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Judges 15:11

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Judges 15:11 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “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.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

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.
Judges 15:11 — American Standard Version

Context — Judges 15

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
8And he smote them hip and thigh with a great slaughter: and he went down and dwelt in the cleft of the rock of Etam.
9Then the Philistines went up, and encamped in Judah, and spread themselves in Lehi.
10And the men of Judah said, Why are ye come up against us? And they said, To bind Samson are we come up, to do to him as he hath done to us.
11Then 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.
12And they said unto him, We are come down to bind thee, that we may deliver thee into the hand of the Philistines. And Samson said unto them, Swear unto me, that ye will not fall upon me yourselves.
13And they spake unto him, saying, No; but we will bind thee fast, and deliver thee into their hand: but surely we will not kill thee. And they bound him with two new ropes, and brought him up from the rock.
14When he came unto Lehi, the Philistines shouted as they met him: and the Spirit of Jehovah came mightily upon him, and the ropes that were upon his arms became as flax that was burnt with fire, and his bands dropped from off his hands.
← Judges 15:10Judges 15:12 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Then three thousand of Judah went up to the top of the rock of Etam, etc.] Or “went down” f311; that is, into the cave of the rock of Etam, as the Septuagint and Vulgate Latin versions; and so it is taken by David de Pomis f312 for a cave dug in the rock: this was a large number that went to take one man; the reason is, they knew his great strength: and said to Samson, knowest thou not that the Philistines are rulers over us? and therefore it must be a very unwise thing to disoblige and provoke them, when it lay in their power to oppress them yet more and more, to increase their tribute, and make their burdens heavier, and even take away their lives: what is this that thou hast done unto us?…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The dispirited men of Judah were prepared to give up their champion, in order to conciliate their masters. This shows how hard was the task of the Judge, whose office it was to restore his countrymen to freedom and independence. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Unto us - Thou hast by these actions punished not them only, but us, who are sure to smart for it. Judges 15:12”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“went: Heb. went down the rock Etam: Probably near the town Etam, mentioned in Ch1 4:32. Philistines: Jdg 13:1, Jdg 14:4; Deu 28:13, Deu 28:47, Deu 28:48; Psa 106:41 Judges 15:12”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification