What does Judges 16:2 mean?
"And it was told the Gazites, saying, Samson is come hither. And they compassed him in, and laid wait for him all night in the gate of the city, and were quiet all the night, saying, In the morning, when it is day, we shall kill him." - Judges 16:2
The verse Judges 16:2 in the King James Version of the Bible reads, "And it was told the Gazites, saying, Samson is come hither. And they compassed him in, and laid wait for him all night in the gate of the city, and were quiet all the night, saying, In the morning, when it is day, we shall kill him."
This verse is part of the larger narrative of the story of Samson, who was one of the judges of Israel during a time of great strife and conflict. The story of Samson is found in the book of Judges, and it details his many feats of physical strength and his ultimate downfall due to his relationship with Delilah.
In this particular verse, we see the city of Gaza, a Philistine stronghold, learning that Samson has come into their midst. The Gazites, who were the inhabitants of the city, immediately make plans to capture and kill Samson. They lay in wait for him all night at the gate of the city, intending to ambush him as soon as the morning comes.
The context of this verse lies in the larger story of Samson and his interactions with the Philistines. Throughout the narrative, we see Samson engaged in a series of conflicts and battles with the Philistines, who were a constant threat to the Israelites during this period. The Philistines were a formidable enemy, and Samson's strength and valor were seen as crucial in protecting the Israelites from their oppressors.
This verse illustrates the constant danger that Samson faced as an enemy of the Philistines. Despite his remarkable physical strength, he was not immune to the plots and schemes of his enemies. The very city that should have been a place of refuge for him becomes a trap, as the Gazites conspire to take his life.
Symbolically, this verse can be seen as a representation of the broader struggle between good and evil, as well as the inevitability of facing opposition and danger when standing up for what is right. Samson, in his role as a judge and leader of the Israelites, represents the forces of good and righteousness, while the Philistines, with their malicious intent, symbolize the forces of evil and oppression.
Furthermore, the verse also serves to highlight the vulnerability of even the most powerful individuals when they become complacent or underestimate the threat posed by their enemies. Despite his physical prowess, Samson is susceptible to the deceit and treachery of those who seek to harm him.
In a larger theological context, this verse can be seen as a reminder of the importance of remaining vigilant and steadfast in the face of adversity. It serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of becoming too self-assured or failing to recognize the potential threats that surround us.
In conclusion, Judges 16:2 is a significant verse within the larger narrative of Samson's story, illustrating the constant threat posed by the Philistines and the vulnerability of even the most powerful individuals. It carries thematic significance in its portrayal of the struggle between good and evil, the necessity of remaining vigilant in the face of danger, and the consequences of underestimating one's adversaries.
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Judges 16:2 - "And it was told the Gazites, saying, Samson is come hither. And they compassed him in, and laid wait for him all night in the gate of the city, and were quiet all the night, saying, In the morning, when it is day, we shall kill him."
"And it was told the Gazites, saying, Samson is come hither. And they compassed him in, and laid wait for him all night in the gate of the city, and were quiet all the night, saying, In the morning, when it is day, we shall kill him." - Judges 16:2
Judges 2:16 - "¶ Nevertheless the LORD raised up judges, which delivered them out of the hand of those that spoiled them."
"¶ Nevertheless the LORD raised up judges, which delivered them out of the hand of those that spoiled them." - Judges 2:16
Romans 2:16 - "In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel."
Colossians 2:16 - "Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:"
judges 16:30
Sampson's strength judges 16:30
Romans 2:16 in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.
Judges 16:16 - "And it came to pass, when she pressed him daily with her words, and urged him, so that his soul was vexed unto death;"
Judges 16:1 - "Then went Samson to Gaza, and saw there an harlot, and went in unto her."
Proverbs 8:16 - "By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth."
Judges 16:22 - "Howbeit the hair of his head began to grow again after he was shaven."
Ezekiel 16:38 - "And I will judge thee, as women that break wedlock and shed blood are judged; and I will give thee blood in fury and jealousy."
Judges 16:4 - "¶ And it came to pass afterward, that he loved a woman in the valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah."
John 16:11 - "Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged."
Judges 8:16 - "And he took the elders of the city, and thorns of the wilderness and briers, and with them he taught the men of Succoth."
Judges 6:16 - "And the LORD said unto him, Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man."
Judges 2:31
Judges 18:16 - "And the six hundred men appointed with their weapons of war, which were of the children of Dan, stood by the entering of the gate."
"In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel." - Romans 2:16
Deuteronomy 1:16 - "And I charged your judges at that time, saying, Hear the causes between your brethren, and judge righteously between every man and his brother, and the stranger that is with him."
Judges 16:30 – "Samson said, 'Let me die with the Philistines!' Then he pushed with all his might, and down came the temple."
Judges 5:16 - "Why abodest thou among the sheepfolds, to hear the bleatings of the flocks? For the divisions of Reuben there were great searchings of heart."
Judges 10:16 - "And they put away the strange gods from among them, and served the LORD: and his soul was grieved for the misery of Israel."
Judges 11:16 - "But when Israel came up from Egypt, and walked through the wilderness unto the Red sea, and came to Kadesh;"
Judges 15:16 - "And Samson said, With the jawbone of an ass, heaps upon heaps, with the jaw of an ass have I slain a thousand men."
"Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:" - Colossians 2:16
Genesis 49:16 - "¶ Dan shall judge his people, as one of the tribes of Israel."
Judges 21:16 - "Then the elders of the congregation said, How shall we do for wives for them that remain, seeing the women are destroyed out of Benjamin?"