Judges 14:1 Meaning and Explanation
“And Samson went down to Timnath, and saw a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Samson travels down to Timnath and there sees a Philistine woman who catches his eye.
What Does Judges 14:1 Mean?
The narrative of Samson opens with movement. He leaves the highlands of Israel and goes down to Timnath, a town in the lowland country held by the Philistines, the people who at this time ruled over Israel. There his attention is seized by a woman among them.
The verse is quiet, but it sets the whole chapter in motion. A single glance becomes the hinge of all that follows. Samson was set apart from birth for God's purposes, yet here he is drawn by what he sees rather than by what he was called to. Scripture often lets a man's desires lead him into the very place where God will still, mysteriously, accomplish His larger will.
Judges 14:1 in the Original Language
Timnath (תִּמְנָה) -- a Philistine border town whose name suggests an 'allotted portion' of territory.
Frequently Asked Questions About Judges 14:1
What does Judges 14:1 mean?
Samson travels down to Timnath and there sees a Philistine woman who catches his eye.