Verse (Click for Chapter) 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.” Berean Literal Bible And his father and mother said to him, “Is there not among the daughters of your brothers, or among all my people, a woman, that you must go and get a wife from the uncircumcised Philistines?” And Samson said to his father, “Get her for me, for she is right in 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.” Berean Annotated 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 (immigrants) to get a wife? But Samson (like the sun) told his father, “Get her for me, for she is pleasing to my eyes. 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." 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. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleBut 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.” 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 VersionAnd 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.” Berean Literal Bible And his father and mother said to him, “Is there not among the daughters of your brothers, or among all my people, a woman, that you must go and get a wife from the uncircumcised Philistines?” And Samson said to his father, “Get 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 BibleAnd 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 BibleThen 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 1917Then 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 But his father and mother replied, 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.” 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. Genesis 27:46 Then Rebekah said to Isaac, “I am weary of my life because of these Hittite women. If Jacob takes a Hittite wife from among them, what good is my life?” “Can’t you find a young woman among your relatives or among any of our people? 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. 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. Ezra 9:1-2 After these things had been accomplished, the leaders approached me and said, “The people of Israel, including the priests and Levites, have not kept themselves separate from the surrounding peoples whose abominations are like those of the Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Jebusites, Ammonites, Moabites, Egyptians, and Amorites. / Indeed, the Israelites have taken some of their daughters as wives for themselves and their sons, so that the holy seed has been mixed with the people of the land. And the leaders and officials have taken the lead in this unfaithfulness!” Must you go to the uncircumcised Philistines to get a wife?” 1 Samuel 17:26 David asked the men who were standing with him, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Just who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?” 1 Samuel 17:36 Your servant has killed lions and bears; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.” 2 Samuel 1:20 Tell it not in Gath; proclaim it not in the streets of Ashkelon, lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, and the daughters of the uncircumcised exult. But Samson told his father, Genesis 34:4 So Shechem told his father Hamor, “Get me this girl as a wife.” 1 Kings 11:1 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. 2 Samuel 13:2 Amnon was sick with frustration over his sister Tamar, for she was a virgin, and it seemed implausible for him to do anything to her. “Get her for me, 2 Samuel 3:14 Then David sent messengers to say to Ish-bosheth son of Saul, “Give me back my wife, Michal, whom I betrothed to myself for a hundred Philistine foreskins.” 1 Kings 2:17 Adonijah replied, “Please speak to King Solomon, since he will not turn you down. Let him give me Abishag the Shunammite as my wife.” Deuteronomy 21:10-13 When you go to war against your enemies and the LORD your God delivers them into your hand and you take them captive, / if you see a beautiful woman among them, and you desire her and want to take her as your wife, / then you shall bring her into your house. She must shave her head, trim her nails, … for she is pleasing to my eyes.” Genesis 3:6 When the woman saw that the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eyes, and that it was desirable for obtaining wisdom, she took the fruit and ate it. She also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate it. 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. Jump to Previous Daughters Mother Philistines Pleases Pleaseth Relatives Samson Uncircumcised WifeJump to Next Daughters Mother Philistines Pleases Pleaseth Relatives Samson Uncircumcised WifeJudges 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 the context of ancient Israel, parental involvement in marriage decisions was customary. Parents often arranged marriages to ensure alliances and maintain cultural and religious integrity. This reflects the patriarchal structure of society where family heads had significant influence over such decisions. “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.” Persons / Places / Events 1. SamsonA judge of Israel known for his supernatural strength, given by God, and his Nazirite vow. His life is marked by personal weaknesses and impulsive decisions. 2. Samson's Parents Manoah and his wife, who were devout Israelites. They were concerned about Samson's choice of a Philistine woman, reflecting their desire for him to adhere to Israelite customs and God's laws. 3. Philistines A group of people who were enemies of Israel. They were uncircumcised, symbolizing their separation from the covenant community of Israel. 