Judges 14:3
New International Version
His father and mother replied, “Isn’t there an acceptable woman among your relatives or among all our people? Must you go to the uncircumcised Philistines to get a wife?” But Samson said to his father, “Get her for me. She’s the right one for me.”

New Living Translation
His father and mother objected. “Isn’t there even one woman in our tribe or among all the Israelites you could marry?” they asked. “Why must you go to the pagan Philistines to find a wife?” But Samson told his father, “Get her for me! She looks good to me.”

English Standard Version
But his father and mother said to him, “Is there not a woman among the daughters of your relatives, or among all our people, that you must go to take a wife from the uncircumcised Philistines?” But Samson said to his father, “Get her for me, for she is right in my eyes.”

Berean Standard Bible
But his father and mother replied, “Can’t you find a young woman among your relatives or among any of our people? Must you go to the uncircumcised Philistines to get a wife?” But Samson told his father, “Get her for me, for she is pleasing to my eyes.”

King James Bible
Then his father and his mother said unto him, Is there never a woman among the daughters of thy brethren, or among all my people, that thou goest to take a wife of the uncircumcised Philistines? And Samson said unto his father, Get her for me; for she pleaseth me well.

New King James Version
Then his father and mother said to him, “Is there no woman among the daughters of your brethren, or among all my people, that you must go and get a wife from the uncircumcised Philistines?” And Samson said to his father, “Get her for me, for she pleases me well.”

New American Standard Bible
But his father and his mother said to him, “Is there no woman among the daughters of your relatives, or among all our people, that you go to take a wife from the uncircumcised Philistines?” Yet Samson said to his father, “Get her for me, because she is right for me.”

NASB 1995
Then his father and his mother said to him, “Is there no woman among the daughters of your relatives, or among all our people, that you go to take a wife from the uncircumcised Philistines?” But Samson said to his father, “Get her for me, for she looks good to me.”

NASB 1977
Then his father and his mother said to him, “Is there no woman among the daughters of your relatives, or among all our people, that you go to take a wife from the uncircumcised Philistines?” But Samson said to his father, “Get her for me, for she looks good to me.”

Legacy Standard Bible
But his father and his mother said to him, “Is there no woman among the daughters of your relatives, or among all our people, that you go to take a wife from the uncircumcised Philistines?” But Samson said to his father, “Take her for me, for she is right in my eyes.”

Amplified Bible
But his father and mother said to him, “Is there no woman among the daughters of your relatives, or among all our people, that you must go to take a wife from the uncircumcised (pagan) Philistines?” And Samson said to his father, “Get her for me, because she looks pleasing to me.”

Christian Standard Bible
But his father and mother said to him, “Can’t you find a young woman among your relatives or among any of our people? Must you go to the uncircumcised Philistines for a wife? ” But Samson told his father, “Get her for me. She’s the right one for me.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But his father and mother said to him, “Can’t you find a young woman among your relatives or among any of our people? Must you go to the uncircumcised Philistines for a wife?” But Samson told his father, “Get her for me, because I want her.”

American Standard Version
Then his father and his mother said unto him, Is there never a woman among the daughters of thy brethren, or among all my people, that thou goest to take a wife of the uncircumcised Philistines? And Samson said unto his father, Get her for me; for she pleaseth me well.

Contemporary English Version
His parents answered, "There are a lot of women in our clan and even more in the rest of Israel. Those Philistines are pagans. Why would you want to marry one of their women?" "She looks good to me," Samson answered. "Get her for me!"

English Revised Version
Then his father and his mother said unto him, Is there never a woman among the daughters of thy brethren, or among all my people, that thou goest to take a wife of the uncircumcised Philistines? And Samson said unto his father, Get her for me; for she pleaseth me well.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
His father and mother asked him, "Aren't there any women among our relatives or all our people? Do you have to marry a woman from those godless Philistines?" But Samson told his father, "Get her for me! She's the one I want!"

Good News Translation
But his father and mother asked him, "Why do you have to go to those heathen Philistines to get a wife? Can't you find someone in our own clan, among all our people?" But Samson told his father, "She is the one I want you to get for me. I like her."

International Standard Version
His father and mother asked him, "Isn't there a woman suitable among the daughters of your relatives or among all of our people, since you're going to get your wife from the uncircumcised Philistines?" But Samson retorted to his father, "Get her for me, since she looks fine to me."

Majority Standard Bible
But his father and mother replied, ?Can?t you find a young woman among your relatives or among any of our people? Must you go to the uncircumcised Philistines to get a wife?? But Samson told his father, ?Get her for me, for she is pleasing to my eyes.?

