Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Then the Philistines seized him, gouged out his eyes and took him down to Gaza. Binding him with bronze shackles, they set him to grinding grain in the prison. New Living Translation So the Philistines captured him and gouged out his eyes. They took him to Gaza, where he was bound with bronze chains and forced to grind grain in the prison. English Standard Version And the Philistines seized him and gouged out his eyes and brought him down to Gaza and bound him with bronze shackles. And he ground at the mill in the prison. Berean Standard Bible Then the Philistines seized him, gouged out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, where he was bound with bronze shackles and forced to grind grain in the prison. Berean Literal Bible And the Philistines took him and put out his eyes, and they brought him down to Gaza, and they bound him with bronze shackles. And he was grinding in the house of the imprisoned. King James Bible But the Philistines took him, and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass; and he did grind in the prison house. New King James Version Then the Philistines took him and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza. They bound him with bronze fetters, and he became a grinder in the prison. New American Standard Bible Then the Philistines seized him and gouged out his eyes; and they brought him down to Gaza and restrained him with bronze chains, and he became a grinder in the prison. NASB 1995 Then the Philistines seized him and gouged out his eyes; and they brought him down to Gaza and bound him with bronze chains, and he was a grinder in the prison. NASB 1977 Then the Philistines seized him and gouged out his eyes; and they brought him down to Gaza and bound him with bronze chains, and he was a grinder in the prison. Legacy Standard Bible Then the Philistines seized him and gouged out his eyes; and they brought him down to Gaza and bound him with bronze chains, and he was a grinder in the prison. Amplified Bible Then the Philistines seized him and gouged out his eyes; and they brought him down to Gaza and bound him with [two] bronze chains; and he was forced to be a grinder [of grain into flour at the mill] in the prison. Berean Annotated Bible Then the Philistines (immigrants) seized him, gouged out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza (the strong), where he was bound with bronze shackles and forced to grind grain in the prison. Christian Standard Bible The Philistines seized him and gouged out his eyes. They brought him down to Gaza and bound him with bronze shackles, and he was forced to grind grain in the prison. Holman Christian Standard Bible The Philistines seized him and gouged out his eyes. They brought him down to Gaza and bound him with bronze shackles, and he was forced to grind grain in the prison. American Standard Version And the Philistines laid hold on him, and put out his eyes; and they brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass; and he did grind in the prison-house. Contemporary English Version The Philistines grabbed Samson and poked out his eyes. They took him to the prison in Gaza and chained him up. Then they put him to work, turning a millstone to grind grain. English Revised Version And the Philistines laid hold on him, and put out his eyes; and they brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass; and he did grind in the prison house. GOD'S WORD® Translation The Philistines grabbed him. They poked out his eyes and took him to the prison in Gaza. They tied him up with double chains and made him grind grain in the mill there. Good News Translation The Philistines captured him and put his eyes out. They took him to Gaza, chained him with bronze chains, and put him to work grinding at the mill in the prison. International Standard Version Then the Philistines grabbed him, gouged out his eyes, brought him down to Gaza, tied him up in bronze chains, and made him grind grain in their prison. NET Bible The Philistines captured him and gouged out his eyes. They brought him down to Gaza and bound him in bronze chains. He became a grinder in the prison. New Heart English Bible The Philistines seized him, and gouged out his eyes. And they brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with bronze shackles, and he ground at the mill in the prison. Webster's Bible Translation But the Philistines took him and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass; and he did grind in the prison-house. