Judges 15:11
New International Version
Then three thousand men from Judah went down to the cave in the rock of Etam and said to Samson, “Don’t you realize that the Philistines are rulers over us? What have you done to us?” He answered, “I merely did to them what they did to me.”

New Living Translation
So 3,000 men of Judah went down to get Samson at the cave in the rock of Etam. They said to Samson, “Don’t you realize the Philistines rule over us? What are you doing to us?” But Samson replied, “I only did to them what they did to me.”

English Standard Version
Then 3,000 men of Judah went down to the cleft of the rock of Etam, and said to Samson, “Do you not know that the Philistines are rulers over us? What then is this that you have done to us?” And he said to them, “As they did to me, so have I done to them.”

Berean Standard Bible
In response, three thousand men of Judah went to the cave at the rock of Etam, and they asked Samson, “Do you not realize that the Philistines rule over us? What have you done to us?” “I have done to them what they did to me,” he replied.

King James Bible
Then three thousand men of Judah went to the top of the rock Etam, and said to Samson, Knowest thou not that the Philistines are rulers over us? what is this that thou hast done unto us? And he said unto them, As they did unto me, so have I done unto them.

New King James Version
Then three thousand men of Judah went down to the cleft of the rock of Etam, and said to Samson, “Do you not know that the Philistines rule over us? What is this you have done to us?” And he said to them, “As they did to me, so I have done to them.”

New American Standard Bible
Then three thousand men of Judah went down to the cleft of the rock of Etam and said to Samson, “Do you not know that the Philistines are rulers over us? What then is this that you have done to us?” And he said to them, “Just as they did to me, so I have done to them.”

NASB 1995
Then 3,000 men of Judah went down to the cleft of the rock of Etam and said to Samson, “Do you not know that the Philistines are rulers over us? What then is this that you have done to us?” And he said to them, “As they did to me, so I have done to them.”

NASB 1977
Then 3,000 men of Judah went down to the cleft of the rock of Etam and said to Samson, “Do you not know that the Philistines are rulers over us? What then is this that you have done to us?” And he said to them, “As they did to me, so I have done to them.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then 3,000 men of Judah went down to the cleft of the rock of Etam and said to Samson, “Do you not know that the Philistines are rulers over us? What then is this that you have done to us?” And he said to them, “As they did to me, so I have done to them.”

Amplified Bible
Then three thousand men of Judah went down to the cleft of the rock of Etam and said to Samson, “Have you not known that the Philistines are rulers over us? What is this that you have done to us?” He said to them, “As they did to me, so I have done to them.”

Christian Standard Bible
Then three thousand men of Judah went to the cave at the rock of Etam, and they asked Samson, “Don’t you realize that the Philistines rule us? What have you done to us? ” “I have done to them what they did to me,” he answered.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then 3,000 men of Judah went to the cave at the rock of Etam, and they asked Samson, “Don’t you realize that the Philistines rule over us? What have you done to us?"” I have done to them what they did to me,” he answered.

American Standard Version
Then three thousand men of Judah went down to the cleft of the rock of Etam, and said to Samson, Knowest thou not that the Philistines are rulers over us? what then is this that thou hast done unto us? And he said unto them, As they did unto me, so have I done unto them.

Contemporary English Version
Three thousand men from Judah went to the cave at Etam Rock and said to Samson, "Don't you know that the Philistines rule us, and they will punish us for what you did?" "I was only getting even with them," Samson replied. "They did the same things to me first."

English Revised Version
Then three thousand men of Judah went down to the cleft of the rock of Etam, and said to Samson, Knowest thou not that the Philistines are rulers over us? what then is this that thou hast done unto us? And he said unto them, As they did unto me, so have I done unto them.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
So 3,000 men from Judah went to the cave in the cliff at Etam. They said to Samson, "Don't you know that the Philistines rule us? Why have you done this to us?" Samson replied, "I did to them what they did to me."

Good News Translation
So these three thousand men of Judah went to the cave in the cliff at Etam and said to Samson, "Don't you know that the Philistines are our rulers? What have you done to us?" He answered, "I did to them just what they did to me."

International Standard Version
In response, 3,000 soldiers from the tribe of Judah went down to the caves of the rock of Etam and asked Samson, "Don't you know that the Philistines have us in their control? What have you done to us?" "I did to them what they did to me," he answered.

Majority Standard Bible
In response, three thousand men of Judah went to the cave at the rock of Etam, and they asked Samson, “Do you not realize that the Philistines rule over us? What have you done to us?” “I have done to them what they did to me,” he replied.