NET Bible
But his father and mother said to him, "Certainly you can find a wife among your relatives or among all our people! You should not have to go and get a wife from the uncircumcised Philistines." But Samson said to his father, "Get her for me, because she is the right one for me."

New Heart English Bible
Then his father and his mother said to him, "Is there not a woman among the daughters of your brothers, or among all my people, that you go to take a wife from the uncircumcised Philistines?" And Samson said to his father, "Get her for me, for she is right in my eyes."

Webster's Bible Translation
Then his father and his mother said to him, Is there not a woman among the daughters of thy brethren, or among all my people, that thou goest to take a wife of the uncircumcised Philistines? And Samson said to his father, Get her for me; for she pleaseth me well.

World English Bible
Then his father and his mother said to him, “Isn’t there a woman among your brothers’ daughters, or among all my people, that you go to take a wife of the uncircumcised Philistines?” Samson said to his father, “Get her for me, for she pleases me well.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And his father says to him—also his mother, “Is there no woman among the daughters of your brothers, and among all my people, that you are going to take a woman from the uncircumcised Philistines?” And Samson says to his father, “Take her for me, for she is right in my eyes.”

Young's Literal Translation
And his father saith to him -- also his mother, 'Is there not among the daughters of thy brethren, and among all my people, a woman, that thou art going to take a woman from the uncircumcised Philistines?' and Samson saith unto his father, 'Take her for me, for she is right in mine eyes.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And his father will say to him, and his mother, Is there not among the daughters of thy brethren, and among all my people, a woman, that thou goest to take a woman from uncircumcised Philisteim? And Samson will say to his father, Take her to me, for she is straight in mine eyes.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And his father and mother said to him: Is there no woman among the daughters of thy brethren, or among all my people, that thou wilt take a wife of the Philistines, who are uncircumcised? And Samson said to his father: Take this woman for me, for she hath pleased my eyes.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And his father and mother said to him, “Is there not a woman among the daughters of your brothers, or among all my people, so that you would be willing to take a wife from the Philistines, who are uncircumcised?” And Samson said to his father: “Take this woman to me. For she has pleased my eyes.”

New American Bible
His father and mother said to him, “Is there no woman among your kinsfolk or among all your people, that you must go and take a woman from the uncircumcised Philistines?” But Samson answered his father, “Get her for me, for she is the one I want.”

New Revised Standard Version
But his father and mother said to him, “Is there not a woman among your kin, or among all our people, that you must go to take a wife from the uncircumcised Philistines?” But Samson said to his father, “Get her for me, because she pleases me.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then his father and mother said to him, Is there not a woman here among the daughters of the kinsmen of your father, or among all your people, that you are going to take a wife of the uncircumcised Philistines? And Samson said to his father, Get her for me; for she pleased me well.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And his father and his mother said to him: “Is not here in the house of your father and among all your people a woman, that you go to take a wife from the daughters of the uncircumcised Philistines?” And Samson said to his father: “Take her for me, because she is pleasing in my eyes”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Then his father and his mother said unto him: 'Is there never a woman among the daughters of thy brethren, or among all my people, that thou goest to take a wife of the uncircumcised Philistines?' And Samson said unto his father: 'Get her for me; for she pleaseth me well.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And his father and his mother said to him, Are there no daughters of thy brethren, and is there not a woman of all my people, that thou goest to take a wife of the uncircumcised Philistines? And Sampson said to his father, Take her for me, for she is right in my eyes.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Samson's Marriage
2So he returned and told his father and mother, “I have seen a daughter of the Philistines in Timnah. Now get her for me as a wife.” 3But his father and mother replied, “Can’t you find a young woman among your relatives or among any of our people? Must you go to the uncircumcised Philistines to get a wife?” But Samson told his father, “Get her for me, for she is pleasing to my eyes.” 4(Now his father and mother did not know this was from the LORD, who was seeking an occasion to move against the Philistines; for at that time the Philistines were ruling over Israel.)…

Cross References
Deuteronomy 7:3-4
Do not intermarry with them. Do not give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons, / because they will turn your sons away from following Me to serve other gods. Then the anger of the LORD will burn against you, and He will swiftly destroy you.

2 Corinthians 6:14-17
Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? / What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? / What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.” ...

Genesis 24:3-4
and I will have you swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and the God of earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites among whom I am dwelling, / but will go to my country and my kindred to take a wife for my son Isaac.”

Nehemiah 13:25-27
I rebuked them and called down curses on them. I beat some of these men and pulled out their hair. Then I made them take an oath before God and said, “You must not give your daughters in marriage to their sons or take their daughters as wives for your sons or for yourselves! / Did not King Solomon of Israel sin in matters like this? There was not a king like him among many nations, and he was loved by his God, who made him king over all Israel—yet foreign women drew him into sin. / Must we now hear that you too are doing all this terrible evil and acting unfaithfully against our God by marrying foreign women?”

