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Then he put them on his shoulders and took them to the top of the mountain overlooking Hebron.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/judges/16-3.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/6/07_Jdg_16_03.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Judges 16:3 - Samson Escapes Gaza" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="But 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." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/judges/16-3.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/judges/16-3.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/judges/">Judges</a> > <a href="/judges/16.htm">Chapter 16</a> > Verse 3</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="/ad3.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/judges/16-2.htm" title="Judges 16:2">◄</a> Judges 16:3 <a href="/judges/16-4.htm" title="Judges 16:4">►</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">Verse<a href="/bsb/judges/16.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/judges/16.htm">New International Version</a> But Samson lay there only until the middle of the night. Then he got up and took hold of the doors of the city gate, together with the two posts, and tore them loose, bar and all. He lifted them to his shoulders and carried them to the top of the hill that faces Hebron. <a href="/nlt/judges/16.htm">New Living Translation</a> But Samson stayed in bed only until midnight. Then he got up, took hold of the doors of the town gate, including the two posts, and lifted them up, bar and all. He put them on his shoulders and carried them all the way to the top of the hill across from Hebron. <a href="/esv/judges/16.htm">English Standard Version</a> But Samson lay till midnight, and at midnight he arose and took hold of the doors of the gate of the city and the two posts, and pulled them up, bar and all, and put them on his shoulders and carried them to the top of the hill that is in front of Hebron. <a href="/bsb/judges/16.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> But 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. <a href="/kjv/judges/16.htm">King James Bible</a> And Samson lay till midnight, and arose at midnight, and took the doors of the gate of the city, and the two posts, and went away with them, bar and all, and put them upon his shoulders, and carried them up to the top of an hill that is before Hebron. <a href="/nkjv/judges/16.htm">New King James Version</a> And Samson lay low till midnight; then he arose at midnight, took hold of the doors of the gate of the city and the two gateposts, pulled them up, bar and all, put them on his shoulders, and carried them to the top of the hill that faces Hebron. <a href="/nasb_/judges/16.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Now Samson lay asleep until midnight, and at midnight he got up and took hold of the doors of the city gate and the two doorposts, and pulled them up along with the bars; then he put them on his shoulders, and carried them up to the top of the mountain which is opposite Hebron. <a href="/nasb/judges/16.htm">NASB 1995</a> Now Samson lay until midnight, and at midnight he arose and took hold of the doors of the city gate and the two posts and pulled them up along with the bars; then he put them on his shoulders and carried them up to the top of the mountain which is opposite Hebron. <a href="/nasb77/judges/16.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Now Samson lay until midnight, and at midnight he arose and took hold of the doors of the city gate and the two posts and pulled them up along with the bars; then he put them on his shoulders and carried them up to the top of the mountain which is opposite Hebron. <a href="/lsb/judges/16.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> But Samson lay until midnight, and at midnight he arose and seized the doors of the city gate and the two posts and pulled them up along with the bars; then he put them on his shoulders and brought them up to the top of the mountain which is opposite Hebron. <a href="/amp/judges/16.htm">Amplified Bible</a> But Samson lay [resting] until midnight, then at midnight he got up and took hold of the doors of the city gate and the two door-posts, and pulled them up, [security] bar and all, and he put them on his shoulders and carried them up to the top of the hill which is opposite Hebron. <a href="/csb/judges/16.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> But Samson stayed in bed only until midnight. Then he got up, took hold of the doors of the city gate along with the two gateposts, and pulled them out, bar and all. He put them on his shoulders and took them to the top of the mountain overlooking Hebron. <a href="/hcsb/judges/16.