Tanach
Shoftim 14 שופטים י״ד
Part of: Petuchah, Judges 14:1
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וַיֵּרֶד שִׁמְשׁוֹן תִּמְנָתָה וַיַּרְא אִשָּׁה בְּתִמְנָתָה מִבְּנוֹת פְּלִשְׁתִּֽים׃
Shimshon descended to Timnas. He saw a woman in Timnas of the Pelishtite daughters.
Shimshon descended to Timnas. He saw a woman in Timnas of the Pelishtite daughters.
וַיַּעַל וַיַּגֵּד לְאָבִיו וּלְאִמּוֹ וַיֹּאמֶר אִשָּׁה רָאִיתִי בְתִמְנָתָה מִבְּנוֹת פְּלִשְׁתִּים וְעַתָּה קְחוּ־אוֹתָהּ לִי לְאִשָּֽׁה׃
He went up, and informed his father and mother. He said, "I saw a woman in Timnas of the Pelishtite daughters. Take her, now, for me as a wife."
He went up, and informed his father and mother. He said, "I saw a woman in Timnas of the Pelishtite daughters. Take her, now, for me as a wife."
וַיֹּאמֶר לוֹ אָבִיו וְאִמּוֹ הַאֵין בִּבְנוֹת אַחֶיךָ וּבְכׇל־עַמִּי אִשָּׁה כִּֽי־אַתָּה הוֹלֵךְ לָקַחַת אִשָּׁה מִפְּלִשְׁתִּים הָעֲרֵלִים וַיֹּאמֶר שִׁמְשׁוֹן אֶל־אָבִיו אוֹתָהּ קַֽח־לִי כִּי־הִיא יָשְׁרָה בְעֵינָֽי׃
His mother and father said to him, "Is there no one among the daughters of your kinsmen, or any of my people, suitable as a wife, that you must go out to take a wife from the uncircumcised Pelishtim?" But Shimshon responded to his father, "Take her for me, for she appears appropriate in my eyes."
His mother and father said to him, "Is there no one among the daughters of your kinsmen, or any of my people, suitable as a wife, that you must go out to take a wife from the uncircumcised Pelishtim?" But Shimshon responded to his father, "Take her for me, for she appears appropriate in my eyes."
וְאָבִיו וְאִמּוֹ לֹא יָדְעוּ כִּי מֵֽיְהֹוָה הִיא כִּֽי־תֹאֲנָה הֽוּא־מְבַקֵּשׁ מִפְּלִשְׁתִּים וּבָעֵת הַהִיא פְּלִשְׁתִּים מֹשְׁלִים בְּיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
His father and mother did not know that this was decreed by Adonoy, as He sought a pretext against the Pelishtim. At that time the Pelishtim ruled over Yisroel.
His father and mother did not know that this was decreed by Adonoy, as He sought a pretext against the Pelishtim. At that time the Pelishtim ruled over Yisroel.
Rashi
וַיֵּרֶד שִׁמְשׁוֹן וְאָבִיו וְאִמּוֹ תִּמְנָתָה וַיָּבֹאוּ עַד־כַּרְמֵי תִמְנָתָה וְהִנֵּה כְּפִיר אֲרָיוֹת שֹׁאֵג לִקְרָאתֽוֹ׃
Shimshon descended, with his father and mother, to Timnas, and arrived at the vineyards of Timnas. A young lion roared towards him.
Shimshon descended, with his father and mother, to Timnas, and arrived at the vineyards of Timnas. A young lion roared towards him.
וַתִּצְלַח עָלָיו רוּחַ יְהֹוָה וַֽיְשַׁסְּעֵהוּ כְּשַׁסַּע הַגְּדִי וּמְאוּמָה אֵין בְּיָדוֹ וְלֹא הִגִּיד לְאָבִיו וּלְאִמּוֹ אֵת אֲשֶׁר עָשָֽׂה׃
The spirit of Adonoy visited him, and he tore it asunder as one would tear asunder a young kid, although he was empty handed. He did not tell his father and mother, what he had done.
The spirit of Adonoy visited him, and he tore it asunder as one would tear asunder a young kid, although he was empty handed. He did not tell his father and mother, what he had done.
