> 22. <a href="/judges/16-22.htm">His strength renewing, he pulls down the house upon the Philistines and dies</a> </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>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <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> </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>When the Gazites heard that Samson was there The Gazites were the inhabitants of Gaza, one of the five major Philistine cities. Gaza was a significant city located on the coastal route between Egypt and Canaan, making it strategically important. The Philistines were often in conflict with the Israelites during the time of the Judges. Samson, a judge of Israel, was known for his extraordinary strength and his conflicts with the Philistines. His presence in Gaza would have been alarming to the Gazites, as he had previously caused great destruction to their people (<a href="/judges/15-14.htm">Judges 15:14-15</a>).they surrounded that place and lay in wait for him all night at the city gate The city gate was a place of both security and commerce, often heavily fortified and guarded. By surrounding the place and waiting at the gate, the Gazites intended to trap Samson, preventing his escape. This tactic reflects the Philistines' fear and respect for Samson's strength, as they knew they needed to be strategic to capture him. The city gate was also a place of judgment and public assembly, indicating the seriousness of their intent.They were quiet throughout the night, saying, The Gazites' decision to remain quiet suggests a strategic approach to ensure Samson would not be alerted to their presence. This reflects the cunning and patience often required in warfare and conflict during this period. Their silence indicates the gravity of their plan and their determination to succeed in capturing Samson.“Let us wait until dawn; then we will kill him.” The plan to wait until dawn shows the Gazites' desire to catch Samson off guard, likely when he would be least prepared to defend himself. This reflects the common practice of launching attacks at dawn, a time when people were vulnerable and less alert. The intent to kill Samson highlights the deep animosity and fear the Philistines had towards him, as he was a significant threat to their dominance over Israel. This phrase also foreshadows the eventual downfall of Samson, who, despite his strength, was vulnerable due to his personal weaknesses and choices.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/s/samson.htm">Samson</a> A judge of Israel known for his extraordinary strength, which was a gift from God. His life is marked by a series of conflicts with the Philistines, who were oppressors of Israel during this period. 2. <a href="/topical/g/gaza.htm">Gaza</a> A Philistine city where Samson went to visit a prostitute. It was one of the five major cities of the Philistines and often a place of conflict between the Israelites and Philistines. 3. <a href="/topical/p/philistines.htm">Philistines</a> The primary antagonists in the account of Samson. They were a powerful group of people who frequently clashed with the Israelites. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_gazites.htm">The Gazites</a> The inhabitants of Gaza who plotted to kill Samson when they learned of his presence in their city. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_city_gate.htm">The City Gate</a> A significant location in ancient cities, often symbolizing strength and security. Samson's later actions at the gate demonstrate his God-given power.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_sin.htm">The Consequences of Sin</a> Samson's visit to Gaza and his involvement with a prostitute highlight the dangers of succumbing to temptation. Believers are reminded to guard their hearts and actions. <a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty.htm">God's Sovereignty</a> Despite Samson's personal failings, God used him to fulfill His purposes. This teaches us that God's plans are not thwarted by human weakness. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_vigilance.htm">The Importance of Vigilance</a> The Gazites' plot against Samson serves as a reminder to be vigilant against spiritual attacks and to remain steadfast in faith. <a href="/topical/s/strength_in_weakness.htm">Strength in Weakness</a> Samson's account illustrates that true strength comes from God. Believers are encouraged to rely on God's power rather than their own. <a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_redemption.htm">Repentance and Redemption</a> Samson's life shows that even when we fall, God offers redemption and can still use us for His glory.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_judges_16.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Judges 16</a> <a href="/q/how_does_the_bible_comfort_grief.htm">How does God provide deliverance from troubles?</a> <a href="/q/does_the_spirit_understand_everything.htm">Is long hair a woman's glory?</a> <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 href="/q/who_is_dagon_in_the_bible.htm">Who is Dagon in the Bible?</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>(2) And it was told.--Our version rightly supplies these words. They are found in all the versions, and there can be no doubt that the word vayyuggar (<a href="/genesis/22-20.htm" title="And it came to pass after these things, that it was told Abraham, saying, Behold, Milcah, she has also born children to your brother Nahor;">Genesis 22:20</a>) has in this case accidentally dropped out of the text.They compassed him in.