Judges 16

Commentary

Samson Escapes Gaza

1Then went Samson to Gaza, and saw there an harlot, and went in unto her. 2And it was told the Gazites, saying, Samson is come hither. And they compassed him in, and laid wait for him all night in the gate of the city, and were quiet all the night, saying, In the morning, when it is day, we shall kill him. 3And Samson lay till midnight, and arose at midnight, and took the doors of the gate of the city, and the two posts, and went away with them, bar and all, and put them upon his shoulders, and carried them up to the top of an hill that is before Hebron.

Samson and Delilah

4And it came to pass afterward, that he loved a woman in the valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah. 5And the lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and said unto her, Entice him, and see wherein his great strength lieth, and by what means we may prevail against him, that we may bind him to afflict him: and we will give thee every one of us eleven hundred pieces of silver. 6And Delilah said to Samson, Tell me, I pray thee, wherein thy great strength lieth, and wherewith thou mightest be bound to afflict thee. 7And Samson said unto her, If they bind me with seven green withs that were never dried, then shall I be weak, and be as another man. 8Then the lords of the Philistines brought up to her seven green withs which had not been dried, and she bound him with them. 9Now there were men lying in wait, abiding with her in the chamber. And she said unto him, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he brake the withs, as a thread of tow is broken when it toucheth the fire. So his strength was not known.

10And Delilah said unto Samson, Behold, thou hast mocked me, and told me lies: now tell me, I pray thee, wherewith thou mightest be bound. 11And he said unto her, If they bind me fast with new ropes that never were occupied, then shall I be weak, and be as another man. 12Delilah therefore took new ropes, and bound him therewith, and said unto him, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And there were liers in wait abiding in the chamber. And he brake them from off his arms like a thread.

13And 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. 14And she fastened it with the pin, and said unto him, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awaked out of his sleep, and went away with the pin of the beam, and with the web.

Delilah Discovers the Secret

15And she said unto him, How canst thou say, I love thee, when thine heart is not with me? thou hast mocked me these three times, and hast not told me wherein thy great strength lieth. 16And it came to pass, when she pressed him daily with her words, and urged him, so that his soul was vexed unto death; 17That he told her all his heart, and said unto her, There hath not come a rasor upon mine head; for I have been a Nazarite unto God from my mother's womb: if I be shaven, then my strength will go from me, and I shall become weak, and be like any other man.

18And when Delilah saw that he had told her all his heart, she sent and called for the lords of the Philistines, saying, Come up this once, for he hath shewed me all his heart. Then the lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and brought money in their hand. 19And she made him sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head; and she began to afflict him, and his strength went from him. 20And she said, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the LORD was departed from him. 21But the Philistines took him, and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass; and he did grind in the prison house. 22Howbeit the hair of his head began to grow again after he was shaven.

Samson's Vengeance and Death

23Then the lords of the Philistines gathered them together for to offer a great sacrifice unto Dagon their god, and to rejoice: for they said, Our god hath delivered Samson our enemy into our hand.

24And when the people saw him, they praised their god: for they said, Our god hath delivered into our hands our enemy, and the destroyer of our country, which slew many of us.

25And it came to pass, when their hearts were merry, that they said, Call for Samson, that he may make us sport. And they called for Samson out of the prison house; and he made them sport: and they set him between the pillars. 26And Samson said unto the lad that held him by the hand, Suffer me that I may feel the pillars whereupon the house standeth, that I may lean upon them. 27Now the house was full of men and women; and all the lords of the Philistines were there; and there were upon the roof about three thousand men and women, that beheld while Samson made sport.

28And Samson called unto the LORD, and said, O Lord GOD, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes. 29And Samson took hold of the two middle pillars upon which the house stood, and on which it was borne up, of the one with his right hand, and of the other with his left. 30And Samson said, Let me die with the Philistines. And he bowed himself with all his might; and the house fell upon the lords, and upon all the people that were therein. So the dead which he slew at his death were more than they which he slew in his life. 31Then his brethren and all the house of his father came down, and took him, and brought him up, and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the buryingplace of Manoah his father. And he judged Israel twenty years.

