Judges 16:21The Philistines laid hold on him, and put out his eyes; and they brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass; and he ground at the mill in the prison.
The setting
Gaza, Palestine. The Philistines gouge out Samson's eyes with bronze instruments, then march him 40 miles south to their prison mill where he grinds grain like an animal...
The emotion here: heartbroken recording the complete humiliation of Israel's deliverer
The original word
nāqar (נָקַר) — to bore out, gouge out violently
Why it matters
Bronze fetters were reserved for the most dangerous prisoners, weighing 20-30 pounds each
Read with care
What most readers miss in Judges 16:21
The mill was likely a large stone wheel turned by prisoners — backbreaking work designed to break their spirit
Common misconceptionPeople think this is just about Samson's personal failure, but the Philistines were Israel's oppressors. His capture meant the entire nation lost their strongest defender.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Judges 16:21
Bible Genome reading
Judges 16:21 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Judges 16:21 comes from the book of Judges, written during the judges period. These words are attributed to Narrator. The dominant emotion in this verse is grieving, with a comfort power of 20% and a tone that is lamenting. It belongs to the narrative genre of biblical literature. Key themes include consequences, captivity, humiliation. Notable phrases: put out his eyes; bound him with fetters; brought him down to Gaza.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same grieving
“By the sweat of your face will you eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken. For you are dust, and to dust you…”
— Genesis 3:19
“Jesus wept.”
— John 11:35
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, and from the words of my groaning?”
— Psalms 22:1
“They divide my garments among them. They cast lots for my clothing.”
— Psalms 22:18
“for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God;”
— Romans 3:23
Your reflection
What does Judges 16:21 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 "grieving"
Delivered to your inbox right now. Free.