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> But Samson stayed in bed until midnight when he got up, took hold of the doors of the city gate along with the two gateposts, and pulled them out, bar and all. He put them on his shoulders and took them to the top of the mountain overlooking Hebron. <a href="/asv/judges/16.htm">American Standard Version</a> And Samson lay till midnight, and arose at midnight, and laid hold of the doors of the gate of the city, and the two posts, and plucked them up, bar and all, and put them upon his shoulders, and carried them up to the top of the mountain that is before Hebron. <a href="/cev/judges/16.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> But Samson got up in the middle of the night and went to the town gate. He pulled the gate doors and doorposts out of the wall and put them on his shoulders. Then he carried them all the way to the top of the hill that overlooks Hebron, where he set the doors down, still closed and locked. <a href="/erv/judges/16.htm">English Revised Version</a> And Samson lay till midnight, and arose at midnight, and laid hold of the doors of the gate of the city, and the two posts, and plucked them up, bar and all, and put them upon his shoulders, and carried them up to the top of the mountain that is before Hebron. <a href="/gwt/judges/16.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> But Samson was in bed [with the prostitute] only until midnight. Then he got up, took hold of the doors, door posts, and bar of the city gate and pulled them out. He carried them on his shoulders to the top of the hill facing Hebron. <a href="/gnt/judges/16.htm">Good News Translation</a> But Samson stayed in bed only until midnight. Then he got up and took hold of the city gate and pulled it up--doors, posts, lock, and all. He put them on his shoulders and carried them far off to the top of the hill overlooking Hebron. <a href="/isv/judges/16.htm">International Standard Version</a> Meanwhile, Samson had sex until midnight, then at midnight he got up, grabbed the doors, the two door posts, and the bars of the city gate, and uprooted them. He put them on his shoulders and carried them to the top of the mountain opposite Hebron. <a href="/msb/judges/16.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> But 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. <a href="/net/judges/16.htm">NET Bible</a> Samson spent half the night with the prostitute; then he got up in the middle of the night and left. He grabbed the doors of the city gate, as well as the two posts, and pulled them right off, bar and all. He put them on his shoulders and carried them up to the top of a hill east of Hebron. <a href="/nheb/judges/16.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Now Samson rested until midnight, but got up at midnight and took hold of the doors of the gate of the city, and the two posts, and pulled them up, bar and all, and put them on his shoulders, and carried them up to the top of the mountain that is overlooking Hebron, and set them down there. <a href="/wbt/judges/16.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And Samson lay till midnight, and arose at midnight, and took the doors of the gate of the city, and the two posts, and went away with them, bar and all, and put them upon his shoulders, and carried them up to the top of a hill that is before Hebron. <a href="/web/judges/16.htm">World English Bible</a> Samson lay until midnight, then arose at midnight and took hold of the doors of the gate of the city, with the two posts, and plucked them up, bar and all, and put them on his shoulders and carried them up to the top of the mountain that is before Hebron. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/judges/16.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And Samson lies down until the middle of the night, and rises in the middle of the night, and lays hold on the doors of the gate of the city, and on the two side-posts, and removes them with the bar, and puts [them] on his shoulders, and takes them up to the top of the hill, which [is] on the front of Hebron. <a href="/ylt/judges/16.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And Samson lieth down till the middle of the night, and riseth in the middle of the night, and layeth hold on the doors of the gate of the city, and on the two side posts, and removeth them with the bar, and putteth on his shoulders, and taketh them up unto the top of the hill, which is on the front of Hebron. <a href="/slt/judges/16.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And Samson will lie till half the night, and he will rise in half the night, and he will seize the doors of the gate of the city and with the two door-posts, and will remove them with the bar, and will set upon his shoulders, and he will bring them up to the head of the mountain which is upon the face of Hebron.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/judges/16.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> But Samson slept till midnight, and then rising he took both the doors of the gate, with the posts thereof, and the bolt, and laying them on his shoulders, carried them up to the top of the hill, which looketh towards Hebron. <a href="/cpdv/judges/16.