Judges 14:13

13 But if you can't tell me the answer, then it's you who have to give me thirty linen robes and thirty sets of clothes." So they replied to him, "Tell your riddle; let's hear it."

Judges 14:13 Meaning and Commentary

Judges 14:13

But if ye cannot declare it unto me
Explain the riddle in the space of time allowed:

then shall ye give me thirty sheets, and thirty change of garments;
so many shirts and suits of apparel:

and they said unto him, put forth thy riddle that we may hear it;
not thereby to judge whether they would agree to his proposals, but hereby suggesting that they accepted his terms and conditions, either to give or receive the above premium, if they did or did not hit on the explanation of the riddle.

Judges 14:13 In-Context

11 When the townspeople saw him, they selected thirty companions to be with him.
12 Then Samson said to them, "Let me tell you a riddle. If you can figure it out and tell me the answer within the seven days of the feast, I'll give you thirty linen robes and thirty sets of clothes.
13 But if you can't tell me the answer, then it's you who have to give me thirty linen robes and thirty sets of clothes." So they replied to him, "Tell your riddle; let's hear it."
14 He said to them, "Out of the eater there came something to eat. Out of the strong there came something sweet." For three days they couldn't tell the answer to the riddle.
15 On the fourth day they said to Samson's wife, "Seduce your husband so he'll tell us the answer to the riddle, or else we'll set fire to you and your household. Were we invited here just to become poor?"
Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible