Judges 16:31
New International Version
Then his brothers and his father’s whole family went down to get him. They brought him back and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the tomb of Manoah his father. He had led Israel twenty years.

New Living Translation
Later his brothers and other relatives went down to get his body. They took him back home and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol, where his father, Manoah, was buried. Samson had judged Israel for twenty years.

English Standard Version
Then his brothers and all his family came down and took him and brought him up and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the tomb of Manoah his father. He had judged Israel twenty years.

Berean Standard Bible
Then Samson’s brothers and his father’s family came down, carried him back, and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the tomb of his father Manoah. And he had judged Israel twenty years.

King James Bible
Then his brethren and all the house of his father came down, and took him, and brought him up, and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the buryingplace of Manoah his father. And he judged Israel twenty years.

New King James Version
And his brothers and all his father’s household came down and took him, and brought him up and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the tomb of his father Manoah. He had judged Israel twenty years.

New American Standard Bible
Then his brothers and all his father’s household came down and took him, and brought him up and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the tomb of his father Manoah. So he had judged Israel for twenty years.

NASB 1995
Then his brothers and all his father’s household came down, took him, brought him up and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the tomb of Manoah his father. Thus he had judged Israel twenty years.

NASB 1977
Then his brothers and all his father’s household came down, took him, brought him up, and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the tomb of Manoah his father. Thus he had judged Israel twenty years.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then his brothers and all his father’s household came down, carried him, brought him up, and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol, in the tomb of Manoah his father. Thus he had judged Israel twenty years.

Amplified Bible
Then his brothers and his father’s entire [tribal] household came down, took him, and brought him up; and they buried him in the tomb of Manoah his father, [which was] between Zorah and Eshtaol. So Samson had judged Israel for twenty years.

Christian Standard Bible
Then his brothers and his father’s whole family came down, carried him back, and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the tomb of his father Manoah. So he judged Israel twenty years.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then his brothers and his father’s family came down, carried him back, and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the tomb of his father Manoah. So he judged Israel 20 years.

American Standard Version
Then his brethren and all the house of his father came down, and took him, and brought him up, and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the burying-place of Manoah his father. And he judged Israel twenty years.

Contemporary English Version
His brothers and the rest of his family went to Gaza and took his body back home. They buried him in his father's tomb, which was located between Zorah and Eshtaol. Samson was a leader of Israel for 20 years.

English Revised Version
Then his brethren and all the house of his father came down, and took him, and brought him up, and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the buryingplace of Manoah his father. And he judged Israel twenty years.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then his relatives and his father's whole family went to Gaza. They took Samson and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the tomb of his father Manoah. Samson had judged Israel for 20 years.

Good News Translation
His brothers and the rest of his family came down to get his body. They took him back and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the tomb of his father Manoah. He had been Israel's leader for twenty years.

International Standard Version
Afterwards, his brothers and his father's household servants came down, took him, brought him back, and buried him in his father Manoah's tomb between Zorah and Eshtaol. He had governed Israel for 20 years.

Majority Standard Bible
Then Samson?s brothers and his father?s family came down, carried him back, and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the tomb of his father Manoah. And he had judged Israel twenty years.

NET Bible
His brothers and all his family went down and brought him back. They buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the tomb of Manoah his father. He had led Israel for twenty years.

New Heart English Bible
Then his brothers and all the house of his father came down, and took him, and brought him up, and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the burial site of Manoah his father. He judged Israel twenty years.

Webster's Bible Translation
Then his brethren and all the house of his father came down, and took him, and brought him up, and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the burying-place of Manoah his father. And he judged Israel twenty years.

World English Bible
Then his brothers and all the house of his father came down and took him, and brought him up and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the burial site of Manoah his father. He judged Israel twenty years.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And his brothers come down, and all the house of his father, and lift him up, and bring him up, and bury him between Zorah and Eshtaol, in the burying-place of his father Manoah; and he has judged Israel [for] twenty years.

Young's Literal Translation
And his brethren come down, and all the house of his father, and lift him up, and bring him up, and bury him between Zorah and Eshtaol, in the burying-place of Manoah his father; and he hath judged Israel twenty years.

Smith's Literal Translation
And his brethren and all the house of his father will go down and will lift him up, and will bring him up, and bury him between Zorah and between Eshtaol in the grave of Manoah his father. And he judged Israel twenty years.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And his brethren and all his kindred, going down took his body, and buried it between Saraa and Esthaol in the buryingplace of his father Manue: and he judged Israel twenty years.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then his brothers and all his relatives, going down, took his body, and they buried it between Zorah and Eshtaol, in the burying place of his father, Manoah. And he judged Israel for twenty years.

