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And in turn she explained the riddle to her people.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/judges/14-17.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/17/07_Jdg_14_17.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Judges 14:17 - Samson's Riddle" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="She wept the whole seven days of the feast, and finally on the seventh day, because she had pressed him so much, he told her the answer. And in turn she explained the riddle to her people." /><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/14-17.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/14-17.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/14.htm">Chapter 14</a> > Verse 17</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="/ad17.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/judges/14-16.htm" title="Judges 14:16">◄</a> Judges 14:17 <a href="/judges/14-18.htm" title="Judges 14:18">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/judges/14.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/judges/14.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />She cried the whole seven days of the feast. So on the seventh day he finally told her, because she continued to press him. She in turn explained the riddle to her people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/judges/14.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />So she cried whenever she was with him and kept it up for the rest of the celebration. At last, on the seventh day he told her the answer because she was tormenting him with her nagging. Then she explained the riddle to the young men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/judges/14.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />She wept before him the seven days that their feast lasted, and on the seventh day he told her, because she pressed him hard. Then she told the riddle to her people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/judges/14.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />She wept the whole seven days of the feast, and finally on the seventh day, because she had pressed him so much, he told her the answer. And in turn she explained the riddle to her people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/judges/14.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And she wept before him the seven days, while their feast lasted: and it came to pass on the seventh day, that he told her, because she lay sore upon him: and she told the riddle to the children of her people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/judges/14.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Now she had wept on him the seven days while their feast lasted. And it happened on the seventh day that he told her, because she pressed him so much. Then she explained the riddle to the sons of her people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/judges/14.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />However she wept before him for seven days while their feast lasted. And on the seventh day he told her because she pressed him so hard. She then told the riddle to the sons of her people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/judges/14.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />However she wept before him seven days while their feast lasted. And on the seventh day he told her because she pressed him so hard. She then told the riddle to the sons of her people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/judges/14.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />However she wept before him seven days while their feast lasted. And it came about on the seventh day that he told her because she pressed him so hard. She then told the riddle to the sons of her people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/judges/14.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />However she wept before him seven days while their feast lasted. And on the seventh day he told her because she pressed him so hard. She then told the riddle to the sons of her people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/judges/14.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />However Samson’s wife wept before him seven days while their [wedding] feast lasted, and on the seventh day he told her because she pressed him so hard. Then she told the [answer to the] riddle to her countrymen.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/judges/14.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />She wept the whole seven days of the feast, and at last, on the seventh day, he explained it to her, because she had nagged him so much. Then she explained it to her people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/judges/14.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />She wept the whole seven days of the feast, and at last, on the seventh day, he explained it to her, because she had nagged him so much. Then she explained it to her people. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/judges/14.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And she wept before him the seven days, while their feast lasted: and it came to pass on the seventh day, that he told her, because she pressed him sore; and she told the riddle to the children of her people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/judges/14.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />For the entire seven days of the party, she had been whining and trying to get the answer from him. But that seventh day she put so much pressure on Samson that he finally gave in and told her the answer. She went straight to the young men and told them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/judges/14.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And she wept before him the seven days, while their feast lasted: and it came to pass on the seventh day, that he told her, because she pressed him sore: and she told the riddle to the children of her people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/judges/14.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />But she cried on his shoulder for the rest of the seven days of the party. Finally, on the seventh day he told her the answer because she made his life miserable. Then she told her friends the answer to the riddle.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/judges/14.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />She cried about it for the whole seven days of the feast. But on the seventh day he told her what the riddle meant, for she nagged him so about it. Then she told the Philistines. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/judges/14.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />So she kept on crying in front of him for the entire seven days of the wedding party. On the seventh day he told the solution to her because she nagged him, and then she told the solution to the riddle to her relatives.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/judges/14.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />She wept the whole seven days of the feast, and finally on the seventh day, because she had pressed him so much, he told her the answer. And in turn she explained the riddle to her people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/judges/14.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />She cried on his shoulder until the party was almost over. Finally, on the seventh day, he told her because she had nagged him so much. Then she told the young men the solution to the riddle.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/judges/14.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />She wept before him the seven days, while their feast lasted: and it happened on the seventh day, that he told her, because she pressed him hard; and she told the riddle to the children of her people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/judges/14.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And she wept before him the seven days, while their feast lasted: and it came to pass on the seventh day, that he told her, because she urged him: and she told the riddle to the children of her people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/judges/14.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />She wept before him the seven days, while their feast lasted; and on the seventh day, he told her, because she pressed him severely; and she told the riddle to the children of her people. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/judges/14.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And she weeps for it the seven days [in] which their banquet has been, and it comes to pass on the seventh day that he declares [it] to her, for she has distressed him; and she declares the riddle to the sons of her people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/judges/14.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And she weepeth for it the seven days in which their banquet hath been, and it cometh to pass on the seventh day that he declareth it to her, for she hath distressed him; and she declareth the riddle to the sons of her people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/judges/14.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And she will weep upon him seven days which were to them of the drinking: and it will be in the seventh day, and he will announce to her, for she urged him: and she will announce the enigma to the sons of her people.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/judges/14.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />So she wept before him the seven days of the feast: and at length on the seventh day as she was troublesome to him, he expounded it. And she immediately told her countrymen. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/judges/14.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Therefore, she wept before him during the seven days of the feast. And at length, on the seventh day, since she had been troubling him, he explained it. And immediately she revealed it to her countrymen.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/judges/14.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />But she wept beside him during the seven days the feast lasted, and on the seventh day, he told her the answer, because she pressed him, and she explained the riddle to her people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/judges/14.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />She wept before him the seven days that their feast lasted; and because she nagged him, on the seventh day he told her. Then she explained the riddle to her people.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/judges/14.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And she wept the seven days, while the feast lasted; and it came to pass on the seventh day, that he told her, because she distressed him; and she told the riddle to her countrymen.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/judges/14.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And she was weeping those seven days of the wedding feast, and on the seventh day he told her, because she tormented him, and she revealed the riddle to the sons of her people<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/judges/14.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And she wept before him the seven days, while their feast lasted; and it came to pass on the seventh day, that he told her, because she pressed him sore; and she told the riddle to the children of her people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/judges/14.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And she wept before him the seven days, during which their banquet lasted: and it came to pass on the seventh day, that he told her, because she troubled him; and she told it to the children of her people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/judges/14-17.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=4392" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/judges/14.htm">Samson's Riddle</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">16</span>Then Samson’s wife came to him, weeping, and said, “You hate me! You do not really love me! You have posed to my people a riddle, but have not explained it to me.” “Look,” he said, “I have not even explained it to my father or mother, so why should I explain it to you?” <span class="reftext">17</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1058.htm" title="1058: wat·tê·ḇək (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs) -- To weep, bewail. A primitive root; to weep; generally to bemoan.">She wept</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘ā·lāw (Prep:: 3ms) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7651.htm" title="7651: šiḇ·‘aṯ (Number-msc) -- Or shibrah; from shaba'; a primitive cardinal number; seven; also seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number.">the whole seven</a> <a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: hay·yā·mîm (Art:: N-mp) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative.">days</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/1961.htm" title="1961: hā·yāh (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass."></a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·hem (Prep:: 3mp) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/4960.htm" title="4960: ham·miš·teh (Art:: N-ms) -- A feast, drink. From shathah; drink, by implication, drinking; also a banquet or feast.">of the feast,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: way·hî (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">and finally</a> <a href="/hebrew/7637.htm" title="7637: haš·šə·ḇî·‘î (Art:: Number-oms) -- Seventh (an ord. number). Or shbi iy; ordinal from shib'iym. seventh.">on the seventh</a> <a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: bay·yō·wm (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative.">day,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">because</a> <a href="/hebrew/6693.htm" title="6693: hĕ·ṣî·qaṯ·hū (V-Hifil-Perf-3fs:: 3ms) -- To constrain, bring into straits, press upon. A primitive root; to compress, i.e. oppress, distress.">she had pressed him so much,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5046.htm" title="5046: way·yag·geḏ- (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To be conspicuous. ">he told</a> <a href="/hebrew/lāh (Prep:: 3fs) -- ">her the answer.</a> <a href="/hebrew/5046.htm" title="5046: wat·tag·gêḏ (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-3fs) -- To be conspicuous. ">And in turn she explained</a> <a href="/hebrew/2420.htm" title="2420: ha·ḥî·ḏāh (Art:: N-fs) -- A riddle, an enigmatic, perplexing saying or question. From chuwd; a puzzle, hence, a trick, conundrum, sententious maxim.">the riddle</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: liḇ·nê (Prep-l:: N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">to her people.</a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: ‘am·māh (N-msc:: 3fs) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock."></a> </span><span class="reftext">18</span>Before sunset on the seventh day, the men of the city said to Samson: “What is sweeter than honey? And what is stronger than a lion?” So he said to them: “If you had not plowed with my heifer, you would not have solved my riddle!”…<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="/judges/16-16.htm">Judges 16:16-17</a></span><br />Finally, after she had pressed him daily with her words and pleaded until he was sick to death, / Samson told her all that was in his heart: “My hair has never been cut, because I have been a Nazirite to God from my mother’s womb. If I am shaved, my strength will leave me, and I will become as weak as any other man.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/7-21.htm">Proverbs 7:21</a></span><br />With her great persuasion she entices him; with her flattering lips she lures him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/3-6.htm">Genesis 3:6</a></span><br />When the woman saw that the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eyes, and that it was desirable for obtaining wisdom, she took the fruit and ate it. She also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/29-20.htm">Genesis 29:20</a></span><br />So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, yet it seemed but a few days because of his love for her.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/29-27.htm">Genesis 29:27-28</a></span><br />Finish this week’s celebration, and we will give you the younger one in return for another seven years of work.” / And Jacob did just that. He finished the week’s celebration, and Laban gave him his daughter Rachel as his wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/34-12.htm">Genesis 34:12</a></span><br />Demand a high dowry and an expensive gift, and I will give you whatever you ask. Only give me the girl as my wife!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/7-3.htm">Deuteronomy 7:3-4</a></span><br />Do not intermarry with them. Do not give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons, / because they will turn your sons away from following Me to serve other gods. Then the anger of the LORD will burn against you, and He will swiftly destroy you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/11-1.htm">1 Kings 11:1-4</a></span><br />King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women along with the daughter of Pharaoh—women of Moab, Ammon, Edom, and Sidon, as well as Hittite women. / These women were from the nations about which the LORD had told the Israelites, “You must not intermarry with them, for surely they will turn your hearts after their gods.” Yet Solomon clung to these women in love. / He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines—and his wives turned his heart away. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/13-25.htm">Nehemiah 13:25-27</a></span><br />I rebuked them and called down curses on them. I beat some of these men and pulled out their hair. Then I made them take an oath before God and said, “You must not give your daughters in marriage to their sons or take their daughters as wives for your sons or for yourselves! / Did not King Solomon of Israel sin in matters like this? There was not a king like him among many nations, and he was loved by his God, who made him king over all Israel—yet foreign women drew him into sin. / Must we now hear that you too are doing all this terrible evil and acting unfaithfully against our God by marrying foreign women?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/31-3.htm">Proverbs 31:3</a></span><br />Do not spend your strength on women or your vigor on those who ruin kings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/14-6.htm">Matthew 14:6-9</a></span><br />On Herod’s birthday, however, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod / so much that he promised with an oath to give to her whatever she asked. / Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/26-14.htm">Matthew 26:14-16</a></span><br />Then one of the Twelve, the one called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests / and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I hand Him over to you?” And they set out for him thirty pieces of silver. / So from then on Judas looked for an opportunity to betray Jesus.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/6-24.htm">Mark 6:24-26</a></span><br />Then she went out and asked her mother, “What should I request?” And her mother answered, “The head of John the Baptist.” / At once the girl hurried back to the king with her request: “I want you to give me the head of John the Baptist on a platter immediately.” / The king was consumed with sorrow, but because of his oaths and his guests, he did not want to refuse her.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/22-3.htm">Luke 22:3-6</a></span><br />Then Satan entered Judas Iscariot, who was one of the Twelve. / And Judas went to discuss with the chief priests and temple officers how he might betray Jesus to them. / They were delighted and agreed to give him money. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/12-4.htm">John 12:4-6</a></span><br />But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was going to betray Him, asked, / “Why wasn’t this perfume sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?” / Judas did not say this because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief. As keeper of the money bag, he used to take from what was put into it.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And she wept before him the seven days, while their feast lasted: and it came to pass on the seventh day, that he told her, because she lay sore on him: and she told the riddle to the children of her people.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/16-6.htm">Judges 16:6,13,16</a></b></br> And Delilah said to Samson, Tell me, I pray thee, wherein thy great strength <i>lieth</i>, and wherewith thou mightest be bound to afflict thee… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/3-6.htm">Genesis 3:6</a></b></br> And when the woman saw that the tree <i>was</i> good for food, and that it <i>was</i> pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make <i>one</i> wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/2-9.htm">Job 2:9</a></b></br> Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die.</p><p class="hdg">and she told</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/2-16.htm">Proverbs 2:16,17</a></b></br> To deliver thee from the strange woman, <i>even</i> from the stranger <i>which</i> flattereth with her words; … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/judges/14-16.htm">Children</a> <a href="/judges/5-17.htm">Continued</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/24-14.htm">Countrymen</a> <a href="/judges/10-12.htm">Cried</a> <a href="/numbers/15-34.htm">Explained</a> <a href="/judges/14-13.htm">Hard</a> <a href="/judges/14-4.htm">However</a> <a href="/2_kings/6-25.htm">Lasted</a> <a href="/judges/11-31.htm">Peace</a> <a href="/judges/7-25.htm">Press</a> <a href="/judges/9-45.htm">Pressed</a> <a href="/judges/14-16.htm">Riddle</a> <a href="/judges/14-12.htm">Seven</a> <a href="/judges/14-15.htm">Seventh</a> <a href="/judges/10-9.htm">Sore</a> <a href="/judges/11-8.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/judges/1-14.htm">Urged</a> <a href="/judges/11-38.htm">Weeping</a> <a href="/judges/14-16.htm">Wept</a> <a href="/judges/9-29.htm">Whole</a> <a href="/judges/13-17.htm">Word</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/judges/18-2.htm">Children</a> <a href="/judges/18-31.htm">Continued</a> <a href="/2_samuel/2-26.htm">Countrymen</a> <a href="/judges/15-18.htm">Cried</a> <a href="/1_samuel/10-25.htm">Explained</a> <a href="/judges/16-16.htm">Hard</a> <a href="/judges/16-22.htm">However</a> <a href="/2_samuel/3-1.htm">Lasted</a> <a href="/judges/16-16.htm">Peace</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-17.htm">Press</a> <a href="/judges/16-16.htm">Pressed</a> <a href="/judges/14-18.htm">Riddle</a> <a href="/judges/16-7.htm">Seven</a> <a href="/judges/14-18.htm">Seventh</a> <a href="/judges/15-18.htm">Sore</a> <a href="/judges/18-3.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/judges/16-16.htm">Urged</a> <a href="/ruth/1-9.htm">Weeping</a> <a href="/judges/20-23.htm">Wept</a> <a href="/judges/18-2.htm">Whole</a> <a href="/judges/20-3.htm">Word</a><div class="vheading2">Judges 14</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/14-1.htm">Samson desires a wife of the Philistines.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/14-6.htm">In his journey he kills a lion</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/14-8.htm">In a second journey he finds honey in the carcass</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/14-10.htm">Samson's marriage feast</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/14-12.htm">His riddle by his wife is made known</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/14-19.htm">He strikes down thirty Philistines</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/14-20.htm">His wife is married to another.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/judges/14.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/judges/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/judges/14.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>She wept the whole seven days of the feast</b><br>In ancient Israel, wedding feasts typically lasted seven days, a time of celebration and joy. However, Samson's wife weeping throughout the feast indicates a significant disruption to the expected festivities. Her persistent weeping reflects the cultural and emotional pressure she faced, possibly from her Philistine kin, to extract the answer to Samson's riddle. This act of weeping can be seen as a form of manipulation, a tactic used to wear down Samson's resolve. The number seven is often symbolic in the Bible, representing completeness or perfection, which contrasts with the imperfect and deceitful nature of the events unfolding.<p><b>and finally on the seventh day, because she had pressed him so much, he told her the answer</b><br>Samson's eventual capitulation to his wife's persistent pleading highlights human weakness and the power of emotional manipulation. This moment foreshadows later events in Samson's life, particularly his relationship with Delilah, where he again succumbs to persistent pressure. The seventh day, being the culmination of the feast, underscores the urgency and intensity of the situation. This narrative also reflects the broader biblical theme of temptation and the struggle to remain faithful to one's commitments.<p><b>And in turn she explained the riddle to her people</b><br>The act of Samson's wife revealing the riddle's answer to her people, the Philistines, underscores themes of betrayal and divided loyalties. Her actions can be seen as prioritizing her allegiance to her people over her new husband, reflecting the complex dynamics of intermarriage between Israelites and Philistines. This betrayal sets the stage for the ensuing conflict between Samson and the Philistines, illustrating the broader theme of Israel's struggle with surrounding nations. The riddle itself, derived from Samson's encounter with the lion and the honey, serves as a metaphor for the hidden truths and the consequences of revealing them.<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 from birth, dedicated to God, and his life was marked by a series of conflicts with the Philistines.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/d/delilah.htm">Delilah</a></b><br>Although not directly mentioned in <a href="/judges/14-17.htm">Judges 14:17</a>, she is a significant figure in Samson's life. In this chapter, Samson's wife, who is unnamed, foreshadows Delilah's later betrayal.<br><br>3. <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 were often in conflict with Samson, who was raised up by God to begin delivering Israel from their oppression.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/timnah.htm">Timnah</a></b><br>A Philistine town where Samson went to find a wife, which led to a series of events that increased tensions between him and the Philistines.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_feast.htm">The Feast</a></b><br>A seven-day wedding feast, a customary celebration during which Samson posed a riddle to the Philistine guests, leading to the events of <a href="/judges/14-17.htm">Judges 14:17</a>.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_unequally_yoked_relationships.htm">The Consequences of Unequally Yoked Relationships</a></b><br>Samson's choice to marry a Philistine woman led to betrayal and conflict. Believers are encouraged to seek relationships that honor God and align with their faith.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_persistence.htm">The Power of Persistence</a></b><br>Samson's wife wept and pressed him for seven days until he revealed the answer to his riddle. This persistence, though used negatively here, can remind us of the importance of perseverance in prayer and faith.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/guarding_one's_heart.htm">Guarding One's Heart</a></b><br>Samson's vulnerability to emotional manipulation serves as a warning to guard our hearts and be discerning in our relationships.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_compromise.htm">The Danger of Compromise</a></b><br>Samson's willingness to reveal his secret under pressure shows the danger of compromising one's values and commitments.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_amidst_human_failure.htm">God's Sovereignty Amidst Human Failure</a></b><br>Despite Samson's personal failures, God used the situation to fulfill His purposes against the Philistines, reminding us that God's plans prevail even when we falter.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_judges_14.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Judges 14</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_was_pelagius.htm">What riddles are found in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_for_judges_14_10-12_customs.htm">Is there any archaeological evidence supporting the wedding feast customs described in Judges 14:10-12?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_micah's_mom_shift_from_curse_to_idol.htm">In Judges 17:1-4, how does Micah's mother shift from cursing the stolen silver to dedicating it for an idol, and what does this imply about her religious consistency?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/can_christians_celebrate_christmas.htm">Can Christians celebrate Christmas?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/judges/14.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(17) <span class= "bld">The seven days.</span>--The margin suggests that it may mean <span class= "ital">the rest of the seven days. </span>If not, it can only imply that mere feminine curiosity had induced Samson's wife to weary her husband to tell her the secret from the first.<p><span class= "bld">On the seventh day.</span>--Perhaps he hoped that he might prevent her from finding an opportunity to betray his secret.