King James Bible

Text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

Samson Escapes Gaza

1 Samson went to Gaza, and saw there a prostitute, and went in to her. 2 The Gazites were told, “Samson is here!” They surrounded him, and laid wait for him all night in the gate of the city, and were quiet all the night, saying, “Wait until morning light, then we will kill him.” 3 Samson lay until midnight, and arose at midnight, and laid hold of the doors of the gate of the city, and the two posts, and plucked them up, bar and all, and put them on his shoulders, and carried them up to the top of the mountain that is before Hebron.

Samson and Delilah

4 It came to pass afterward, that he loved a woman in the valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah. 5 The lords of the Philistines came up to her, and said to her, “Entice him, and see in which his great strength lies, and by what means we may prevail against him, that we may bind him to afflict him; and we will each give you eleven hundred pieces of silver.” 6 Delilah said to Samson, “Please tell me where your great strength lies, and what you might be bound to afflict you.” 7 Samson said to her, “If they bind me with seven green cords that were never dried, then shall I become weak, and be as another man.” 8 Then the lords of the Philistines brought up to her seven green cords which had not been dried, and she bound him with them. 9 Now she had an ambush waiting in the inner room. She said to him, “The Philistines are on you, Samson!” He broke the cords, as a string of tow is broken when it touches the fire. So his strength was not known.

10 Delilah said to Samson, “Behold, you have mocked me, and told me lies: now please tell me with which you might be bound.” 11 He said to her, “If they only bind me with new ropes with which no work has been done, then shall I become weak, and be as another man.” 12 So Delilah took new ropes, and bound him therewith, and said to him, “The Philistines are on you, Samson!” The ambush was waiting in the inner room. He broke them off his arms like a thread.

13 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 web.” 14 She fastened it with the pin, and said to him, “The Philistines are on you, Samson!” He awakened out of his sleep, and plucked away the pin of the beam, and the web.

Delilah Learns the Secret

15 She said to him, “How can you say, ‘I love you,’ when your heart is not with me? You have mocked me these three times, and have not told me where your great strength lies.” 16 It happened, when she pressed him daily with her words, and urged him, that his soul was troubled to death. 17 He told her all his heart, and said to her, “No razor has ever come on my head; for I have been a Nazirite to God from my mother’s womb. If I am shaved, then my strength will go from me, and I will become weak, and be like any other man.”

18 When Delilah saw that he had told her all his heart, she sent and called for the lords of the Philistines, saying, “Come up this once, for he has told me all his heart.” Then the lords of the Philistines came up to her, and brought the money in their hand. 19 She made him sleep on her knees; and she called for a man, and shaved off the seven locks of his head; and she began to afflict him, and his strength went from him. 20 She said, “The Philistines are upon you, Samson!” He awoke out of his sleep, and said, “I will go out as at other times, and shake myself free.” But he didn’t know that Yahweh had departed from him. 21 The Philistines laid hold on him, and put out his eyes; and they brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass; and he ground at the mill in the prison. 22 However the hair of his head began to grow again after he was shaved.

Samson’s Vengeance and Death

23 The lords of the Philistines gathered them together to offer a great sacrifice to Dagon their god, and to rejoice; for they said, “Our god has delivered Samson our enemy into our hand.”

24 When the people saw him, they praised their god; for they said, “Our god has delivered our enemy and the destroyer of our country, who has slain many of us, into our hand.”

25 It happened, when their hearts were merry, that they said, “Call for Samson, that he may entertain us.” They called for Samson out of the prison; and he performed before them. They set him between the pillars; 26 and Samson said to the boy who held him by the hand, “Allow me to feel the pillars whereupon the house rests, that I may lean on them.” 27 Now the house was full of men and women; and all the lords of the Philistines were there; and there were on the roof about three thousand men and women, who saw while Samson performed.

28 Samson called to Yahweh, and said, “Lord Yahweh, remember me, please, and strengthen me, please, only this once, God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes.” 29 Samson took hold of the two middle pillars on which the house rested, and leaned on them, the one with his right hand, and the other with his left. 30 Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines!” He bowed himself with all his might; and the house fell on the lords, and on all the people who were therein. So the dead that he killed at his death were more than those who he killed in his life. 31 Then his brothers and all the house of his father came down, and took him, and brought him up, and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the burial site of Manoah his father. He judged Israel twenty years.

Samson Escapes Gaza

1 One day Samson went to Gaza, where he saw a prostitute and went in to spend the night with her.

2 When the Gazites heard that Samson was there, they surrounded that place and lay in wait for him all night at the city gate. They were quiet throughout the night, saying, “Let us wait until dawn; then we will kill him.”