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> But Samson slept until the middle of the night, and rising up from there, he took both doors from the gate, with their posts and bars. And laying them upon his shoulders, he carried them to the top of the hill that looks toward Hebron. <a href="/nabre/judges/16.htm">New American Bible</a> Samson lay there until midnight. Then he rose at midnight, seized the doors of the city gate and the two gateposts, and tore them loose, bar and all. He hoisted them on his shoulders and carried them to the top of the ridge opposite Hebron. <a href="/nrsvce/judges/16.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> But Samson lay only until midnight. Then at midnight he rose up, took hold of the doors of the city gate and the two posts, pulled them up, bar and all, put them on his shoulders, and carried them to the top of the hill that is in front of Hebron.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/judges/16.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> But Samson slept till midnight, and arose at midnight, and took the two door-posts of the gate of the city, and lifted them up, together with the bars thereof, and put them on his shoulder and carried them to the mountain that is before Hebron. <a href="/hpbt/judges/16.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And Samson slept until the middle of the night, and he arose in the middle of the night, and he took hold on the two posts of the gate of the city, and he lifted it unto its bars and laid them on his shoulder, and he brought them up to the mountain that is before Khebrun<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/judges/16.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And Samson lay till midnight, and arose at midnight, and laid hold of the doors of the gate of the city, and the two posts, and plucked them up, bar and all, and put them upon his shoulders, and carried them up to the top of the mountain that is before Hebron. <a href="/sep/judges/16.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And Sampson slept till midnight, and rose up at midnight, and took hold of the doors of the gate of the city with the two posts, and lifted them up with the bar, and laid them on his shoulders, and he went up to the top of the mountain that is before Chebron, and laid them there. <a href="/parallel/judges/16-3.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=4708" 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> …2When 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.” 3<a href="/hebrew/8123.htm" title="8123: šim·šō·wn (N-proper-ms) -- A deliverer of Isr. From shemesh; sunlight; Shimshon, an Israelite.">But Samson</a> <a href="/hebrew/7901.htm" title="7901: way·yiš·kaḇ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To lie down. A primitive root; to lie down.">lay there</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.">only until</a> <a href="/hebrew/2677.htm" title="2677: ḥă·ṣî (N-msc) -- Half. From chatsah; the half or middle.">midnight,</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."></a> <a href="/hebrew/6965.htm" title="6965: way·yā·qām (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To arise, stand up, stand. A primitive root; to rise.">when he got up,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2677.htm" title="2677: ba·ḥă·ṣî (Prep-b, Art:: N-msc) -- Half. From chatsah; the half or middle."></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."></a> <a href="/hebrew/270.htm" title="270: way·ye·’ĕ·ḥōz (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To grasp, take hold, take possession. A primitive root; to seize.">took hold</a> <a href="/hebrew/1817.htm" title="1817: bə·ḏal·ṯō·wṯ (Prep-b:: N-fpc) -- A door. From dalah; something swinging, i.e. The valve of a door.">of the doors</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.">of the city</a> <a href="/hebrew/8179.htm" title="8179: ša·‘ar- (N-msc) -- A gate. From sha'ar in its original sense; an opening, i.e. Door or gate.">gate</a> <a href="/hebrew/8147.htm" title="8147: ū·ḇiš·tê (Conj-w, Prep-b:: Number-fdc) -- Two (a card. number). Dual of sheniy; feminine shttayim; two; also twofold.">and both</a> <a href="/hebrew/4201.htm" title="4201: ham·mə·zū·zō·wṯ (Art:: N-fp) -- A doorpost, gatepost. Or mzuzah; from the same as ziyz; a door-post.">gateposts,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5265.htm" title="5265: way·yis·sā·‘êm (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms:: 3mp) -- To pull out or up, set out, journey. A primitive root; properly, to pull up, especially the tent-pins, i.e. Start on a journey.">and pulled them out,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1280.htm" title="1280: hab·bə·rî·aḥ (Art:: N-ms) -- A bar. From barach; a bolt.">bar</a> <a href="/hebrew/5973.htm" title="5973: ‘im- (Prep) -- From amam; adverb or preposition, with, in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix.">and all.