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Judges 16:13

Judges 16:13 in Multiple Translations

Then Delilah said to Samson, “You have mocked me and lied to me all along! Tell me how you can be tied up.” He told her, “If you weave the seven braids of my head into the web of a loom and tighten it with a pin, I will become as weak as any other man. ”

And Delilah said unto Samson, Hitherto thou hast mocked me, and told me lies: tell me wherewith thou mightest be bound. And he said unto her, If thou weavest the seven locks of my head with the web.

And Delilah said unto Samson, Hitherto thou hast mocked me, and told me lies: tell me wherewith thou mightest be bound. And he said unto her, If thou weavest the seven locks of my head with the web.

Then Delilah said to Samson, Up to now you have made sport of me with false words; now say truly, how may you be put in bands? And he said to her, If you get the seven twists of my hair worked into the cloth you are making and fixed with the pin, I will become feeble and will be like any other man.

Delilah said to Samson, “You keep on making me look stupid, telling me these lies! Just tell me what can be used to tie you up!” “If you were to weave the seven braids of my hair into the web on the loom and tighten it with the pin, I'll become as weak as anyone else,” he told her. So while he was asleep, Delilah took the seven braids of his head, weaving them into the web,

Afterward Delilah said to Samson, Hitherto thou hast beguiled mee, and tolde me lies: tell me how thou mightest be bounde. And he sayde vnto her, If thou plattedst seuen lockes of mine head with the threedes of the woufe.

And Delilah saith unto Samson, 'Hitherto thou hast played upon me, and dost speak unto me lies; declare to me wherewith thou art bound.' And he saith unto her, 'If thou weavest the seven locks of my head with the web.'

Delilah said to Samson, “Until now, you have mocked me and told me lies. Tell me with what you might be bound.” He said to her, “If you weave the seven locks of my head with the fabric on the loom.”

And Delilah said to Samson, hitherto thou hast mocked me, and told me lies: tell me with what thou mayest be bound. And he said to her, If thou weavest the seven locks of my head with the web.

And Dalila said to him again: How long dost thou deceive me, and tell me lies? Shew me wherewith thou mayest be bound. And Samson answered her: If thou plattest the seven locks of my head with a lace, and tying them round about a nail fastenest it in the ground, I shall be weak.

Then Delilah said, “You have deceived me and lied to me again! Please tell me how someone can tie you up securely!” Samson replied, “If you weave the seven braids of my hair into the threads you are weaving on the loom, and then fasten those threads with the pin that makes the threads tight, then I will be as weak as other men.” So again, while Samson was sleeping on her lap, Delilah held the seven braids of his hair, and wove them into the threads on the loom,

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Berean Amplified Bible — Judges 16:13

BAB
Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Judges 16:13 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB וַ/תֹּ֨אמֶר דְּלִילָ֜ה אֶל שִׁמְשׁ֗וֹן עַד הֵ֜נָּה הֵתַ֤לְתָּ בִּ/י֙ וַ/תְּדַבֵּ֤ר אֵלַ/י֙ כְּזָבִ֔ים הַגִּ֣ידָ/ה לִּ֔/י בַּ/מֶּ֖ה תֵּאָסֵ֑ר וַ/יֹּ֣אמֶר אֵלֶ֔י/הָ אִם תַּאַרְגִ֗י אֶת שֶׁ֛בַע מַחְלְפ֥וֹת רֹאשִׁ֖/י עִם הַ/מַּסָּֽכֶת
וַ/תֹּ֨אמֶר ʼâmar H559 to say Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
דְּלִילָ֜ה Dᵉlîylâh H1807 Delilah N-proper
אֶל ʼêl H413 to(wards) Prep
שִׁמְשׁ֗וֹן Shimshôwn H8123 Samson N-proper
עַד ʻad H5704 till Prep
הֵ֜נָּה hênnâh H2008 here/thus Adv
הֵתַ֤לְתָּ hâthal H2048 to mock V-Hiphil-Perf-2ms
בִּ/י֙ Prep | Suff
וַ/תְּדַבֵּ֤ר dâbar H1696 to speak Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-2ms
אֵלַ/י֙ ʼêl H413 to(wards) Prep | Suff
כְּזָבִ֔ים kâzab H3576 to lie N-mp
הַגִּ֣ידָ/ה nâgad H5046 to tell V-Hiphil-Impv-2ms | Suff
לִּ֔/י Prep | Suff
בַּ/מֶּ֖ה mâh H4100 what? Prep | Part
תֵּאָסֵ֑ר ʼâçar H631 to bind V-Niphal-Imperf-2ms
וַ/יֹּ֣אמֶר ʼâmar H559 to say Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
אֵלֶ֔י/הָ ʼêl H413 to(wards) Prep | Suff
אִם ʼim H518 if Conj
תַּאַרְגִ֗י ʼârag H707 to weave V-Qal-Imperf-2fs
אֶת ʼêth H853 Obj. DirObjM
שֶׁ֛בַע shebaʻ H7651 seven Adj
מַחְלְפ֥וֹת machlâphâh H4253 lock N-fp
רֹאשִׁ֖/י rôʼsh H7218 head N-ms | Suff
עִם ʻim H5973 with Prep
הַ/מַּסָּֽכֶת maççeketh H4545 weave Art | N-fs
Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Judges 16:13

