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The men of the city said to him on the seventh day before the sun went down, What is sweeter than honey? and what is stronger than a lion? He said to them, If you hadn`t plowed with my heifer, You wouldn`t have found out my riddle.

Verse Takeaways

1

The Proverb of Betrayal

Samson's famous retort, 'If you had not plowed with my heifer,' was a proverbial way of accusing the men of treachery. Commentators explain he was comparing his wife to a young farm animal and saying the men had used her to extract his secret. While some have suggested this implies adultery, most scholars believe the phrase simply points to their manipulative use of his wife to solve the riddle.

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Judges

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4

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes

On Judges 14:18

18th Century

Theologian

They try to give the answer in a way that makes it appear they had guessed it. Samson saw at once that she had betrayed him. He lets them know in a…

Charles Ellicott

Charles Ellicott

On Judges 14:18

19th Century

Bishop

What is sweeter than honey? —Their answer is given in the same rhythmical form as the riddle itself.

If ye had not plowed with m…

John Gill

John Gill

On Judges 14:18

17th Century

Pastor

And the men of the city said unto him, on the seventh day,
before the sun went down
A…

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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry

On Judges 14:10–20

17th Century

Minister

Samson's riddle literally meant no more than that he had got honey, for food and for pleasure, from the lion, which in its strength and fury was re…