</a> <a href="/hebrew/7760.htm" title="7760: way·yā·śem (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To put, place, set. Or siym; a primitive root; to put.">Then he put them</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">on</a> <a href="/hebrew/3802.htm" title="3802: kə·ṯê·p̄āw (N-fpc:: 3ms) -- From an unused root meaning to clothe; the shoulder; figuratively, side-piece or lateral projection of anything.">his shoulders</a> <a href="/hebrew/5927.htm" title="5927: way·ya·‘ă·lêm (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-3ms:: 3mp) -- A primitive root; to ascend, intransitively or actively; used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative.">and took them</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/7218.htm" title="7218: rōš (N-msc) -- Head. From an unused root apparently meaning to shake; the head, whether literal or figurative.">the top</a> <a href="/hebrew/2022.htm" title="2022: hā·hār (Art:: N-ms) -- Mountain, hill, hill country. A shortened form of harar; a mountain or range of hills.">of the mountain</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">overlooking</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: pə·nê (N-cpc) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition."></a> <a href="/hebrew/2275.htm" title="2275: ḥeḇ·rō·wn (N-proper-fs) -- From cheber; seat of association; Chebron, a place in Palestine, also the name of two Israelites.">Hebron.</a> <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="/judges/15-14.htm">Judges 15:14-15</a> When Samson arrived in Lehi, the Philistines came out shouting against him. And the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him. The ropes on his arms became like burnt flax, and the bonds broke loose from his hands. / He found the fresh jawbone of a donkey, reached out his hand and took it, and struck down a thousand men. <a href="/1_samuel/17-34.htm">1 Samuel 17:34-37</a> David replied, “Your servant has been tending his father’s sheep, and whenever a lion or a bear came and carried off a lamb from the flock, / I went after it, struck it down, and delivered the lamb from its mouth. If it reared up against me, I would grab it by its fur, strike it down, and kill it. / Your servant has killed lions and bears; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.” ... <a href="/1_kings/18-46.htm">1 Kings 18:46</a> And the hand of the LORD came upon Elijah, and he tucked his cloak into his belt and ran ahead of Ahab all the way to Jezreel. <a href="/2_kings/2-8.htm">2 Kings 2:8</a> And Elijah took his cloak, rolled it up, and struck the waters, which parted to the right and to the left, so that the two of them crossed over on dry ground. <a href="/2_kings/13-21.htm">2 Kings 13:21</a> Once, as the Israelites were burying a man, suddenly they saw a band of raiders, so they threw the man’s body into Elisha’s tomb. And as soon as his body touched the bones of Elisha, the man was revived and stood up on his feet. <a href="/hebrews/11-32.htm">Hebrews 11:32-34</a> And what more shall I say? Time will not allow me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets, / who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, / quenched the raging fire, and escaped the edge of the sword; who gained strength from weakness, became mighty in battle, and put foreign armies to flight. <a href="/philippians/4-13.htm">Philippians 4:13</a> I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. <a href="/isaiah/40-29.htm">Isaiah 40:29-31</a> He gives power to the faint and increases the strength of the weak. / Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall. / But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint. <a href="/1_corinthians/1-27.htm">1 Corinthians 1:27-29</a> But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. / He chose the lowly and despised things of the world, and the things that are not, to nullify the things that are, / so that no one may boast in His presence. <a href="/2_corinthians/12-9.htm">2 Corinthians 12:9-10</a> But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. / That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. <a href="/exodus/14-21.htm">Exodus 14:21-22</a> Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove back the sea with a strong east wind that turned it into dry land. So the waters were divided, / and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on their right and on their left. <a href="/joshua/6-20.htm">Joshua 6:20</a> So when the rams’ horns sounded, the people shouted. When they heard the blast of the horn, the people gave a great shout, and the wall collapsed. Then all the people charged straight into the city and captured it. <a href="/1_samuel/14-6.htm">1 Samuel 14:6-15</a> Jonathan said to the young man bearing his armor, “Come, let us cross over to the outpost of these uncircumcised men. Perhaps the LORD will work on our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few.” / His armor-bearer replied, “Do all that is in your heart. Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul.” / “Very well,” said Jonathan, “we will cross over toward these men and show ourselves to them. ... <a href="/1_samuel/17-50.htm">1 Samuel 17:50-51</a> Thus David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him. / David ran and stood over him. He grabbed the Philistine’s sword and pulled it from its sheath and killed him, and he cut off his head with the sword. When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran. <a href="/2_samuel/22-30.htm">2 Samuel 22:30</a> For in You I can charge an army; with my God I can scale a wall.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And Samson lay till midnight, and arose at midnight, and took the doors of the gate of the city, and the two posts, and went away with them, bar and all, and put them on his shoulders, and carried them up to the top of an hill that is before Hebron.took<a href="/psalms/107-16.htm">Psalm 107:16</a> For he hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in sunder.<a href="/isaiah/63-1.htm">Isaiah 63:1-5</a> Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save… <a href="/micah/2-13.htm">Micah 2:13</a> The breaker is come up before them: they have broken up, and have passed through the gate, and are gone out by it: and their king shall pass before them, and the LORD on the head of them.bar and all.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/numbers/4-12.htm">Bar</a> <a href="/judges/5-19.htm">Carried</a> <a href="/judges/16-2.htm">City</a> <a href="/judges/11-31.htm">Doors</a> <a href="/judges/1-20.htm">Hebron</a> <a href="/judges/12-15.htm">Hill</a> <a href="/judges/12-6.htm">Hold</a> <a href="/judges/7-13.htm">Lay</a> <a href="/exodus/12-29.htm">Midnight</a> <a href="/judges/9-36.htm">Mountain</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/28-63.htm">Plucked</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/11-20.htm">Posts</a> <a href="/judges/16-2.htm">Samson</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/33-12.htm">Shoulders</a> <a href="/judges/15-11.htm">Top</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_samuel/23-7.htm">Bar</a> <a href="/judges/21-23.htm">Carried</a> <a href="/judges/17-8.htm">City</a> <a href="/judges/19-27.htm">Doors</a> <a href="/1_samuel/30-31.htm">Hebron</a> <a href="/judges/17-1.htm">Hill</a> <a href="/judges/16-21.htm">Hold</a> <a href="/judges/18-19.htm">Lay</a> <a href="/ruth/3-8.htm">Midnight</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-3.htm">Mountain</a> <a href="/judges/16-14.htm">Plucked</a> <a href="/1_kings/6-31.htm">Posts</a> <a href="/judges/16-6.htm">Samson</a> <a href="/1_samuel/9-2.htm">Shoulders</a> <a href="/1_samuel/9-25.htm">Top</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>But Samson lay there only until midnight Samson's actions in Gaza, a Philistine city, reflect his complex character. His decision to stay until midnight suggests a strategic move, possibly to avoid detection. Midnight often symbolizes a time of transition or divine intervention in Scripture, as seen in the Passover event in <a href="/exodus/12-29.htm">Exodus 12:29-31</a>.when he got up, took hold of the doors of the city gate and both gateposts The city gate was a symbol of strength and security. By taking hold of the gates, Samson demonstrates his extraordinary God-given strength. Gates were central to a city's defense, and removing them would leave the city vulnerable, symbolizing the power of God over the Philistines.and pulled them out, bar and all This phrase emphasizes the completeness of Samson's feat. The bar was a locking mechanism, and removing it along with the gates signifies total domination. This act foreshadows the ultimate victory of God over His enemies, reminiscent of Christ's triumph over sin and death.Then he put them on his shoulders Carrying the gates on his shoulders highlights Samson as a type of Christ, who bore the weight of the world's sins on His shoulders. This imagery connects to <a href="/isaiah/9-6.htm">Isaiah 9:6</a>, where the government is said to be upon the Messiah's shoulders.and took them to the top of the mountain overlooking Hebron Hebron, a significant city in Israel's history, was a place of refuge and the burial site of the patriarchs. By taking the gates to a mountain near Hebron, Samson not only humiliates the Philistines but also symbolically returns the strength and glory to Israel. This act prefigures Christ's ascension, where He leads captivity captive (<a href="/ephesians/4-8.htm">Ephesians 4:8</a>).<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 a mixture of great feats and personal failings. 2. <a href="/topical/g/gaza.htm">Gaza</a> A Philistine city where Samson was staying. The Philistines were enemies of Israel, and Gaza was one of their principal cities. 3. <a href="/topical/c/city_gate.htm">City Gate</a> The gates of a city were significant for defense and commerce. Samson's act of removing the gates was a symbolic gesture of defiance and strength. 4. <a href="/topical/h/hebron.htm">Hebron</a> A city in Judah, significant in Israelite history. Samson carrying the gates to a hill facing Hebron symbolizes a triumph over the Philistines. 