Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Now the temple was crowded with men and women; all the rulers of the Philistines were there, and on the roof were about three thousand men and women watching Samson perform. New Living Translation Now the temple was completely filled with people. All the Philistine rulers were there, and there were about 3,000 men and women on the roof who were watching as Samson amused them. English Standard Version Now the house was full of men and women. All the lords of the Philistines were there, and on the roof there were about 3,000 men and women, who looked on while Samson entertained. Berean Standard Bible Now the temple was full of men and women; all the lords of the Philistines were there, and about three thousand men and women were on the roof watching Samson entertain them. Berean Literal Bible And the temple was full of the men and the women, and all the lords of the Philistines were there. And on the roof about three thousand men and women were watching while Samson performed. King James Bible Now the house was full of men and women; and all the lords of the Philistines were there; and there were upon the roof about three thousand men and women, that beheld while Samson made sport. New King James Version Now the temple was full of men and women. All the lords of the Philistines were there—about three thousand men and women on the roof watching while Samson performed. New American Standard Bible Now the house was full of men and women, and all the governors of the Philistines were there. And about three thousand men and women were on the roof looking on while Samson was entertaining them. NASB 1995 Now the house was full of men and women, and all the lords of the Philistines were there. And about 3,000 men and women were on the roof looking on while Samson was amusing them. NASB 1977 Now the house was full of men and women, and all the lords of the Philistines were there. And about 3,000 men and women were on the roof looking on while Samson was amusing them. Legacy Standard Bible Now the house was full of men and women, and all the lords of the Philistines were there. And about 3,000 men and women were on the roof looking on while Samson was amusing them. Amplified Bible Now the house was full of men and women; all the Philistine lords were there, and on the flat roof were about three thousand men and women who looked on while Samson was entertaining them. Berean Annotated Bible Now the temple was full of men and women; all the lords of the Philistines (immigrants) were there, and about three thousand men and women were on the roof watching Samson (like the sun) entertain them. Christian Standard Bible The temple was full of men and women; all the leaders of the Philistines were there, and about three thousand men and women were on the roof watching Samson entertain them. Holman Christian Standard Bible The temple was full of men and women; all the leaders of the Philistines were there, and about 3,000 men and women were on the roof watching Samson entertain them. American Standard Version Now the house was full of men and women; and all the lords of the Philistines were there; and there were upon the roof about three thousand men and women, that beheld while Samson made sport. Contemporary English Version The Philistine rulers were celebrating in a temple packed with people and with 3,000 more on the flat roof. They had all been watching Samson and making fun of him. English Revised Version Now the house was full of men and women; and all the lords of the Philistines were there; and there were upon the roof about three thousand men and women, that beheld while Samson made sport. GOD'S WORD® Translation The building was filled with people. All the Philistine rulers were there. On the roof there were about three thousand men and women who watched Samson entertain them. Good News Translation The building was crowded with men and women. All five Philistine kings were there, and there were about three thousand men and women on the roof, watching Samson entertain them. International Standard Version Now the building was full of men, women, and all the Philistine officials, with about 3,000 men and women on the roof watching Samson while he was entertaining them. NET Bible Now the temple was filled with men and women, and all the rulers of the Philistines were there. There were three thousand men and women on the roof watching Samson entertain. New Heart English Bible Now the house was full of men and women; and all the lords of the Philistines were there. And there were on the roof about three thousand men and women watching while Samson performed. Webster's Bible Translation Now the house was full of men and women: and all the lords of the Philistines were there: and there were upon the roof about three thousand men and women, that beheld while Samson made sport. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleNow the temple was full of men and women; all the lords of the Philistines were there, and about three thousand men and women were on the roof watching Samson entertain them. World English Bible Now the house was full of men and women; and all the lords of the Philistines were there; and there were on the roof about three thousand men and women, who saw while Samson performed. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd the house has been full of the men and the women, and all the princes of the Philistines [are] there, and about three thousand men and women [are] on the roof, who are watching Samson entertain. Berean Literal Bible And the temple was full of the men and the women, and all the lords of the Philistines were there. And on the roof about three thousand men and women were watching while Samson performed. Young's Literal Translation And the house hath been full of men and of women, and thither are all the princes of the Philistines, and on the roof are about three thousand men and women, who are looking on the playing of Samson. Smith's Literal Translation And the house was filled with men and women, and there were all the princes of Philisteim, and upon the roof about three thousand men and women looking upon the sport of Samson. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleNow the house was full of men and women, and all the princes of the Philistines were there. Moreover about three thousand persons of both sexes from the roof and the higher part of the house, were beholding Samson's play. Catholic Public Domain Version Now the house was full of men and women. And all the leaders of the Philistines were there, as well as about three thousand persons, of both sexes, on the roof and in the upper level of the house, who were watching Samson being mocked. New American Bible The temple was full of men and women: all the lords of the Philistines were there, and from the roof about three thousand men and women looked on as Samson provided amusement. New Revised Standard Version Now the house was full of men and women; all the lords of the Philistines were there, and on the roof there were about three thousand men and women, who looked on while Samson performed. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleNow the house was full of men and women; and all the lords of the Philistines were there; and there were upon the roof about three thousand men and women, looking on while Samson made sport. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And the house was filled with men and women, and there were all the Tyrants of the Philistines, and upon the roof there were about three thousand men and women, and they were watching as Samson was dancing OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Now the house was full of men and women; and all the lords of the Philistines were there; and there were upon the roof about three thousand men and women, that beheld while Samson made sport. Brenton Septuagint Translation And the house was full of men and woman, and there were all the chiefs of the Philistines, and on the roof were about three thousand men and woman looking at the sports of Sampson. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Samson's Vengeance and Death…26Samson said to the servant who held his hand, “Lead me where I can feel the pillars supporting the temple, so I can lean against them.” 27Now the temple was full of men and women; all the lords of the Philistines were there, and about three thousand men and women were on the roof watching Samson entertain them. 28Then Samson called out to the LORD: “O Lord GOD, please remember me. Strengthen me, O God, just once more, so that with one vengeful blow I may pay back the Philistines for my two eyes.”… Cross References Now the temple was full of men and women; 2 Kings 10:21-23 Then Jehu sent word throughout Israel, and all the servants of Baal came; there was not a man who failed to show. They entered the temple of Baal, and it was filled from end to end. / And Jehu said to the keeper of the wardrobe, “Bring out garments for all the servants of Baal.” So he brought out garments for them. / Next, Jehu and Jehonadab son of Rechab entered the temple of Baal, and Jehu said to the servants of Baal, “Look around to see that there are no servants of the LORD here among you—only servants of Baal.” 1 Kings 8:63-64 And Solomon offered as peace offerings to the LORD 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep. So the king and all the Israelites dedicated the house of the LORD. / On that same day the king consecrated the middle of the courtyard in front of the house of the LORD, and there he offered the burnt offerings, the grain offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings, since the bronze altar before the LORD was too small to contain all these offerings. Mark 2:1-2 A few days later Jesus went back to Capernaum. And when the people heard that He was home, / they gathered in such large numbers that there was no more room, not even outside the door, as Jesus spoke the word to them. all the lords of the Philistines were there, 1 Samuel 5:8 So they called together all the rulers of the Philistines and asked, “What shall we do with the ark of the God of Israel?” “It must be moved to Gath,” they replied. So they carried away the ark of the God of Israel. 