Judges 14:12

“And Samson said unto them, etc.] His thirty companions, very likely on the first day of the feast: I will now put forth a riddle to you: a secret, hidden, abstruse thing, not easy to be understood; a dark saying, wrapped up in figurative terms; and this he proposed as an amusement to them, to exercise their wits, which it seems was usual to entertain guests with, and might be both pleasing and profitable: if you can certainly declare it unto me within the seven days of the feast; for so long the nuptial feast was usually kept, (see <012927>Genesis 29:27,28). If they could find it out; and with clearness and certainty explain the riddle to him within that period of time, which was giving them…”

“HIS RIDDLE. (Jdg 14:12-18) I will now put forth a riddle--Riddles are a favorite Oriental amusement at festive entertainments of this nature, and rewards are offered to those who give the solution. Samson's riddle related to honey in the lion's carcass. The prize he offered was thirty sindinim, or shirts, and thirty changes of garments, probably woolen. Three days were passed in vain attempts to unravel the enigma. The festive week was fast drawing to a close when they secretly enlisted the services of the newly married wife, who having got the secret, revealed it to her friends.”

“See the marginal references. Riddles formed one of the amusements of these protracted feasts. Sheets - Rather “linen shirts;” the “garments” which follow are the outward garments worn by the Orientals. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Seven days - For so long marriage - feasts lasted. Sheets - Fine linen - clothes, which were used for many purposes in those parts. Changes - Suits of apparel. Judges 14:15”

“a riddle: Kg1 10:1; Psa 49:4; Pro 1:6; Eze 17:2, Eze 20:49; Mat 13:13, Mat 13:34; Luk 14:7; Joh 16:29; Co1 13:12 \*marg. the seven: Gen 29:27, Gen 29:28; Ch2 7:8 sheets: or, shirts. This will receive illustration from Mr. Jackson's description of the Moorish dress: "It resembles that of the ancient patriarchs, as represented in paintings (but the paintings are taken from Asiatic models); that of the men consists of a red cap and turban, a (kumja) shirt, which hangs outside of the drawers, and comes below the knee; a (caftan) coat, which buttons close before, and down to the bottom with large open sleeves; over which, when they go out of doors, they throw carelessly, and sometimes elegantly,…”