וַ/תֹּ֨אמֶר ʼâmar H559 "to say" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
דְּלִילָ֜ה Dᵉlîylâh H1807 "Delilah" N-proper
Delilah was a Philistine woman who famously betrayed Samson's secret, cutting his hair and delivering him to the Philistines. Her name means feeble. Delilah is first mentioned in Judges 16:4.
Definition: A woman living before Israel's Monarchy, first mentioned at Jdg.16.4; married to Samson (H8123) § Delilah = "feeble" the Philistine mistress of Samson who betrayed the secret of his great strength, and by cutting his hair, enfeebled him and delivered him to the Philistines
Usage: Occurs in 6 OT verses. KJV: Delilah. See also: Judges 16:4; Judges 16:12; Judges 16:18.
אֶל ʼêl H413 "to(wards)" Prep
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
שִׁמְשׁ֗וֹן Shimshôwn H8123 "Samson" N-proper
Samson, meaning like the sun, was a Danite and a judge of Israel for 20 years. He was a Nazarite for life, and his story is first mentioned in Judges 13:24, where he is described as the son of Manoah.
Definition: A Judge living before Israel's Monarchy, first mentioned at Jdg.13.24; son of: Manoah (H4495); married to Delilah (H1807) Also named: Sampsōn (Σαμψών "Samson" G4546) § Samson = "like the sun" a Danite, son of Manoah, a Nazarite for life, and a judge of Israel for 20 years
Usage: Occurs in 37 OT verses. KJV: Samson. See also: Judges 13:24; Judges 15:16; Judges 16:30.
עַד ʻad H5704 "till" Prep
This Hebrew word means until or as far as, describing a point in time or space. It's used in the Bible to set boundaries or limits, like in Exodus when describing the Israelites' journey.
Definition: prep 1) as far as, even to, until, up to, while, as far as 1a) of space 1a1) as far as, up to, even to 1b) in combination 1b1) from...as far as, both...and (with 'min' -from) 1c) of time 1c1) even to, until, unto, till, during, end 1d) of degree 1d1) even to, to the degree of, even like conj 2) until, while, to the point that, so that even Aramaic equivalent: ad (עַד "till" H5705)
Usage: Occurs in 1128 OT verses. KJV: against, and, as, at, before, by (that), even (to), for(-asmuch as), (hither-) to, [phrase] how long, into, as long (much) as, (so) that, till, toward, until, when, while, ([phrase] as) yet. See also: Genesis 3:19; Exodus 32:20; Numbers 23:24.
הֵ֜נָּה hênnâh H2008 "here/thus" Adv
This Hebrew word means a location or direction, like here or there, and can also refer to a point in time, such as now. It is used in various contexts, including Genesis and Psalms. The KJV translates it as 'here' or 'hither'.
Definition: here, there, now, hither
Usage: Occurs in 42 OT verses. KJV: here, hither(-to), now, on this (that) side, [phrase] since, this (that) way, thitherward, [phrase] thus far, to...fro, [phrase] yet. See also: Genesis 15:16; 2 Samuel 20:16; Psalms 71:17.
הֵתַ֤לְתָּ hâthal H2048 "to mock" V-Hiphil-Perf-2ms
Hathal means to deceive or cheat someone, often by mocking or ridiculing them. This word is used to describe dishonest or deceitful behavior in the Bible.
Definition: (Piel) to mock
Usage: Occurs in 9 OT verses. KJV: deal deceitfully, deceive, mock. See also: Genesis 31:7; Judges 16:15; Isaiah 44:20.
בִּ/י֙ "" Prep | Suff
וַ/תְּדַבֵּ֤ר dâbar H1696 "to speak" Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-2ms
To speak or communicate, like God speaking to Moses in Exodus or a king commanding his people. It can also mean to promise or warn someone.
Definition: : speak/tell/command 1) to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing 1a) (Qal) to speak 1b) (Niphal) to speak with one another, talk 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to speak 1c2) to promise 1d) (Pual) to be spoken 1e) (Hithpael) to speak 1f) (Hiphil) to lead away, put to flight
Usage: Occurs in 1049 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, bid, command, commune, declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse, say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think, use (entreaties), utter, [idiom] well, [idiom] work. See also: Genesis 8:15; Exodus 12:25; Leviticus 23:9.