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThen the Philistines seized him, gouged out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, where he was bound with bronze shackles and forced to grind grain in the prison. World English Bible The Philistines laid hold on him and put out his eyes; and they brought him down to Gaza and bound him with fetters of bronze; and he ground at the mill in the prison. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd the Philistines seize him, and pick out his eyes, and bring him down to Gaza, and bind him with two bronze chains; and he is grinding in the prison-house. Berean Literal Bible And the Philistines took him and put out his eyes, and they brought him down to Gaza, and they bound him with bronze shackles. And he was grinding in the house of the imprisoned. Young's Literal Translation And the Philistines seize him, and pick out his eyes, and bring him down to Gaza, and bind him with two brazen fetters; and he is grinding in the prison-house. Smith's Literal Translation And Philisteim will seize him, and they will bore out his eyes, and will bring him down to Gaza and bind him with fetters of brass, and he will be grinding in the house of bonds. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThen the Philistines seized upon him, and forthwith pulled out his eyes, and led him bound in chains to Gaza, and shutting him up in prison made him grind. Catholic Public Domain Version And when the Philistines had seized him, they immediately plucked out his eyes. And they led him, bound in chains, to Gaza. And enclosing him in a prison, they made him work a millstone. New American Bible But the Philistines seized him and gouged out his eyes. Then they brought him down to Gaza and bound him with bronze fetters, and he was put to grinding grain in the prison. New Revised Standard Version So the Philistines seized him and gouged out his eyes. They brought him down to Gaza and bound him with bronze shackles; and he ground at the mill in the prison. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd the Philistines seized him, and put out his eyes and bound him with fetters and brought him down to Gaza, and he did grind wheat in the prison house. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And the Philistines seized him and they put out his eyes, and they bound him with chains, and they took him down to Azath, and he was grinding meal in the house of prisoners OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And the Philistines laid hold on him, and put out his eyes; and they brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass; and he did grind in the prison-house. Brenton Septuagint Translation And the Philistines took him, and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass; and he ground in the prison-house. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Delilah Discovers the Secret…20Then she called out, “Samson, the Philistines are here!” When Samson awoke from his sleep, he thought, “I will escape as I did before and shake myself free.” But he did not know that the LORD had departed from him. 21Then the Philistines seized him, gouged out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, where he was bound with bronze shackles and forced to grind grain in the prison. 22However, the hair of his head began to grow back after it had been shaved.… Cross References Then the Philistines seized him, 2 Chronicles 33:11 So the LORD brought against them the military commanders of the king of Assyria, who captured Manasseh, put a hook in his nose, bound him with bronze shackles, and took him to Babylon. 2 Kings 24:15-16 Nebuchadnezzar carried away Jehoiachin to Babylon, as well as the king’s mother, his wives, his officials, and the leading men of the land. He took them into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon. / The king of Babylon also brought into exile to Babylon all seven thousand men of valor and a thousand craftsmen and metalsmiths—all strong and fit for battle. 