Judges 14:3
Arabic Simplified (الكِتاب المُقَدَّس: التَّرْجَمَةُ العَرَبِيَّةُ المُبَسَّطَةُ)
فَقَالَ لَهُ أبُوهُ وَأُمُّهُ: «ألَا تُوجَدُ امْرأةٌ بَيْنَ بَنَاتِ أقرِبَائِكَ، أوْ فِي كُلِّ شَعْبِكَ، حَتَّى إنَّكَ مَضْطَرٌّ إلَى الزَّوَاجِ مِنَ امْرأةٍ مِنَ الفِلِسْطِيِّينَ اللَّامَختُونِينَ؟» لَكِنَّ شَمْشُونَ قَالَ لِأبِيهِ: «خُذْهَا لِي، لِأنَّهَا أعجَبَتْنِي.»
What Does This Mean?
In this verse from Judges, Samson's parents question his choice to marry a Philistine woman, who are not part of their people. Samson insists on marrying her because he likes her. The verse highlights the tension between personal desires and cultural norms.
Explained for Children
Imagine if your friend wanted to marry someone from another school, and your parents thought that wasn't a good idea. Your friend might still want to marry that person because they really like them, just like Samson wanted to marry the Philistine woman even though his parents didn't think it was a good idea.
Historical Background
The Book of Judges was written during the period of the Judges in Israel, around 1200-1000 BCE. The text reflects the struggles of the Israelites as they dealt with various challenges, including their interactions with surrounding peoples, like the Philistines.
Living It Out Today
Consider a scenario where an employee in a company prefers to work with a specific partner despite their manager's concerns about compatibility. The employee's desire to work with someone they trust and enjoy, like Samson wanting to marry the Philistine woman, can lead to better outcomes if their choice is well-founded.
Topics
marriagecultural conflictpersonal choicefamilyobediencelove
Related Verses
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Samson's parents oppose his choice?
Samson's parents were concerned about marrying within the Philistines because it could create conflict or weaken their ties with their own people, as the Philistines were often at odds with the Israelites.
Does this verse support intercultural marriages?
This verse does not directly support or condemn intercultural marriages. It reflects the personal choice of Samson despite cultural and familial opposition, which can be seen as a reflection on individual choice versus societal norms.
How does this relate to modern marriage choices?
This verse can be related to modern situations where individuals choose partners from different backgrounds, often facing familial or societal concerns, but ultimately making a choice based on personal preference and love.
What can we learn about obedience from this verse?
The verse highlights the tension between obedience to parental and cultural expectations and the pursuit of personal desires. It suggests that sometimes individual choices can override societal expectations, especially when they are deeply felt.