וַיֵּרֶד וַיְדַבֵּר לָֽאִשָּׁה וַתִּישַׁר בְּעֵינֵי שִׁמְשֽׁוֹן׃
He descended, and discussed the woman. She appeared appropriate in his eyes.
He descended, and discussed the woman. She appeared appropriate in his eyes.
Rashi
וידבר לאשה. על האשה, דבר לקרוביה, כן תרגם יונתן:
And discussed [lit. spoke with] the woman. He spoke of the woman1Not “with” the woman. with her relatives. This is Targum Yonasan's rendition.
וַיָּשׇׁב מִיָּמִים לְקַחְתָּהּ וַיָּסַר לִרְאוֹת אֵת מַפֶּלֶת הָאַרְיֵה וְהִנֵּה עֲדַת דְּבוֹרִים בִּגְוִיַּת הָאַרְיֵה וּדְבָֽשׁ׃
He returned several days later to claim her, and turned to observe the remains of the lion. There was a colony of bees in the carcass, and honey as well.
He returned several days later to claim her, and turned to observe the remains of the lion. There was a colony of bees in the carcass, and honey as well.
Rashi
עדת דבורים. (תרגום:) קינא דדברייתא, כניסת דבורים:
A colony of bees. A beehive—a swarm of bees.
וַיִּרְדֵּהוּ אֶל־כַּפָּיו וַיֵּלֶךְ הָלוֹךְ וְאָכֹל וַיֵּלֶךְ אֶל־אָבִיו וְאֶל־אִמּוֹ וַיִּתֵּן לָהֶם וַיֹּאכֵלוּ וְלֹא־הִגִּיד לָהֶם כִּי מִגְּוִיַּת הָאַרְיֵה רָדָה הַדְּבָֽשׁ׃
He scraped it into his palms, and proceeded, eating as he walked. He went to his father and mother, and gave them [of it] and they ate. He did not inform them that it was from the lion's carcass that he had scraped the honey.
He scraped it into his palms, and proceeded, eating as he walked. He went to his father and mother, and gave them [of it] and they ate. He did not inform them that it was from the lion's carcass that he had scraped the honey.
Rashi
וירדהו. לשון הבדלת דיבוק של כל דבר הנדבק, וכן לענין פת הנדבקת בתנור, נקראת הבדלתו רדייה, (שבת קיז ב): הרודה פת מן התנור, (בבא מציעא סד א): הרודה את כוורתו, על שם שהדבש עשוי על ידי חלות שעושה מדובק בדופני הכלי בכל צדדין מדופן אל דופן, כמדת עוגל הכלי, וכן תרגם יונתן: וירדהו, ונסחיה:
He dislodged it. This connotes the separation of an attached object. Similarly, with regard to a loaf attached to an oven, separation is described as "dislodging"—2Shabbos, 117:b. "If one dislodges a loaf from the oven,"3Shabbos, 95:a. "If one dislodges his hive,"4The honeycomb from the hive. as the honey is produced in wax combs attached to the walls of the hive in every area, extending from wall to wall along its circumference. Similarly, Targum Yonasan translates "He removed it."
וַיֵּרֶד אָבִיהוּ אֶל־הָֽאִשָּׁה וַיַּעַשׂ שָׁם שִׁמְשׁוֹן מִשְׁתֶּה כִּי כֵּן יַעֲשׂוּ הַבַּחוּרִֽים׃
His father descended to discuss the woman, and Shimshon tendered a feast there, as was customary for the young men.
His father descended to discuss the woman, and Shimshon tendered a feast there, as was customary for the young men.
Rashi
וירד אביהו אל האשה. (תרגום:) על עסקי איתתא:
His father descended to discuss the woman. With regard to the woman.
וַיְהִי כִּרְאוֹתָם אוֹתוֹ וַיִּקְחוּ שְׁלֹשִׁים מֵרֵעִים וַיִּהְיוּ אִתּֽוֹ׃
It happened that, when they saw him, they assembled thirty friends, who joined him.
It happened that, when they saw him, they assembled thirty friends, who joined him.
Rashi
מרעים. חברים לשושבינות:
Friends. Companions who formed the retinue of wedding attendants.