1 Samuel 5:1 After the Philistines had captured the ark of God, they took it from Ebenezer to Ashdod, gouged out his eyes, 2 Kings 25:7 And they slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes. Then they put out his eyes, bound him with bronze shackles, and took him to Babylon. Jeremiah 52:11 Then he put out Zedekiah’s eyes, bound him with bronze shackles, and took him to Babylon, where he kept him in custody until his dying day. 1 Samuel 11:2 But Nahash the Ammonite replied, “I will make a treaty with you on one condition, that I may put out everyone’s right eye and bring reproach upon all Israel.” and brought him down to Gaza, 2 Kings 18:8 He defeated the Philistines as far as Gaza and its borders, from watchtower to fortified city. Joshua 13:3 from the Shihor east of Egypt to the territory of Ekron on the north (considered to be Canaanite territory)—that of the five Philistine rulers of Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron, as well as that of the Avvites; Amos 1:6-7 This is what the LORD says: “For three transgressions of Gaza, even four, I will not revoke My judgment, because they exiled a whole population, delivering them up to Edom. / So I will send fire upon the walls of Gaza, to consume its citadels. where he was bound with bronze shackles 2 Chronicles 36:6 Then Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up against Jehoiakim and bound him with bronze shackles to take him to Babylon. Psalm 149:8 to bind their kings with chains and their nobles with shackles of iron, Psalm 105:18 They bruised his feet with shackles and placed his neck in irons, and forced to grind grain in the prison. Isaiah 47:2 Take millstones and grind flour; remove your veil; strip off your skirt, bare your thigh, and wade through the streams. Exodus 11:5 and every firstborn son in the land of Egypt will die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne, to the firstborn of the servant girl behind the hand mill, as well as the firstborn of all the cattle. Lamentations 5:13 Young men toil at millstones; boys stagger under loads of wood. Jeremiah 39:7 Then he put out Zedekiah’s eyes and bound him with bronze chains to take him to Babylon. Treasury of Scripture But the Philistines took him, and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass; and he did grind in the prison house. and put out. Proverbs 5:22 His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins. Proverbs 14:14 The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself. Judges 2:19 And it came to pass, when the judge was dead, that they returned, and corrupted themselves more than their fathers, in following other gods to serve them, and to bow down unto them; they ceased not from their own doings, nor from their stubborn way. bound him 2 Kings 25:7 And they slew the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, and put out the eyes of Zedekiah, and bound him with fetters of brass, and carried him to Babylon. 2 Chronicles 33:11 Wherefore the LORD brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon. Psalm 107:10-12 Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron; … grind Exodus 11:5 And all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne, even unto the firstborn of the maidservant that is behind the mill; and all the firstborn of beasts. Isaiah 47:2 Take the millstones, and grind meal: uncover thy locks, make bare the leg, uncover the thigh, pass over the rivers. Matthew 24:42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. Jump to Previous Bound Brass Chaining Chains Crushing Eyes Hold House Laid Mill Philistines Pick Prison Prison-House Seize Seized Shackles WorkJump to Next Bound Brass Chaining Chains Crushing Eyes Hold House Laid Mill Philistines Pick Prison Prison-House Seize Seized Shackles WorkJudges 16 1. Samson at Gaza escapes, and carries away the gates of the city4. Delilah corrupted by the Philistines, entices Samson 6. Thrice she is deceived 15. At last she overcomes him 21. The Philistines take him, and put out his eyes 22. His strength renewing, he pulls down the house upon the Philistines and dies Then the Philistines seized him This phrase marks the culmination of Samson's betrayal by Delilah, highlighting the consequences of his repeated disobedience and failure to adhere to his Nazirite vow. The Philistines, long-time enemies of Israel, finally capture Samson, symbolizing the triumph of pagan forces over God's chosen judge due to his personal failings. gouged out his eyes and brought him down to Gaza where he was bound with bronze shackles and forced to grind grain in the prison Persons / Places / Events 1. SamsonA judge of Israel known for his supernatural strength, which was a gift from God tied to his Nazirite vow. His downfall came through his relationship with Delilah, who betrayed him to the Philistines. 2. Philistines A group of people who were enemies of Israel. They captured Samson after Delilah revealed the secret of his strength. 3. Gaza A Philistine city where Samson was taken after his capture. It symbolizes the place of his humiliation and suffering. 4. Delilah Although not mentioned in this specific verse, she played a crucial role in Samson's capture by betraying him to the Philistines. 