4. Timnah A Philistine town where Samson saw the woman he desired to marry, indicating a place of cultural and spiritual conflict. 5. Marriage The event in question, highlighting the tension between cultural practices and divine commandments. Teaching Points The Danger of ImpulsivitySamson's decision was based on physical attraction rather than spiritual discernment. Believers are encouraged to seek God's wisdom rather than relying solely on personal desires. Cultural vs. Spiritual Values Samson's choice highlights the tension between cultural practices and spiritual convictions. Christians are called to prioritize their faith over societal norms. Parental Guidance and Wisdom Samson's parents attempted to guide him according to God's laws. This underscores the importance of heeding godly counsel and the role of parents in spiritual formation. Consequences of Disobedience Samson's actions foreshadow the troubles that arise from disobedience to God's commands. Believers are reminded of the importance of obedience and the potential consequences of straying from God's path. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Judges 14:3?2. How does Judges 14:3 illustrate the importance of honoring parental guidance? 3. What does Samson's choice reveal about the dangers of ignoring God's commands? 4. How can we apply Samson's story to resist worldly temptations today? 5. In what ways does Judges 14:3 connect to 2 Corinthians 6:14 on relationships? 6. How can we seek God's will in our decisions, unlike Samson's approach? 7. Why did Samson desire a Philistine wife against his parents' wishes in Judges 14:3? 8. How does Judges 14:3 reflect cultural tensions between Israelites and Philistines? 9. What does Judges 14:3 reveal about parental authority in biblical times? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Judges 14? 11. How does Samson’s marriage to a Philistine (Judges 14:1–3) align with the prohibition on intermarriage in Deuteronomy 7:3–4? 12. Why does the existence of Philistines in Genesis contradict the historical record, as they arrived centuries later? 13. In Judges 15:4, how could Samson realistically capture 300 foxes and tie torches to their tails without them escaping or injuring him? 14. Is there any archaeological evidence supporting the wedding feast customs described in Judges 14:10-12? What Does Judges 14:3 Mean But his father and mother replied• Manoah and his wife, who had faithfully raised their son under the Nazirite vow (Judges 13:2-5), step into their God-given role by speaking into Samson’s choice. • Scripture underscores parental counsel as a guardrail for children (Exodus 20:12; Proverbs 1:8-9). • Their response shows spiritual discernment; they know Israel’s calling to be set apart (Leviticus 20:26). “Can’t you find a young woman among your relatives or among any of our people?” • The parents appeal to the biblical pattern of marrying within the covenant community, as Abraham did for Isaac (Genesis 24:3-4) and as Israel was commanded (Deuteronomy 7:3-4). • Marriage inside the faith preserves worship unity and generational blessing (Malachi 2:15). “Must you go to the uncircumcised Philistines to get a wife?” • “Uncircumcised” highlights the Philistines’ spiritual alienation; circumcision marked God’s covenant people (Joshua 5:9). • Union with pagans threatened Israel’s purity and mission (Exodus 34:16; 2 Corinthians 6:14). • The question carries sorrow, not bigotry—Samson is flirting with defection from God’s order. But Samson told his father • Instead of submitting, Samson dismisses counsel, mirroring the tragic pattern “everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 17:6). • Ignoring godly advice invites discipline (Proverbs 12:15; Ephesians 6:1-3). “Get her for me,” • The imperative reveals entitlement; Samson treats his father as an errand-runner rather than a spiritual guide. • Desire untethered from obedience leads to bondage—ironic for a man called to begin Israel’s deliverance (Judges 13:5). “for she is pleasing to my eyes.” • Samson is led by sight, not faith. God later tells Samuel, “Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). • This eye-driven appetite echoes Eve’s gaze on the forbidden fruit (Genesis 3:6) and John’s warning against “the lust of the eyes” (1 John 2:16). • Job modeled the opposite attitude: “I have made a covenant with my eyes” (Job 31:1). • Samson’s fixation on beauty foreshadows his downfall with Delilah (Judges 16:4-21). summary Judges 14:3 spotlights a clash between godly counsel and fleshly desire. Samson’s parents, anchored in covenant convictions, plead for an Israelite wife. Samson, led by his eyes, demands a Philistine bride, dismissing both parental authority and divine command. The verse warns that when personal preference outranks God’s standard, even the strongest believer sets the stage for spiritual defeat. (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 fatherאָבִ֣יו (’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 Links Judges 14:3 NIVJudges 14:3 NLT Judges 14:3 ESV Judges 14:3 NASB Judges 14:3 KJV Judges 14:3 BibleApps.com Judges 14:3 Biblia Paralela Judges 14:3 Chinese Bible Judges 14:3 French Bible Judges 14:3 Catholic Bible OT History: Judges 14:3 Then his father and his mother said (Jd Judg. 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