אֵלַ/י֙ ʼêl H413 "to(wards)" Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
כְּזָבִ֔ים kâzab H3576 "to lie" N-mp
This Hebrew word means to lie or deceive, and is used in the Bible to describe dishonesty and falsehood, as seen in the actions of those who oppose God's truth.
Definition: 1) to lie, tell a lie, be a liar, be found a liar, be in vain, fail 1a) (Qal) liar (participle) 1b) (Niphal) to be proven to be lying 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to lie, tell a lie, tell a lie with, deceive 1c2) to disappoint, fail 1d) (Hiphil) to make a liar, prove to be a liar
Usage: Occurs in 18 OT verses. KJV: fail, (be found a, make a) liar, lie, lying, be in vain. See also: Numbers 23:19; Psalms 89:36; Psalms 78:36.
הַגִּ֣ידָ/ה nâgad H5046 "to tell" V-Hiphil-Impv-2ms | Suff
To tell or declare something openly, as in Genesis 3:11 where God asks Adam to tell the truth. It means to stand boldly and announce something to someone present. In Exodus 32:27, Moses tells the Levites to declare their actions to the people.
Definition: 1) to be conspicuous, tell, make known 1a) (Hiphil) to tell, declare 1a1) to tell, announce, report 1a2) to declare, make known, expound 1a3) to inform of 1a4) to publish, declare, proclaim 1a5) to avow, acknowledge, confess 1a5a) messenger (participle) 1b) (Hophal) to be told, be announced, be reported
Usage: Occurs in 344 OT verses. KJV: bewray, [idiom] certainly, certify, declare(-ing), denounce, expound, [idiom] fully, messenger, plainly, profess, rehearse, report, shew (forth), speak, [idiom] surely, tell, utter. See also: Genesis 3:11; 1 Samuel 14:33; 2 Kings 9:15.
לִּ֔/י "" Prep | Suff
בַּ/מֶּ֖ה mâh H4100 "what?" Prep | Part
This Hebrew word means what or how, often used to ask questions or express surprise, like in Genesis when God asks Adam what he has done. It can also mean why or when, and is used in various ways throughout the Old Testament. It appears in many KJV translations, including how or what.
Definition: interr pron 1) what, how, of what kind 1a) (interrogative) 1a1) what? 1a2) of what kind 1a3) what? (rhetorical) 1a4) whatsoever, whatever, what 1b) (adverb) 1b1) how, how now 1b2) why 1b3) how! (exclamation) 1c) (with prep) 1c1) wherein?, whereby?, wherewith?, by what means? 1c2) because of what? 1c3) the like of what? 1c3a) how much?, how many?, how often? 1c3b) for how long? 1c4) for what reason?, why?, to what purpose? 1c5) until when?, how long?, upon what?, wherefore? indef pron 2) anything, aught, what may
Usage: Occurs in 655 OT verses. KJV: how (long, oft, (-soever)), (no-) thing, what (end, good, purpose, thing), whereby(-fore, -in, -to, -with), (for) why. See also: Genesis 2:19; Numbers 21:5; 1 Samuel 19:5.
תֵּאָסֵ֑ר ʼâçar H631 "to bind" V-Niphal-Imperf-2ms
This word means to bind or tie something, like when God made a covenant with the Israelites. It can also mean to prepare for battle or to be imprisoned. In different contexts, it involves joining or fastening things together, whether physically or metaphorically.
Definition: 1) to tie, bind, imprison 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to tie, bind 1a2) to tie, harness 1a3) to bind (with cords) 1a4) to gird (rare and late) 1a5) to begin the battle, make the attack 1a6) of obligation of oath (figurative) 1b) (Niphal) to be imprisoned, bound 1c) (Pual) to be taken prisoner
Usage: Occurs in 64 OT verses. KJV: bind, fast, gird, harness, hold, keep, make ready, order, prepare, prison(-er), put in bonds, set in array, tie. See also: Genesis 39:20; 1 Samuel 6:7; Psalms 105:22.
וַ/יֹּ֣אמֶר ʼâmar H559 "to say" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
אֵלֶ֔י/הָ ʼêl H413 "to(wards)" Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
אִם ʼim H518 "if" Conj
This Hebrew word is used to express conditions or questions, like if or whether. It can also be used to make oaths or express wishes, as in Oh that! It appears in various forms in the KJV, including if, though, and when.
