Judges 14:17
And she wept before him the seven days, while their feast lasted: and it came to pass on the seventh day, that he told her, because she lay sore upon him: and she told the riddle to the children of her people.
Judges 14:17 · King James Version
Meaning
In this verse, we see the story of Samson and his first wife. The Philistines had tricked Samson into a riddle contest at their feast, and in order to solve the riddle, they threatened his wife. Over the course of seven days, she wept before Samson, urging him to reveal the answer to the riddle. On the seventh day, unable to bear her distress, Samson finally told her the answer, which she then shared with the Philistines. This story highlights the power of manipulation and deception, as well as the consequences of giving in to pressure. It also serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of loyalty and trust in relationships. Ultimately, this verse reminds us to be cautious of those who may seek to exploit our vulnerabilities for their own gain.
Theological Overview
In this verse from the book of Judges, we see the story of Samson's riddle during his wedding feast. The theological interpretation of this passage is centered around the themes of deception, betrayal, and the consequences of revealing secrets. Samson's wife, who was a Philistine, wept before him for seven days trying to pry the answer to his riddle from him. On the seventh day, unable to bear her sorrow any longer, she revealed the riddle to the men of her people. This act ultimately led to Samson losing the wager he had made, resulting in anger and frustration. This story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of mistrust, manipulation, and the consequences of not guarding one's words and secrets. Through word studies, we can delve deeper into the significance of the riddle itself, the emotions displayed by the characters, and the cultural implications of their actions.
Judges 14:17 in other translations
American Standard Version
And she wept before him the seven days, while their feast lasted: and it came to pass on the seventh day, that he told her, because she pressed him sore; and she told the riddle to the children of her people.
World English Bible
She wept before him the seven days, while their feast lasted: and on the seventh day, he told her, because she pressed him severely; and she told the riddle to the children of her people.
Douay-Rheims
So she wept before him the seven days of the feast: and, at length, on the seventh day, as she was troublesome to him, he expounded it. And she immediately told her countrymen.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Then Samsons wife wept before him seuen dayes, while their feast lasted: and when the seuenth day came he tolde her, because she was importunate vpon him: so she told the riddle to the children of her people.