Judges 14:11It happened, when they saw him, that they brought thirty companions to be with him.
The setting
Timnah, ~1100 BC. Philistine leaders see the massive Israelite strongman at their feast and immediately assign thirty young warriors as 'companions' - really guards. Modern-day agricultural region of Israel.
The emotion here: tension building as he records the trap being set
The original word
mere'im (מֵרֵעִים) — companions, but here meaning watchers or guards assigned for control
Why it matters
Thirty companions was the size of a military unit, not a normal wedding party
Read with care
What most readers miss in Judges 14:11
They weren't honoring Samson - they were containing him because they feared his strength
Common misconceptionMost think the Philistines were being hospitable, but they were actually putting Samson under house arrest disguised as honor.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Judges 14:11
Bible Genome reading
Judges 14:11 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Judges 14:11 comes from the book of Judges, written during the judges period. These words are attributed to Narrator. The dominant emotion in this verse is anxious, with a comfort power of 20% and a tone that is conversational. It belongs to the narrative genre of biblical literature. Key themes include suspicion, preparation. Notable phrases: thirty companions.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same anxious
“And no wonder, for even Satan masquerades as an angel of light.”
— 2 Corinthians 11:14
“Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.”
— 2 Timothy 3:12
“The evil spirit answered, "Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are you?"”
— Acts 19:15
“I fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to me, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?'”
— Acts 22:7
“When we had all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is har…”
— Acts 26:14
Your reflection
What does Judges 14:11 mean to you, today?
A short note. A question. A prayer. Saved privately to your Soul Garden, dated, and tied to this verse forever.
Speak your heart →Get 3 verses for "anxious"
Delivered to your inbox right now. Free.