The Thirty Companions are a group mentioned in the Book of Judges, specifically in the narrative concerning Samson, one of the judges of Israel. This group plays a significant role in the events surrounding Samson's wedding feast and the subsequent riddle he poses to them.

Biblical Account

The account of the Thirty Companions is found in Judges 14. Samson, having seen a Philistine woman in Timnah whom he desires to marry, goes down to the city with his parents to arrange the marriage. During the wedding feast, which was customary to last seven days, Samson is provided with thirty companions by the Philistines. These companions are likely intended to be both guests and attendants, ensuring that the celebration proceeds according to local customs.

In Judges 14:10-11 , it is written: "Then Samson’s father went down to the woman, and Samson prepared a feast there, as was customary for the bridegroom. And when the people saw him, they brought thirty companions to be with him."

The Riddle

During the feast, Samson poses a riddle to the Thirty Companions, wagering thirty linen garments and thirty sets of clothes. The riddle, found in Judges 14:14 , is: "Out of the eater came something to eat, and out of the strong came something sweet." This riddle is based on Samson's earlier encounter with a lion, which he had killed, and later found bees and honey in its carcass.

The companions, unable to solve the riddle, coerce Samson's new wife into extracting the answer from him. Under duress, she persuades Samson to reveal the solution, which she then shares with the companions. Consequently, they answer the riddle correctly on the seventh day of the feast.

Samson's Response

In response to their deceit, Samson is filled with the Spirit of the Lord and goes down to Ashkelon, where he kills thirty men, takes their belongings, and gives their clothes to the companions as payment for the wager. Judges 14:19 states: "Then the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon him, and he went down to Ashkelon, struck down thirty of their men, took their belongings, and gave their clothes to those who had explained the riddle."

Significance

The episode of the Thirty Companions highlights several themes prevalent in the narrative of Samson. It underscores the tension between the Israelites and the Philistines, as well as the personal conflicts that arise from Samson's interactions with the Philistines. The companions' role in the account serves to illustrate the cultural and social dynamics of the time, as well as the personal vendettas that characterize much of Samson's life.

Moreover, the incident foreshadows the larger conflict between Samson and the Philistines, setting the stage for subsequent acts of vengeance and divine intervention. The account of the Thirty Companions is a testament to the complexity of Samson's character, his impulsive nature, and the divine empowerment that enables him to act as a judge and deliverer of Israel, despite his personal flaws and entanglements.