Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Judges 16:21
(21) Put out his eyes.—the margin, “bored out,” is more correct. The Arabic version has the curious gloss that they burnt out his eyes with the red-hot style with which stibium (see Job 42:14) is applied to the eyes. To blind a man was the most effectual humiliation (2 Kings 25:7). The story of Evenius, a priest of the sun-god, who is blinded by the people of Apollonia, who thereby incur the anger of the gods, seems to move in a similar circle of ideas to this.Fetters of brass.—Literally, two... read more
John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 16:5-31
History of the Judges (Judges 3:5 to Judges 16:31)On this, the main section of the book, see Intro. § 2 and List of Oppressions and Judges. The larger part of the book is concerned with six of the Judges, one of whom is not properly a Judge at all (Abimelech), and in the case of another (Samson) isolated forays are recorded, but no actual deliverance.7-11. Chushan-rishathaim and Othniel.7. The groves] RV ’the asheroth.’ The word (another plural) means the sacred poles set up near an altar,... read more