Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version “I was so sure you hated her,” he said, “that I gave her to your companion. Isn’t her younger sister more attractive? Take her instead.” New Living Translation “I truly thought you must hate her,” her father explained, “so I gave her in marriage to your best man. But look, her younger sister is even more beautiful than she is. Marry her instead.” English Standard Version And her father said, “I really thought that you utterly hated her, so I gave her to your companion. Is not her younger sister more beautiful than she? Please take her instead.” Berean Standard Bible “I was sure that you thoroughly hated her,” said her father, “so I gave her to one of the men who accompanied you. Is not her younger sister more beautiful than she? Please take her instead.” Berean Literal Bible And her father said, “I surely said that you surely hated her, and I gave her to your companion. Is not her younger sister better than she? Please take her to you, instead of her.” King James Bible And her father said, I verily thought that thou hadst utterly hated her; therefore I gave her to thy companion: is not her younger sister fairer than she? take her, I pray thee, instead of her. New King James Version Her father said, “I really thought that you thoroughly hated her; therefore I gave her to your companion. Is not her younger sister better than she? Please, take her instead.” New American Standard Bible Her father said, “I really thought that you hated her intensely; so I gave her to your companion. Is her younger sister not more beautiful than she? Please let her be yours instead.” NASB 1995 Her father said, “I really thought that you hated her intensely; so I gave her to your companion. Is not her younger sister more beautiful than she? Please let her be yours instead.” NASB 1977 And her father said, “I really thought that you hated her intensely; so I gave her to your companion. Is not her younger sister more beautiful than she? Please let her be yours instead.” Legacy Standard Bible And her father said, “I really thought that you hated her intensely; so I gave her to your companion. Is not her younger sister better than she? Please let her be yours instead.” Amplified Bible Her father said, “I really thought you utterly hated her; so I gave her to your companion. Is her younger sister not more beautiful than she? Please take her [as your wife] instead.” Berean Annotated Bible “I was sure that you thoroughly hated her, said her father, “so I gave her to one of the men who accompanied you. Is not her younger sister more beautiful than she? Please take her instead. Christian Standard Bible “I was sure you hated her,” her father said, “so I gave her to one of the men who accompanied you. Isn’t her younger sister more beautiful than she is? Why not take her instead? ” Holman Christian Standard Bible I was sure you hated her,” her father said, “so I gave her to one of the men who accompanied you. Isn’t her younger sister more beautiful than she is? Why not take her instead?” American Standard Version And her father said, I verily thought that thou hadst utterly hated her; therefore I gave her to thy companion: is not her younger sister fairer than she? take her, I pray thee, instead of her. Contemporary English Version "When you left the way you did, I thought you were divorcing her. So I arranged for her to marry one of the young men who were at your party. But my younger daughter is even prettier, and you can have her as your wife." English Revised Version And her father said, I verily thought that thou hadst utterly hated her; therefore I gave her to thy companion: is not her younger sister fairer than she? take her, I pray thee, instead of her. GOD'S WORD® Translation Her father said, "I thought you hated her. So I gave her to your best man. Isn't her younger sister better looking? Marry her instead!" Good News Translation He told Samson, "I really thought that you hated her, so I gave her to your friend. But her younger sister is prettier, anyway. You can have her, instead." International Standard Version Her father said, "Because I honestly thought that you hated her deeply, I gave her in marriage to your best man. Isn't her younger sister better than she? Please then, let her be yours instead." NET Bible Her father said, "I really thought you absolutely despised her, so I gave her to your best man. Her younger sister is more attractive than she is. Take her instead!" New Heart English Bible Her father said, "I most certainly thought that you had utterly hated her; therefore I gave her to your companion. Isn't her younger sister more beautiful than she is? Please take her, instead." Webster's Bible Translation And her father said, I verily thought that thou hadst utterly hated her; therefore I gave her to thy companion: is not her younger sister fairer than she? take her, I pray thee, instead of her. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Bible“I was sure that you thoroughly hated her,” said her father, “so I gave her to one of the men who accompanied you. Is not her younger sister more beautiful than she? Please take her instead.” World English Bible Her father said, “I most certainly thought that you utterly hated her; therefore I gave her to your companion. Isn’t her younger sister more beautiful than she? Please, take her instead.” Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand her father says, “I certainly said that you surely hated her, and I give her to your companion; is her younger sister not better than she? Please let her be to you instead of her.” Berean Literal Bible And her father said, “I surely said that you surely hated her, and I gave her to your companion. Is not her younger sister better than she? Please take her to you, instead of her.” Young's Literal Translation and her father saith, I certainly said, that thou didst certainly hate her, and I give her to thy companion; is not her sister -- the young one -- better than she? Let her be, I pray thee, to thee, instead of her.' Smith's Literal Translation And her father will say, Saying, I said that hating, thou didst hate her, and I will give her to thy companion: is not her small sister good above her? Now she shall be to thee in her stead. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleI thought thou hadst hated her, and therefore I gave her to thy friend: but she hath a sister, who is younger and fairer than she, take her to wife instead of her. Catholic Public Domain Version “I thought that you would hate her, and therefore I gave her to your friend. But she has a sister, who is younger and more beautiful than she is. And she may be a wife for you, instead of her.” New American Bible He said, “I thought you hated her, so I gave her to your best man. Her younger sister is better; you may have her instead.” New Revised Standard Version Her father said, “I was sure that you had rejected her; so I gave her to your companion. Is not her younger sister prettier than she? Why not take her instead?” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd her father said, I surely thought that you had utterly hated her; therefore I gave her to your groomsman; behold, her younger sister, who is fairer than she, take her to wife instead. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And her father said: I had thought that you hated her, and I gave her to your Groomsman. Behold, her younger sister who is better than she will be yours in her place” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And her father said: 'I verily thought that thou hadst utterly hated her; therefore I gave her to thy companion; is not her younger sister fairer than she? take her, I pray thee, instead of her.' Brenton Septuagint Translation And her father spoke, saying, I said that thou didst surely hate her, and I gave her to one of thy friends: is not her younger sister better than she? let her be to thee instead of her. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Samson's Revenge1Later on, at the time of the wheat harvest, Samson took a young goat and went to visit his wife. “I want to go to my wife in her room,” he said. But her father would not let him enter. 2“I was sure that you thoroughly hated her,” said her father, “so I gave her to one of the men who accompanied you. Is not her younger sister more beautiful than she? Please take her instead.” 3Samson said to them, “This time I will be blameless in doing harm to the Philistines.”… Cross References “I was sure that you thoroughly hated her,” said her father, Deuteronomy 21:15-17 If a man has two wives, one beloved and the other unloved, and both bear him sons, but the unloved wife has the firstborn son, / when that man assigns his inheritance to his sons he must not appoint the son of the beloved wife as the firstborn over the son of the unloved wife. / Instead, he must acknowledge the firstborn, the son of his unloved wife, by giving him a double portion of all that he has. For that son is the firstfruits of his father’s strength; the right of the firstborn belongs to him. Malachi 1:2-3 “I have loved you,” says the LORD. But you ask, “How have You loved us?” “Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the LORD. “Yet Jacob I have loved, / but Esau I have hated, and I have made his mountains a wasteland and left his inheritance to the desert jackals.” “so I gave her to one of the men who accompanied you. Judges 14:20 and his wife was given to one of the men who had accompanied him. 1 Samuel 25:44 But Saul had given his daughter Michal, David’s wife, to Palti son of Laish, who was from Gallim. Is not her younger sister more beautiful than she? Genesis 25:23 and He declared to her: “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.” Romans 9:11-13 Yet before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad, in order that God’s plan of election might stand, / not by works but by Him who calls, she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” / So it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” 1 Samuel 16:11-13 And Samuel asked him, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse replied, “but he is tending the sheep.” “Send for him,” Samuel replied. “For we will not sit down to eat until he arrives.” / So Jesse sent for his youngest son and brought him in. He was ruddy, with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance. And the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him, for he is the one.” / So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward. Then Samuel set out and went to Ramah. Please take her instead.” Genesis 44:33-34 Now please let your servant stay here as my lord’s slave in place of the boy. Let him return with his brothers. / For how can I go back to my father without the boy? I could not bear to see the misery that would overwhelm him.” Exodus 32:32 Yet now, if You would only forgive their sin.... But if not, please blot me out of the book that You have written.” 