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Judges 14:18

And the men of the city said unto him on the seventh day before the sun went down, What is sweeter than honey? and what is stronger than a lion? And he said unto them, If ye had not plowed with my heifer, ye had not found out my riddle.

Judges 14:18 · King James Version

Meaning

This verse from the book of Judges 14:18 contains a riddle posed by Samson to the men of the city of Timnath. In this riddle, Samson asks what is sweeter than honey and what is stronger than a lion. The answer to the riddle lies in a clever play on words where Samson reveals that the answer can be found in his personal experience. The phrase "If ye had not plowed with my heifer, ye had not found out my riddle" suggests that Samson's riddle revolves around his own life and actions. The use of the term "heifer" refers to his wife, who helped the men of the city solve the riddle. This verse serves as a reminder of the importance of paying attention to the details and looking beyond the surface to discover deeper meanings. It also highlights the power of clever wordplay and the importance of thinking outside the box when faced with challenges or puzzles.

Theological Overview

In this verse from the book of Judges, the city men engage in a sort of riddle with Samson, a biblical figure known for his strength. The men ask Samson about the sweetness of honey and the strength of a lion, to which he replies with a mysterious answer that references a heifer. The theological interpretation of this passage suggests that the riddle posed by Samson reflects on the deeper spiritual truths related to strength and wisdom. The mention of honey and lion may symbolize the temporary pleasures and power of the world, while the allusion to the heifer indicates the importance of spiritual discernment and obedience to God's will. As such, this passage encourages believers to seek wisdom and understanding beyond the superficial aspects of life, reminding them to rely on God's guidance and not on worldly temptations.

Judges 14:18 in other translations

American Standard Version

And the men of the city said unto him on the seventh day before the sun went down, What is sweeter than honey? and what is stronger than a lion? And he said unto them, If ye had not plowed with my heifer, Ye had not found out my riddle.

World English Bible

The men of the city said to him on the seventh day before the sun went down, “What is sweeter than honey? What is stronger than a lion?” He said to them, “If you hadn’t plowed with my heifer, you wouldn’t have found out my riddle.”

Douay-Rheims

And they, on the seventh day before the sun went down, said to him: What is sweeter than honey? and what is stronger than a lion? And he said to them: If you had not ploughed with my heifer, you had not found out my riddle.

Geneva Bible (1599)

And the men of ye citie sayde vnto him the seuenth day before the Sunne went downe, What is sweeter then honie? and what is stronger then a lyon? Then sayd hee vnto them, If yee had not plowed with my heiffer, yee had not found out my riddle.