Judges 16:30
New International Version
Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines!” Then he pushed with all his might, and down came the temple on the rulers and all the people in it. Thus he killed many more when he died than while he lived.

New Living Translation
he prayed, “Let me die with the Philistines.” And the temple crashed down on the Philistine rulers and all the people. So he killed more people when he died than he had during his entire lifetime.

English Standard Version
And Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines.” Then he bowed with all his strength, and the house fell upon the lords and upon all the people who were in it. So the dead whom he killed at his death were more than those whom he had killed during his life.

Berean Standard Bible
Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines.” Then he pushed with all his might, and the temple fell on the lords and all the people in it. So in his death he killed more than he had killed in his life.

King James Bible
And Samson said, Let me die with the Philistines. And he bowed himself with all his might; and the house fell upon the lords, and upon all the people that were therein. So the dead which he slew at his death were more than they which he slew in his life.

New King James Version
Then Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines!” And he pushed with all his might, and the temple fell on the lords and all the people who were in it. So the dead that he killed at his death were more than he had killed in his life.

New American Standard Bible
And Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines!” And he pushed outwards powerfully, so that the house fell on the governors and all the people who were in it. And the dead whom he killed at his death were more than those whom he killed during his lifetime.

NASB 1995
And Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines!” And he bent with all his might so that the house fell on the lords and all the people who were in it. So the dead whom he killed at his death were more than those whom he killed in his life.

NASB 1977
And Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines!” And he bent with all his might so that the house fell on the lords and all the people who were in it. So the dead whom he killed at his death were more than those whom he killed in his life.

Legacy Standard Bible
And Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines!” And he bent with his strength so that the house fell on the lords and all the people who were in it. So the dead whom he put to death by his death were more than those whom he put to death in his life.

Amplified Bible
And Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines!” And he stretched out with all his might [collapsing the support pillars], and the house fell on the lords and on all the people who were in it. So the dead whom he killed at his death were more than those whom he had killed during his life.

Christian Standard Bible
Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines.” He pushed with all his might, and the temple fell on the leaders and all the people in it. And those he killed at his death were more than those he had killed in his life.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines.” He pushed with all his might, and the temple fell on the leaders and all the people in it. And the dead he killed at his death were more than those he had killed in his life.

American Standard Version
And Samson said, Let me die with the Philistines. And he bowed himself with all his might; and the house fell upon the lords, and upon all the people that were therein. So the dead that he slew at his death were more than they that he slew in his life.

Contemporary English Version
Then he shouted, "Let me die with the Philistines!" He pushed against the columns as hard as he could, and the temple collapsed with the Philistine rulers and everyone else still inside. Samson killed more Philistines when he died than he had killed during his entire life.

English Revised Version
And Samson said, Let me die with the Philistines. And he bowed himself with all his might; and the house fell upon the lords, and upon all the people that were therein. So the dead which he slew at his death were more than they which he slew in his life.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Let me die with the Philistines," he said. With that, he pushed with all his might, and the building fell on the rulers and everyone in it. So he killed more Philistines when he died than he had when he was alive.

Good News Translation
and shouted, "Let me die with the Philistines!" He pushed with all his might, and the building fell down on the five kings and everyone else. Samson killed more people at his death than he had killed during his life.

International Standard Version
Then Samson said, "Let me die with the Philistines!" He strained with all his strength until the building collapsed on the officials and every person in it. As a result, the dead whom he killed at his death were more than those whom he killed during his lifetime.

Majority Standard Bible
Samson said, ?Let me die with the Philistines.? Then he pushed with all his might, and the temple fell on the lords and all the people in it. So in his death he killed more than he had killed in his life.

NET Bible
Samson said, "Let me die with the Philistines!" He pushed hard and the temple collapsed on the rulers and all the people in it. He killed many more people in his death than he had killed during his life.

