Shofetim 16:27

27 Now the bais (temple) was full of anashim and nashim; and all the rulers of the Pelishtim were there; and there were upon the roof about three thousand ish and isha, that beheld while Shimshon entertained.

Shofetim 16:27 Meaning and Commentary

Judges 16:27

Now the house was full of men and women
Within it, who were gathered together from all parts of the city, and perhaps from other places on this occasion:

and all the lords of the Philistines were there;
their five lords, the lords of Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron:

and there were upon the roof three thousand men and women;
it being a flat roof, as the houses in Canaan and Phoenicia, and the places adjacent, were; see ( Deuteronomy 22:8 ) and there might be some openings or windows in several parts of it, through which the people might see who were below them, and were within the house, and what was doing there, and particularly could have a sight of Samson through them as follows:

that beheld while Samson made sport;
or was made a sport of; while he was buffeted and used in a ludicrous manner.

Shofetim 16:27 In-Context

25 And it came to pass, when their hearts were merry, that they said, Call for Shimshon, that he may entertain us. And they called for Shimshon out of the prison house; and he entertained them; and they set him between the ammudim.

26 And Shimshon said unto the na’ar that held him by the yad, Put me where I may feel the ammudim whereupon the bais standeth, that I may lean upon them.

27 Now the bais (temple) was full of anashim and nashim; and all the rulers of the Pelishtim were there; and there were upon the roof about three thousand ish and isha, that beheld while Shimshon entertained.

28 And Shimshon called unto Hashem, and said, Adonoi Hashem, remember me, now, and strengthen me, now, only this once, O HaElohim that I may be at once avenged of the Pelishtim for my two eyes.

29 And Shimshon took hold of the two middle ammudim upon which the bais stood and he braced himself against them, one with his right yad, and the other with his left.