New American Bible
His kinsmen and all his father’s house went down and bore him up for burial in the grave of Manoah his father between Zorah and Eshtaol. He had judged Israel for twenty years.

New Revised Standard Version
Then his brothers and all his family came down and took him and brought him up and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the tomb of his father Manoah. He had judged Israel twenty years.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then his brothers and all the house of his father came down and took him, and brought him up and buried him between Zedah and Eshtaol in the burying place of Menoah his father. And he had judged Israel twenty years.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And all his brothers and all the household of his father went down, and they came up and they buried him between Tsada and between Eshtwayel in the tomb of MaNoah his father, and he had judged Israel twenty years
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Then his brethren and all the house of his father came down, and took him, and brought him up, and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the burying-place of Manoah his father. And he judged Israel twenty years.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And his brethren and his father's house went down, and they took him; and they went up and buried him between Saraa and Esthaol in the sepulchre of his father Manoe; and he judged Israel twenty years.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Samson's Vengeance and Death
30Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines.” Then he pushed with all his might, and the temple fell on the lords and all the people in it. So in his death he killed more than he had killed in his life. 31Then Samson’s brothers and his father’s family came down, carried him back, and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the tomb of his father Manoah. And he had judged Israel twenty years.

Cross References
Hebrews 11:32
And what more shall I say? Time will not allow me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets,

1 Samuel 12:11
So the LORD sent Jerubbaal, Barak, Jephthah, and Samuel, and He delivered you from the hands of your enemies on every side, and you dwelt securely.

1 Kings 1:41
Now Adonijah and all his guests were finishing their feast when they heard the sound of the ram’s horn. “Why is the city in such a loud uproar?” asked Joab.

1 Chronicles 11:10-14
Now these were the chiefs of David’s mighty men, who, together with all Israel, bolstered and strengthened his kingdom, according to the word of the LORD concerning Israel. / This is the list of David’s mighty men: Jashobeam son of Hachmoni was chief of the officers; he wielded his spear against three hundred men, whom he killed at one time. / Next in command was Eleazar son of Dodo the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men. ...

1 Samuel 7:15-17
So Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life. / Every year he would go on a circuit from Bethel to Gilgal to Mizpah, judging Israel in all these places. / Then he would return to Ramah because his home was there, and there he judged Israel and built an altar to the LORD.

1 Samuel 25:1
When Samuel died, all Israel gathered to mourn for him; and they buried him at his home in Ramah. Then David set out and went down to the Wilderness of Paran.

1 Samuel 28:3
Now by this time Samuel had died, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in Ramah, his own city. And Saul had removed the mediums and spiritists from the land.

2 Samuel 2:4-7
Then the men of Judah came to Hebron, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, “It was the men of Jabesh-gilead who buried Saul.” / So David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh-gilead to tell them, “The LORD bless you, because you showed this kindness to Saul your lord when you buried him. / Now may the LORD show you loving devotion and faithfulness, and I will also show you the same favor because you have done this. ...

2 Samuel 3:31-39
Then David ordered Joab and all the people with him, “Tear your clothes, put on sackcloth, and mourn before Abner.” And King David himself walked behind the funeral bier. / When they buried Abner in Hebron, the king wept aloud at Abner’s tomb, and all the people wept. / And the king sang this lament for Abner: “Should Abner die the death of a fool? ...

2 Samuel 5:1-5
Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, “Here we are, your own flesh and blood. / Even in times past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them back. And to you the LORD said, ‘You will shepherd My people Israel, and you will be ruler over them.’” / So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, where King David made with them a covenant before the LORD. And they anointed him king over Israel. ...

2 Samuel 23:8-39
These are the names of David’s mighty men: Josheb-basshebeth the Tahchemonite was chief of the Three. He wielded his spear against eight hundred men, whom he killed at one time. / Next in command was Eleazar son of Dodo the Ahohite. As one of the three mighty men, he went with David to taunt the Philistines who had gathered for battle at Pas-dammim. The men of Israel retreated, / but Eleazar stood his ground and struck the Philistines until his hand grew weary and stuck to his sword. The LORD brought about a great victory that day. Then the troops returned to him, but only to plunder the dead. ...

1 Chronicles 29:26-30
David son of Jesse was king over all Israel. / The length of David’s reign over Israel was forty years—seven years in Hebron and thirty-three years in Jerusalem. / He died at a ripe old age, full of years, riches, and honor, and his son Solomon reigned in his place. ...