New Heart English Bible
Samson said, "Let me die with the Philistines." He bowed himself with all his might; and the house fell on the lords, and on all the people who were in it. So the dead that he killed at his death were more than those who he killed in his life.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Samson said, Let me die with the Philistines. And he bowed himself with all his might; and the house fell upon the lords, and upon all the people that were in it. So the dead which he slew at his death were more than they which he slew in his life.

World English Bible
Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines!” He bowed himself with all his might; and the house fell on the lords, and on all the people who were in it. So the dead that he killed at his death were more than those who he killed in his life.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and Samson says, “Let me die with the Philistines,” and he inclines himself powerfully, and the house falls on the princes, and on all the people who [are] in it, and the dead whom he has put to death in his death are more than those whom he put to death in his life.

Young's Literal Translation
and Samson saith, 'Let me die with the Philistines,' and he inclineth himself powerfully, and the house falleth on the princes, and on all the people who are in it, and the dead whom he hath put to death in his death are more than those whom he put to death in his life.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Samson will say, My soul shall die with Philisteim. And he will bow with strength, and the house will fall upon the princes and upon all the people which are in it And the dead will be more which he killed in his death than which he killed in his life.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
He said: Let me die with the Philistines. And when he had strongly shook the pillars, the house fell upon all the princes, and the rest of the multitude that was there: and he killed many more at his death, than he had killed before in his life.

Catholic Public Domain Version
he said, “May my life die with the Philistines.” And when he had shaken the pillars strongly, the house fell upon all the leaders, and the rest of the multitude who were there. And he killed many more in his death than he had killed before in his life.

New American Bible
Then saying, “Let me die with the Philistines!” Samson pushed hard, and the temple fell upon the lords and all the people who were in it. Those he killed by his dying were more than those he had killed during his lifetime.

New Revised Standard Version
Then Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines.” He strained with all his might; and the house fell on the lords and all the people who were in it. So those he killed at his death were more than those he had killed during his life.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Samson said, Let me die with the Philistines. Then he pulled with all his might; and the house fell upon the lords and upon all the people that were therein. So the dead whom Samson slew at his death were more than those whom he slew during his life.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Samson said: “Let my life die with the Philistines!” And he pulled by his power and the house fell on the Tyrants and upon all the people that were in it, and the dead who died in the death of Samson were more than those who died in his life
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Samson said: 'Let me die with the Philistines.' And he bent with all his might; and the house fell upon the lords, and upon all the people that were therein. So the dead that he slew at his death were more than they that he slew in his life.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Sampson said, Let my wife perish with the Philistines: and he bowed himself mightily; and the house fell upon the princes, and upon all the people that were in it: and the dead whom Sampson slew in his death were more than those whom he slew in his life.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Samson's Vengeance and Death
29And Samson reached out for the two central pillars supporting the temple. Bracing himself against them with his right hand on one pillar and his left hand on the other, 30Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines.” Then he pushed with all his might, and the temple fell on the lords and all the people in it. So in his death he killed more than he had killed in his life. 31Then Samson’s brothers and his father’s family came down, carried him back, and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the tomb of his father Manoah. And he had judged Israel twenty years.…

Cross References
Hebrews 11:32-34
And what more shall I say? Time will not allow me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets, / who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, / quenched the raging fire, and escaped the edge of the sword; who gained strength from weakness, became mighty in battle, and put foreign armies to flight.

1 Samuel 17:49-50
Then David reached into his bag, took out a stone, and slung it, striking the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground. / Thus David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him.

1 Kings 18:36-39
At the time of the evening sacrifice, Elijah the prophet approached the altar and said, “O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that You are God in Israel and that I am Your servant and have done all these things at Your command. / Answer me, O LORD! Answer me, so that this people will know that You, the LORD, are God, and that You have turned their hearts back again.” / Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the sacrifice, the wood, the stones, and the dust, and it licked up the water in the trench. ...

2 Samuel 22:30
For in You I can charge an army; with my God I can scale a wall.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10
But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. / That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.