1 Samuel 6:4 “What guilt offering should we send back to Him?” asked the Philistines. “Five gold tumors and five gold rats,” they said, “according to the number of rulers of the Philistines, since the same plague has struck both you and your rulers. 1 Samuel 29:6-7 So Achish summoned David and told him, “As surely as the LORD lives, you have been upright, and it seems right in my sight that you should march in and out with me in the army, because I have found no fault in you from the day you came to me until this day. But you are not good in the sight of the leaders. / Therefore turn back now and go in peace, so that you will not do anything to displease the leaders of the Philistines.” and about three thousand men and women were on the roof 2 Samuel 11:2 One evening David got up from his bed and strolled around on the roof of the palace. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing—a very beautiful woman. Mark 2:4 Since they were unable to get to Jesus through the crowd, they uncovered the roof above Him, made an opening, and lowered the paralytic on his mat. Luke 5:19 but they could not find a way through the crowd. So they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus. watching Samson entertain them. 1 Corinthians 4:9 For it seems to me that God has displayed us apostles at the end of the procession, like prisoners appointed for death. We have become a spectacle to the whole world, to angels as well as to men. Psalm 22:7-8 All who see me mock me; they sneer and shake their heads: / “He trusts in the LORD, let the LORD deliver him; let the LORD rescue him, since He delights in him.” Lamentations 3:14-15 I am a laughingstock to all my people; they mock me in song all day long. / He has filled me with bitterness; He has intoxicated me with wormwood. 1 Kings 20:27-30 The Israelites also mobilized, gathered supplies, and marched out to meet them. The Israelites camped before them like two small flocks of goats, while the Arameans covered the countryside. / Then the man of God approached the king of Israel and said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Because the Arameans have said that the LORD is a god of the hills and not of the valleys, I will deliver all this great army into your hand. Then you will know that I am the LORD.’” / For seven days the armies camped opposite each other, and on the seventh day the battle ensued, and the Israelites struck down the Arameans—a hundred thousand foot soldiers in one day. … 2 Kings 10:18-28 Then Jehu brought all the people together and said, “Ahab served Baal a little, but Jehu will serve him a lot. / Now, therefore, summon to me all the prophets of Baal, all his servants, and all his priests. See that no one is missing, for I have a great sacrifice for Baal. Whoever is missing will not live.” But Jehu was acting deceptively in order to destroy the servants of Baal. / And Jehu commanded, “Proclaim a solemn assembly for Baal.” So they announced it. … 1 Samuel 5:1-5 After the Philistines had captured the ark of God, they took it from Ebenezer to Ashdod, / carried it into the temple of Dagon, and set it beside his statue. / When the people of Ashdod got up early the next morning, there was Dagon, fallen on his face before the ark of the LORD. So they took Dagon and returned him to his place. … 1 Samuel 6:17-18 As a guilt offering to the LORD, the Philistines had sent back one gold tumor for each city: Ashdod, Gaza, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron. / The number of gold rats also corresponded to the number of Philistine cities belonging to the five rulers—the fortified cities and their outlying villages. And the large rock on which they placed the ark of the LORD stands to this day in the field of Joshua of Beth-shemesh. Treasury of Scripture Now the house was full of men and women; and all the lords of the Philistines were there; and there were on the roof about three thousand men and women, that beheld while Samson made sport. and there. Judges 9:51 But there was a strong tower within the city, and thither fled all the men and women, and all they of the city, and shut it to them, and gat them up to the top of the tower. Deuteronomy 22:8 When thou buildest a new house, then thou shalt make a battlement for thy roof, that thou bring not blood upon thine house, if any man fall from thence. Joshua 2:8 And before they were laid down, she came up unto them upon the roof; Jump to Previous Beheld Crowded House Lords Philistines Playing Roof Rulers Samson Sport Temple Thither Thousand Three Watching WomenJump to Next Beheld Crowded House Lords Philistines Playing Roof Rulers Samson Sport Temple Thither Thousand Three Watching WomenJudges 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 Now the temple was full of men and women; The temple referred to here is the temple of Dagon, the Philistine god. This setting highlights the Philistine's religious practices and their reliance on their deities for victory and protection. The gathering of men and women in the temple signifies a significant event, likely a festival or celebration, which was common in ancient Near Eastern cultures. This context sets the stage for a dramatic confrontation between the God of Israel and the gods of the Philistines. all the lords of the Philistines were there, and about three thousand men and women were on the roof watching Samson entertain them. 