Judges 14:13 - Forerunner Commentary

Judges 14:13

11 And it happened, when they saw him, that they brought thirty companions to be with him.

12 Then Samson said to them, “Let me ^apose a riddle to you. If you can correctly solve and explain it to me ^bwithin the seven days of the feast, then I will give you thirty linen garments and thirty ^cchanges of clothing.

13 But if you cannot explain it to me, then you shall give me thirty linen garments and thirty changes of clothing.” And they said to him, ^a“Pose your riddle, that we may hear it.”

14 So he said to them:
“Out of the eater came something to eat,
And out of the strong came something sweet.” Now for three days they could not explain the riddle.

15 But it came to pass on the¹ seventh day that they said to Samson’s wife, ^a“Entice your husband, that he may explain the riddle to us, ^bor else we will burn you and your father’s house with fire. Have you invited us in order to take what is ours? Is that not so?”

16 Then Samson’s wife wept on him, and said, ^a“You only hate me! You do not love me! You have posed a riddle to the sons of my people, but you have not explained it to me.” And he said to her, “Look, I have not explained it to my father or my mother; so should I explain it to you?”

Verse Comparison: Judges 14:13

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American Standard Version
but if ye cannot declare it unto me, then shall ye give me thirty linen garments and thirty changes of raiment. And they said unto him, Put forth thy riddle, that we may hear it.

Amplified® Bible
But if you cannot declare it to me, then shall you give me thirty linen undergarments and thirty changes of festive [costly] raiment. And they said to him, Put forth your riddle, that we may hear it.

Contemporary English Version
But if you can't tell me the answer, then each of you will have to give me a shirt and a full change of clothing." "It's a bet!" the Philistines said. "Tell us the riddle."

Darby English Version
but if you cannot tell me what it is, then you shall give me thirty linen garments and thirty festal garments." And they said to him, "Put your riddle, that we may hear it."

Good News Bible
(SEE 14:12)

King James Version
But if ye cannot declare it me, then shall ye give me thirty sheets and thirty change of garments. And they said unto him, Put forth thy riddle, that we may hear it.

New American Standard Bible
"But if you are unable to tell me, then you shall give me thirty linen wraps and thirty changes of clothes. And they said to him, "Propound your riddle, that we may hear it.""

New International Version
If you can't tell me the answer, you must give me thirty linen garments and thirty sets of clothes."
"Tell us your riddle," they said. "Let's hear it."

New King James Version
But if you cannot explain it to me, then you shall give me thirty linen garments and thirty changes of clothing.” And they said to him, “Pose your riddle, that we may hear it.”

N.A.S.B. in E-Prime
"But if you cannot tell me, then you shall give me thirty linen wraps and thirty changes of clothes." And they said to him, "Tell us your riddle, that we may hear it."

Revised Standard Version
but if you cannot tell me what it is, then you shall give me thirty linen garments and thirty festal garments." And they said to him, "Put your riddle, that we may hear it."

Young's Literal Translation
and if ye are not able to declare `it' to me, then ye have given to me thirty linen shirts, and thirty changes of garments.' And they say to him, `Put forth thy riddle, and we hear it!'

New English Translation
But if you cannot solve it,¹ you will give me thirty linen robes and thirty sets of clothes.” They said to him, “Let us hear your riddle.”²

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