3 But Samson lay there only until midnight, when he got up, took hold of the doors of the city gate and both gateposts, and pulled them out, bar and all. Then he put them on his shoulders and took them to the top of the mountain overlooking Hebron.

Samson and Delilah

4 Some time later, Samson fell in love with a woman in the Valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah. 5 The lords of the Philistines went to her and said, “Entice him and find out the source of his great strength and how we can overpower him to tie him up and subdue him. Then each one of us will give you eleven hundred shekels of silver. a”

6 So Delilah said to Samson, “Please tell me the source of your great strength and how you can be tied up and subdued.”

7 Samson told her, “If they tie me up with seven fresh bowstrings that have not been dried, I will become as weak as any other man.”

8 So the lords of the Philistines brought her seven fresh bowstrings that had not been dried, and she tied him up with them. 9 While the men were hidden in her room, she called out, “Samson, the Philistines are here!”

But he snapped the bowstrings like a strand of yarn seared by a flame. So the source of his strength remained unknown.

10 Then Delilah said to Samson, “You have mocked me and lied to me! Now please tell me how you can be tied up.”

11 He replied, “If they tie me up with new ropes that have never been used, I will become as weak as any other man.”

12 So Delilah took new ropes, tied him up with them, and called out, “Samson, the Philistines are here!”

But while the men were hidden in her room, he snapped the ropes off his arms like they were threads.

13 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. b”

14 So while he slept, Delilah took the seven braids of his hair and wove them into the web. c Then she tightened it with a pin and called to him, “Samson, the Philistines are here!”

But he awoke from his sleep and pulled out the pin with the loom and the web.

Delilah Learns the Secret

15 “How can you say, ‘I love you,’ ” she asked, “when your heart is not with me? This is the third time you have mocked me and failed to reveal to me the source of your great strength!”

16 Finally, after she had pressed him daily with her words and pleaded until he was sick to death, 17 Samson told her all that was in his heart: “My hair has never been cut, because I have been a Nazirite to God from my mother’s womb. If I am shaved, my strength will leave me, and I will become as weak as any other man.”

18 When Delilah realized that he had revealed to her all that was in his heart, she sent this message to the lords of the Philistines: “Come up once more, for he has revealed to me all that is in his heart.”

Then the lords of the Philistines came to her, bringing the money in their hands.

19 And having lulled him to sleep on her lap, she called a man to shave off the seven braids of his head. In this way she began to subdue him, d and his strength left him. 20 Then she called out, “Samson, the Philistines are here!”

When Samson awoke from his sleep, he thought, “I will escape as I did before and shake myself free.” But he did not know that the LORD had departed from him.

21 Then the Philistines seized him, gouged out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, where he was bound with bronze shackles and forced to grind grain in the prison.

22 However, the hair of his head began to grow back after it had been shaved.

Samson’s Vengeance and Death

23 Now the lords of the Philistines gathered together to offer a great sacrifice to their god Dagon. They rejoiced and said, “Our god has delivered Samson our enemy into our hands.”

24 And when the people saw him, they praised their god, saying:

“Our god has delivered into our hands

our enemy who destroyed our land

and multiplied our dead.”

25 And while their hearts were merry, they said, “Call for Samson to entertain us.” So they called Samson out of the prison to entertain them. And they stationed him between the pillars.

26 Samson said to the servant who held his hand, “Lead me where I can feel the pillars supporting the temple, so I can lean against them.”

27 Now the temple was full of men and women; all the lords of the Philistines were there, and about three thousand men and women were on the roof watching Samson entertain them.

28 Then Samson called out to the LORD: “O Lord GOD, please remember me. Strengthen me, O God, just once more, so that with one vengeful blow I may pay back the Philistines for my two eyes.”

29 And Samson reached out for the two central pillars supporting the temple. Bracing himself against them with his right hand on one pillar and his left hand on the other, 30 Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines.”

Then he pushed with all his might, and the temple fell on the lords and all the people in it. So in his death he killed more than he had killed in his life.

31 Then Samson’s brothers and his father’s family came down, carried him back, and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the tomb of his father Manoah. And he had judged Israel twenty years.

