Judges 14:12

*Then Samson said to them, “Let me now propose a riddle to you: if you will indeed tell it to me within the seven days of the feast, and find it out, then I will give you thirty linen wraps and thirty changes of clothes.” (v.12)* Samson, who lived around the twelfth century BC, served as one of Israel’s judges during a time marked by frequent conflict with the Philistines (Judges 13–16). He was from the tribe of Dan, located near the western edge of Israel’s territory, and his life was marked by extraordinary feats of strength through the LORD’s empowerment. citeturn0file8 Here, on the occasion of his wedding in Timnah, Samson challenges thirty Philistine guests with a riddle and stakes a wager involving valuable clothing.

In ancient Israel, wedding feasts often lasted seven days, providing a festive backdrop for Samson’s proposal of the riddle. His offer—thirty linen wraps and thirty changes of clothes—suggests that these garments were both expensive and a symbol of status in that society. By daring his Philistine companions to solve a puzzle within the appointed time, Samson displays a cunning mind, setting the stage for a deeper conflict that follows when the men resort to deceit to discover the riddle’s answer.

Samson’s choice to test the Philistines’ wit foreshadows the ongoing struggle between Israel and its oppressors, hinting that Israel’s deliverance would come not only through brute strength but also through God’s orchestration of events sometimes sparked by human intrigue.

Samson’s riddle began a chain of conflicts and betrayals that demonstrated Israel’s ongoing need for God’s deliverance.