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”