NET Bible
Three thousand men of Judah went down to the cave in the cliff of Etam and said to Samson, "Do you not know that the Philistines rule over us? Why have you done this to us?" He said to them, "I have only done to them what they have done to me."

New Heart English Bible
Then three thousand men of Judah went down to the cleft of the rock of Etam, and said to Samson, "Do you not know that the Philistines are rulers over us? What then is this that you have done to us?" He said to them, "As they did to me, so have I done to them."

Webster's Bible Translation
Then three thousand men of Judah went to the top of the rock Etam, and said to Samson, Knowest thou not that the Philistines are rulers over us? what is this that thou hast done to us? And he said to them, As they did to me, so have I done to them.

World English Bible
Then three thousand men of Judah went down to the cave in Etam’s rock, and said to Samson, “Don’t you know that the Philistines are rulers over us? What then is this that you have done to us?” He said to them, “As they did to me, so I have done to them.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And three thousand men of Judah go down to the cleft of the rock of Etam, and say to Samson, “Have you now known that the Philistines are rulers over us? And what [is] this you have done to us?” And he says to them, “As they did to me, so I did to them.”

Young's Literal Translation
And three thousand men of Judah go down unto the cleft of the rock Etam, and say to Samson, 'Hast thou now known that the Philistines are rulers over us? and what is this thou hast done to us?' And he saith to them, 'As they did to me, so I did to them.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And three thousand men of Judah will go down to the cleft of the rock Etam, and they will say to Samson, Knewest thou not that Philisteim is ruling over us? and what this thou didst to us? and he will say to them, As they did to me, so did I to them.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Wherefore three thousand men of Juda, went down to the cave of the rock Etam, and said to Samson: Knowest thou not that the Philistines rule over us? Why wouldst thou do thus? And he said to them: As they did to me, so have I done to them.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then three thousand men of Judah descended to the cave of the rock at Etam. And they said to Samson: “Do you not know that the Philistines rule over us? Why would you want to do this?” And he said to them, “As they have done to me, so I have done to them.”

New American Bible
Three thousand men of Judah went down to the cleft of the crag of Etam and said to Samson, “Do you not know that the Philistines are our rulers? Why, then, have you done this to us?” He answered them, “As they have done to me, so have I done to them.”

New Revised Standard Version
Then three thousand men of Judah went down to the cleft of the rock of Etam, and they said to Samson, “Do you not know that the Philistines are rulers over us? What then have you done to us?” He replied, “As they did to me, so I have done to them.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then three thousand men of Judah went down to the cave of the rock of Attain, and said to Samson, Do you not know that the Philistines are rulers over us? What is this you have done to us? And he said to them, As they did to me, so have I done to them.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And three thousand men went down from Yehuda to the overhang that was at the cliff of Atmin, and they were saying to Samson: “Do you not know that the Philistines rule over us? Why have you done so to us?” He said to them: “According to what they have done, so I have done to them”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Then three thousand men of Judah went down to the cleft of the rock of Etam, and said to Samson: 'Knowest thou not that the Philistines are rulers over us? what then is this that thou hast done unto us?' And he said unto them: 'As they did unto me, so have I done unto them.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the three thousand men of Juda went down to the hole of the rock Etam, and they said to Sampson, Knowest thou not that the Philistines rule over us? and what is this that thou hast done to us? and Sampson said to them, As they did to me, so have I done to them.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Samson's Revenge
10“Why have you attacked us?” said the men of Judah. The Philistines replied, “We have come to arrest Samson and pay him back for what he has done to us.” 11In response, three thousand men of Judah went to the cave at the rock of Etam, and they asked Samson, “Do you not realize that the Philistines rule over us? What have you done to us?” “I have done to them what they did to me,” he replied. 12But they said to him, “We have come down to arrest you and hand you over to the Philistines.” Samson replied, “Swear to me that you will not kill me yourselves.”…

Cross References
Judges 14:4
(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.)

Judges 16:24
And when the people saw him, they praised their god, saying: “Our god has delivered into our hands our enemy who destroyed our land and multiplied our dead.”

Judges 13:5
For behold, you will conceive and give birth to a son. And no razor shall touch his head, because the boy will be a Nazirite to God from the womb, and he will begin the deliverance of Israel from the hand of the Philistines.”

Judges 16:28
Then Samson called out to the LORD: “O Lord GOD, please remember me. Strengthen me, O God, just once more, so that with one vengeful blow I may pay back the Philistines for my two eyes.”