Definition: : if/whether_or/though 1) if 1a) conditional clauses 1a1) of possible situations 1a2) of impossible situations 1b) oath contexts 1b1) no, not 1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or 1d) when, whenever 1e) since 1f) interrogative particle 1g) but rather
Usage: Occurs in 931 OT verses. KJV: (and, can-, doubtless, if, that) (not), [phrase] but, either, [phrase] except, [phrase] more(-over if, than), neither, nevertheless, nor, oh that, or, [phrase] save (only, -ing), seeing, since, sith, [phrase] surely (no more, none, not), though, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] unless, [phrase] verily, when, whereas, whether, while, [phrase] yet. See also: Genesis 4:7; Exodus 22:3; Leviticus 27:27.
תַּאַרְגִ֗י ʼârag H707 "to weave" V-Qal-Imperf-2fs
This word means to weave or plait, and is used to describe everyday tasks like weaving cloth or braiding hair. It also has figurative meanings, such as intrigue or plotting.
Definition: 1) to weave 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to weave (cloth) 1a2) to braid (Samson's hair) 1a3) weaver (subst.) 1a4) intrigue (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 13 OT verses. KJV: weaver(-r). See also: Exodus 28:32; 2 Samuel 21:19; Isaiah 19:9.
אֶת ʼêth H853 "Obj." DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
שֶׁ֛בַע shebaʻ H7651 "seven" Adj
This word means the number seven, which was considered a special or sacred number. It can also mean seven times or a week, and is used in the Bible to describe completeness or perfection. The KJV translates it as seven or sevenfold.
Definition: 1) seven (cardinal number) 1a) as ordinal number 1b) in combination-17, 700 etc Aramaic equivalent: shiv.ah (שִׁבְעָה "seven" H7655)
Usage: Occurs in 344 OT verses. KJV: ([phrase] by) seven(-fold),-s, (-teen, -teenth), -th, times). Compare H7658 (שִׁבְעָנָה). See also: Genesis 4:24; Leviticus 23:15; 2 Samuel 21:6.
מַחְלְפ֥וֹת machlâphâh H4253 "lock" N-fp
A machlaphah is a lock or braid of hair. In the Bible, it refers to a hairstyle where hair is plaited or braided, such as in Song of Solomon 4:1, where the beloved's hair is described as having many braids.
Definition: 1) braid, lock, plait 1a) of hair
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: lock. See also: Judges 16:13; Judges 16:19.
רֹאשִׁ֖/י rôʼsh H7218 "head" N-ms | Suff
This Hebrew word means chief or prince, and is used to describe leaders in the Bible, such as in the book of 1 Samuel. It signifies a position of authority and importance.
Definition: : head 1) head, top, summit, upper part, chief, total, sum, height, front, beginning 1a) head (of man, animals) 1b) top, tip (of mountain) 1c) height (of stars) 1d) chief, head (of man, city, nation, place, family, priest) 1e) head, front, beginning 1f) chief, choicest, best 1g) head, division, company, band 1h) sum
Usage: Occurs in 547 OT verses. KJV: band, beginning, captain, chapiter, chief(-est place, man, things), company, end, [idiom] every (man), excellent, first, forefront, (be-)head, height, (on) high(-est part, (priest)), [idiom] lead, [idiom] poor, principal, ruler, sum, top. See also: Genesis 2:10; Numbers 17:18; 2 Samuel 4:7.
עִם ʻim H5973 "with" Prep
This Hebrew word means with or together, like when God is with his people in Exodus 33:14-15. It's used to describe accompaniment or association, and can also mean against or beside. The word is used to convey a sense of relationship or proximity between people or things.
Definition: 1) with 1a) with 1b) against 1c) toward 1d) as long as
Usage: Occurs in 919 OT verses. KJV: accompanying, against, and, as ([idiom] long as), before, beside, by (reason of), for all, from (among, between), in, like, more than, of, (un-) to, with(-al). See also: Genesis 3:6; Exodus 21:14; Deuteronomy 29:11.
הַ/מַּסָּֽכֶת maççeketh H4545 "weave" Art | N-fs
In Exodus and 2 Kings, this word refers to the process of weaving or a web of unfinished fabric on a loom. It describes the skill of weaving.
Definition: 1) web 1a) web of unfinished stuff on a loom
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: web. See also: Judges 16:13; Judges 16:14.