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 life is a account of great potential marred by personal failings. 2. Philistines A significant enemy of Israel during the time of the Judges. They were a seafaring people who often oppressed the Israelites. 3. Temple of Dagon The place where the Philistines gathered to celebrate their perceived victory over Samson. Dagon was a deity worshiped by the Philistines. 4. Lords of the Philistines The rulers or leaders of the Philistine people, who were present at the temple to witness Samson's humiliation. 5. Three Thousand Men and Women The crowd gathered on the roof of the temple, indicating the scale of the event and the public nature of Samson's humiliation. Teaching Points The Consequences of SinSamson's life illustrates how personal sin can lead to public humiliation and loss of God-given potential. God's Sovereignty Despite human failings, God's purposes prevail. Samson's final act was used by God to begin the deliverance of Israel from the Philistines. The Danger of Pride Samson's account warns against the dangers of pride and self-reliance, reminding us to depend on God for strength and guidance. Repentance and Redemption Even in his lowest moment, Samson's prayer to God shows that repentance can lead to redemption and fulfillment of God's purposes. The Power of Influence The presence of the Philistine lords and the crowd highlights the influence of leaders and the impact of public opinion, reminding us to be mindful of who we allow to influence our lives. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Judges 16:27?2. How does Judges 16:27 illustrate the consequences of Samson's disobedience to God? 3. What can we learn about God's sovereignty from the Philistines' gathering in Judges 16:27? 4. How does Samson's situation in Judges 16:27 connect to Proverbs 16:18 on pride? 5. What steps can we take to avoid spiritual complacency like Samson's in Judges 16? 6. How can we apply the lessons from Judges 16:27 to resist worldly temptations today? 7. How does Judges 16:27 reflect the cultural context of ancient Philistine society? 8. What is the significance of the Philistine rulers gathering in Judges 16:27? 9. How does Judges 16:27 contribute to the narrative of Samson's downfall? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Judges 16? 11. In Judges 16:29-30, is it plausible that a single person could topple a temple by pushing two pillars? 12. In Judges 16:4-20, why would Samson keep trusting Delilah after she repeatedly betrayed him? 13. In Judges 16:1-3, how could Samson realistically carry away an entire city gate on his shoulders? 14. What defines the Delilah spirit? What Does Judges 16:27 Mean Now the temple was full of men and women“Now the temple was full of men and women” (Judges 16:27) • The Philistines have gathered inside the house of their god Dagon, just after offering sacrifices and praising him for delivering Samson into their hands (Judges 16:23-24). • The scene recalls other large assemblies in idolatrous temples where God later intervenes—such as when the Ark is placed before Dagon and the idol falls (1 Samuel 5:1-4). • A packed temple highlights the Philistines’ confidence, pride, and total rejection of Israel’s God (Psalm 115:4-8). They believe nothing can overturn their victory. • For readers, this crowd foreshadows the sweeping impact Samson’s final act will have, because many witnesses will testify to what God does through him. All the lords of the Philistines were there “All the lords of the Philistines were there” • These five rulers (Judges 3:3; 1 Samuel 29:2) represent the entire Philistine power structure. Their presence means: – Civil and military leadership is concentrated in one place. – A national celebration is under way, exalting Dagon over Yahweh. • God often uses moments when evil seems most secure to display His supremacy (Exodus 14:23-28; 1 Kings 18:36-39). • By noting “all the lords,” the text signals that Samson’s impending judgment will cripple Philistine authority, fulfilling the angel’s promise that Samson “will begin to deliver Israel” (Judges 13:5). About three thousand men and women were on the roof “…and about three thousand men and women were on the roof” • Flat roofs in the ancient Near East served as viewing platforms (Deuteronomy 22:8; 2 Samuel 11:2). • The huge number underscores: – The architectural size of the temple. – The weight those roofs had to bear—important when the pillars collapse. • Luke 13:4 mentions a tower collapsing and killing eighteen people; here the potential loss of life is far greater, showing the scale of what God is about to do. • The crowd above, added to those inside, pictures a nation literally perched on the brink. Watching Samson entertain them “…watching Samson entertain them.” • Samson, once feared, is reduced to a spectacle—much like the mockery Jesus endured (Luke 22:63-65) and Paul faced (Acts 16:23-24). • Their amusement echoes the taunts at Golgotha: “He saved others; let Him save Himself” (Luke 23:35). God allows His servants to be shamed before vindicating