Judah and Philistia in the days of Samson

JUDAH AND PHILISTIA IN THE DAYS OF SAMSON

The Samson cycle of heroic legends (Judg 13–16) concludes the circle of narratives about charismatic leaders in the pre-monarchic period. It is replete with all the features of a divinely chosen deliverer, e.g. a miraculous birth announcement, a conception by a previously barren woman, Nazarite restrictions on his mother during the pregnancy and on the child after his birth, imbuement with the divine spirit in times of crisis. Above all, there are amazing, single-handed victories in combat, one with the “jawbone of an ass,” reminiscent of the enigmatic exploits of Shamgar the son of Anath who used an ox-goad (Judg 3:31).

Article abstract from The Sacred Bridge