2 Samuel 18:33 The king was shaken and went up to the chamber over the gate and wept. And as he walked, he cried out, “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!” Judges 14:1-3 One day Samson went down to Timnah, where he saw a young Philistine woman. / So 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.” / 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.” Judges 16:4-5 Some time later, Samson fell in love with a woman in the Valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah. / The lords of the Philistines went to her and said, “Entice him and find out the source of his great strength and how we can overpower him to tie him up and subdue him. Then each one of us will give you eleven hundred shekels of silver.” Genesis 29:23-25 But when evening came, Laban took his daughter Leah and gave her to Jacob, and he slept with her. / And Laban gave his servant girl Zilpah to his daughter Leah as her maidservant. / When morning came, there was Leah! “What have you done to me?” Jacob said to Laban. “Wasn’t it for Rachel that I served you? Why have you deceived me?” 1 Samuel 18:19 So when it was time to give Saul’s daughter Merab to David, she was given in marriage to Adriel of Meholah. Matthew 19:8 Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because of your hardness of heart. But it was not this way from the beginning. Deuteronomy 24:1-4 If a man marries a woman, but she becomes displeasing to him because he finds some indecency in her, he may write her a certificate of divorce, hand it to her, and send her away from his house. / If, after leaving his house, she goes and becomes another man’s wife, / and the second man hates her, writes her a certificate of divorce, hands it to her, and sends her away from his house, or if he dies, … Treasury of Scripture And her father said, I truly thought that you had utterly hated her; therefore I gave her to your companion: is not her younger sister fairer than she? take her, I pray you, instead of her. I verily Judges 14:16,20 And Samson's wife wept before him, and said, Thou dost but hate me, and lovest me not: thou hast put forth a riddle unto the children of my people, and hast not told it me. And he said unto her, Behold, I have not told it my father nor my mother, and shall I tell it thee? … Acts 26:9 I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. gave Judges 14:20 But Samson's wife was given to his companion, whom he had used as his friend. Genesis 38:14 And she put her widow's garments off from her, and covered her with a vail, and wrapped herself, and sat in an open place, which is by the way to Timnath; for she saw that Shelah was grown, and she was not given unto him to wife. take her. Jump to Previous Beautiful Companion Hadst Hate Hated Her Instead Intensely Please Really Seemed Sister Sure Thoroughly Thought Utterly Verily Young YoungerJump to Next Beautiful Companion Hadst Hate Hated Her Instead Intensely Please Really Seemed Sister Sure Thoroughly Thought Utterly Verily Young YoungerJudges 15 1. Samson is denied his wife3. 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 “I was sure that you thoroughly hated her,” said her father, The father’s assumption reflects the cultural norms of the time, where marriages were often arranged and based on alliances rather than love. The father's decision is based on his interpretation of Samson's actions, which he perceives as rejection. This reflects the patriarchal society where fathers had significant control over their daughters' marriages. The phrase also highlights the misunderstanding and lack of communication between Samson and his father-in-law, which is a recurring theme in Samson's narrative. “so I gave her to one of the men who accompanied you.” “Is not her younger sister more beautiful than she?” “Please take her instead.” Persons / Places / Events 1. SamsonA judge of Israel known for his extraordinary strength, which was a gift from God. He was a Nazirite from birth, dedicated to God, and his life was marked by conflict with the Philistines. 2. Samson's Father-in-law The father of Samson's wife, who made the decision to give her to another man, believing Samson had rejected her. 3. Samson's Wife Initially married to Samson, she was given to another man by her father, which led to further conflict between Samson and the Philistines. 4. Philistines The primary adversaries of Israel during Samson's time. They were a powerful and oppressive force against whom Samson frequently fought. 5. Timnah The location where Samson's wife was from and where much of the conflict in this chapter takes place. Teaching Points The Consequences of Impulsive DecisionsSamson's choice to marry a Philistine woman led to a series of conflicts. This highlights the importance of seeking God's guidance in our decisions, especially those that can have long-term consequences. The Sanctity of Marriage The actions of Samson's father-in-law in giving his daughter to another man violate the sanctity of marriage. This serves as a reminder of the importance of honoring marital commitments. Handling Betrayal Samson's response to betrayal was one of anger and vengeance. As Christians, we are called to respond to betrayal with forgiveness and to trust God for justice. Cultural and Familial Pressures The account illustrates how cultural and familial pressures can lead to actions that are contrary to God's will. We must be vigilant in aligning our actions with biblical principles, even when faced with external pressures. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Judges 15:2?2. How does Judges 15:2 demonstrate consequences of broken promises in relationships? 3. What cultural practices in Judges 15:2 influenced Samson's father-in-law's decision? 4. How does Judges 15:2 connect with the theme of betrayal in Scripture? 5. How can we apply the lesson of trust from Judges 15:2 today? 6. What does Judges 15:2 teach about handling disappointment in a godly manner? 7. Why did Samson's father-in-law give his wife to another man in Judges 15:2? 8. How does Judges 15:2 reflect on the sanctity of marriage? 9. What cultural practices influenced the events in Judges 15:2? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Judges 15? 11. Which historical context supports the harsh curses in Psalm 58 when other biblical texts advocate forgiveness? 12. John 8:14-18: How do Jesus's statements about His testimony reconcile with other biblical passages that require two or more witnesses? 