Judges 14:19
Then the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and he went down to Ashkelon, killed thirty of their men, took their apparel, and gave their clothes to those who had solved the riddle. And burning with anger, Samson returned to his father’s house,

Judges 16:30
Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines.” Then he pushed with all his might, and the temple fell on the lords and all the people in it. So in his death he killed more than he had killed in his life.

1 Samuel 12:9-11
But they forgot the LORD their God, and He sold them into the hand of Sisera the commander of the army of Hazor, and into the hands of the Philistines and the king of Moab, who fought against them. / Then they cried out to the LORD and said, ‘We have sinned, for we have forsaken the LORD and served the Baals and Ashtoreths. Now deliver us from the hands of our enemies, that we may serve You.’ / So the LORD sent Jerubbaal, Barak, Jephthah, and Samuel, and He delivered you from the hands of your enemies on every side, and you dwelt securely.

Hebrews 11:32
And what more shall I say? Time will not allow me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets,

1 Samuel 15:18
and sent you on a mission, saying, ‘Go and devote to destruction the sinful Amalekites. Fight against them until you have wiped them out.’

1 Samuel 23:12
So David asked, “Will the citizens of Keilah surrender me and my men into the hand of Saul?” “They will,” said the LORD.

1 Samuel 24:9
and said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of men who say, ‘Look, David intends to harm you’?

1 Samuel 30:6
And David was greatly distressed because the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of every man grieved for his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the LORD his God.

2 Samuel 22:49
who frees me from my enemies. You exalt me above my foes; You rescue me from violent men.

2 Kings 13:3
So the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He delivered them continually into the hands of Hazael king of Aram and his son Ben-hadad.

Nehemiah 9:27
So You delivered them into the hands of enemies who oppressed them, and in their time of distress they cried out to You. From heaven You heard them, and in Your great compassion You gave them deliverers who saved them from the hands of their enemies.


Treasury of Scripture

Then three thousand men of Judah went to the top of the rock Etam, and said to Samson, Know you not that the Philistines are rulers over us? what is this that you have done to us? And he said to them, As they did to me, so have I done to them.

went.

1 Chronicles 4:32
And their villages were, Etam, and Ain, Rimmon, and Tochen, and Ashan, five cities:

Philistines

Judges 13:1
And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD; and the LORD delivered them into the hand of the Philistines forty years.

Judges 14:4
But his father and his mother knew not that it was of the LORD, that he sought an occasion against the Philistines: for at that time the Philistines had dominion over Israel.

Deuteronomy 28:13,47,48
And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them: …

Jump to Previous
Cave Cleft Etam Judah Merely Philistines Realize Rock Rulers Samson Thousand Three Top
Jump to Next
Cave Cleft Etam Judah Merely Philistines Realize Rock Rulers Samson Thousand Three Top
Judges 15
1. Samson is denied his wife
3. He burns the Philistines' corn with foxes and firebrands
6. His wife and her father are burnt by the Philistines
8. Samson smites them hip and thigh
9. He is bound by the men of Judah, and delivered to the Philistines
14. He kills them with a jawbone
18. God makes the fountain En-hakkore for him in Lehi














Then 3,000 men of Judah
The number "3,000" signifies a significant mobilization of the tribe of Judah, indicating the seriousness of the situation. Judah, being one of the leading tribes of Israel, often took initiative in matters of national concern. The large number suggests a collective fear of Philistine retaliation and a desire to confront Samson, who was seen as a catalyst for potential conflict. Historically, this reflects the period of the Judges, where Israel was often oppressed by surrounding nations due to their disobedience to God.

went down to the cave at the rock of Etam
The "cave at the rock of Etam" serves as a geographical marker, indicating a place of refuge or hiding for Samson. Caves were commonly used as shelters or strongholds in ancient times. The rock of Etam is significant as it symbolizes a place of strength and protection, yet also isolation. This setting underscores Samson's separation from his people and his role as a solitary judge and deliverer of Israel.

They said to Samson
The men of Judah approach Samson, indicating a direct confrontation. This interaction highlights the tension between Samson and his own people, who are caught between their fear of the Philistines and their recognition of Samson's God-given strength. It reflects the internal struggles within Israel during the time of the Judges, where unity was often lacking.

Do you not realize that the Philistines rule over us?
This question reveals the mindset of the Israelites at the time, who had become accustomed to Philistine domination. It shows a sense of resignation and acceptance of their subjugation, contrasting with God's desire for them to live in freedom and obedience. The Philistine rule was a consequence of Israel's repeated disobedience and idolatry, as recorded throughout the book of Judges.

What have you done to us?
The men of Judah express their concern over Samson's actions, fearing repercussions from the Philistines. This question underscores the fear and lack of faith among the Israelites, who are more concerned with maintaining a fragile peace than seeking deliverance through God's appointed judge. It highlights the spiritual and moral decline of Israel during this period.

'I have done to them what they did to me,' he replied
Samson's response reflects the principle of retributive justice, a common theme in the ancient Near East. His actions are portrayed as a direct response to the wrongs committed against him by the Philistines. This statement also reveals Samson's personal vendetta and the cycle of violence that characterized his judgeship. Despite his flaws, Samson is used by God to challenge the Philistine oppression, illustrating how God can work through imperfect individuals to achieve His purposes.

(11) Went to the top of the rock Etam.--Rather, went down to the cave of the rock Etam. They would easily gain information as to Samson's hiding-place.

What is this that thou hast done unto us?--The abject condition into which the Lion Tribe had sunk can best be estimated by this reproach against the national hero, and still more by their baseness in betraying him. He finds no sympathy. There are no patriots in search of heroes. What might not this 3,000 have achieved if they had been like Gideon's 300?

Verse 11. - Men of Judah. It is rather three thousand men went down from Judah, showing that the rock Etam was below. The top. It should be the cleft, as in ver. 8. Knowest thou not, etc. The language of these cowardly men shows how completely the Philistine yoke was fastened upon the necks of Judah. The history gives no account of the Philistine conquest; except the brief allusion in Judges 10:6, 7; but Samson's story brings to light the existence of it. The abject state to which they were reduced is shown By their complaint of Samson, What is this that thou hast done unto us?" instead of hailing him as a deliverer. As they did unto me, etc. It is instructive to read Samson's defence of himself in the very words used by the Philistines in ver. 10. "An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth." There is no end to rendering "evil for evil."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
In response, three
שְׁלֹשֶׁת֩ (šə·lō·šeṯ)
Number - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7969: Three, third, thrice

thousand
אֲלָפִ֨ים (’ă·lā·p̄îm)
Number - masculine plural
Strong's 505: A thousand

men
אִ֜ישׁ (’îš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

of Judah
מִֽיהוּדָ֗ה (mî·hū·ḏāh)
Preposition-m | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3063: Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites

went
וַיֵּרְד֡וּ (way·yê·rə·ḏū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 3381: To come or go down, descend

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the cave
סְעִיף֮ (sə·‘îp̄)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5585: A fissure, a bough

at the rock
סֶ֣לַע (se·la‘)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5553: A craggy rock

of Etam,
עֵיטָם֒ (‘ê·ṭām)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 5862: Etam -- three places in Israel

and they asked
וַיֹּאמְר֣וּ (way·yō·mə·rū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 559: To utter, say

Samson,
לְשִׁמְשׁ֗וֹן (lə·šim·šō·wn)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8123: Samson -- a deliverer of Israel

“Do you not
הֲלֹ֤א (hă·lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

realize
יָדַ֙עְתָּ֙ (yā·ḏa‘·tā)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 3045: To know

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

the Philistines
פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים (pə·liš·tîm)
Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 6430: Philistines -- inhabitants of Philistia

rule
מֹשְׁלִ֥ים (mō·šə·lîm)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 4910: To rule, have dominion, reign

over us?
בָּ֙נוּ֙ (bā·nū)
Preposition | first person common plural
Strong's Hebrew

What
וּמַה־ (ū·mah-)
Conjunctive waw | Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

have you done
עָשִׂ֣יתָ (‘ā·śî·ṯā)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

to us?”
לָּ֑נוּ (lā·nū)
Preposition | first person common plural
Strong's Hebrew

“I have done
עָ֣שׂוּ (‘ā·śū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 6213: To do, make

to them what
כַּאֲשֶׁר֙ (ka·’ă·šer)
Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

they did to me,”
עָשִׂ֥יתִי (‘ā·śî·ṯî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

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


Links
Judges 15:11 NIV
Judges 15:11 NLT
Judges 15:11 ESV
Judges 15:11 NASB
Judges 15:11 KJV

Judges 15:11 BibleApps.com
Judges 15:11 Biblia Paralela
Judges 15:11 Chinese Bible
Judges 15:11 French Bible
Judges 15:11 Catholic Bible

OT History: Judges 15:11 Then three thousand men of Judah went (Jd Judg. Jdg)
Judges 15:10
Top of Page
Top of Page