Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Then his brothers and his father’s whole family went down to get him. They brought him back and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the tomb of Manoah his father. He had led Israel twenty years. New Living Translation Later his brothers and other relatives went down to get his body. They took him back home and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol, where his father, Manoah, was buried. Samson had judged Israel for twenty years. English Standard Version Then his brothers and all his family came down and took him and brought him up and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the tomb of Manoah his father. He had judged Israel twenty years. Berean Standard Bible Then 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. Berean Literal Bible And his brothers and all the house of his father came down, and they lifted him and brought him up and buried him between Zorah and between Eshtaol in the tomb of Manoah his father. And He had judged Israel twenty years. King James Bible Then his brethren and all the house of his father came down, and took him, and brought him up, and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the buryingplace of Manoah his father. And he judged Israel twenty years. New King James Version And his brothers and all his father’s household came down and took him, and brought him up and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the tomb of his father Manoah. He had judged Israel twenty years. New American Standard Bible Then his brothers and all his father’s household came down and took him, and brought him up and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the tomb of his father Manoah. So he had judged Israel for twenty years. NASB 1995 Then his brothers and all his father’s household came down, took him, brought him up and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the tomb of Manoah his father. Thus he had judged Israel twenty years. NASB 1977 Then his brothers and all his father’s household came down, took him, brought him up, and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the tomb of Manoah his father. Thus he had judged Israel twenty years. Legacy Standard Bible Then his brothers and all his father’s household came down, carried him, brought him up, and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol, in the tomb of Manoah his father. Thus he had judged Israel twenty years. Amplified Bible Then his brothers and his father’s entire [tribal] household came down, took him, and brought him up; and they buried him in the tomb of Manoah his father, [which was] between Zorah and Eshtaol. So Samson had judged Israel for twenty years. Berean Annotated Bible Then Samson’s brothers and his father’s family came down, carried him back, and buried him between Zorah (hornet) and Eshtaol (entreaty) in the tomb of his father Manoah (rest). And he had judged Israel (he wrestles with God) twenty years. Christian Standard Bible Then his brothers and his father’s whole family came down, carried him back, and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the tomb of his father Manoah. So he judged Israel twenty years. Holman Christian Standard Bible Then his 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. So he judged Israel 20 years. American Standard Version Then his brethren and all the house of his father came down, and took him, and brought him up, and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the burying-place of Manoah his father. And he judged Israel twenty years. Contemporary English Version His brothers and the rest of his family went to Gaza and took his body back home. They buried him in his father's tomb, which was located between Zorah and Eshtaol. Samson was a leader of Israel for 20 years. English Revised Version Then his brethren and all the house of his father came down, and took him, and brought him up, and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the buryingplace of Manoah his father. And he judged Israel twenty years. GOD'S WORD® Translation Then his relatives and his father's whole family went to Gaza. They took Samson and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the tomb of his father Manoah. Samson had judged Israel for 20 years. Good News Translation His brothers and the rest of his family came down to get his body. They took him back and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the tomb of his father Manoah. He had been Israel's leader for twenty years. International Standard Version Afterwards, his brothers and his father's household servants came down, took him, brought him back, and buried him in his father Manoah's tomb between Zorah and Eshtaol. He had governed Israel for 20 years. NET Bible His brothers and all his family went down and brought him back. They buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the tomb of Manoah his father. He had led Israel for twenty years. New Heart English Bible Then his brothers and all the house of his father came down, and took him, and brought him up, and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the burial site of Manoah his father. He judged Israel twenty years. Webster's Bible Translation Then his brethren and all the house of his father came down, and took him, and brought him up, and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the burying-place of Manoah his father. And he judged Israel twenty years. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThen 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. World English Bible Then his brothers and all the house of his father came down and took him, and brought him up and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the burial site of Manoah his father. He judged Israel twenty years. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd his brothers come down, and all the house of his father, and lift him up, and bring him up, and bury him between Zorah and Eshtaol, in the burying-place of his father Manoah; and he has judged Israel [for] twenty years. Berean Literal Bible And his brothers and all the house of his father came down, and they lifted him and brought him up and buried him between Zorah and between Eshtaol in the tomb of Manoah his father. And He had judged Israel twenty years. Young's Literal Translation And his brethren come down, and all the house of his father, and lift him up, and bring him up, and bury him between Zorah and Eshtaol, in the burying-place of Manoah his father; and he hath judged Israel twenty years. Smith's Literal Translation And his brethren and all the house of his father will go down and will lift him up, and will bring him up, and bury him between Zorah and between Eshtaol in the grave of Manoah his father. And he judged Israel twenty years. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd his brethren and all his kindred, going down took his body, and buried it between Saraa and Esthaol in the buryingplace of his father Manue: and he judged Israel twenty years. Catholic Public Domain Version Then his brothers and all his relatives, going down, took his body, and they buried it between Zorah and Eshtaol, in the burying place of his father, Manoah. And he judged Israel for twenty years. New American Bible His kinsmen and all his father’s house went down and bore him up for burial in the grave of Manoah his father between Zorah and Eshtaol. He had judged Israel for twenty years. New Revised Standard Version Then his brothers and all his family came down and took him and brought him up and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the tomb of his father Manoah. He had judged Israel twenty years. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThen his brothers and all the house of his father came down and took him, and brought him up and buried him between Zedah and Eshtaol in the burying place of Menoah his father. And he had judged Israel twenty years. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And all his brothers and all the household of his father went down, and they came up and they buried him between Tsada and between Eshtwayel in the tomb of MaNoah his father, and he had judged Israel twenty years OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Then his brethren and all the house of his father came down, and took him, and brought him up, and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the burying-place of Manoah his father. And he judged Israel twenty years. Brenton Septuagint Translation And his brethren and his father's house went down, and they took him; and they went up and buried him between Saraa and Esthaol in the sepulchre of his father Manoe; and he judged Israel twenty years. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Samson's Vengeance and Death…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 Then Samson’s brothers and his father’s family came down, 1 Samuel 22:1 So David left Gath and took refuge in the cave of Adullam. When his brothers and the rest of his father’s household heard about it, they went down to him there. Genesis 46:5-7 Then Jacob departed from Beersheba, and the sons of Israel took their father Jacob in the wagons Pharaoh had sent to carry him, along with their children and wives. / They also took the livestock and possessions they had acquired in the land of Canaan, and Jacob and all his offspring went to Egypt. / Jacob took with him to Egypt his sons and grandsons, and his daughters and granddaughters—all his offspring. carried him back, 2 Samuel 2:32 And they took Asahel and buried him in his father’s tomb in Bethlehem. Then Joab and his men marched all night and reached Hebron at daybreak. Genesis 50:13 They carried him to the land of Canaan and buried him in the cave at Machpelah in the field near Mamre, which Abraham had purchased from Ephron the Hittite as a burial site. and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol Joshua 19:41 The territory of their inheritance included Zorah, Eshtaol, Ir-shemesh, Joshua 15:33 These were in the foothills: Eshtaol, Zorah, Ashnah, 1 Chronicles 2:53 and the clans of Kiriath-jearim—the Ithrites, Puthites, Shumathites, and Mishraites. From these descended the Zorathites and Eshtaolites. in the tomb of his father Manoah. 