5. Prison Represents the physical and spiritual bondage that Samson experienced as a result of his disobedience and the consequences of his actions. Teaching Points The Consequences of DisobedienceSamson's capture and suffering are direct results of his disobedience to God's commands. This serves as a reminder of the serious consequences that can follow when we stray from God's path. The Danger of Pride and Complacency Samson's account illustrates how pride and complacency can lead to a fall. Believers are encouraged to remain humble and vigilant in their walk with God. God's Sovereignty and Redemption Despite Samson's failures, God used him to begin delivering Israel from the Philistines. This demonstrates God's ability to work through our weaknesses and failures for His purposes. The Importance of Spiritual Vigilance Samson's physical blindness is symbolic of his spiritual blindness. Believers are called to remain spiritually vigilant and aware of the enemy's schemes. Hope in Repentance Samson's account ends with a redemptive act, showing that repentance and turning back to God can lead to restoration and fulfillment of God's purposes. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Judges 16:21?2. How does Judges 16:21 illustrate the consequences of disobedience to God? 3. What can we learn about God's justice from Samson's capture and blindness? 4. How does Samson's downfall connect with Proverbs 16:18 about pride? 5. How can we guard against spiritual blindness in our own lives? 6. What steps can we take to avoid Samson's mistakes in Judges 16:21? 7. Why did God allow Samson to be captured and blinded in Judges 16:21? 8. What does Samson's capture in Judges 16:21 teach about the consequences of disobedience? 9. How does Judges 16:21 reflect the theme of divine justice? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Judges 16? 11. What does the Bible mention about Gaza? 12. How did Samson's strength lead to his downfall? 13. What historical or archaeological evidence supports the account of the Philistines and Arabs invading Judah (2 Chronicles 21:16-17)? 14. In Judges 16:1-3, how could Samson realistically carry away an entire city gate on his shoulders? What Does Judges 16:21 Mean Then the Philistines seized him“Then the Philistines seized him…” (Judges 16:21a) • The moment Dalilah’s betrayal is complete (Judges 16:18-20), Samson’s enemies act. • God’s strength had departed because Samson toyed with sin rather than fleeing it; the loss of power is instantaneous (compare Judges 15:14-15, where the Spirit rushed on him). • Scripture repeatedly shows that when the Lord’s people forsake Him, He allows enemies to overtake them (Judges 2:14; 1 Samuel 12:9). • The capture fulfills the angel’s original warning that Samson would “begin to save Israel” (Judges 13:5); even in failure, God will still work through him, setting the stage for a final deliverance. Gouged out his eyes “…gouged out his eyes…” (Judges 16:21b) • Physical blindness mirrors the spiritual blindness that had been creeping over Samson long before (cf. Proverbs 5:22-23). • Eye-gouging was a common act of humiliation and disabling (1 Samuel 11:2; 2 Kings 25:7). • Ironically, Samson’s eyes had often led him into trouble (Judges 14:1, 3; 16:1). His unchecked desire now costs him the very organs he used to rationalize disobedience. • The removal of his sight forces him to look inward and upward; later we read that “his hair began to grow back” (Judges 16:22), signaling renewed dependence on God. Brought him down to Gaza “…and brought him down to Gaza…” (Judges 16:21c) • Gaza is where Samson earlier ripped off the city gates in triumph (Judges 16:1-3). Returning as a prisoner highlights how far he has fallen. • The phrase “brought him down” is geographical and moral; Scripture often speaks of descent when someone moves away from God’s blessing (Jonah 1:3; Luke 10:30). • Gaza, a key Philistine stronghold (Judges 1:18), becomes the stage for God’s final act of judgment against their oppression (Judges 16:30). Bound with bronze shackles “…where he was bound with bronze shackles…” (Judges 16:21d) • Bronze symbolizes strength and endurance; the enemy intends to make escape impossible (cf. Psalm 107:10-16, where bronze bonds illustrate captivity). • Similar restraints appear when Israel’s kings fall—Zedekiah (2 Kings 25:7) and Manasseh (2 Chronicles 33:11)—reminding us that sin’s wages are bondage. • Samson once tore off ropes “as flax” (Judges 15:14). The contrast is stark: self-reliance is stripped away; only