Judges 15:3Samson said to them, "This time I will be blameless in regard of the Philistines, when I harm them."
The setting
Timnah, Palestine, ~1100 BC. Samson stands facing his father-in-law and the Philistine community, his massive frame tense with rage as he declares his intention for revenge...
The emotion here: recording the tragic escalation with foreboding
The original word
nāqî (נָקִי) — to be clean, innocent, blameless - Samson believes his revenge is morally justified
Why it matters
The law of retaliation (lex talionis) was common in ancient times, but Samson's response would far exceed proportional justice
Read with care
What most readers miss in Judges 15:3
Samson isn't just angry - he's announcing this publicly to establish legal justification before witnesses
Common misconceptionMost people think Samson was just hotheaded, but he carefully constructed a legal argument for his revenge - making his choice even more tragic.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Judges 15:3
Bible Genome reading
Judges 15:3 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Judges 15:3 comes from the book of Judges, written during the judges period. These words are attributed to Samson. The dominant emotion in this verse is angry, with a comfort power of 10% and a tone that is commanding. It belongs to the dialogue genre of biblical literature. Key themes include revenge, justification. Notable phrases: I will be blameless; when I harm them. This verse contains a promise of God.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same angry
“Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning hooks into spears. Let the weak say, 'I am strong.'”
— Joel 3:10
“You blind guides, who strain out a gnat, and swallow a camel!”
— Matthew 23:24
“Listen to this word, you cows of Bashan, who are on the mountain of Samaria, who oppress the poor, who crush the needy, who tell their husba…”
— Amos 4:1
“I hate, I despise your feasts, and I can't stand your solemn assemblies.”
— Amos 5:21
“Your eyes shall not pity; life shall go for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.”
— Deuteronomy 19:21
Your reflection
What does Judges 15:3 mean to you, today?
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