--They apparently did not know in what house he was. The word might mean "they went round the city" (<a href="/psalms/59-7.htm" title="Behold, they belch out with their mouth: swords are in their lips: for who, say they, does hear?">Psalm 59:7</a>), i.e., to look for him.Were quiet--i.e., they made no attack. Thinking that they had secured him, they seem to have retired to rest. (Comp. <a href="/context/acts/9-23.htm" title="And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him:">Acts 9:23-24</a>.)<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/judges/16.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 2. - And it was told. These words have no doubt accidentally fallen out of the Hebrew text, but they are necessary to the sense, and are expressed in all the ancient versions. We have no clue as to the motive of Samson's visit to Gaza, whether he was meditating its conquest, or an assault upon its inhabitants, or whether he came merely in the wild spirit of adventure, or upon civil business. We only know that he came there, that, with his usual weakness, he fell into the snare of female blandishments, that the Philistines thought to have caught him and killed him, but that he escaped by his supernatural strength. Gaza is about thirteen hours' march from Thimnathah. They compassed him in. The Hebrew does not express this idea, nor is it what the Gazites did. It should be rendered, They went about and lay in wait for him. Instead of attacking him directly, they took a round-about course, and set an ambush for him in the city gates, probably in the guard-room by the side of the gate, intending when he came forth unsuspectingly in the morning, at the hour of opening the gates, to rush upon him and kill him. <a href="/commentaries/judges/16-2.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>When the Gazites לַֽעַזָּתִ֣ים ׀ (la·‘az·zā·ṯîm) Preposition-l, Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5841.htm">Strong's 5841: </a> Gazite -- inhabitant of Gaza heard that Samson שִׁמְשׁוֹן֙ (šim·šō·wn) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8123.htm">Strong's 8123: </a> Samson -- a deliverer of Israel was there, הֵ֔נָּה (hên·nāh) Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2008.htm">Strong's 2008: </a> Hither, thither they surrounded [that place] וַיָּסֹ֛בּוּ (way·yā·sōb·bū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5437.htm">Strong's 5437: </a> To turn about, go around, surround and lay in wait וַיֶּאֶרְבוּ־ (way·ye·’er·ḇū-) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_693.htm">Strong's 693: </a> To lie in wait for him ל֥וֹ (lōw) Preposition | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> all כָל־ (ḵāl) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> The whole, all, any, every night הַלַּ֖יְלָה (hal·lay·lāh) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3915.htm">Strong's 3915: </a> A twist, night, adversity at the city הָעִ֑יר (hā·‘îr) Article | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5892.htm">Strong's 5892: </a> Excitement gate. בְּשַׁ֣עַר (bə·ša·‘ar) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8179.htm">Strong's 8179: </a> An opening, door, gate They were quiet וַיִּתְחָרְשׁ֤וּ (way·yiṯ·ḥā·rə·šū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2790.htm">Strong's 2790: </a> To cut in, engrave, plow, devise throughout כָל־ (ḵāl) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> The whole, all, any, every the night, הַלַּ֙יְלָה֙ (hal·lay·lāh) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3915.htm">Strong's 3915: </a> A twist, night, adversity saying, לֵאמֹ֔ר (lê·mōr) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say “Let us wait until עַד־ (‘aḏ-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5704.htm">Strong's 5704: </a> As far as, even to, up to, until, while dawn; א֥וֹר (’ō·wr) Noun - common singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_216.htm">Strong's 216: </a> Illumination, luminary then we will kill him.” וַהֲרְגְנֻֽהוּ׃‪‬ (wa·hăr·ḡə·nu·hū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common plural | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2026.htm">Strong's 2026: </a> To smite with deadly intent <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/judges/16-2.htm">Judges 16:2 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/judges/16-2.htm">Judges 16:2 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/judges/16-2.htm">Judges 16:2 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/judges/16-2.htm">Judges 16:2 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/judges/16-2.htm">Judges 16:2 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/judges/16-2.htm">Judges 16:2 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/judges/16-2.htm">Judges 16:2 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/judges/16-2.htm">Judges 16:2 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/judges/16-2.htm">Judges 16:2 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/judges/16-2.htm">Judges 16:2 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/judges/16-2.htm">OT History: Judges 16:2 It was told the Gazites saying Samson (Jd Judg. Jdg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/judges/16-1.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Judges 16:1"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Judges 16:1" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/judges/16-3.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Judges 16:3"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Judges 16:3" /></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>