Study Notes — Judges 16:13

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Judges 16:13 Summary

[This verse shows how Samson, a strong man, was weakened by his love for Delilah and his desire to please her, rather than trusting in God's power and plan, as seen in Judges 13:5. He told Delilah that if his seven braids were woven into a loom and tightened with a pin, he would become as weak as any other man. This was a test of his trust in God, and he failed, just like we often do when we trust in our own strength, rather than God's power, as stated in Jeremiah 17:5. We can learn from Samson's mistake by trusting in God's power and provision, rather than our own, and seeking wisdom and discernment from Him, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6.]

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Samson continue to trust Delilah despite her repeated attempts to betray him?

Samson's trust in Delilah was likely due to his strong emotional attachment to her, as seen in Judges 16:4, where it is written that he loved her, despite the warnings from God and the dangers she posed to his life and mission.

What is the significance of the seven braids of Samson's head in this verse?

The seven braids of Samson's head represent his source of strength, as stated in Judges 13:5, where the angel of the Lord says that Samson will be a Nazirite, and his hair will not be cut, symbolizing his dedication to God and the source of his power.

Is it okay to keep secrets from those we love, like Samson did with Delilah?

While it is not always wrong to keep secrets, in Samson's case, his secrecy was rooted in a lack of trust in God's plan and a desire to please Delilah, rather than being guided by wisdom and discernment, as seen in Proverbs 11:3, which says that integrity guides the upright.

How can we avoid falling into the same trap as Samson, who was deceived by Delilah's words?

We can avoid falling into the same trap as Samson by being rooted in God's Word, as stated in Psalm 119:11, and by seeking wisdom and discernment from God, rather than relying on our own strength and understanding, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some areas in my life where I am trusting in my own strength, rather than God's power and provision?
  2. How can I balance honesty and transparency in my relationships with wisdom and discernment, as seen in this verse?
  3. In what ways can I be more mindful of the influence of those around me, and seek to surround myself with people who will encourage and support me in my walk with God?
  4. What are some secrets or struggles that I am keeping hidden, and how can I bring them into the light, trusting in God's love and forgiveness, as seen in 1 John 1:9?

Gill's Exposition on Judges 16:13

And Delilah said unto Samson,.... At another time, when she thought it most proper to upbraid him with his deception of her: hitherto thou hast mocked me, and told me lies; both the times that she

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Judges 16:13

And Delilah said unto Samson, Hitherto thou hast mocked me, and told me lies: tell me wherewith thou mightest be bound. And he said unto her, If thou weavest the seven locks of my head with the web.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Judges 16:13

Or, thread which is woven about a weaver’ s loom; or, with a weaver’ s beam. If my hair, which is all divided into seven locks, be fastened about a weaver’ s beam, or interwoven with weavers’ threads; understand out of the foregoing verses, then I shall be weak as another man.

Trapp's Commentary on Judges 16:13

Judges 16:13 And Delilah said unto Samson, Hitherto thou hast mocked me, and told me lies: tell me wherewith thou mightest be bound. And he said unto her, If thou weavest the seven locks of my head with the web.Ver. 13. And told me lies.] See Judges 16:10. The seven locks of my head.] Here he came nearer the business than before; till at length she had his whole heart out. Well might Terence call harlots Cruces.