them. • Samson had earlier used riddles to mock the Philistines (Judges 14:12-14). Now the roles are reversed, yet God will have the last word. • The scene fulfills Samson’s own downward path—eyes gouged, strength gone—yet sets the stage for final, God-given triumph (Hebrews 11:32-34). summary Judges 16:27 paints a vivid tableau of Philistine pride: a jam-packed temple, national leaders, thousands more on the roof, all laughing at a blinded judge. Every detail magnifies two truths. First, the enemy’s confidence is total; they believe victory is theirs. Second, God is positioning events so that when Samson calls on Him, the collapse of the temple will strike the heart of Philistine power, vindicate the Lord’s name, and begin Israel’s deliverance—exactly as promised from Samson’s birth. (27) The house was full of men and women . . . upon the roof about three thousand men and women.--The words for "men and women" in the first clause are anashim and nashim, and in the second eesh and eeshsha. The more distinguished people were with the lords in the house itself; the common people were on the flat roof.There were upon the roof.--The temple may have been like a Turkish kiosk, "a spacious hall, of which the roof rested in front upon four columns, two of them standing at the ends, and two close together in the centre. Under this hall the chief Philistines celebrated a sacrificial meal, whilst the people were assembled above upon the top of the roof, which was surrounded by a balustrade" (Faber, Archaol. d. Hebr., quoted by Keil). "His puissant locks," as Milton says, "sternly shook thunder with ruin upon the heads of those his evil counsellors, but not without great affliction to himself." In the life of Samson and the incidents of Judges 18 we find the chief illustrations of the character of his tribe as described in Jacob's blessing Genesis 49:16-17). Hence, perhaps, he is called Bedan in 1Samuel 12:11, if we follow the improbable gloss of the Targum in making the word there mean a Danite. Verse 27. - Now the house was full, etc. We do not know what was the construction of Philistine temples or houses of amusement; but from the description here given it seems that the interior was ranged like an amphi- theatre, with seats for the lords and principal people, and with an open front, so as to command a view of the stage just outside, and that front supported by pillars on which the beams of the roof, both the transverse beam and the longitudinal ones running into it, rested. The roof itself was fiat, and had the weight of 3000 people upon it, throwing a great strain upon the beams which rested upon the pillars. The sudden removal of the pillars would bring the roof down at that end, crowded as it was with the people, and would inevitably drag the whole mass in the same direction one over another, while the swaying of the people would bring the whole roof down upon the heads of those beneath, who would be crushed by the heavy timbers and stones and bodies of men falling upon them.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Now the templeוְהַבַּ֗יִת (wə·hab·ba·yiṯ) Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1004: A house was full of מָלֵ֤א (mā·lê) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 4390: To fill, be full of men אִ֣ישׁ (’îš) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person and women; וְהַנָּשִׁ֔ים (wə·han·nā·šîm) Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - feminine plural Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female all כֹּ֖ל (kōl) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every the lords סַרְנֵ֣י (sar·nê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 5633: An axle, a peer of the Philistines פְלִשְׁתִּ֑ים (p̄ə·liš·tîm) Noun - proper - masculine plural Strong's 6430: Philistines -- inhabitants of Philistia were there, וְשָׁ֕מָּה (wə·šām·māh) Conjunctive waw | Adverb | third person feminine singular Strong's 8033: There, then, thither and about three כִּשְׁלֹ֤שֶׁת (kiš·lō·šeṯ) Preposition-k | Number - masculine singular construct Strong's 7969: Three, third, thrice thousand men אֲלָפִים֙ (’ă·lā·p̄îm) Number - masculine plural Strong's 505: A thousand and women וְאִשָּׁ֔ה (wə·’iš·šāh) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female were on וְעַל־ (wə·‘al-) Conjunctive waw | Preposition Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against the roof הַגָּ֗ג (hag·gāḡ) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1406: A roof, the top of an altar watching הָרֹאִ֖ים (hā·rō·’îm) Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural Strong's 7200: To see Samson שִׁמְשֽׁוֹן׃ (šim·šō·wn) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 8123: Samson -- a deliverer of Israel entertain them. בִּשְׂח֥וֹק (biś·ḥō·wq) Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 7832: To laugh, to play Links Judges 16:27 NIVJudges 16:27 NLT Judges 16:27 ESV Judges 16:27 NASB Judges 16:27 KJV Judges 16:27 BibleApps.com Judges 16:27 Biblia Paralela Judges 16:27 Chinese Bible Judges 16:27 French Bible Judges 16:27 Catholic Bible OT History: Judges 16:27 Now the house was full of men (Jd Judg. 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