1 Corinthians 1:27-29
But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. / He chose the lowly and despised things of the world, and the things that are not, to nullify the things that are, / so that no one may boast in His presence.

Matthew 27:50-54
When Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, He yielded up His spirit. / At that moment the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth quaked, and the rocks were split. / The tombs broke open, and the bodies of many saints who had fallen asleep were raised. ...

Luke 23:44-46
It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over all the land until the ninth hour. / The sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn down the middle. / Then Jesus called out in a loud voice, “Father, into Your hands I commit My Spirit.” And when He had said this, He breathed His last.

John 2:19-21
Jesus answered, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up again.” / “This temple took forty-six years to build,” the Jews replied, “and You are going to raise it up in three days?” / But Jesus was speaking about the temple of His body.

Romans 5:6-8
For at just the right time, while we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. / Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. / But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Revelation 12:11
They have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony. And they did not love their lives so as to shy away from death.

Exodus 14:27-28
So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the sea returned to its normal state. As the Egyptians were retreating, the LORD swept them into the sea. / The waters flowed back and covered the chariots and horsemen—the entire army of Pharaoh that had chased the Israelites into the sea. Not one of them survived.

Joshua 6:20
So when the rams’ horns sounded, the people shouted. When they heard the blast of the horn, the people gave a great shout, and the wall collapsed. Then all the people charged straight into the city and captured it.

1 Samuel 14:13-14
So Jonathan climbed up on his hands and feet, with his armor-bearer behind him. And the Philistines fell before Jonathan, and his armor-bearer followed and finished them off. / In that first assault, Jonathan and his armor-bearer struck down about twenty men in about half an acre of land.


Treasury of Scripture

And Samson said, Let me die with the Philistines. And he bowed himself with all his might; and the house fell on the lords, and on all the people that were therein. So the dead which he slew at his death were more than they which he slew in his life.

me.

Matthew 16:25
For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

Acts 20:24
But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

Acts 21:13
Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.

and the house

Job 20:5
That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment?

Job 31:3
Is not destruction to the wicked? and a strange punishment to the workers of iniquity?

Psalm 62:3
How long will ye imagine mischief against a man? ye shall be slain all of you: as a bowing wall shall ye be, and as a tottering fence.

do the dead

Judges 14:19
And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he went down to Ashkelon, and slew thirty men of them, and took their spoil, and gave change of garments unto them which expounded the riddle. And his anger was kindled, and he went up to his father's house.

Judges 15:8,15
And he smote them hip and thigh with a great slaughter: and he went down and dwelt in the top of the rock Etam…

Genesis 3:15
And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

Jump to Previous
Bent Bowed Dead Death Die House Killed Lords Philistines Samson Slew Therein
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Bent Bowed Dead Death Die House Killed Lords Philistines Samson Slew Therein
Judges 16
1. Samson at Gaza escapes, and carries away the gates of the city
4. 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














Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines.”
Samson's statement reflects a moment of repentance and acceptance of his fate. His willingness to die with the Philistines shows a sacrificial aspect, reminiscent of Christ's sacrifice. This phrase also highlights the theme of divine justice, as Samson seeks to fulfill God's purpose even in his death. The Philistines, long-time oppressors of Israel, are central to the narrative of Judges, representing the pagan cultures that Israel was commanded to drive out.

Then he pushed with all his might,
This phrase emphasizes Samson's physical strength, which was a gift from God. Despite his previous failures, Samson's final act is one of faith, as he relies on God to restore his strength. This act of pushing symbolizes a return to his divine calling as a judge of Israel. The strength given to Samson can be seen as a type of the power of the Holy Spirit, enabling believers to accomplish God's will.

and the temple fell on the lords and all the people in it.
The temple of Dagon, the Philistine god, was a place of idolatry and pagan worship. Its destruction signifies the triumph of the God of Israel over false gods. The lords of the Philistines were the ruling class, and their death represents a significant blow to Philistine power. This event fulfills the prophecy that Samson would begin to deliver Israel from the Philistines (Judges 13:5).

