Judges 16:7

Translations

Modern

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.”

Traditional

And 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.

Literal

And Samson said to her, “If they bind me with seven fresh bowstrings that have not been dried, I shall become weak and I will be as any man.”

Latin

Cui respondit Samson: Si septem nerviceis funibus necdum siccis, et adhuc humentibus, ligatus fuero, infirmus ero ut ceteri homines.

Original

Hebrew

English

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.”

Notes

Judges 16:7

People often made bowstrings from dried animal tendons or gut. The number seven was symbolic, possibly linked to the Philistines' belief in magic. Samson appears more comfortable in Philistine culture than in following his Israelite vows as a Nazirite.

Judges 16:4–22

Samson's downfall and defeat by Delilah, the temptress, is a universally appealing tragedy.

Judges 16:1–31

This last chapter of Samson's complicated history does not involve his role as a judge. Samson abandoned his calling and eventually lost his gifts. Only in his final encounter, when he prayed to the Lord again, did he regain any of his heroic stature.

Judges 13:1–16:31

Samson, who gets more attention in the book of Judges than any other judge, is more mysterious than Jephthah. Samson shows great inspiration as a leader. He also represents the unstoppable move toward chaos, which shows the need for a more organized society under a godly ruler.

Theme notes and profiles

Samson The Philistines

Related verses

Galatians 6:7
Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return.
Proverbs 12:19
Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.
Colossians 3:9
Do not lie to one another, since you have taken off the old self with its practices,
Romans 3:8
Why not say, as some slanderously claim that we say, “Let us do evil that good may result”? Their condemnation is deserved!
1 Samuel 27:10
…who would ask him, “What have you raided today?” And David would reply, “The Negev of Judah,” or “The Negev of Jerahmeel,” or “The Negev of the Kenites.”
Proverbs 17:7
Eloquent words are unfit for a fool; how much worse are lying lips to a ruler!
1 Samuel 19:17
And Saul said to Michal, “Why did you deceive me like this? You sent my enemy away, and he has escaped!” Michal replied, “He said to me, ‘Help me get away, or I will kill you!’”
Judges 16:10
Then Delilah said to Samson, “You have mocked me and lied to me! Now please tell me how you can be tied up.”
1 Samuel 21:2–3
“The king has given me a mission,” David replied. “He told me no one is to know about the mission on which I am sending you. And I have directed my young men to meet me at a certain place.

People

Samson: Israelite judge with great strength from God

Glossary

Delilah Judges, Book of Philistia, Philistines Samson Tribe of Dan

Topics

Conspiracy: Delilah, Against Samson Deception: Delilah Deceives Samson Delilah: Samson's Mistress Friends: False Friends: Delilah Was False to Samson Samson: Cohabits with Delilah, a Prostitute; Her Machinations with the Philistines to Overcome Him Women: Delilah, in Her Conspiracy Against Samson

Judges 16:7

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