Movatterモバイル変換

◄ Judges 15:20►

New International Version
Samson led Israel for twenty years in the days of the Philistines.

New Living Translation
Samson judged Israel for twenty years during the period when the Philistines dominated the land.

English Standard Version
And he judged Israel in the days of the Philistines twenty years.

Berean Standard Bible
And Samson judged Israel for twenty years in the days of the Philistines.

King James Bible
And he judged Israel in the days of the Philistines twenty years.

New King James Version
And he judged Israel twenty years in the days of the Philistines.

New American Standard Bible
So he judged Israel for twenty years in the days of the Philistines.

NASB 1995
So he judged Israel twenty years in the days of the Philistines.

NASB 1977
So he judged Israel twenty years in the days of the Philistines.

Legacy Standard Bible
And he judged Israel twenty years in the days of the Philistines.

Amplified Bible
And Samson judged Israel in the days of [occupation by] the Philistines for twenty years.

Christian Standard Bible
And he judged Israel twenty years in the days of the Philistines.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
And he judged Israel 20 years in the days of the Philistines.

American Standard Version
And he judged Israel in the days of the Philistines twenty years.

Contemporary English Version
Samson was a leader of Israel for 20 years, but the Philistines were still the rulers of Israel.

English Revised Version
And he judged Israel in the days of the Philistines twenty years.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Samson judged Israel for 20 years during the time of the Philistines.

Good News Translation
Samson led Israel for twenty years while the Philistines ruled the land.

International Standard Version
Samson governed Israel for twenty years during the Philistine domination.

NET Bible
Samson led Israel for twenty years during the days of Philistine prominence.

New Heart English Bible
He judged Israel in the days of the Philistines twenty years.

Webster's Bible Translation
And he judged Israel, in the days of the Philistines, twenty years.

Majority Text Translations

Majority Standard Bible
And Samson judged Israel for twenty years in the days of the Philistines.

World English Bible
He judged Israel twenty years in the days of the Philistines.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And he judges Israel in the days of the Philistines [for] twenty years.

Young's Literal Translation
And he judgeth Israel in the days of the Philistines twenty years.

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will judge Israel in the days of Philisteim twenty years.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And he judged Israel in the days of the Philistines twenty years.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he judged Israel, in the days of the Philistines, for twenty years.

New American Bible
Samson judged Israel for twenty years in the days of the Philistines.

New Revised Standard Version
And he judged Israel in the days of the Philistines twenty years.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And he judged Israel twenty years in the days of the Philistines.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he judged Israel in the days of the Philistines twenty years

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And he judged Israel in the days of the Philistines twenty years.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he judged Israel in the days of the Philistines twenty years.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Samson's Revenge
…19So God opened up the hollow place in Lehi, and water came out of it. When Samson drank, his strength returned, and he was revived. That is why he named it En-hakkore, and it remains in Lehi to this day.20And Samson judged Israel for twenty years in the days of the Philistines.

Berean Standard Bible ·Download

Cross References

Judges 16:31
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.

Judges 2:16-18
Then the LORD raised up judges, who saved them from the hands of those who plundered them. / Israel, however, did not listen to their judges. Instead, they prostituted themselves with other gods and bowed down to them. They quickly turned from the way of their fathers, who had walked in obedience to the LORD’s commandments; they did not do as their fathers had done. / Whenever the LORD raised up a judge for the Israelites, He was with that judge and saved them from the hands of their enemies while the judge was still alive; for the LORD was moved to pity by their groaning under those who oppressed them and afflicted them.

1 Samuel 7:15-17
So Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life. / Every year he would go on a circuit from Bethel to Gilgal to Mizpah, judging Israel in all these places. / Then he would return to Ramah because his home was there, and there he judged Israel and built an altar to the LORD.

Judges 3:9-11
But when the Israelites cried out to the LORD, He raised up Othniel son of Caleb’s younger brother Kenaz as a deliverer to save them. / The Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he became Israel’s judge and went out to war. And the LORD delivered Cushan-rishathaim king of Aram into the hand of Othniel, who prevailed against him. / So the land had rest for forty years, until Othniel son of Kenaz died.

Judges 3:15-30
And again they cried out to the LORD, and He raised up Ehud son of Gera, a left-handed Benjamite, as their deliverer. So they sent him with tribute to Eglon king of Moab. / Now Ehud had made for himself a double-edged sword a cubit long. He strapped it to his right thigh under his cloak / and brought the tribute to Eglon king of Moab, who was an obese man. ...

Judges 4:4-5
Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel at that time. / And she would sit under the Palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, where the Israelites would go up to her for judgment.

Judges 6:11-14
Then the angel of the LORD came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to hide it from the Midianites. / And the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon and said, “The LORD is with you, O mighty man of valor.” / “Please, my Lord,” Gideon replied, “if the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us? And where are all His wonders of which our fathers told us, saying, ‘Has not the LORD brought us up out of Egypt?’ But now the LORD has forsaken us and delivered us into the hand of Midian.” ...

