Judges 16:25
IntermediateJudges 16:25 · World English Bible (WEB)
“When their hearts were merry, they said, “Call for Samson, that he may entertain us.” They called for Samson out of the prison; and he performed before them. They set him between the pillars;”
Tip: highlight any word or phrase above to go deeper on exactly that.
Overview
Samson is publicly humiliated by the Philistines at their feast, but God is quietly positioning him for the final act of judgment.
The Philistines think Samson has become a powerless object of entertainment. Yet the seemingly incidental detail that they set him “between the pillars” becomes the hinge on which the next moment turns.
What Makes This Verse Confusing?
This was not innocent entertainment. Samson, once the terror of the Philistines, is brought out as a blinded prisoner to be mocked, degraded, and displayed as proof that their god had triumphed over him. The “performance” likely involved ridicule, forced sport, or humiliating gestures before the crowd.
The text does not describe what Samson actually did before them, only that he “performed.” The nature of the performance is left unstated, and the surrounding feast setting must supply the tone of mockery.
This changes the scene from a simple request for amusement into a moment of covenant humiliation: the enemies of God are gloating over the fallen judge of Israel, not realizing the Lord is about to overturn their boasting.
Cultural & Historical Context
Israel would have heard this as part of the account of the judges, a time when the Lord repeatedly delivered His people despite their spiritual compromise.
Samson has been captured by the Philistines after Delilah’s betrayal, blinded, imprisoned, and forced to grind in prison. The Philistines are celebrating what they believe is victory over Samson and, by implication, over Israel’s God.
- ✦Victory feasts often included public humiliation of defeated enemies. Bringing out a captured champion for mockery magnified the conquerors’ shameful boasting and turned the prisoner into a trophy.
Original Language
to laugh — 1) to laugh, play, mock 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to laugh (usually in contempt or derision) 1a2) to sport, play 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to make sport 1b2) to jest 1b3) to play (including instrumental music, singing, dancing) 1c) (Hiphil) to laugh mockingly
The verb behind “entertain us” carries the sense of laughter or sport. In this setting, the laughter is not warm joy but derision: Samson is being made into an object of scorn.
to laugh — 1) to laugh, mock, play 1a) (Qal) to laugh 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to jest 1b2) to sport, play, make sport, toy with, make a toy of
The related word used for “performed” also belongs to the realm of laughter or sport. The verse is emphasizing the Philistines’ mocking amusement over Samson, which makes the coming reversal even more solemn.
pillar — 1) pillar, column 1a) pillar 1b) column, upright 1c) column (of smoke)
“Pillars” becomes the crucial word in the verse. What first appears to be a stage placement is actually the structural key to the judgment that follows.
Lexicon & word tagging: STEP Bible (Tyndale House, STEPBible.org, CC BY 4.0)
Related Passages
Hebrews 11:36
parallelHebrews speaks of faithful servants of God enduring “mockings” and cruel treatment.
Psalms 35:15-16
parallelThe psalm describes enemies rejoicing, gathering, and gnashing their teeth in malicious mockery.
Judges 19:6
BackgroundJudges 9:27
Background2 Samuel 13:28
BackgroundProverbs 24:17-18
contrastProverbs warns against rejoicing when an enemy falls.
Isaiah 22:13
BackgroundEsther 3:15
BackgroundCross-references from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · openbible.info (CC-BY)
Key Takeaway
The Philistines thought they were placing Samson on display, but God was placing him between the pillars.
What the enemies of God arrange for humiliation, the Lord can appoint for holy reversal.“
Analysis generated on August 17, 2026 · version 2.0
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