5. <a href="/topical/p/philistines.htm">Philistines</a> The people who ruled over parts of Israel during Samson's time. They were often in conflict with the Israelites.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/g/god's_strength_in_our_weakness.htm">God's Strength in Our Weakness</a> Samson's physical strength was a gift from God, reminding us that our abilities and successes are not of our own making but are given by God for His purposes. <a href="/topical/s/symbolic_acts_of_defiance.htm">Symbolic Acts of Defiance</a> Samson's removal of the gates was not just a physical act but a symbolic one, demonstrating God's power over the enemies of Israel. We are called to stand firm in faith, knowing that God is greater than any opposition we face. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_obedience.htm">The Importance of Obedience</a> Despite his strength, Samson's life was marred by disobedience and personal failings. This serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of aligning our lives with God's will. <a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_and_redemption.htm">God's Sovereignty and Redemption</a> Even in Samson's flawed life, God worked His purposes. This encourages us that God can use us despite our imperfections. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_faith.htm">The Role of Faith</a> Samson's inclusion in <a href="/bsb/hebrews/11.htm">Hebrews 11</a> reminds us that faith is not about perfection but about trusting God and His promises.<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_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/why_did_god_use_flawed_samson.htm">In Judges 16, why would God continue to work through Samson despite his moral failings?</a> <a href="/q/why_did_samson_trust_delilah_again.htm">In Judges 16:4-20, why would Samson keep trusting Delilah after she repeatedly betrayed him?</a> <a href="/q/samson's_strength_source.htm">What was the source of Samson's strength?</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>(3) Arose at midnight.--Apparently--but here again the narrative omits all details--he had been told of the plot, and found the gates unguarded; unless we are to suppose that he slew the guards, without awaking the city.Took.--Rather, grasped or seized.The two posts--i.e., the side-posts.Went away with them, bar and all.--Rather, tore them up, with the bar; the bar was the bar which fastened the two valves together. Gaza, as we see from the site of its walls, had several gates. The site of the gate traditionally pointed out is on the south-east. It may have been the smaller gate, by the side of the main gate, which he thus tore up. In Mohammedan legend Ali uses the gate of Chaibar as a shield, which may be a sort of confused echo and parallel of this event (Po-cocke, Hist. Arab., p. 10).That is before Hebron.--It is not implied that Samson walked with the gates and bars on his shoulders nine miles to Hebron; but probably (as the local tradition says) to El Montar, a hill in the direction of Hebron, from which the hills of Hebron are visible. Pliny, in his Natural History (vii. 19), adduces many instances of colossal strength, but in this narrative it is distinctly implied that the strength of Samson was a supernatural gift, arising from his dedication to God. The carrying away the gate of his enemies would be understood in the East as a very peculiar insult. "When Almansor took Compostella, he made the Christians carry the gates of St. James's Church on their shoulders to Cordova in sign of his victory" (Ferraras, Gesch. von Spanier, iii. 145, quoted by Cassel).<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/judges/16.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 3. - Samson arose at midnight. Possibly the woman had learnt the plot, and gave Samson warning, after the manner of Rahab; or she may have been his betrayer, and reckoned upon retaining him till the morning; anyhow he arose at midnight, when the liers in wait were sleeping securely, and tearing up the two gate-pests, with the gates and the cross-bar attached to them, walked off with them "as far as the top of the hill that is before Hebron." Took the doors, etc. Rather, laid hold of. For went away with them, translate plucked them up. It is the technical word for plucking up the tent pins. Bar and all, or, with the bar. The bar was probably a strong iron or wooden crossbar, which was attached to the posts by a lock, and could only be removed by one that had the key. Samson tore up the posts with the barred gates attached to them, and, putting the whole mass upon his back walked off with it. The hill that is before Hebron. Hebron "was about nine geographical, or between ten and eleven English, miles from Gaza, situated in a deep, narrow valley, with high hills on either side." It is approached from Gaza over a high ridge, from the top of which Hebron becomes visible, lying in the valley below at fifty minutes' distance. This spot would suit very well the description, "the hill that is before Hebron." Some, however, think that the hill called el Montar, about three-quarters of an hour from Gaza, on the road to Hebron, is here meant, and that the plain before Hebron merely means towards, as in <a href="/genesis/18-16.htm">Genesis 18:16</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/32-49.htm">Deuteronomy 32:49</a>. <a href="/commentaries/judges/16-3.