Judges 11:29-33
Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jephthah, and he passed through Gilead and Manasseh, then through Mizpah of Gilead. And from there he advanced against the Ammonites. / Jephthah made this vow to the LORD: “If indeed You will deliver the Ammonites into my hand, / then whatever comes out the door of my house to greet me on my triumphant return from the Ammonites will belong to the LORD, and I will offer it up as a burnt offering.” ...

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.

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 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.

1 Samuel 12:9-11
But they forgot the LORD their God, and He sold them into the hand of Sisera the commander of the army of Hazor, and into the hands of the Philistines and the king of Moab, who fought against them. / Then they cried out to the LORD and said, ‘We have sinned, for we have forsaken the LORD and served the Baals and Ashtoreths. Now deliver us from the hands of our enemies, that we may serve You.’ / 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 Samuel 3:20
So all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel was confirmed as a prophet of the LORD.

1 Samuel 8:1-3
When Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons as judges over Israel. / The name of his firstborn son was Joel, and the name of his second was Abijah. They were judges in Beersheba. / But his sons did not walk in his ways; they turned aside toward dishonest gain, accepting bribes and perverting justice.

1 Samuel 10:1
Then Samuel took a flask of oil, poured it on Saul’s head, kissed him, and said, “Has not the LORD anointed you ruler over His inheritance?

Treasury of Scripture

And he judged Israel in the days of the Philistines twenty years.

Judges 13:1,5
And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD; and the LORD delivered them into the hand of the Philistines forty years…

Judges 16:31
Then his brethren and all the house of his father came down, and took him, and broughthim up, and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the buryingplace of Manoah his father. And he judged Israel twenty years.

Jump to Previous

Israel Judge Judged Judgeth Led Philistines Samson Twenty

Jump to Next

Israel Judge Judged Judgeth Led Philistines Samson Twenty

Judges 15

1.Samson is denied his wife
3.He burns the Philistines' corn with foxes and firebrands
6.His wife and her father are burnt by the Philistines
8.Samson smites them hip and thigh
9.He is bound by the men of Judah, and delivered to the Philistines
14.He kills them with a jawbone
18.God makes the fountain En-hakkore for him in Lehi

Study Bible

Book ◦ Chapter

And Samson judged Israel
Samson's role as a judge was unique compared to other judges in the Book of Judges. Unlike others who led military campaigns, Samson's leadership was more personal and individualistic. His judgeship was marked by his extraordinary physical strength, which was a gift from God, and his Nazirite vow, which set him apart for divine purposes. The role of a judge in Israel was not only to lead in battle but also to provide guidance and deliverance from oppression. Samson's life, however, was a mix of personal failings and divine empowerment, reflecting the complex relationship between God and His chosen leaders.

for twenty years
The twenty-year period of Samson's judgeship is significant as it represents a substantial time of leadership during the era of the judges, which was characterized by cycles of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance. This period suggests that despite his personal flaws, Samson was able to provide a measure of stability and resistance against the Philistines. The number twenty in biblical terms can symbolize a period of waiting or completeness, indicating that Samson's judgeship fulfilled a specific purpose in God's plan for Israel.

in the days of the Philistines.
The Philistines were a dominant force in the region during this time, often oppressing the Israelites. They were a seafaring people who settled along the coastal regions of Canaan and were known for their advanced iron technology, which gave them a military advantage. The phrase "in the days of the Philistines" highlights the context of oppression under which Samson operated. This period was marked by frequent conflicts between the Israelites and the Philistines, setting the stage for Samson's acts of defiance against them. The Philistine oppression is a recurring theme in the narrative of Judges, illustrating the consequences of Israel's disobedience to God and their need for deliverance.

Persons / Places / Events

1.Samson
A judge of Israel known for his extraordinary strength, which was a gift from God. His life was marked by personal struggles and conflicts with the Philistines.

2.Israel
The nation chosen by God, often in conflict with surrounding nations, including the Philistines during Samson's time.

3.Philistines
A significant enemy of Israel during the period of the Judges. They oppressed Israel, and Samson's role as a judge involved delivering Israel from their domination.

4.Judges
Leaders raised by God to deliver Israel from oppression and lead them in times of crisis. Samson was one of these judges.

5.Twenty Years
The period during which Samson served as a judge over Israel, indicating a significant duration of leadership and influence.

Teaching Points

God's Sovereignty in Leadership
Despite Samson's personal flaws, God used him to fulfill His purposes for Israel. This reminds us that God can work through imperfect people to achieve His plans.

The Importance of Faithfulness
Samson's life illustrates the consequences of personal failings and the importance of remaining faithful to God's calling.

The Role of Judges as Deliverers
Judges like Samson were raised to deliver Israel from oppression, pointing to the ultimate deliverance found in Christ.

The Impact of Leadership
Samson's twenty-year judgeship had a lasting impact on Israel. Our leadership and influence can have long-term effects on those around us.

God's Grace and Redemption
Despite his failures, Samson is remembered for his faith. This highlights God's grace and the possibility of redemption for all who turn to Him.

Bible Study Questions and Answers

1.What is the meaning of Judges 15:20?

2.How did Samson's leadership as judge impact Israel for "twenty years"?

3.What lessons can we learn from Samson's time as judge in Judges 15:20?

4.How does Samson's judgeship compare to other judges in the Book of Judges?

5.How can we apply Samson's perseverance to challenges in our own lives?

6.What does Samson's story teach about God's faithfulness despite human weakness?

7.How did Samson judge Israel for twenty years in the days of the Philistines?

8.What does Judges 15:20 reveal about God's use of flawed individuals for leadership?

9.How does Samson's leadership reflect God's sovereignty in Judges 15:20?

10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Judges 15?

11.What is the meaning of Samson and Delilah's story?

12.How do these supernatural elements in Judges 15 align or conflict with other biblical passages or historical sources describing similar events?

13.Judges 20:15 - How could only 26,000 men from Benjamin withstand the combined forces of Israel for so long, given the massive numerical imbalance?

14.(2 Samuel 23:8) How could one warrior realistically kill eight hundred men at one time?

What Does Judges 15:20 Mean

And Samson judged Israel

“Samson judged Israel” (Judges 15:20).

• The verb “judged” marks Samson as one of the God-appointed deliverers who led and protected the nation (Judges 2:16; 13:5).

• His leadership, though marred by personal weakness, was divinely ordained;Hebrews 11:32 includes him among the heroes of faith, confirming God’s approval of his role.

• Like Samuel later (1 Samuel 7:15–17), Samson combined civic authority with spiritual calling, enforcing God’s justice and rallying Israel against oppression.

for twenty years

“for twenty years” (Judges 15:20).

• Scripture presents this number straightforwardly as the actual length of Samson’s judgeship (Judges 16:31 repeats it).

• Other judges are dated the same way—Tola twenty-three years, Jair twenty-two, Ibzan seven, Elon ten, Abdon eight (Judges 10:2–5; 12:8–14)—so the timeline fits the broader chronology.

• Twenty years signals a season of relative stability: Samson’s exploits, though personal in style, restrained Philistine tyranny long enough for Israel to experience two decades of relief (compareJudges 3:11; 5:31; 8:28, each noting “rest” after a judge’s service).

in the days of the Philistines

“in the days of the Philistines” (Judges 15:20).

• Israel had been “delivered into the hand of the Philistines for forty years” (Judges 13:1), and Samson’s tenure lands squarely in the middle of that oppression.

• His victories—burning Philistine crops, slaying a thousand with a donkey’s jawbone (Judges 15:4–15)—were flashes of God’s power that disrupted enemy dominance but did not end it.

• The phrase underscores God’s faithfulness: even while discipline ran its course, He raised leaders to curb the oppressor (compare1 Samuel 7:13; 13:1 for the ongoing Philistine menace).

summary

Judges 15:20 records a factual, three-part statement: Samson, God’s chosen judge, led Israel for a literal twenty years during a period of Philistine domination. The verse reminds us that, despite Israel’s failures and lingering foreign control, the Lord faithfully supplied leadership, sustained His people, and kept His redemptive plan on course.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(20)And he judged Israel.--Probably, as Jephthah had done, with the sort of vague prerogatives of a military hero. Why the verse is found here, as though to close the narrative (comp.Judges 12:7, &c.), and is again repeated inJudges 16:31, we cannot say. The next chapter belongs mainly to Samson's fall and humiliation. These twenty years probably fell within the contemporary judgeship of Eli.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 20. -And he judged Israel, etc. See ch. 16:81. It looks as if it had been the intention to close the history of Samson with these Words, but that ch. 16. was subsequently added, possibly from other sources. Compare the close of chs. 20. and 21. of the Gospel of St. John. A possible explanation, however, of this verse being placed here is that it results from the statement in ver. 19, that Samson's spirit came again, and he revived, or came to life again, after being on the very point of death; and, adds the writer, he judged Israel after this for twenty years.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

And [Samson] judged
וַיִּשְׁפֹּ֧ט(way·yiš·pōṭ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 8199:To judge, pronounce sentence, to vindicate, punish, to govern, to litigate

Israel
יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל(yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478:Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

for twenty
עֶשְׂרִ֥ים(‘eś·rîm)
Number - common plural
Strong's 6242:Twenty, twentieth

years
שָׁנָֽה׃(šā·nāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8141:A year

in the days
בִּימֵ֥י(bî·mê)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 3117:A day

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

Links

Judges 15:20 NIV
Judges 15:20 NLT
Judges 15:20 ESV
Judges 15:20 NASB
Judges 15:20 KJV

Judges 15:20 BibleApps.com
Judges 15:20 Biblia Paralela
Judges 15:20 Chinese Bible
Judges 15:20 French Bible
Judges 15:20 Catholic Bible

OT History: Judges 15:20 He judged Israel in the days (Jd Judg. Jdg)