וַיֹּאמֶר לָהֶם שִׁמְשׁוֹן אָחֽוּדָה־נָּא לָכֶם חִידָה אִם־הַגֵּד תַּגִּידוּ אוֹתָהּ לִי שִׁבְעַת יְמֵי הַמִּשְׁתֶּה וּמְצָאתֶם וְנָתַתִּי לָכֶם שְׁלֹשִׁים סְדִינִים וּשְׁלֹשִׁים חֲלִפֹת בְּגָדִֽים׃
Shimshon said to them, "Let me pose a riddle to you. If you solve it for me during the seven feast days accurately, then I shall award you with thirty linen cloths and thirty suits of clothing.
Shimshon said to them, "Let me pose a riddle to you. If you solve it for me during the seven feast days accurately, then I shall award you with thirty linen cloths and thirty suits of clothing.
וְאִם־לֹא תוּכְלוּ לְהַגִּיד לִי וּנְתַתֶּם אַתֶּם לִי שְׁלֹשִׁים סְדִינִים וּשְׁלֹשִׁים חֲלִיפוֹת בְּגָדִים וַיֹּאמְרוּ לוֹ חוּדָה חִידָתְךָ וְנִשְׁמָעֶֽנָּה׃
But if you cannot solve it for me, then you must give me thirty linen cloths and thirty suits of clothing. They replied, "Pose your riddle, and let us hear it!."
But if you cannot solve it for me, then you must give me thirty linen cloths and thirty suits of clothing. They replied, "Pose your riddle, and let us hear it!."
וַיֹּאמֶר לָהֶם מֵהָֽאֹכֵל יָצָא מַאֲכָל וּמֵעַז יָצָא מָתוֹק וְלֹא יָכְלוּ לְהַגִּיד הַחִידָה שְׁלֹשֶׁת יָמִֽים׃
He said to them, "From that which eats came forth that which is eaten; from power came sweetness." They were unable to solve the riddle for three days.
He said to them, "From that which eats came forth that which is eaten; from power came sweetness." They were unable to solve the riddle for three days.
וַיְהִי ׀ בַּיּוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי וַיֹּאמְרוּ לְאֵֽשֶׁת־שִׁמְשׁוֹן פַּתִּי אֶת־אִישֵׁךְ וְיַגֶּד־לָנוּ אֶת־הַחִידָה פֶּן־נִשְׂרֹף אוֹתָךְ וְאֶת־בֵּית אָבִיךְ בָּאֵשׁ הַלְיׇרְשֵׁנוּ קְרָאתֶם לָנוּ הֲלֹֽא׃
It was on the seventh day, that they told Shimshon's wife, "Cajole your husband into solving the riddle for us, lest we burn you and your father's house in flames. Was it to impoverish us that you invited us here?"
It was on the seventh day, that they told Shimshon's wife, "Cajole your husband into solving the riddle for us, lest we burn you and your father's house in flames. Was it to impoverish us that you invited us here?"
Rashi
ויהי ביום השביעי. לימות השבת, ולא שביעי למשתה, והוא רביעי לימי המשתה:
It was on the seventh day of the week, but not the seventh of the feast. It was, rather, the fourth of the feast days.
הלירשנו קראתם לנו הלא. תרגם יונתן: הלמסכנותנא קריתון יתנא הלכא:
Was it to impoverish us that you invited us here. Targum Yonasan renders: Was it to make us poor5לְיָרְשֵׁנוּ is not interpreted as “to inherit us,” but as “to make us poor.” that you called us here?6הֲלֹא is not interpreted as “Did you not? but as “here.”
וַתֵּבְךְּ אֵשֶׁת שִׁמְשׁוֹן עָלָיו וַתֹּאמֶר רַק־שְׂנֵאתַנִי וְלֹא אֲהַבְתָּנִי הַחִידָה חַדְתָּ לִבְנֵי עַמִּי וְלִי לֹא הִגַּדְתָּה וַיֹּאמֶר לָהּ הִנֵּה לְאָבִי וּלְאִמִּי לֹא הִגַּדְתִּי וְלָךְ אַגִּֽיד׃
Shimshon's wife wept over him, and she said, "You just hate me. You do not love me; you have posed the riddle to my people, but have told me nothing." He said to her, "I have told nothing to my father and my mother; Shall I then tell you?"