<p><span class= "bld">He told her.</span>--"Keep the door of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom" (<a href="/micah/7-5.htm" title="Trust you not in a friend, put you not confidence in a guide: keep the doors of your mouth from her that lies in your bosom.">Micah 7:5</a>).<p><span class= "bld">She lay sore upon him</span>--i.e., she grievously troubled him (LXX., Vulg.).<p><span class= "bld">She told the riddle.</span>--Perhaps she might have done so in any case, but she now had the excuse of violent menaces.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/judges/14.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 17.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">She lay sore upon him</span>. In <a href="/judges/16-16.htm">Judges 16:16</a> the same word is rendered pressed <span class="accented">him.</span> It came to pass on the seventh day. This is the confluence of the two streams of narrative. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/judges/14-17.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">She wept</span><br /><span class="heb">וַתֵּ֤בְךְּ</span> <span class="translit">(wat·tê·ḇək)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1058.htm">Strong's 1058: </a> </span><span class="str2">To weep, to bemoan</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the whole seven</span><br /><span class="heb">שִׁבְעַ֣ת</span> <span class="translit">(šiḇ·‘aṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7651.htm">Strong's 7651: </a> </span><span class="str2">Seven, seven times, a week, an indefinite number</span><br /><br /><span class="word">days</span><br /><span class="heb">הַיָּמִ֔ים</span> <span class="translit">(hay·yā·mîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3117.htm">Strong's 3117: </a> </span><span class="str2">A day</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the feast,</span><br /><span class="heb">הַמִּשְׁתֶּ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(ham·miš·teh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4960.htm">Strong's 4960: </a> </span><span class="str2">Drink, drinking, a banquet, feast</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and finally</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיְהִ֣י ׀</span> <span class="translit">(way·hî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">on the seventh</span><br /><span class="heb">הַשְּׁבִיעִ֗י</span> <span class="translit">(haš·šə·ḇî·‘î)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Number - ordinal masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7637.htm">Strong's 7637: </a> </span><span class="str2">Seventh (an ordinal number)</span><br /><br /><span class="word">day,</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּיּ֣וֹם</span> <span class="translit">(bay·yō·wm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3117.htm">Strong's 3117: </a> </span><span class="str2">A day</span><br /><br /><span class="word">because</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(kî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">she had pressed him so much,</span><br /><span class="heb">הֱצִיקַ֔תְהוּ</span> <span class="translit">(hĕ·ṣî·qaṯ·hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person feminine singular | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6693.htm">Strong's 6693: </a> </span><span class="str2">To constrain, bring into straits, press upon</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he told</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיַּגֶּד־</span> <span class="translit">(way·yag·geḏ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5046.htm">Strong's 5046: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be conspicuous</span><br /><br /><span class="word">her [the answer].</span><br /><span class="heb">לָהּ֙</span> <span class="translit">(lāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><br /><span class="word">And in turn she explained</span><br /><span class="heb">וַתַּגֵּ֥ד</span> <span class="translit">(wat·tag·gêḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5046.htm">Strong's 5046: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be conspicuous</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the riddle</span><br /><span class="heb">הַחִידָ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(ha·ḥî·ḏāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2420.htm">Strong's 2420: </a> </span><span class="str2">A riddle, an enigmatic, perplexing saying or question</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to her people.</span><br /><span class="heb">לִבְנֵ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(liḇ·nê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/judges/14-17.htm">Judges 14:17 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/judges/14-17.htm">Judges 14:17 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/judges/14-17.htm">Judges 14:17 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/judges/14-17.htm">Judges 14:17 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/judges/14-17.htm">Judges 14:17 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/judges/14-17.htm">Judges 14:17 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/judges/14-17.htm">Judges 14:17 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/judges/14-17.htm">Judges 14:17 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/judges/14-17.htm">Judges 14:17 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/judges/14-17.htm">Judges 14:17 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/judges/14-17.htm">OT History: Judges 14:17 She wept before him the seven days (Jd Judg. Jdg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/judges/14-16.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Judges 14:16"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Judges 14:16" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/judges/14-18.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Judges 14:18"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Judges 14:18" /></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>