Judges 14:20Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Douay-RheimsHebrew (Masoretic text)

But his wife took one of his friends and bridal companions for her husband.
Douay-Rheims

וַתְּהִ֖י אֵ֣שֶׁת שִׁמְשׁ֑וֹן לְמֵ֣רֵעֵ֔הוּ אֲשֶׁ֥ר רֵעָ֖ה לֽוֹ׃
Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

One Church Father comments on this verse

Ambrose of Milan

4th centuryChurch Father

She was troubled and apprehensive about her treachery in light of the anger of the offended and the wrath of the mightiest, leading her to consent to marry another. This new spouse was the same individual whom Samson had chosen as the groomsman during the wedding when he took her as his wife. Yet, her effort to secure safety through marriage did not shield her from retribution.

Cross references

Passages read together with this verse.

Judg 15:2I thought thou hadst hated her, and therefore I gave her to thy friend: but she hath a sister, who is younger and fairer than she, take her to wife instead of her.
John 3:29He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, who standeth and heareth Him, rejoiceth with joy because of the bridegroom's voice. This my joy therefore is fulfilled.
John 13:18I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen. But that the scripture may be fulfilled: He that eateth bread with me shall lift up his heel against me,
Judg 15:6Then the Philistines said: Who hath done this thing? And it was answered: Samson, the son in law of the Thamnathite, because he took away his wife, and gave her to another, hath done these things. And the Philistines went up and burnt both the woman and her father.
Mic 7:5Believe not a friend, and trust not in a prince: keep the doors of thy mouth from her that sleepeth in thy bosom.
Jer 9:5And a man shall mock his brother, and they will not speak the truth: for they have taught their tongue to speak lies: they have laboured to commit iniquity.
Ps 55 (54):12
Ps 55 (54):13