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>But Samson שִׁמְשׁוֹן֮ (šim·šō·wn) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8123.htm">Strong's 8123: </a> Samson -- a deliverer of Israel lay there וַיִּשְׁכַּ֣ב (way·yiš·kaḇ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7901.htm">Strong's 7901: </a> To lie down only until עַד־ (‘aḏ-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5704.htm">Strong's 5704: </a> As far as, even to, up to, until, while midnight. חֲצִ֣י (ḥă·ṣî) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2677.htm">Strong's 2677: </a> The half, middle Then he got up וַיָּ֣קָם ׀ (way·yā·qām) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6965.htm">Strong's 6965: </a> To arise, stand up, stand and took hold וַיֶּאֱחֹ֞ז (way·ye·’ĕ·ḥōz) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_270.htm">Strong's 270: </a> To grasp, take hold, take possession of the doors בְּדַלְת֤וֹת (bə·ḏal·ṯō·wṯ) Preposition-b | Noun - feminine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1817.htm">Strong's 1817: </a> Something swinging, the valve of a, door of the city הָעִיר֙ (hā·‘îr) Article | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5892.htm">Strong's 5892: </a> Excitement gate, שַֽׁעַר־ (ša·‘ar-) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8179.htm">Strong's 8179: </a> An opening, door, gate along with the two וּבִשְׁתֵּ֣י (ū·ḇiš·tê) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Number - fdc <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8147.htm">Strong's 8147: </a> Two (a cardinal number) gateposts, הַמְּזוּז֔וֹת (ham·mə·zū·zō·wṯ) Article | Noun - feminine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4201.htm">Strong's 4201: </a> A doorpost, gatepost and pulled them out, וַיִּסָּעֵם֙ (way·yis·sā·‘êm) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5265.htm">Strong's 5265: </a> To pull up, the tent-pins, start on a, journey bar הַבְּרִ֔יחַ (hab·bə·rî·aḥ) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1280.htm">Strong's 1280: </a> A bolt and all. עִֽם־ (‘im-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5973.htm">Strong's 5973: </a> With, equally with Then he put [them] וַיָּ֖שֶׂם (way·yā·śem) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7760.htm">Strong's 7760: </a> Put -- to put, place, set on עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> Above, over, upon, against his shoulders כְּתֵפָ֑יו (kə·ṯê·p̄āw) Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3802.htm">Strong's 3802: </a> The shoulder, side-piece, lateral projection of anything and took וַֽיַּעֲלֵם֙ (way·ya·‘ă·lêm) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5927.htm">Strong's 5927: </a> To ascend, in, actively them to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to the top רֹ֣אשׁ (rōš) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7218.htm">Strong's 7218: </a> The head of the mountain הָהָ֔ר (hā·hār) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2022.htm">Strong's 2022: </a> Mountain, hill, hill country overlooking עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> Above, over, upon, against Hebron. חֶבְרֽוֹן׃ (ḥeḇ·rō·wn) Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2275.htm">Strong's 2275: </a> Hebron -- 'association, league', a city in southern Judah <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/judges/16-3.htm">Judges 16:3 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/judges/16-3.htm">Judges 16:3 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/judges/16-3.htm">Judges 16:3 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/judges/16-3.htm">Judges 16:3 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/judges/16-3.htm">Judges 16:3 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/judges/16-3.htm">Judges 16:3 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/judges/16-3.htm">Judges 16:3 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/judges/16-3.htm">Judges 16:3 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/judges/16-3.htm">Judges 16:3 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/judges/16-3.htm">Judges 16:3 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/judges/16-3.htm">OT History: Judges 16:3 Samson lay until midnight and arose at (Jd Judg. Jdg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/judges/16-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Judges 16:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Judges 16:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/judges/16-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Judges 16:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Judges 16:4" /></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>