 

Footnotes:

5 a 1,100 shekels  is approximately 27.6 pounds or 12.5 kilograms of silver.
13 b See LXX and Vulgate; Hebrew does not include and tighten it with a pin, I will become as weak as any other man.
14 c See LXX and Vulgate; Hebrew does not include So while he slept, Delilah took the seven braids of his hair and wove them into the web.
19 d Hebrew; some LXX manuscripts he began to grow weak

Samson Escapes Gaza

1And Samson goeth to Gaza, and seeth there a woman, a harlot, and goeth in unto her; 2it is told to the Gazathites, saying, 'Samson hath come in hither;' and they go round and lay wait for him all the night at the gate of the city, and keep themselves silent all the night, saying, 'Till the light of the morning -- then we have slain him.' 3And Samson lieth down till the middle of the night, and riseth in the middle of the night, and layeth hold on the doors of the gate of the city, and on the two side posts, and removeth them with the bar, and putteth on his shoulders, and taketh them up unto the top of the hill, which is on the front of Hebron.

Samson and Delilah

4And it cometh to pass afterwards that he loveth a woman in the valley of Sorek, and her name is Delilah, 5and the princes of the Philistines come up unto her, and say to her, 'Entice him, and see wherein his great power is, and wherein we are able for him -- and we have bound him to afflict him, and we -- we give to thee, each one, eleven hundred silverlings.' 6And Delilah saith unto Samson, 'Declare, I pray thee, to me, wherein thy great power is, and wherewith thou art bound, to afflict thee.' 7And Samson saith unto her, 'If they bind me with seven green withs which have not been dried, then I have been weak, and have been as one of the human race.' 8And the princes of the Philistines bring up to her seven green withs which have not been dried, and she bindeth him with them. 9And the ambush is abiding with her in an inner chamber, and she saith unto him, 'Philistines are upon thee, Samson;' and he breaketh the withs as a thread of tow is broken in its smelling fire, and his power hath not been known.

10And Delilah saith unto Samson, 'Lo, thou hast played upon me, and speakest unto me lies; now, declare, I pray thee, to me, wherewith thou art bound.' 11And he saith unto her, 'If they certainly bind me with thick bands, new ones, by which work hath not been done, then I have been weak, and have been as one of the human race.' 12And Delilah taketh thick bands, new ones, and bindeth him with them, and saith unto him, 'Philistines are upon thee, Samson;' and the ambush is abiding in an inner chamber, and he breaketh them from off his arms as a thread.

13And 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.' 14And she fixeth it with the pin, and saith unto him, 'Philistines are upon thee, Samson;' and he awaketh out of his sleep, and journeyeth with the pin of the weaving machine, and with the web.

Delilah Discovers the Secret

15And she saith unto him, 'How dost thou say, I have loved thee, and thy heart is not with me? these three times thou hast played upon me, and hast not declared to me wherein thy great power is.' 16And it cometh to pass, because she distressed him with her words all the days, and doth urge him, and his soul is grieved to death, 17that he declareth to her all his heart, and saith to her, 'A razor hath not gone up on my head, for a Nazarite to God I am from the womb of my mother; if I have been shaven, then hath my power turned aside from me, and I have been weak, and have been as any of the human race.'

18And Delilah seeth that he hath declared to her all his heart, and she sendeth and calleth for the princes of the Philistines, saying, 'Come up this time, for he hath declared to me all his heart;' and the princes of the Philistines have come up unto her, and bring up the money in their hand. 19and she maketh him sleep on her knees, and calleth for a man, and shaveth the seven locks of his head, and beginneth to afflict him, and his power turneth aside from off him; 20and she saith, 'Philistines are upon thee, Samson;' and he awaketh out of his sleep, and saith, 'I go out as time by time, and shake myself;' and he hath not known that Jehovah hath turned aside from off him. 21And the Philistines seize him, and pick out his eyes, and bring him down to Gaza, and bind him with two brazen fetters; and he is grinding in the prison-house. 22And the hair of his head beginneth to shoot up, when he hath been shaven,

Samson's Vengeance and Death

23and the princes of the Philistines have been gathered together to sacrifice a great sacrifice to Dagon their god, and to rejoice; and they say, 'Our god hath given into our hand Samson our enemy.'

24And the people see him, and praise their god, for they said, 'Our god hath given in our hand our enemy, and he who is laying waste our land, and who multiplied our wounded.'

25And it cometh to pass, when their heart is glad, that they say, 'Call for Samson, and he doth play before us;' and they call for Samson out of the prison-house, and he playeth before them, and they cause him to stand between the pillars. 26And Samson saith unto the young man who is keeping hold on his hand, 'Let me alone, and let me feel the pillars on which the house is established, and I lean upon them.' 27And the house hath been full of men and of women, and thither are all the princes of the Philistines, and on the roof are about three thousand men and women, who are looking on the playing of Samson.

28And Samson calleth unto Jehovah, and saith, 'Lord Jehovah, remember me, I pray Thee, and strengthen me, I pray Thee, only this time, O God; and I am avenged -- vengeance at once -- because of my two eyes, on the Philistines.' 29And Samson turneth aside to the two middle pillars, on which the house is established, and on which it is supported, to the one with his right hand, and one with his left; 30and Samson saith, 'Let me die with the Philistines,' and he inclineth himself powerfully, and the house falleth on the princes, and on all the people who are in it, and the dead whom he hath put to death in his death are more than those whom he put to death in his life. 31And his brethren come down, and all the house of his father, and lift him up, and bring him up, and bury him between Zorah and Eshtaol, in the burying-place of Manoah his father; and he hath judged Israel twenty years.

The F.O.G Commentary:

1What is the meaning of Judges 16?
2Introduction to Judges 16
3Context of Judges 16
4Ancient Key Word Study
5Compare & Contrast
6Judges 16 Unique Insights
7Judges 16 Connections to Yeshua
8Judges 16 Scriptural Echoes
9Judges 16 Devotional
10Did You Know

What is the meaning of Judges 16?

Introduction to Judges 16

Judges 16 presents the dramatic conclusion of Samson’s story, arguably one of the most complex and tragic narratives in Scripture. This chapter crystallizes the tension between divine calling and human weakness, showcasing how God’s purposes prevail even through deeply flawed vessels. The narrative masterfully weaves together themes of strength and weakness, faithfulness and betrayal, judgment and redemption, culminating in a powerful testimony to God’s sovereignty and grace.

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In this pivotal chapter, we witness Samson’s final interactions with the Philistines, including his relationship with Delilah, his imprisonment, and his last act of strength that claimed more enemies in his death than in his life. The story serves as both a warning about the consequences of compromise and a testament to God’s willingness to use His servant one final time, despite previous failures.

Context of Judges 16

Within the book of Judges, chapter 16 serves as the culmination of Samson’s judgeship, which began in chapter 13 with the miraculous announcement of his birth. This chapter must be understood within the larger cycle of apostasy, oppression, cry for help, and deliverance that characterizes the entire book. Samson’s story represents the last and perhaps most tragic of these cycles, where the deliverer himself needed deliverance.

The broader biblical context places this chapter within Israel’s pre-monarchial period, where the nation struggled with faithfulness to God and resistance to pagan influence. Samson’s story parallels Israel’s own story – both were set apart from birth, both struggled with foreign entanglements, and both experienced cycles of rebellion and restoration. This parallel extends to the New Testament understanding of national Israel’s temporary blindness and future restoration.

The chapter also fits within the larger biblical narrative of God using imperfect servants to accomplish His purposes. Like Jacob wrestling with God, or David in his failures, Samson’s story reminds us that God’s strength is made perfect in weakness, a theme that finds its ultimate expression in the Messiah who would later empty Himself to save His people.

Ancient Key Word Study

  • Gaza (עַזָּה) – The Hebrew word signifies “strong” or “fortified,” ironically being the place where Samson displayed both strength (carrying the gates) and ultimate weakness (imprisonment). This city represented Philistine power and the ongoing conflict between God’s people and pagan culture.
  • Delilah (דְּלִילָה) – Her name likely derives from the Hebrew word “דלל” (dalal), meaning “to weaken” or “to impoverish,” prophetically foreshadowing her role in Samson’s downfall. Some scholars also connect it to the Arabic word meaning “flirtatious” or “amorous.”
  • Hair (שֵׂעָר) – Beyond its physical meaning, this word in Hebrew carries connotations of consecration and devotion, particularly in the context of the Nazirite vow. The same root is used in describing Esau (שָׂעִיר), highlighting the physical versus spiritual nature of power.
  • Bind (אָסַר) – The Hebrew verb appears repeatedly in this chapter, carrying both physical and spiritual implications. It’s the same word used in Psalm 118:27 for binding festival sacrifices, suggesting sacrificial overtones in Samson’s bondage.
  • Sport (צָחַק) – This Hebrew word carries darker connotations than simple amusement, suggesting mockery and humiliation. It’s the same word used when the Egyptians afflicted Israel, highlighting the depth of Samson’s degradation.
  • Pillars (עַמּוּדִים) – The word symbolizes support and stability in Hebrew thought, often used metaphorically for spiritual or societal foundations. Samson’s destruction of these pillars represented more than physical demolition – it symbolized the overthrow of pagan power structures.
  • Remember (זָכַר) – This powerful Hebrew verb implies more than mental recall; it suggests acting upon remembrance. When Samson asks God to remember him, he’s requesting divine intervention based on covenant relationship.
  • Strength (כֹּחַ) – The Hebrew term encompasses both physical and spiritual power, often associated with divine enablement. Its repeated use in this chapter emphasizes the true source of Samson’s strength.
  • Eyes (עַיִן) – Beyond physical sight, this Hebrew word connects to spiritual insight and divine oversight. The loss of Samson’s eyes symbolized both judgment and the potential for spiritual awakening.

Compare & Contrast

  • Verse 16:1-3: The carrying of Gaza’s gates demonstrates Samson’s physical strength, but the Hebrew phraseology subtly critiques his spiritual weakness. The word choice “went in to her” (וַיָּבֹא אֵלֶיהָ) is the same used for illicit relationships, contrasting with the sacred language used for legitimate marriages.
  • Verse 16:4-5: Delilah’s name could have been written with alternative Hebrew roots suggesting nobility or elevation (דלה), but the chosen form (דְּלִילָה) emphasizes diminishment and weakness, foreshadowing her role in the narrative.
  • Verse 16:17: The phrase “told her all his heart” uses terminology (כָּל-לִבּוֹ) typically reserved for intimate communion with God, highlighting the tragic displacement of Samson’s ultimate loyalty.
  • Verse 16:20: The statement “the LORD had departed from him” employs the verb סור (depart) rather than עזב (abandon), suggesting a withdrawal rather than complete abandonment, preserving hope for restoration.
  • Verse 16:21: The blinding of Samson uses a verb (נקר) that implies violent gouging rather than the more clinical term for blinding (עור), emphasizing the brutality of pagan opposition to God’s servant.
  • Verse 16:22: The phrase “began to grow” regarding Samson’s hair uses the verb צמח, which carries connotations of spiritual renewal, rather than גדל which merely indicates physical growth.
  • Verse 16:28: Samson’s prayer uses the emphatic form of “remember” (זָכְרֵנִי נָא) and addresses God as Adonai YHWH, suggesting restored spiritual awareness rather than mere desperation.
  • Verse 16:30: The description of Samson’s final act uses military terminology (נטה בְכֹחַ) rather than simple action verbs, elevating the event to an act of divine warfare rather than mere revenge.

Judges 16 Unique Insights

The rabbinical tradition provides fascinating insights into Samson’s spiritual journey. The Talmud (Sotah 10a) draws a parallel between Samson’s physical blindness and spiritual illumination, suggesting that his final act was his greatest moment of spiritual clarity. This aligns with the messianic Jewish understanding that sometimes our greatest victories come through apparent defeat, prefiguring the Messiah’s victory through sacrificial death.

The early church father Origen noted that Samson’s death, bringing victory through apparent defeat, prefigured Yeshua’s sacrificial death. The Philistine temple’s architecture, with two central pillars, has been confirmed by archaeological discoveries at Tel Qasile and other Philistine sites, adding historical credibility to the narrative. This architectural detail becomes spiritually significant when we consider that Yeshua also dealt with two main pillars of opposition: sin and death.

The supernatural aspect of Samson’s strength returning with his hair growth isn’t merely about physical hair, but about restored covenant relationship. The Hebrew text subtly indicates this through the use of the verb צמח (to sprout) rather than גדל (to grow), the same verb used prophetically about the Messianic “Branch” in Jeremiah 23:5. This linguistic choice suggests spiritual renewal alongside physical restoration.

Mystical Jewish tradition sees in Samson’s final prayer a model of teshuvah (repentance), noting that he finally acknowledges God as the source of his strength rather than claiming it as his own. This transformation from self-reliance to divine dependence mirrors the journey every believer must take, finding ultimate strength in weakness as Paul would later articulate in 2 Corinthians 12:10.

Judges 16 Connections to Yeshua

The parallels between Samson and Yeshua are both striking and instructive. Like Samson, Yeshua’s birth was announced by an angel, He was set apart from birth, and He would deliver His people from oppression. However, where Samson often failed in his calling, Yeshua perfectly fulfilled His mission. Both were betrayed for silver, both experienced mockery from their enemies, and both achieved their greatest victory through death.

Samson’s final act, bringing deliverance through his death and defeating more enemies in death than in life, prefigures Yeshua’s sacrificial death that defeated the ultimate enemies of sin and death. The Hebrew word for Samson’s “revenge” (נְקָמָה) is the same word used in Isaiah 61:2 for the day of God’s vengeance, which Yeshua partially fulfilled in His first coming and will complete in His return.

The restoration of Samson’s strength through renewed dedication points to the power of covenant relationship with God, ultimately fulfilled in the New Covenant established through Yeshua’s blood. His story reminds us that God’s purposes prevail even through human weakness, finding perfect expression in Messiah who became weak to make us strong.

Judges 16 Scriptural Echoes

This chapter resonates with numerous biblical themes and passages. The motif of sight and blindness echoes throughout Scripture, from Isaac’s physical blindness but spiritual insight in Genesis 27 to the spiritual blindness Yeshua addressed in John 9. Samson’s physical blinding led to spiritual sight, prefiguring Paul’s experience in Acts 9.

The theme of strength in weakness connects to 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, where Paul glories in his weaknesses so that God’s power may be made perfect. Samson’s final prayer echoes Psalm 74:18 where God is called upon to remember His covenant people.

The concept of victory through apparent defeat resonates with Isaiah 53, where the Suffering Servant achieves victory through sacrifice. The restoration of Samson’s strength parallels the prophetic promises of restoration in Joel 2:25 and Isaiah 61:3.

Judges 16 Devotional

This chapter challenges us to examine our own lives regarding covenant faithfulness and the source of our strength. Samson’s story reminds us that God’s gifts and calling are irrevocable, but their effectiveness is tied to our walk with Him. In our own areas of strength, are we maintaining proper dependence on God, or are we, like Samson, taking His gifts for granted?

The narrative also offers hope for restoration. Even after catastrophic failure, Samson’s final prayer was heard and answered. This encourages us to turn to God in our moments of greatest weakness and failure, knowing that His strength is made perfect in our weakness. When we feel we’ve failed beyond recovery, Samson’s story reminds us that God can still use us powerfully if we return to Him in humility and faith.

Did You Know

  • Archaeological discoveries in ancient Philistine temples have confirmed the architectural detail of two central pillars supporting the roof, validating the biblical account’s historical accuracy.
  • The weight of the Gaza city gates that Samson carried would have been approximately 4-5 tons, based on archaeological findings of similar ancient gates.
  • The Hebrew name Delilah means “one who weakens or impoverishes,” prophetically pointing to her role in the narrative.
  • The amount of silver promised to Delilah (1,100 pieces from each lord) would be equivalent to several years’ wages for a skilled worker in ancient times.
  • The Philistine god Dagon, mentioned in the temple scene, was depicted as half-man, half-fish in ancient iconography, representing fertility and grain.
  • The Hebrew word for Samson’s “sport” (צחק) is the same word used to describe the affliction of the Israelites in Egypt, indicating severe humiliation rather than mere entertainment.
  • The location of Gaza, mentioned in the chapter, remains a significant city today, making it one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.
  • The concept of hair as a sign of dedication wasn’t unique to Israel – many ancient Near Eastern cultures associated uncut hair with divine consecration.
  • The number of Philistine lords (five) mentioned in the chapter corresponds exactly with historical records of the Philistine pentapolis.
  • The final prayer of Samson is one of only two recorded prayers in his entire narrative, highlighting its significance.
  • The Hebrew text suggests Samson’s hair began growing even before he called out to God, indicating God’s grace preceding repentance.
  • The traditional site of Samson’s death in Gaza has been venerated since ancient times, though the exact location remains disputed.

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Jean Paul Joseph
Jean Paul Joseph

After a dramatic early morning encounter with King Jesus, I just couldn’t put my Bible down. The F.O.G took a hold of me and this website was born. Learn more about the F.O.G.

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