1 Kings 11:1-2
King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women along with the daughter of Pharaoh—women of Moab, Ammon, Edom, and Sidon, as well as Hittite women. / These women were from the nations about which the LORD had told the Israelites, “You must not intermarry with them, for surely they will turn your hearts after their gods.” Yet Solomon clung to these women in love.

Exodus 34:15-16
Do not make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, for when they prostitute themselves to their gods and sacrifice to them, they will invite you, and you will eat their sacrifices. / And when you take some of their daughters as brides for your sons, their daughters will prostitute themselves to their gods and cause your sons to do the same.

Joshua 23:12-13
For if you turn away and cling to the rest of these nations that remain among you, and if you intermarry and associate with them, / know for sure that the LORD your God will no longer drive out these nations before you. Instead, they will become for you a snare and a trap, a scourge in your sides and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from this good land that the LORD your God has given you.

1 Corinthians 7:39
A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, as long as he belongs to the Lord.

Ezra 9:12
Now, therefore, do not give your daughters in marriage to their sons or take their daughters for your sons. Never seek their peace or prosperity, so that you may be strong and may eat the good things of the land, leaving it as an inheritance to your sons forever.’

Genesis 26:34-35
When Esau was forty years old, he took as his wives Judith daughter of Beeri the Hittite and Basemath daughter of Elon the Hittite. / And they brought grief to Isaac and Rebekah.

1 Corinthians 15:33
Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good character.”

Malachi 2:11
Judah has broken faith; an abomination has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem. For Judah has profaned the LORD’s beloved sanctuary by marrying the daughter of a foreign god.

2 Corinthians 11:2-3
I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. For I promised you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ. / I am afraid, however, that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may be led astray from your simple and pure devotion to Christ.

Genesis 28:1-2
So Isaac called for Jacob and blessed him. “Do not take a wife from the Canaanite women,” he commanded. / “Go at once to Paddan-aram, to the house of your mother’s father Bethuel, and take a wife from among the daughters of Laban, your mother’s brother.

1 Peter 2:9-10
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. / Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.


Treasury of Scripture

Then his father and his mother said to him, Is there never a woman among the daughters of your brothers, or among all my people, that you go to take a wife of the uncircumcised Philistines? And Samson said to his father, Get her for me; for she pleases me well.

thy brethren

Genesis 13:8
And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren.

Genesis 21:3,4,27
And Abraham called the name of his son that was born unto him, whom Sarah bare to him, Isaac…

uncircumcised

Judges 15:18
And he was sore athirst, and called on the LORD, and said, Thou hast given this great deliverance into the hand of thy servant: and now shall I die for thirst, and fall into the hand of the uncircumcised?

Genesis 34:14
And they said unto them, We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one that is uncircumcised; for that were a reproach unto us:

Exodus 34:12-16
Take heed to thyself, lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land whither thou goest, lest it be for a snare in the midst of thee: …

she pleaseth me well.

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Daughters Mother Philistines Pleases Pleaseth Relatives Samson Uncircumcised Wife
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Daughters Mother Philistines Pleases Pleaseth Relatives Samson Uncircumcised Wife
Judges 14
1. Samson desires a wife of the Philistines.
6. In his journey he kills a lion
8. In a second journey he finds honey in the carcass
10. Samson's marriage feast
12. His riddle by his wife is made known
19. He strikes down thirty Philistines
20. His wife is married to another.














But his father and mother replied
In this opening phrase, we see the involvement of Samson's parents in his life decisions. The Hebrew word for "father" is "אָב" (av), and "mother" is "אֵם" (em). This highlights the family structure and the respect for parental authority in ancient Israelite culture. The parents' reply indicates their concern and guidance, which is a recurring theme in biblical narratives, emphasizing the importance of honoring one's parents as commanded in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:12).

Is there no woman among the daughters of your relatives
This phrase reflects the cultural and religious expectation for Israelites to marry within their own community. The Hebrew word for "daughters" is "בָּנוֹת" (banot), which signifies not just familial ties but also cultural and religious continuity. Marrying within one's tribe or people was seen as a way to preserve the covenant community and avoid the influence of foreign gods, as warned in Deuteronomy 7:3-4.

or among all our people
The phrase "all our people" underscores the collective identity of the Israelites. The Hebrew term "עַם" (am) for "people" conveys a sense of belonging and shared faith. This reflects the broader biblical narrative where Israel is called to be a distinct nation, set apart for God's purposes (Exodus 19:5-6). The parents' question implies a concern for maintaining this distinctiveness.