2 Samuel 17:23 When Ahithophel saw that his advice had not been followed, he saddled his donkey and set out for his house in his hometown. He put his affairs in order and hanged himself. So he died and was buried in his father’s tomb. Genesis 49:29-31 Then Jacob instructed them, “I am about to be gathered to my people. Bury me with my fathers in the cave in the field of Ephron the Hittite. / The cave is in the field of Machpelah near Mamre, in the land of Canaan. This is the field Abraham purchased from Ephron the Hittite as a burial site. / There Abraham and his wife Sarah are buried, there Isaac and his wife Rebekah are buried, and there I buried Leah. And he had judged Israel twenty years. Judges 10:2-3 Tola judged Israel twenty-three years, and when he died, he was buried in Shamir. / Tola was followed by Jair the Gileadite, who judged Israel twenty-two years. Judges 12:7 Jephthah judged Israel six years, and when he died, he was buried in one of the cities of Gilead. 1 Samuel 4:18 As soon as the ark of God was mentioned, Eli fell backward from his chair by the city gate, and being old and heavy, he broke his neck and died. And Eli had judged Israel forty years. Hebrews 11:32 And what more shall I say? Time will not allow me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets, 1 Samuel 12:11 So the LORD sent Jerubbaal, Barak, Jephthah, and Samuel, and He delivered you from the hands of your enemies on every side, and you dwelt securely. 1 Kings 1:41 Now Adonijah and all his guests were finishing their feast when they heard the sound of the ram’s horn. “Why is the city in such a loud uproar?” asked Joab. 1 Chronicles 11:10-14 Now these were the chiefs of David’s mighty men, who, together with all Israel, bolstered and strengthened his kingdom, according to the word of the LORD concerning Israel. / This is the list of David’s mighty men: Jashobeam son of Hachmoni was chief of the officers; he wielded his spear against three hundred men, whom he killed at one time. / Next in command was Eleazar son of Dodo the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men. … Treasury of Scripture Then his brothers and all the house of his father came down, and took him, and brought him up, and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the burial plot of Manoah his father. And he judged Israel twenty years. his brethren John 19:39-42 And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight… between Zorah Judges 13:2,25 And there was a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren, and bare not… Joshua 19:41 And the coast of their inheritance was Zorah, and Eshtaol, and Irshemesh, and he judged Judges 15:20 And he judged Israel in the days of the Philistines twenty years. Jump to Previous Burial Buried Buryingplace Burying-Place Eshtaol House Household Israel Judged Manoah Site Twenty ZorahJump to Next Burial Buried Buryingplace Burying-Place Eshtaol House Household Israel Judged Manoah Site Twenty ZorahJudges 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 Samson’s brothers and his father’s family came down This phrase highlights the familial responsibility and respect for the dead in ancient Israelite culture. Despite Samson's tumultuous life, his family honors him by retrieving his body. This act of coming down suggests they traveled from a higher elevation, likely from the hill country of Judah, reflecting the geographical setting of the region. carried him back and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the tomb of his father Manoah And he had judged Israel twenty years. Persons / Places / Events 1. SamsonA judge of Israel known for his supernatural strength, which was a gift from God contingent upon his Nazirite vow. His life was marked by personal failings and a final act of redemption. 2. Samson's Brothers and Family They are mentioned as those who retrieved Samson's body for burial, indicating a familial duty and respect despite his tumultuous life. 3. Zorah and Eshtaol These are the locations between which Samson was buried. They are significant as they are part of the territory of the tribe of Dan, to which Samson belonged. 4. Manoah Samson's father, whose tomb becomes Samson's final resting place. Manoah's role in Samson's life is significant as he and his wife were visited by an angel announcing Samson's birth. 5. The Philistines Although not directly mentioned in this verse, they are the oppressors of Israel during Samson's time and the ones whom Samson fought against throughout his life. Teaching Points The Importance of FamilySamson's family honored him in death despite his flaws, reminding us of the importance of familial bonds and forgiveness. Legacy and Redemption Samson's life teaches that despite personal failures, one can still fulfill God's purpose. His final act was one of redemption, showing that it's never too late to return to God. The Role of Judges Samson judged Israel for twenty years, highlighting the cyclical nature of Israel's history where God raises leaders to deliver His people. God's Sovereignty Despite Samson's weaknesses, God used him to achieve His purposes, demonstrating that God's plans are not thwarted by human failings. The Consequences of Sin Samson's life is a cautionary tale about the consequences of straying from God's commands, particularly regarding his Nazirite vow. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Judges 16:31?2. How does Judges 16:31 illustrate the importance of honoring family commitments today? 3. What lessons can we learn from Samson's burial about respecting God's servants? 4. How does Samson's story connect to the theme of redemption in Scripture? 5. In what ways can we apply Samson's legacy to our spiritual journey? 6. How does Judges 16:31 encourage us to reflect on our life's impact? 7. How does Judges 16:31 reflect on the concept of divine justice and retribution? 8. What historical evidence supports the events described in Judges 16:31? 9. How does Samson's burial in Judges 16:31 influence our understanding of biblical heroism? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Judges 16? 11. What role did the Tribe of Dan play biblically? 12. In Judges 13:17-18, why does the angel refuse to give his name, raising questions about authenticity and origin? 13. In Judges 13:2-3, how could a barren woman conceive after one angelic encounter without any natural explanation? 14. How did Samson's strength lead to his downfall? What Does Judges 16:31 Mean Then Samson’s brothers and his father’s family came downSamson died alone among Philistines, yet his relatives did not abandon him. • The family’s courage mirrors the men of Jabesh-gilead who rescued Saul’s body (1 Samuel 31:12-13). • By retrieving Samson, they honored the command not to leave a body exposed overnight (Deuteronomy 21:23). • Their action confirms the Lord’s promise that Samson would “begin to deliver Israel” (Judges 13:5); even in death, his people claim him as their own. carried him back This short phrase reveals loving labor. • Like Joseph’s bones carried from Egypt (Genesis 50:25; Exodus 13:19), Samson’s remains are brought home, affirming faith in God’s covenant with the land. • The journey likely passed hostile territory, yet the family trusted God’s protection—echoing Psalm 23:4, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.” • Their determination illustrates Galatians 6:10, “as we have opportunity, let us do good…especially to those who belong to the family of faith.” and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol • Zorah and Eshtaol bookend Samson’s life: the Spirit first stirred him there (Judges 13:25), and now he rests there. • The site lies in Danite territory, reclaiming a region oppressed by Philistines (Judges 13:1). • Burial in home soil recalls God’s promise of inheritance (Joshua 21:24), pointing Israel to hope even after failure. in the tomb of his father Manoah • Family tombs signified covenant continuity (Genesis 49:29-32). • Being laid with his father confirms reconciliation despite Samson’s earlier disregard for parental counsel (Judges 14:3). • It anticipates resurrection hope: “All who are in the graves will hear His voice and come out” (John 5:28-29, cf. 1 Thessalonians 4:16). And he had judged Israel twenty years • Judges 15:20 already stated this; repetition underscores that Samson’s flawed life was still a God-appointed ministry (Hebrews 11:32). • Twenty years equals the tenure of others like Tola and Jair (Judges 10:1-3), showing God’s consistent provision. • His judgeship ends in deliverance through sacrifice, foreshadowing the ultimate Deliverer who conquers enemies by His death (Colossians 2:15). summary Samson’s story closes with family courage, covenant faithfulness, and honored burial. His relatives risked danger to claim him, carried him home, laid him among his people, and remembered his two decades of God-given leadership. Even in failure, God’s purposes prevailed, pointing Israel—and us—to the greater Deliverer who secures our eternal home. (31) His brethren and all the house of his father.--Probably Manoah and his wife were dead. The religious terror caused by the catastrophe may well have prevented the people of Gaza from offering any opposition to the removal of his body."Samson hath quit himself Like Samson, and heroically has finished A life heroic."