Judges 15:14-15
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The Philistines' shouts of triumph quickly turned to terror as the Spirit of the Lord empowered Samson, instantly dissolving his ropes. This wasn't just Samson breaking free; it's a vivid picture of God's power making the impossible happen when His Spirit moves.
When he came to Lehi, the Philistines came shouting to meet him. Then the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon him, and the ropes that were on his arms became as flax that has caught fire, and his bonds melted off his hands. And he found a fresh jawbone of a donkey, and put out his hand and took it, and with it he struck 1,000 men.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Samson has just been delivered to the Philistines by the men of Judah, who bound him with new ropes out of fear. As Samson arrives at Lehi, the Philistines erupt in joyous shouts, believing their enemy is finally captured and helpless. However, at this very moment, the Spirit of the Lord empowers Samson, causing the ropes to instantly break as if consumed by fire.
Imagine the scene: the Philistines are closing in, shouting with glee, confident they've finally captured their nemesis. What happens next shatters their joy.
The Philistines saw Samson bound and believed they had him cornered. Their shouts weren't just noise; they were expressions of triumph, celebrating what they thought was the end of Samson's reign of terror.
A False Sense of Security
This moment highlights how quickly circumstances can change. The Philistines were so sure of their victory, so blinded by their perceived success, that they didn't anticipate the power that was about to be unleashed. Their shouts of joy were premature, turning into shouts of terror in an instant.
The Power of God's Presence
This isn't just about Samson's physical strength; it's about the 'Spirit of the LORD' coming 'mightily upon him.' When God's Spirit moves, the impossible becomes possible, and the confident enemies are thrown into confusion.
What does it mean for ropes to become like burning flax? This vivid imagery shows us the destructive and liberating power of God's Spirit.
The description of the ropes becoming 'as flax that has caught fire' and his bonds 'melted off' is incredibly powerful. It's not just that the ropes broke; they were utterly annihilated, as if consumed by an unstoppable flame.
Divine Strength Over Human Restraint
This wasn't Samson's natural strength. The cords, thick and strong enough to bind a powerful man, were no match for the Spirit of the LORD. The imagery emphasizes the absolute and effortless nature of God's power when it moves through a person.
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Freedom from Impossibility
The 'melting' of the bonds speaks of a complete release. It signifies not just escape, but a transformation of the restraints themselves. What was meant to hold Samson captive was destroyed by the very presence of God's power.
Understand the original words
ruach YHWH · Hebrew Noun phrase
The third person of the Trinity, the divine agent who empowers individuals for specific tasks or missions. In the Old Testament, He often 'rushed upon' judges and leaders to provide supernatural strength or guidance.
tsalach · Hebrew Verb
To act with sudden, overwhelming power or force. It implies a divine enablement that transcends human capability to accomplish God's purposes.
pishtah · Hebrew Noun
A fibrous plant material used to make linen and ropes. In this context, it serves as a simile for how easily Samson’s restraints were destroyed by divine power.
moserah · Hebrew Noun
The physical restraints used to bind someone; metaphorically, they represent obstacles, enslavement, or the inability to act freely.
nakah · Hebrew Verb
The act of striking or smiting, often used in a military context to signify victory in battle through divine or human force.
This pivotal moment highlights the spiritual and physical oppression Israel faced under Philistine rule, and how God's Spirit could supernaturally empower an individual to achieve victory against overwhelming odds, even when the people themselves were sometimes complicit.
c. 11th Century BC
Philistine Dominance over Israel
The Philistines, a seafaring people, had settled along the coast of Canaan and rose to prominence, often oppressing the Israelite tribes. This period of Philistine power created constant tension and conflict.
During Samson's lifetime
Samson's Vow and Vengeance
Samson, a Nazirite from birth, possessed extraordinary strength. He used this strength to harass the Philistines, driven by a personal desire for vengeance and, at times, by the Spirit of God for Israel's deliverance.
During Samson's lifetime— this verse
Samson's Capture near Gaza
After Samson's exploits, including burning Philistine crops and killing many Philistines, the men of Judah handed him over to the Philistines, binding him with ropes. He was brought to Jerusalem where the Philistines, upon seeing him, rejoiced and shouted.
During Samson's lifetime
Samson's Escape and the Jawbone
Upon reaching Lehi (meaning 'jawbone'), the Spirit of the Lord empowered Samson to break free from his ropes. He then seized a donkey's jawbone and slew a thousand Philistines.
This passage speaks about God not allowing us to be tempted beyond what we can bear and always providing a way out, echoing the supernatural strength God gave Samson to break free from his bonds when faced with overwhelming odds.
Psalm 18:29The psalmist declares, 'By you I can run against a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall,' which parallels Samson's experience of God’s Spirit giving him superhuman ability to overcome powerful enemies and break through constraints.
Acts 2:24This verse describes God raising Jesus from the dead, 'loosing him from the pains of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.' This foreshadows Christ's ultimate triumph over death, much like Samson's immediate, powerful breaking of his bonds through divine intervention.
Isaiah 40:31It promises that those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, 'they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not be faint.' This echoes the transformative power of God's Spirit, giving Samson the strength to escape and overcome.
John 8:36Jesus declares, 'So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.' This verse speaks to a profound spiritual liberty that mirrors Samson's physical liberation, highlighting that true freedom comes from God's power.
clarkeJudges 15:14: "And when he came unto Lehi, the Philistines shouted against him: and the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and the cords that were upon his arms became as flax that was burnt with fire, and his bands loosed from off his hands."
When he came unto Lehi - This was the name of the place to which they brought him, either to put him to death, or keep him in perpetual confinement. Shouted against him - His capture was a matter of public rejoicing.
henryJudges 15:9-17: "Then the Philistines went up, and pitched in Judah, and spread themselves in Lehi."
15:9-17 Sin dispirits men, it hides from their eyes the things that belong to their peace. The Israelites blamed Samson for what he had done against the Philistines, as if he had done them a great injury. Thus our Lord Jesus did many good works, and for those the Jews were ready to stone him. When the Spirit of the Lord came upon Samson, his cords were loosed: where the Spirit of the Lord is, th…
The Philistines' shouts of triumph quickly turned to terror as the Spirit of the Lord empowered Samson, instantly dissolving his ropes. This wasn't just Samson breaking free; it's a vivid picture of God's power making the impossible happen when His Spirit moves.
Samson has just been delivered to the Philistines by the men of Judah, who bound him with new ropes out of fear. As Samson arrives at Lehi, the Philistines erupt in joyous shouts, believing their enemy is finally captured and helpless. However, at this very moment, the Spirit of the Lord empowers Samson, causing the ropes to instantly break as if consumed by fire.
Samson has just been delivered to the Philistines by the men of Judah, who bound him with new ropes out of fear. As Samson arrives at Lehi, the Philistines erupt in joyous shouts, believing their enemy is finally captured and helpless. However, at this very moment, the Spirit of the Lord empowers Samson, causing the ropes to instantly break as if consumed by fire.
"When he came to Lehi, the Philistines came shouting to meet him. Then the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon him, and the ropes that were on his arms became as flax that has caught fire, and his bonds melted off his hands. And he found a fresh…" — The Philistines' shouts of triumph quickly turned to terror as the Spirit of the Lord empowered Samson, instantly dissolving his ropes. This wasn't just Samson breaking free; it's a vivid picture of…
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Last reviewed October 2026
