Definition: And Samson lay till midnight, and arose at midnight, and took the doors of the gate of the city, and the two posts, and went away with them, bar and all, and put [them] upon his shoulders, and carried them up to the top of an hill that [is] before Hebron.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Judges 16:3. It’s a really dramatic and somewhat unsettling part of the story of Samson. Here's what it means in simpler terms: Basically, Samson was left to wander around the city for hours, seemingly aimlessly. Here’s a breakdown of each part: “And Samson lay till midnight…” – This tells us that Samson was resting and sleeping. “…and arose at midnight…” – He woke up and started moving. “…and took the doors of the gate of the city, and the two posts, and went away with them…” – He moved around, taking key pieces of the city’s defenses – doors, posts, and everything that protected it. “bar and all, and put [them] upon his shoulders…” – This is where it gets a bit weird. “Bar” means a heavy, protective barrier. He carried these things on his shoulders . It's like he was trying to carry the city’s defenses. “…and carried them up to the top of an hill that [is] before Hebron.” – This is the most significant part. “Hebron” refers to the ancient city of Rehym, located in modern-day Israel. So, he was carrying these things to the highest point of a hill near Rehym . What's the Big Idea? This passage suggests that Samson was deliberately trying to overthrow or dismantle the city’s defenses and control. It’s a symbolic act, possibly reflecting a deeper theme of rebellion or chaos. It shows his determination and perhaps, a little bit of madness. Important Note: This is a very symbolic story. The details aren't meant to be taken literally. It’s an illustration of Samson’s restless spirit and his desire for power. --- Do you want me to explain any of these parts in more detail? Or would you like me to focus on a specific aspect of the story, such as its symbolism or context? For example, are you interested in: The meaning of "bar"? Why this story is important in biblical history?

Definition: And Samson said, Let me die with the Philistines. And he bowed himself with [all his] might; and the house fell upon the lords, and upon all the people that [were] therein. So the dead which he slew at his death were more than [they] which he slew in his life.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Judges 16:30 together. It’s a really strange and dramatic story about Samson! Here's an explanation in simpler terms: The Basic Story: Samson was incredibly strong. He was known for his incredible power – almost god-like strength. He made a deal with the Philistines. In this verse, Samson is offering to surrender himself to them. He’s essentially saying, “I'll give up my power and join your people.” The Philistines were impressed. They saw his strength and offered him a place in their army. But Samson refused. He was stubborn and defiant. He said he wanted to die with them. What Happened Next? The house fell down: The Philists, seeing Samson’s defiance, decided to take him prisoner. They built a huge, fortified structure – a “house” – for him. The people were terrified: The Philistines were so impressed with Samson's strength that they made it into a massive, impressive fortress. He slew many people: As Samson was imprisoned, he killed many people, including the leaders of the Philistine army. What Does This Verse Mean? This is a really complex and symbolic passage. Here's what it’s suggesting: Samson's Pride: The verse highlights Samson's arrogance and pride. He was so focused on his own power that he refused to accept a surrender, even when it was offered to him. The Significance of Death: The phrase “more than they which he slew in his life” is key. It means that the dead who were with him during his life were significantly more powerful than those he killed. It suggests a level of power and authority he hadn’t yet realized. Overall Interpretation: It's a story about a man who was too proud to yield, leading to a devastating outcome. It emphasizes the importance of humility and recognizing limitations – even someone incredibly strong can be humbled by fate. Important Note: The Bible often uses symbolic language. This passage is interpreted as a warning against pride and stubbornness. It's about the dangers of refusing to surrender your strength and accepting a situation that isn’t fair. --- Do you want me to delve deeper into any specific aspect of this verse? For example, we could talk more about: The symbolism of the "house" The meaning of “more than they which he slew in his life”

Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Judges 16:31. It’s a pretty fascinating story about a man named Manoah! Here's what it means in simpler terms: Basically, Manoah was a kind and trusting man who accidentally caused a terrible problem for God. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “Then his brethren and all the house of his father came down…” – This tells us that a group of Manoah’s family members were coming to find him. “…and took [him] up…” – They rescued him from danger! “…and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the buryingplace of Manoah his father.” - This is the key part. They buried him right where his father’s grave was . Zorah and Eshtaol are two specific places near his father's tomb. “And he judged Israel twenty years.” – This means after the incident, Manoah became a leader who oversaw the Israelites for a long time. So, what’s the big takeaway? It shows that even someone with good intentions can cause problems for God. It's a reminder that we all need to be careful and trust in God’s plan, even when things seem difficult. In short, it’s a story about a man who made a mistake and was ultimately held accountable by his family. --- Do you want me to: Explain why this story is significant? Give you some context about the time period when this happened? Or perhaps explore another Bible verse that’s similar in theme?