Shimshon's wife wept over him, and she said, "You just hate me. You do not love me; you have posed the riddle to my people, but have told me nothing." He said to her, "I have told nothing to my father and my mother; Shall I then tell you?"
וַתֵּבְךְּ עָלָיו שִׁבְעַת הַיָּמִים אֲשֶׁר־הָיָה לָהֶם הַמִּשְׁתֶּה וַיְהִי ׀ בַּיּוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי וַיַּגֶּד־לָהּ כִּי הֱצִיקַתְהוּ וַתַּגֵּד הַחִידָה לִבְנֵי עַמָּֽהּ׃
She wept over him for the seven days of their feasting. It happened on the seventh day, that he revealed the solution to her, for she had tormented him. She disclosed the riddle to her compatriots.
She wept over him for the seven days of their feasting. It happened on the seventh day, that he revealed the solution to her, for she had tormented him. She disclosed the riddle to her compatriots.
Rashi
שבעת הימים. הנותרים משבעת הימים, מרביעי ואילך:
The seven days. What remained of the seven days, after the fourth day.
וַיֹּאמְרוּ לוֹ אַנְשֵׁי הָעִיר בַּיּוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי בְּטֶרֶם יָבֹא הַחַרְסָה מַה־מָּתוֹק מִדְּבַשׁ וּמֶה עַז מֵאֲרִי וַיֹּאמֶר לָהֶם לוּלֵא חֲרַשְׁתֶּם בְּעֶגְלָתִי לֹא מְצָאתֶם חִידָתִֽי׃
The townspeople said to him on the seventh day, before sunset, "What can be sweeter than honey, and what is more powerful than the lion?" He told them, "If you had not plowed with my calf, you would not have solved my riddle!"
The townspeople said to him on the seventh day, before sunset, "What can be sweeter than honey, and what is more powerful than the lion?" He told them, "If you had not plowed with my calf, you would not have solved my riddle!"
Rashi
בטרם יבא החרסה. לפני שקיעת החמה, שעדיין היה להם שהות עד הערב:
Before sunset. Before the sun descended, as they still had time until nightfall.
חרשתם בעגלתי. משל הוא (תרגום:) אילולפון בדקתון באתתי:
Plowed with my calf. This is allegorical—if you had not questioned my wife.7This is Targum Yonasan’s translation.8Who is cherished as a young calf is cherished. (Sanhedrin, 21:a.)
וַתִּצְלַח עָלָיו רוּחַ יְהֹוָה וַיֵּרֶד אַשְׁקְלוֹן וַיַּךְ מֵהֶם ׀ שְׁלֹשִׁים אִישׁ וַיִּקַּח אֶת־חֲלִיצוֹתָם וַיִּתֵּן הַחֲלִיפוֹת לְמַגִּידֵי הַחִידָה וַיִּחַר אַפּוֹ וַיַּעַל בֵּית אָבִֽיהוּ׃
The spirit of Adonoy visited him, and he descended to Ashkelon. He struck down thirty men among them, took their garments, and gave the suits of clothing to those who had solved the riddle. He was enraged [with his wife], and ascended to his father's house.
The spirit of Adonoy visited him, and he descended to Ashkelon. He struck down thirty men among them, took their garments, and gave the suits of clothing to those who had solved the riddle. He was enraged [with his wife], and ascended to his father's house.
Rashi
רוח ה'. (תרגום:) רוח גבורה מן קדם ה':
The Divine spirit. A spirit of power, Divinely inspired.9This is Targum Yonasan’s translation.
חליצותם. מלבושים שחלץ מעליהן:
Their garments. The garments which he had stripped from them.
וַתְּהִי אֵשֶׁת שִׁמְשׁוֹן לְמֵרֵעֵהוּ אֲשֶׁר רֵעָה לֽוֹ׃ {פ}
Shimshon's wife became attached to a friend who had attended him.
Shimshon's wife became attached to a friend who had attended him.
Rashi
למרעהו. לאחד משושביניו נתנה:
To a Friend. To one of the wedding attendants.
כי תואנה הוא מבקש. עלילה להתגרות בם:
As He sought a pretext. An accusation with which to provoke a confrontation against them.