So in his death he killed more than he had killed in his life.
Samson's greatest victory came at the cost of his own life, drawing a parallel to Christ's victory over sin and death through His crucifixion. This phrase underscores the theme of redemption, as Samson's final act brings about a greater deliverance for Israel than all his previous exploits. It also serves as a reminder of the potential for God to use flawed individuals to achieve His purposes, pointing to the ultimate redemption found in Jesus Christ.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Samson
A judge of Israel known for his supernatural strength, which was a gift from God tied to his Nazirite vow. His life was marked by personal failings and a tumultuous relationship with the Philistines.

2. Philistines
A significant enemy of Israel during the time of the Judges. They oppressed the Israelites and were often in conflict with them.

3. Temple of Dagon
The place where the Philistines gathered to celebrate their victory over Samson. It was a center of worship for the Philistine god Dagon.

4. Lords of the Philistines
The rulers and leaders of the Philistine people who were present in the temple during Samson's final act.

5. Samson's Death
The event where Samson, in a final act of strength and faith, brought down the temple, killing himself and many Philistines, achieving a significant victory for Israel even in his death.
Teaching Points
God's Strength in Weakness
Samson's account reminds us that God's strength is made perfect in our weakness. Even in our failures, God can work through us to accomplish His purposes.

Repentance and Redemption
Samson's final prayer and act demonstrate a return to faith and reliance on God. It is never too late to turn back to God and seek His strength.

The Consequences of Sin
Samson's life illustrates the destructive nature of sin and the importance of obedience to God. His downfall was due to his disobedience and personal failings.

God's Sovereignty
Despite human failings, God's plans are not thwarted. He can use even our mistakes to fulfill His divine purposes.

The Cost of Disobedience
Samson's life and death serve as a warning about the cost of straying from God's path. His account encourages us to remain faithful and obedient to God's calling.Verse 30. - Let me die, or, my life shall perish with the Philistines. He knew it was certain death to himself, but he did not shrink from it. His last act should be to destroy the oppressors of his country. So the dead which he slew, etc. The words sound like the snatch of some song or proverb in which Samson's death was described.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Samson
שִׁמְשׁ֗וֹן (šim·šō·wn)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8123: Samson -- a deliverer of Israel

said,
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Let me
נַפְשִׁי֮ (nap̄·šî)
Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion

die
תָּמ֣וֹת (tā·mō·wṯ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill

with
עִם־ (‘im-)
Preposition
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

the Philistines.”
פְּלִשְׁתִּים֒ (pə·liš·tîm)
Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 6430: Philistines -- inhabitants of Philistia

Then he pushed
וַיֵּ֣ט (way·yêṭ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5186: To stretch out, spread out, extend, incline, bend

with all his might,
בְּכֹ֔חַ (bə·ḵō·aḥ)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3581: A small reptile (of unknown species)

and the temple
הַבַּ֙יִת֙ (hab·ba·yiṯ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1004: A house

fell
וַיִּפֹּ֤ל (way·yip·pōl)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5307: To fall, lie

on
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the lords
הַסְּרָנִ֔ים (has·sə·rā·nîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5633: An axle, a peer

and
וְעַל־ (wə·‘al-)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the people in it.
הָעָ֖ם (hā·‘ām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

So in his death
בְּמוֹת֔וֹ (bə·mō·w·ṯōw)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4194: Death, the dead, their place, state, pestilence, ruin

he killed
הֵמִ֣ית (hê·mîṯ)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill

more
רַבִּ֕ים (rab·bîm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 7227: Much, many, great

than
מֵאֲשֶׁ֥ר (mê·’ă·šer)
Preposition-m | Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

he had killed
הֵמִ֖ית (hê·mîṯ)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill

in his life.
בְּחַיָּֽיו׃ (bə·ḥay·yāw)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 2416: Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life


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OT History: Judges 16:30 Samson said Let me die (Jd Judg. Jdg)
Judges 16:29
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