--Milton. Verse 31. - His brethren, etc. Some infer from this that Samson's mother bare other children after the birth of Samson. But the Hebrew use of the word brethren is so wide, applied to cousins, or members of the same house of fathers, or of the same tribe, that it is by no means a certain inference. Here his brethren might mean the Danites generally, and all the house of his father those who were more nearly related, as belonging to the house of his father. His father was probably dead, and indeed the mention of his father's burying-place, or rather sepulchre, makes it certain that he was, so that Milton was in error in making him alive. Zorah and Eshtaol. See above, Judges 13:2, 25, note. And he judged Israel. See Judges 15:20. The parallel between Samson and Hercules is in many respects very remarkable, and has been drawn out by Serdrius and others. The supernatural strength of each, the slavery to women ("Quem non mille for, quem non Sthenellius hostis, Non potuit Mayors vincere, vicit amor." Ovid), the tearing asunder of the lion, the violent death of each, partly voluntary and partly forced, are all points of strong general resemblance. But one of the most remarkable is the connection of Hercules with two pillars. The "pillars of Hercules" on each side the straits of Gibraltar, Mount Abila and Mount Calpe, were said to have been rent asunder by the strength of Hercules' arms. And Herodotus relates that in the temple of Hercules at Tyre were two remarkable pillars, one of refined gold, the other of smaragdus, some green stone like an emerald (2:44). But the account given of a visit of Hercules to Egypt is still more remarkable, as compared with the history of the binding of Samson and the slaughter of the Philistines, as related in ch. 15. The following are the words of Herodotus: - "The Greeks say that when Hercules went down to Egypt, the Egyptians surrounded him, and led him in a procession to sacrifice him to Jupiter; that he kept quite still for a time, but that when they were commencing the sacrifice at the altar" (the first act of which was cutting off the hair) "he turned in self-defence, and by his prowess slew them all." On which Herodo. tus remarks, "How was it possible for him, being but one, and being only a man, to slay many myriads?" The prevalence of the worship of Hercules among the Phoenicians, as, e.g., at Tyre and Thasos, a Phoenician colony, and the close connection of Egypt with Gaza, where the prowess of Samson was so well known, are points not to be omitted in considering the probability of some of the legends of Hercules being drawn from the history of Samson. So also is the title of the Phoenician Hercules, the saviour or deliverer, as compared with Judges 2:16, 18; Judges 13:5.
Hebrew Then [Samson's] brothersאֶחָ֜יו (’e·ḥāw) Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 251: A brother, ) and his father’s אָבִיהוּ֮ (’ā·ḇî·hū) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 1: Father family בֵּ֣ית (bêṯ) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 1004: A house came down, וַיֵּרְד֨וּ (way·yê·rə·ḏū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 3381: To come or go down, descend carried him back, וַֽיַּעֲל֣וּ ׀ (way·ya·‘ă·lū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively and buried וַיִּקְבְּר֣וּ (way·yiq·bə·rū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 6912: To inter him between בֵּ֤ין (bên) Preposition Strong's 996: An interval, space between Zorah צָרְעָה֙ (ṣā·rə·‘āh) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 6881: Zorah -- a city exchanged by Judah and Dan and Eshtaol אֶשְׁתָּאֹ֔ל (’eš·tā·’ōl) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 847: Eshtaol -- to found, establish in the tomb בְּקֶ֖בֶר (bə·qe·ḇer) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 6913: A grave, sepulcher of his father אָבִ֑יו (’ā·ḇîw) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 1: Father Manoah. מָנ֣וֹחַ (mā·nō·w·aḥ) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 4495: Manoah -- father of Samson And he וְה֛וּא (wə·hū) Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person masculine singular Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are had judged שָׁפַ֥ט (šā·p̄aṭ) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 8199: To judge, pronounce sentence, to vindicate, punish, to govern, to litigate Israel יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל (yiś·rā·’êl) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc twenty עֶשְׂרִ֥ים (‘eś·rîm) Number - common plural Strong's 6242: Twenty, twentieth years. שָׁנָֽה׃ (šā·nāh) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 8141: A year Links Judges 16:31 NIVJudges 16:31 NLT Judges 16:31 ESV Judges 16:31 NASB Judges 16:31 KJV Judges 16:31 BibleApps.com Judges 16:31 Biblia Paralela Judges 16:31 Chinese Bible Judges 16:31 French Bible Judges 16:31 Catholic Bible OT History: Judges 16:31 Then his brothers and all the house (Jd Judg. Jdg) |
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