God can rescue now. Forced to grind grain in the prison “…and forced to grind grain in the prison.” (Judges 16:21e) • Grinding grain was women’s or slaves’ work (Exodus 11:5; Lamentations 5:13); the mighty judge is reduced to the lowest status. • The slow, circular motion of the millstone underscores the monotony of a life trapped by consequences. • Yet the prison becomes a place of repentance. Like Joseph prospering in confinement (Genesis 39:20-23) or Paul writing letters from jail (Philippians 1:12-14), God often uses prisons to refine and reposition His servants. summary Judges 16:21 records the immediate, literal fallout of Samson’s sin: capture, blindness, humiliation, and bondage. Each phrase shows a downward step—from freedom to slavery, from sight to darkness, from ruler to grinder. Yet even here God is not finished. The verse prepares us for Samson’s final prayer and God’s ultimate victory over the Philistines (Judges 16:28-30). It warns believers that unchecked compromise leads to costly consequences, while also assuring us that sincere repentance can turn even a prison into the doorway of redemption. (21) Put out his eyes.--the margin, "bored out," is more correct. The Arabic version has the curious gloss that they burnt out his eyes with the red-hot style with which stibium (see Job 42:14) is applied to the eyes. To blind a man was the most effectual humiliation (2Kings 25:7). The story of Evenius, a priest of the sun-god, who is blinded by the people of Apollonia, who thereby incur the anger of the gods, seems to move in a similar circle of ideas to this.Fetters of brass.--Literally, two brasses--i.e., pairs of brazen fetters (nechushtarim). He did grind in the prison house.--This was the degrading work of slaves and females (Exodus 11:5; Isaiah 47:2). Grotius in a curious note says that slaves thus employed were blinded by the Scythians to save them from giddiness (see Herod. iv. 2). The end of Samson was mournful; "his whole powerful life was only like a light, blazing up brightly at moments, and shining afar, but often dimmed, and utterly extinguished before its time" (Ewald). Verse 21. - Put out his eyes. One of the cruel punishments of those times (see Numbers 16:14; 2 Kings 25:7), and still, or till quite lately, practised by Oriental despots to make their rivals incapable of reigning. So King John, in Shakespeare, ordered Arthur s eyes to be put out with a hot iron (King John, Act IV. scene 1.). Herodotus (Melp. 4:2) says that the Scythians used to put out the eyes of all their slaves. He did grind - the most degrading form of labour, the punishment of slaves among the Greeks and Romans (see too Isaiah 47:2). CHAPTER 16:23-31 Hebrew Then the Philistinesפְלִשְׁתִּ֔ים (p̄ə·liš·tîm) Noun - proper - masculine plural Strong's 6430: Philistines -- inhabitants of Philistia seized him, וַיֹּאחֲז֣וּהוּ (way·yō·ḥă·zū·hū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural | third person masculine singular Strong's 270: To grasp, take hold, take possession gouged out וַֽיְנַקְּר֖וּ (way·naq·qə·rū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 5365: To bore, pick, dig his eyes, עֵינָ֑יו (‘ê·nāw) Noun - cdc | third person masculine singular Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain and brought him down וַיּוֹרִ֨ידוּ (way·yō·w·rî·ḏū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 3381: To come or go down, descend to Gaza, עַזָּ֗תָה (‘az·zā·ṯāh) Noun - proper - feminine singular | third person feminine singular Strong's 5804: A Philistine city where he was bound וַיַּאַסְר֙וּהוּ֙ (way·ya·’as·rū·hū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural | third person masculine singular Strong's 631: To yoke, hitch, to fasten, to join battle with bronze shackles בַּֽנְחֻשְׁתַּ֔יִם (ban·ḥuš·ta·yim) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - fd Strong's 5178: Copper, something made of that metal, coin, a fetter, base and forced וַיְהִ֥י (way·hî) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be to grind טוֹחֵ֖ן (ṭō·w·ḥên) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 2912: To grind meal, to be a, concubine grain in the prison. בְּבֵ֥ית (bə·ḇêṯ) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 1004: A house Links Judges 16:21 NIVJudges 16:21 NLT Judges 16:21 ESV Judges 16:21 NASB Judges 16:21 KJV Judges 16:21 BibleApps.com Judges 16:21 Biblia Paralela Judges 16:21 Chinese Bible Judges 16:21 French Bible Judges 16:21 Catholic Bible OT History: Judges 16:21 The Philistines laid hold on him (Jd Judg. Jdg) |
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