Old Testament
Judges 14:3
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
His father and mother protested, "Isn't there a single woman among your own relatives or anywhere in our entire nation? Why do you have to marry an uncircumcised Philistine?" But Samson told his father, "Get her for me. She's the one I want."
Compare translations
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.
What Judges 14:3 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, Samson's parents express their concern about his choice of a wife from the Philistines, who were enemies of Israel and not part of their faith. They question why he would not choose a woman from his own people, highlighting the importance of marrying within one's community and faith. Samson, however, insists on marrying the Philistine woman because he finds her attractive. This interaction reveals the tension between personal desire and cultural expectations, as well as the challenges of maintaining faithfulness to one's heritage in the face of personal choices. Samson's decision foreshadows future conflicts, as his marriage to a Philistine woman will lead to significant consequences for him and his people. It illustrates the struggle between individual desires and communal values, a theme that resonates throughout the book of Judges.
How to apply Judges 14:3 to your life
This verse encourages us to consider the values and beliefs of our community when making significant life choices, such as marriage. It reminds us to seek wisdom from our families and to reflect on how our decisions align with our faith and cultural identity.
Curated for this public verse page. Judges Summary
Learn the Bible through its people and places
Get to know the people in Scripture through illustrated stories, and explore the places where they lived and traveled.
Illustrated scene from Samson's story: The Lion at Timnath (Judges 14:1–9)
Meet the people of the Bible
Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.
Samson
Photo: U.S. Army photo by Spc. Samantha R. Ciaramitaro, via DVIDS and Wikimedia Commons. License: Public domain in the United States — U.S. federal-government work. Source. Location: Great Ziggurat, Ur Archaeological City (Tell el-Mukayyar), Dhi Qar Governorate, Iraq. Resized for the web.
Explore the places of the Bible
See where biblical events happened, why each place matters, and what archaeology helps us understand.
Ur
The city Abram's family left to travel toward Canaan.
Get full access with one subscription
Explore the people and places of the Bible. Read summaries of every book, with images and clear explanations covering every chapter. Access all these features and our Bible study tools with one subscription.
See PlansAsk AI about Judges 14:3
Ask a question about this verse and get a clear answer, with Bible references you can read for yourself.
Every Bible book, explained chapter by chapter
Explore summaries of every book of the Bible, with images and easy-to-understand explanations covering every chapter.
Keep studying Judges 14:3
Related Bible verses
Key themes
Related topics
At a Glance — the Book of Judges
- Author
- Traditionally attributed to Samuel
- Written
- Around 1050-1000 BC
- Genre
- Historical narrative
- Original Audience
- The Israelites living under the judges
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Judges 14:3 mean?
Judges 14:3 shows Samson's parents questioning his choice to marry a Philistine woman, highlighting the cultural and religious tensions of the time. They express concern over marrying outside their community, while Samson insists on his desire for her, indicating a conflict between personal choice and cultural expectations.
What is the significance of Samson's choice in Judges 14:3?
Samson's choice to marry a Philistine woman signifies a departure from his community's values and foreshadows future conflicts. It illustrates the struggle between individual desires and the expectations of one's heritage, a recurring theme in the book of Judges.
Why do Samson's parents object to his marriage in Judges 14:3?
Samson's parents object to his marriage because they believe he should marry within their own people, reflecting the importance of cultural and religious identity. They are concerned about the implications of marrying someone from a rival nation.
What lesson can we learn from Judges 14:3?
Judges 14:3 teaches the importance of considering family and cultural values when making significant life choices, such as marriage. It encourages reflection on how personal decisions align with one's faith and community.
Daily Verse — straight to your inbox
A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.