Judges 16:11

Verse

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

American Standard Version (1901)

And he said unto her, If they only bind me with new ropes wherewith no work hath been done, then shall I become weak, and be as another man.

Bible in Basic English

And he said to her, If they only put round me new thick cords which have never been used, then I will become feeble and will be like any other man.

Free Bible Version

“If I'm tied up tight with new ropes that haven't been used before, I'll become just as weak as anyone else,” he told her.

Geneva Bible 1599

Then he answered her, If they binde mee with newe ropes that neuer were occupied, then shall I be weake, and be as an other man.

King James (Authorized) Version

And 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.

Translation for Translators

Samson replied, “If someone ties me with new ropes, ones that have never been used, I will be as weak as other men.”

Unlocked Literal Bible

He said to her, “If they tie me up with new ropes which have never been used for work, I will become weak and like any other man.”

Noah Webster Bible

And he said to her, If they bind me fast with new ropes that never were used, then shall I be weak, and be as another man.

World English Bible

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.”

Young's Literal Translation

And 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.'

Context

Samson and Delilah

¹⁰Then Delilah said to Samson, “You have mocked me and lied to me! Now please tell me how you can be tied up.”¹¹He replied, “If they tie me up with new ropes that have never been used, I will become as weak as any other man.”

Sermons

What Happened?

K.P. Yohannan

Summary

In this verse, we see the story of Samson and Delilah, where Delilah is being used by the Philistines to discover the secret of Samson's strength. Delilah's persistent questioning reveals her deceitful intentions and Samson's vulnerability to her manipulation. This passage serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of succumbing to temptation and the danger of trusting in deceptive individuals. It also highlights the importance of discernment and staying true to one's convictions in the face of adversity.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And he said unto her,.... Abarbinel presents Samson replying to her, that he had told her the truth at first, only forgot one circumstance, that the "cords", for so he takes the word for "withs" to signify, should be "new", such as were never used, as follows: if they bind me fast with new ropes, that never were occupied; the word signifies thick ropes, which, according to Kimchi and Ben Melech, were trebled, or made of three cords twisted together, and those such as were just made, and had never been put to any use, and so strong and firm: then shall I be weak, and be as another man; see Jdg 16:7.