2 Chronicles 24:15-16
When Jehoiada was old and full of years, he died at the age of 130. / And Jehoiada was buried with the kings in the City of David, because he had done what was good in Israel for God and His temple.

Matthew 1:5-6
Salmon was the father of Boaz by Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse, / and Jesse the father of David the king. Next: David was the father of Solomon by Uriah’s wife,

Acts 13:20-21
All this took about 450 years. After this, God gave them judges until the time of Samuel the prophet. / Then the people asked for a king, and God gave them Saul son of Kish, from the tribe of Benjamin, who ruled forty years.


Treasury of Scripture

Then his brothers and all the house of his father came down, and took him, and brought him up, and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the burial plot of Manoah his father. And he judged Israel twenty years.

his brethren

John 19:39-42
And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight

between Zorah

Judges 13:2,25
And there was a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren, and bare not…

Joshua 19:41
And the coast of their inheritance was Zorah, and Eshtaol, and Irshemesh,

and he judged

Judges 15:20
And he judged Israel in the days of the Philistines twenty years.

Jump to Previous
Burial Buried Buryingplace Burying-Place Eshtaol House Household Israel Judged Manoah Site Twenty Zorah
Jump to Next
Burial Buried Buryingplace Burying-Place Eshtaol House Household Israel Judged Manoah Site Twenty Zorah
Judges 16
1. Samson at Gaza escapes, and carries away the gates of the city
4. Delilah corrupted by the Philistines, entices Samson
6. Thrice she is deceived
15. At last she overcomes him
21. The Philistines take him, and put out his eyes
22. His strength renewing, he pulls down the house upon the Philistines and dies














Then Samson’s brothers and his father’s family came down
This phrase highlights the familial responsibility and respect for the dead in ancient Israelite culture. Despite Samson's tumultuous life, his family honors him by retrieving his body. This act of coming down suggests they traveled from a higher elevation, likely from the hill country of Judah, reflecting the geographical setting of the region.

carried him back
The act of carrying Samson's body back to his homeland signifies a return to his roots and a final resting place among his people. This reflects the importance of burial customs in Israelite society, where being buried in one's ancestral land was a significant honor.

and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol
Zorah and Eshtaol are significant locations in the narrative of Samson's life, marking the beginning of his story in Judges 13:25. These towns are situated in the territory of Dan, emphasizing Samson's connection to his tribe. Archaeological findings in these areas provide insights into the period of the Judges, illustrating the cultural and historical context of Samson's life.

in the tomb of his father Manoah
This phrase underscores the importance of family lineage and heritage in ancient Israel. Being buried in the family tomb was a way to maintain familial bonds even in death. Manoah, Samson's father, is a key figure in the narrative, representing the faith and expectations placed upon Samson from birth.

And he had judged Israel twenty years.
Samson's role as a judge for twenty years highlights his significance in the history of Israel during the period of the Judges. This era was marked by a cycle of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance. Samson's judgeship, despite his personal failings, was part of God's plan to deliver Israel from Philistine oppression. His life can be seen as a type of Christ, a flawed deliverer pointing to the ultimate Deliverer, Jesus Christ, who would come to save His people from their sins.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Samson
A judge of Israel known for his supernatural strength, which was a gift from God contingent upon his Nazirite vow. His life was marked by personal failings and a final act of redemption.

2. Samson's Brothers and Family
They are mentioned as those who retrieved Samson's body for burial, indicating a familial duty and respect despite his tumultuous life.

3. Zorah and Eshtaol
These are the locations between which Samson was buried. They are significant as they are part of the territory of the tribe of Dan, to which Samson belonged.

4. Manoah
Samson's father, whose tomb becomes Samson's final resting place. Manoah's role in Samson's life is significant as he and his wife were visited by an angel announcing Samson's birth.

5. The Philistines
Although not directly mentioned in this verse, they are the oppressors of Israel during Samson's time and the ones whom Samson fought against throughout his life.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Family
Samson's family honored him in death despite his flaws, reminding us of the importance of familial bonds and forgiveness.

Legacy and Redemption
Samson's life teaches that despite personal failures, one can still fulfill God's purpose. His final act was one of redemption, showing that it's never too late to return to God.

The Role of Judges
Samson judged Israel for twenty years, highlighting the cyclical nature of Israel's history where God raises leaders to deliver His people.

God's Sovereignty
Despite Samson's weaknesses, God used him to achieve His purposes, demonstrating that God's plans are not thwarted by human failings.