13. Why does Paul say women should not have authority over men (1 Timothy 2:12)? 14. Judges 19:2--What historical or cultural factors would explain why the Levite's concubine stayed with her father instead of returning home? What Does Judges 15:2 Mean I was sure that you thoroughly hated her• The bride’s father interprets Samson’s brief, angry departure after the wedding (Judges 14:19–20) as permanent rejection, illustrating Proverbs 18:13—jumping to conclusions without hearing the whole matter. • His statement reveals fear rather than fact; Samson had not voiced hatred (cf. Ephesians 5:25, God’s design for husbands to love). • The mistaken assumption shows how quickly human reasoning can misread events, contrasting with God’s perfect knowledge (1 Samuel 16:7). So I gave her to one of the men who accompanied you • Acting on his assumption, the father violates the marriage covenant, handing the bride to Samson’s “best man” (Judges 14:20). Malachi 2:14 underscores that marriage is a covenant not to be broken lightly. • This betrayal mirrors Israel’s recurring unfaithfulness to the Lord (Hosea 3:1); personal disloyalty reflects national patterns in Judges. • The action sets in motion consequences that God will use for His purposes (Judges 15:3–5), reminding us of Romans 8:28—even wrongful choices can serve divine plans. Is not her younger sister more beautiful than she? • The father tries to soften the blow by appealing to outward beauty, echoing Leah and Rachel’s story in Genesis 29:16–28. • Scripture warns against judging by appearance (1 Samuel 16:7); true worth lies deeper (Proverbs 31:30). • His comparison demeans both daughters, reducing them to objects, contrary to the honor commanded in 1 Peter 3:7. Please take her instead • The proposal treats marriage as a negotiable contract, not a sacred bond. • It resembles Saul’s offer of Merab then Michal to David (1 Samuel 18:17–21), another example of shifting promises. • The father hopes a quick fix will avert conflict, yet ignoring righteousness never brings peace (Proverbs 14:12; James 3:17). • Samson’s refusal (Judges 15:3) shows that human attempts to patch sin without repentance fall short. summary Judges 15:2 reveals a father’s fearful misreading, a covenant broken, and a superficial solution—all against the backdrop of God’s unchanging standards. The verse warns against hasty judgments, highlights the sanctity of marriage, cautions us not to value appearance over commitment, and shows that compromise cannot erase wrongdoing. God’s sovereignty, however, remains evident, turning even flawed human choices into steps within His redemptive plan. (2) Verily thought . . . utterly hated.--In the emphatic simplicity of the Hebrew style it is, Saying I said that hating, thou hatest her. As Samson had left his wife in anger immediately after the wedding feast, the father might have reasonably supposed that he meant finally to desert her.I gave her.--This must mean I have betrothed her, for otherwise she would not have still been living in her father's house. But if the father had been an honourable man he could not under these circumstances have done less than restore the dowry which Manoah had given for her. To thy companion.--See on Judges 14:20. Her younger sister.--The father sought in this way to repair the wrong he had inflicted, and to offer some equivalent for the dower which he had wrongly appropriated. Verse 2. - Is not her younger sister, etc. Samson's father-in-law might well have thought that Samson had forsaken his wife, and would never forgive her treachery. Possibly too he was a covetous man, and glad to get a second dower. Anyhow, his answer was conciliatory; but Samson was not in a mood to accept excuses, or be softened by conciliation.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew “I was sureוַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say you thoroughly hated her,” שָׂנֹ֣א (śā·nō) Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute Strong's 8130: To hate said אָמַ֙רְתִּי֙ (’ā·mar·tî) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular Strong's 559: To utter, say her father, אָבִ֗יהָ (’ā·ḇî·hā) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular Strong's 1: Father “so I gave וָאֶתְּנֶ֖נָּה (wā·’et·tə·nen·nāh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular | third person feminine singular Strong's 5414: To give, put, set her to one of the men who accompanied you. לְמֵרֵעֶ֑ךָ (lə·mê·rê·‘e·ḵā) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 4828: Friend, companion Is not הֲלֹ֨א (hă·lō) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no her younger הַקְּטַנָּה֙ (haq·qə·ṭan·nāh) Article | Adjective - feminine singular Strong's 6996: Small, young, unimportant sister אֲחֹתָ֤הּ (’ă·ḥō·ṯāh) Noun - feminine singular construct | third person feminine singular Strong's 269: Sister -- a sister more beautiful טוֹבָ֣ה (ṭō·w·ḇāh) Adjective - feminine singular Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good than she? מִמֶּ֔נָּה (mim·men·nāh) Preposition | third person feminine singular Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of Please נָ֥א (nā) Interjection Strong's 4994: I pray', 'now', 'then' take תְּהִי־ (tə·hî-) Verb - Qal - Imperfect Jussive - third person feminine singular Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be her instead.” תַּחְתֶּֽיהָ׃ (taḥ·te·hā) Preposition | third person feminine singular Strong's 8478: The bottom, below, in lieu of Links Judges 15:2 NIVJudges 15:2 NLT Judges 15:2 ESV Judges 15:2 NASB Judges 15:2 KJV Judges 15:2 BibleApps.com Judges 15:2 Biblia Paralela Judges 15:2 Chinese Bible Judges 15:2 French Bible Judges 15:2 Catholic Bible OT History: Judges 15:2 Her father said I most certainly thought (Jd Judg. 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