Judges 14:8-9 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Judges 14:1-9

Here, I. Samson, under the extraordinary guidance of Providence, seeks an occasion of quarrelling with the Philistines, by joining in affinity with them?a strange method, but the truth is Samson was himself a riddle, a paradox of a man, did that which was really great and good, by that which was seemingly weak and evil, because he was designed not to be a pattern to us (who must walk by rule, not by example), but a type of him who, though he knew no sin, was made sin for us, and appeared in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 14:8

And after a time he returned to take her ,.... Matters being agreed on, and settled on both sides, and the espousals made, he and his parents returned, and, at the proper usual time for the consummation of the marriage, he went again to Timnath for that purpose. It is in the Hebrew text, "after days" F3 מימים "a diebus", Montanus; "post dies", Vatablus. , which sometimes signifies a year, see Genesis 4:3 and so Ben Gersom interprets it, that a year after this woman became Samson's... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 14:9

And he took thereof in his hands, and went on eating ,.... Josephus F11 Ut supra. (Antiqu. l. 5. c. 8. sect. 6.) says he took three honeycombs, he means three pieces of the honeycomb, and ate the honey as he went along to Timnath; which he might do without touching the carcass of the lion, and defiling himself thereby, which, as a Nazarite, he was more especially to be careful of: and came to his father and mother, and he gave them, and they did eat ; who went down with him to the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 14:8

After a time - Probably about one year; as this was the time that generally elapsed between espousing and wedding. A swarm of bees and honey in the carcass - By length of time the flesh had been entirely consumed off the bones, and a swarm of bees had formed their combs within the region of the thorax, nor was it an improper place; nor was the thing unfrequent, if we may credit ancient writers; the carcasses of slain beasts becoming a receptacle for wild bees. The... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 14:8

The formal dowry and gifts having been given by Samson’s father, an interval, varying according to the Oriental custom, from a few days to a full year, elapsed between the betrothal and the wedding, during which the bride lived with her friends. Then came the essential part of the marriage ceremony, namely, the removal of the bride from her father’s house to that of the bridegroom or his father.The carcase of the lion - The lion, slain by him a year or some months before, had now become a mere... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Judges 14:8-9

Judges 14:8-9. After a time Hebrew, after days; that is, either after some days, or rather, after a year, as that word often signifies; when the flesh of the lion (which, by its strong smell, is offensive to bees) was wholly consumed, and nothing was left but the bones. Bees Settling themselves there, as they have sometimes done in a man’s scull, or in a sepulchre. Came to his father and mother From whom he had turned aside for a season, Judges 14:8. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Judges 14:1-20

Samson’s exploits (14:1-16:31)So dominant were the Philistines in Israel, that the Israelites had decided to live with them peacefully rather than try to rise up in armed rebellion. Samson had other ideas. He thought that his marriage to a Philistine woman would give him the opportunity to do some harm to the enemy (14:1-4).In spite of Samson’s desire to help Israel, he had little respect for either his Nazirite vow or the Israelite law. He handled a dead lion, married a Philistine woman and... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Judges 14:8

Judges 14:8. And after a time— In the Hebrew, after days; i.e. (as this phrase frequently signifies, and as the circumstances seem to render probable,) after a year; See Exodus 13:10. For it was not usual to celebrate the nuptials between a man and an espoused virgin till twelve months after the espousals. See Selden Uxor. Heb. lib. 2: cap. 8 and so long time seems necessary for the reducing the carcase of the lion, to a state proper for the reception of bees; which, as Aristotle and other... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Judges 14:8

8. after a time he returned to take her—probably after the lapse of a year, the usual interval between the ceremonies of betrothal and marriage. It was spent by the bride elect with her parents in preparation for the nuptials; and at the proper time the bridegroom returned to take her home. he turned aside to see the carcass of the lion: and, behold, there was a swarm of bees and honey in the carcass of the lion—In such a climate, the myriads of insects and the ravages of birds of prey,... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Judges 14:9

5-9. a young lion—Hebrew, a lion in the pride of his youthful prime. The wild mountain passes of Judah were the lairs of savage beasts; and most or all the "lions" of Scripture occur in that wild country. His rending and killing the shaggy monster, without any weapon in his hand, were accomplished by that superhuman courage and strength which the occasional influences of the Spirit enabled him to put forth, and by the exertion of which, in such private incidental circumstances, he was gradually... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Judges 14:1-9

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 14:8

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 14:9

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 14:8

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 14:8

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Judges 14:8-9

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Judges 14:1-20

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Judges 14:8

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Judges 14:8

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Judges 14:9

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