The Consequences of Sin
Samson's life is a cautionary tale about the consequences of straying from God's commands, particularly regarding his Nazirite vow.(31) His brethren and all the house of his father.--Probably Manoah and his wife were dead. The religious terror caused by the catastrophe may well have prevented the people of Gaza from offering any opposition to the removal of his body.

"Samson hath quit himself

Like Samson, and heroically has finished

A life heroic."--Milton.

Verse 31. - His brethren, etc. Some infer from this that Samson's mother bare other children after the birth of Samson. But the Hebrew use of the word brethren is so wide, applied to cousins, or members of the same house of fathers, or of the same tribe, that it is by no means a certain inference. Here his brethren might mean the Danites generally, and all the house of his father those who were more nearly related, as belonging to the house of his father. His father was probably dead, and indeed the mention of his father's burying-place, or rather sepulchre, makes it certain that he was, so that Milton was in error in making him alive. Zorah and Eshtaol. See above, Judges 13:2, 25, note. And he judged Israel. See Judges 15:20. The parallel between Samson and Hercules is in many respects very remarkable, and has been drawn out by Serdrius and others. The supernatural strength of each, the slavery to women ("Quem non mille for, quem non Sthenellius hostis, Non potuit Mayors vincere, vicit amor." Ovid), the tearing asunder of the lion, the violent death of each, partly voluntary and partly forced, are all points of strong general resemblance. But one of the most remarkable is the connection of Hercules with two pillars. The "pillars of Hercules" on each side the straits of Gibraltar, Mount Abila and Mount Calpe, were said to have been rent asunder by the strength of Hercules' arms. And Herodotus relates that in the temple of Hercules at Tyre were two remarkable pillars, one of refined gold, the other of smaragdus, some green stone like an emerald (2:44). But the account given of a visit of Hercules to Egypt is still more remarkable, as compared with the history of the binding of Samson and the slaughter of the Philistines, as related in ch. 15. The following are the words of Herodotus: - "The Greeks say that when Hercules went down to Egypt, the Egyptians surrounded him, and led him in a procession to sacrifice him to Jupiter; that he kept quite still for a time, but that when they were commencing the sacrifice at the altar" (the first act of which was cutting off the hair) "he turned in self-defence, and by his prowess slew them all." On which Herodo. tus remarks, "How was it possible for him, being but one, and being only a man, to slay many myriads?" The prevalence of the worship of Hercules among the Phoenicians, as, e.g., at Tyre and Thasos, a Phoenician colony, and the close connection of Egypt with Gaza, where the prowess of Samson was so well known, are points not to be omitted in considering the probability of some of the legends of Hercules being drawn from the history of Samson. So also is the title of the Phoenician Hercules, the saviour or deliverer, as compared with Judges 2:16, 18; Judges 13:5.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then [Samson's] brothers
אֶחָ֜יו (’e·ḥāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 251: A brother, )

and his father’s
אָבִיהוּ֮ (’ā·ḇî·hū)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1: Father

family
בֵּ֣ית (bêṯ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

came down,
וַיֵּרְד֨וּ (way·yê·rə·ḏū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 3381: To come or go down, descend

carried him back,
וַֽיַּעֲל֣וּ ׀ (way·ya·‘ă·lū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

and buried
וַיִּקְבְּר֣וּ (way·yiq·bə·rū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 6912: To inter

him between
בֵּ֤ין (bên)
Preposition
Strong's 996: An interval, space between

Zorah
צָרְעָה֙ (ṣā·rə·‘āh)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 6881: Zorah -- a city exchanged by Judah and Dan

and Eshtaol
אֶשְׁתָּאֹ֔ל (’eš·tā·’ōl)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 847: Eshtaol -- to found, establish

in the tomb
בְּקֶ֖בֶר (bə·qe·ḇer)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6913: A grave, sepulcher

of his father
אָבִ֑יו (’ā·ḇîw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1: Father

Manoah.
מָנ֣וֹחַ (mā·nō·w·aḥ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4495: Manoah -- father of Samson

And he
וְה֛וּא (wə·hū)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

had judged
שָׁפַ֥ט (šā·p̄aṭ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 8199: To judge, pronounce sentence, to vindicate, punish, to govern, to litigate

Israel
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

twenty
עֶשְׂרִ֥ים (‘eś·rîm)
Number - common plural
Strong's 6242: Twenty, twentieth

years.
שָׁנָֽה׃ (šā·nāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8141: A year


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OT History: Judges 16:31 Then his brothers and all the house (Jd Judg. Jdg)
Judges 16:30
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