Ellicott's Commentary on Judges 16:13

(13) If thou weavest the seven locks of my head with the web.—The illustrious and “sunny locks of the Nazarite” did not, as Milton imagines, “lie waving and curling about his god-like shoulders,” but were plaited into seven locks. The word for “locks”—machelephoth—occurs here only. The LXX. render it “curls” (bostruchous) and seiras, which appears to mean “plaits,” like the Greek plokamous. The word for “web” is a technical word, and perhaps means warp. The LXX. and the Vulg. add, “and drive them with the peg into the wall,” which is implied in the next verse. With almost incredible levity and folly, Samson here goes to the very verge of the true secret, and suffers his sacred hair to be woven in a harlot’s loom. (Tertio de mysterio deprompsit jam lapsuro propior. St. Ambrose.)

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Judges 16:13

Verse 13. The seven locks of my head] Probably Samson had his long hair plaited into seven divisions, and as his vow of a Nazarite obliged him to wear his hair, so, seven being a number of perfection among the Hebrews, his hair being divided into seven locks might more particularly point out the perfection designed by his Nazarite state. Every person must see that this verse ends abruptly, and does not contain a full sense. Houbigant has particularly noticed this, and corrected the text from the Septuagint, the reading of which I shall here subjoin: Εανὑφανῃςταςἑπτασειραςτηςκεφαληςμοναυντῳδιασματι, καιεγκρουσῃςτῳπασσαλῳειςτοντοιχον, καιεσομαιὡςεἱςτωνανθρωπωνασθενης·Καιεγενετοεντῳκοιμασθαιαυτον, καιελαβεΔαλιδαταςἑπτασειραςτηςκεφαληςαυτου, καιὑφανενεντῳδιασματι, καιεπηξετῳπασσαλῳειςτοντοιχον; "If thou shalt weave the seven locks of my head with the web, and shalt fasten them with the pin in the wall, I shall become weak like other men: And so it was that, when he slept, Dalida took the seven locks of his head, and wove them with the web, and fastened it with the pin to the wall and said unto him," c. All the words printed here in italic, are wanting in the present Hebrew copies but are preserved in the Septuagint, and are most obviously necessary to complete the sense; else Delilah appears to do something that she is not ordered to do, and to omit what she was commanded.

Cambridge Bible on Judges 16:13

13. If thou weavest the seven locks … web] plaits … warp. Weaving was the work of women as well as of men; see the illustration from the Egyptian tombs at Beni Hasan dating from the Middle Kingdom, Benzinger, Hebr. Archäol.2, p. 151; Delîlah has a loom in her house. This was a horizontal loom fastened into the ground, as in the illustration referred to1[56] [56] It looks as if it were upright; but this is due to the absence of perspective in Egyptian drawing.; hence it would be easy to weave the hair of a person lying asleep upon the floor into the warp, i.e. the horizontal threads which are intersected at right angles by the weft, in this case Samson’s hair. To form the web, i.e. the woven cloth, a further operation is necessary, the beating up of the weft with a flat rod or batten, here rendered pin (Judges 16:14); the word usually means peg, esp. a tent-peg (see Judges 5:26 mg.), but that it could also be used of a flat stick appears from Deuteronomy 23:13 (paddle or spade). The sentences needed to complete Judges 16:13 and to provide the proper beginning of Jdg 16:14 have accidentally fallen out. With the help of the Greek versions the gap may be filled thus: “If thou weavest the seven plaits of my head with the warp, and beatest them up with the batten, then shall I become weak and be as any other man. So she made him sleep, and wove the seven plaits of his head with the warp, and beat them up with the batten.” It will be noticed that the existing text and the restored text both end in the same way. The eye of the copyist passed from the first with the warp to the second, and overlooked the intervening lines: a good instance of the source of textual mistakes known as homoioteleuton. The seven locks may have something to do with solar mythology. The Babyl. Gilgãmesh had seven locks; in later Greek art Helios is usually represented with the same number.

Whedon's Commentary on Judges 16:13

13. The seven locks — He probably wore his long Nazarite hair in seven braids or flowing tresses.

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