that you must go to the uncircumcised Philistines
The term "uncircumcised" is significant, as circumcision was the sign of the covenant between God and Abraham's descendants (Genesis 17:10-14). The Philistines, being uncircumcised, were outside this covenant community. This highlights the tension between Israel and the surrounding nations, where intermarriage could lead to idolatry and a departure from God's laws, as seen in the warnings throughout the Old Testament.

to get a wife?”
The act of "getting a wife" from the Philistines is not just a personal choice but a theological and communal issue. In the Hebrew context, marriage was not merely a private affair but a covenantal relationship with implications for the entire community. Samson's desire to marry a Philistine woman challenges the boundaries set by God for His people, reflecting the recurring theme of Israel's struggle with faithfulness to God's commands.

But Samson said to his father
Here, we see Samson's response, indicating his determination and perhaps a hint of defiance. The Hebrew name "שִׁמְשׁוֹן" (Shimshon) means "sun-like" or "little sun," suggesting strength and potential. However, his insistence on his own desires foreshadows the personal and national conflicts that arise from disregarding divine guidance.

Get her for me
Samson's demand is direct and assertive, showing his strong will. The Hebrew verb "קַח" (kach) means "to take" or "to get," indicating action and possession. This reflects a self-centered approach, contrasting with the biblical ideal of seeking God's will in all decisions, especially those as significant as marriage.

for she is pleasing to my eyes.”
The phrase "pleasing to my eyes" reveals Samson's focus on physical attraction rather than spiritual or covenantal considerations. The Hebrew word "יָשָׁר" (yashar) means "right" or "pleasing," often used to describe what is good in one's own sight. This echoes the recurring biblical warning against doing what is right in one's own eyes rather than following God's commandments (Judges 17:6, 21:25). It serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of prioritizing personal desires over divine directives.

(3) Of the uncircumcised Philistines.--This on the lips of Israelites was a term of peculiar hatred (1Samuel 17:36). How repugnant such a marriage would be in the eyes of Manoah and his wife we may see from the story of Simeon, Levi, and the Shechemites (Gen. xxxiv).

She pleaseth me well.--Literally, she is right in my eyes (Judges 14:7; 1Kings 9:12).

Verse 3. - Uncircumcised. Cf. Genesis 34:14. A term of reproach here added to deter Samson from the marriage. It is particularly applied to the Philistines (see Judges 15:18; - 1 Samuel 17:26, 36; 1 Samuel 18:29; 1 Samuel 31:4; 2 Samuel 1:20, etc.).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
But his father
אָבִ֣יו (’ā·ḇîw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1: Father

and mother
וְאִמּ֗וֹ (wə·’im·mōw)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 517: A mother, )

replied,
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Can you not
הַאֵין֩ (ha·’ên)
Adverb
Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle

find a young woman
בִּבְנ֨וֹת (biḇ·nō·wṯ)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 1323: A daughter

among your relatives
אַחֶ֤יךָ (’a·ḥe·ḵā)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 251: A brother, )

or any
וּבְכָל־ (ū·ḇə·ḵāl)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

of our people?
עַמִּי֙ (‘am·mî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

Must you
אַתָּ֤ה (’at·tāh)
Pronoun - second person masculine singular
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

go
הוֹלֵךְ֙ (hō·w·lêḵ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

to the uncircumcised
הָעֲרֵלִ֑ים (hā·‘ă·rê·lîm)
Article | Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 6189: Having foreskin (uncircumcised)

Philistines
מִפְּלִשְׁתִּ֖ים (mip·pə·liš·tîm)
Preposition-m | Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 6430: Philistines -- inhabitants of Philistia

to get
לָקַ֣חַת (lā·qa·ḥaṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 3947: To take

a wife?”
אִשָּׁ֔ה (’iš·šāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female

But Samson
שִׁמְשׁ֤וֹן (šim·šō·wn)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8123: Samson -- a deliverer of Israel

told
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

his father,
אָבִיו֙ (’ā·ḇîw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1: Father

“Get
קַֽח־ (qaḥ-)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 3947: To take

her
אוֹתָ֣הּ (’ō·w·ṯāh)
Direct object marker | third person feminine singular
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

for me,
לִ֔י (lî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 0: 0

for
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

she
הִ֖יא (hî)
Pronoun - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

is pleasing
יָשְׁרָ֥ה (yā·šə·rāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 3474: To be straight, even, to be, right, pleasant, prosperous

to my eyes.”
בְעֵינָֽי׃ (ḇə·‘ê·nāy)
Preposition-b | Noun - cdc | first person common singular
Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain


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OT History: Judges 14:3 Then his father and his mother said (Jd Judg. Jdg)
Judges 14:2
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