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Home › Berean Standard Bible  › Judges 16  › Judges 16:4

Judges 16:4

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Judges 16:4 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

Some time later, Samson fell in love with a woman in the Valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah.

King James Version KJV

¶ And it came to pass afterward, that he loved a woman in the valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah.

American Standard Version ASV

And it came to pass afterward, that he loved a woman in the valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah.

Bible in Basic English BBE

Now after this, he was in love with a woman in the valley of Sorek, named Delilah.

Free Bible Version FBV

Later he fell in love with a woman named Delilah living in the Sorek Valley.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

And after this hee loued a woman by the riuer of Sorek, whose name was Delilah:

Young's Literal Translation YLT

And it cometh to pass afterwards that he loveth a woman in the valley of Sorek, and her name [is] Delilah,

World English Bible WEB

It came to pass afterward that he loved a woman in the valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

And it came to pass afterward, that he loved a woman in the valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

After this he loved a woman, who dwelt in the valley of Sorec, and she was called Dalila.

Translation for Translators T4T

Later Samson fell in love with a woman named Delilah, and started to live with her. She lived in Sorek Valley in the Philistia area.

Study Highlights

Key words in the translations above are automatically highlighted. Names of God and Jesus are marked in purple, the Holy Spirit in orange, divine action verbs are underlined, and repeated key words are highlighted in yellow.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Judges 16:4

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 16:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB וַֽ/יְהִי֙ אַחֲרֵי כֵ֔ן וַ/יֶּאֱהַ֥ב אִשָּׁ֖ה בְּ/נַ֣חַל שֹׂרֵ֑ק וּ/שְׁמָ֖/הּ דְּלִילָֽה
וַֽ/יְהִי֙ hâyâh H1961 to be Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
אַחֲרֵי ʼachar H310 after Prep
כֵ֔ן kên H3651 right Adv
וַ/יֶּאֱהַ֥ב ʼâhab H157 to love Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
אִשָּׁ֖ה ʼishshâh H802 woman N-fs
בְּ/נַ֣חַל nachal H5158 Brook Prep | N-ms
שֹׂרֵ֑ק Sôwrêq H7796 Sorek N-proper
וּ/שְׁמָ֖/הּ shêm H8034 name Conj | N-ms | Suff
דְּלִילָֽה Dᵉlîylâh H1807 Delilah N-proper
Hebrew Word Study

Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.

Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.

Hebrew Word Reference — Judges 16:4

וַֽ/יְהִי֙ hâyâh H1961 "to be" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
אַחֲרֵי ʼachar H310 "after" Prep
Achar means backwards or after, used to describe something that happens later or in the rear. It is used in various senses in the Bible, including in 1 Kings 12:18.
Definition: 1) after the following part, behind (of place), hinder, afterwards (of time) 1a) as an adverb 1a1) behind (of place) 1a2) afterwards (of time) 1b) as a preposition 1b1) behind, after (of place) 1b2) after (of time) 1b3) besides 1c) as a conjunction 1c) after that 1d) as a substantive 1d1) hinder part 1e) with other prepositions 1e1) from behind 1e2) from following after
Usage: Occurs in 664 OT verses. KJV: after (that, -ward), again, at, away from, back (from, -side), behind, beside, by, follow (after, -ing), forasmuch, from, hereafter, hinder end, [phrase] out (over) live, [phrase] persecute, posterity, pursuing, remnant, seeing, since, thence(-forth), when, with. See also: Genesis 5:4; Exodus 18:2; Joshua 8:14.
כֵ֔ן kên H3651 "right" Adv
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means 'so' or 'thus', often used to show agreement or confirmation, like in the book of Genesis. It can also mean 'rightly' or 'justly', as in doing something the correct way. It appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: adv adj 1) right, just, honest, true, veritable 1a) right, just, honest 1b) correct 1c) true, veritable
Usage: Occurs in 737 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] after that (this, -ward, -wards), as... as, [phrase] (for-) asmuch as yet, [phrase] be (for which) cause, [phrase] following, howbeit, in (the) like (manner, -wise), [idiom] the more, right, (even) so, state, straightway, such (thing), surely, [phrase] there (where) -fore, this, thus, true, well, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:7; Exodus 37:19; Judges 7:17.
וַ/יֶּאֱהַ֥ב ʼâhab H157 "to love" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
To love means to have affection for someone or something, including family, romance, or God. It can also describe being a friend or having appetite for things like food or wisdom.
Definition: : lover 1) to love 1a) (Qal) 1a1) human love for another, includes family, and sexual 1a2) human appetite for objects such as food, drink, sleep, wisdom 1a3) human love for or to God 1a4) act of being a friend 1a4a) lover (participle) 1a4b) friend (participle) 1a5) God's love toward man 1a5a) to individual men 1a5b) to people Israel 1a5c) to righteousness 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) lovely (participle) 1b2) loveable (participle) 1c) (Piel) 1c1) friends 1c2) lovers (fig. of adulterers) 2) to like Also means: a.hav (אָהֵב ": friend" H0157H)
Usage: Occurs in 195 OT verses. KJV: (be-) love(-d, -ly, -r), like, friend. See also: Genesis 22:2; Psalms 116:1; Psalms 4:3.
אִשָּׁ֖ה ʼishshâh H802 "woman" N-fs
The Hebrew word for woman, used to describe a female person, wife, or animal, appears in many biblical passages, including Genesis and Exodus, and is often translated as woman, wife, or female.
Definition: : woman 1) woman, wife, female 1a) woman (opposite of man) 1b) wife (woman married to a man) 1c) female (of animals) 1d) each, every (pronoun)
Usage: Occurs in 686 OT verses. KJV: (adulter) ess, each, every, female, [idiom] many, [phrase] none, one, [phrase] together, wife, woman. Often unexpressed in English. See also: Genesis 2:22; Genesis 34:4; Numbers 5:12.
בְּ/נַ֣חַל nachal H5158 "Brook" Prep | N-ms
The Hebrew word for a brook or stream, often referring to a small river or valley, is used in the Bible to describe natural landscapes, such as the Brook Kidron in 2 Samuel 15:23. It can also refer to a narrow valley or a shaft of a mine, emphasizing the idea of a flowing body of water.
Definition: palm-tree Another name of shi.chor (שִׁיחוֹר "Shihor" H7883G)
Usage: Occurs in 123 OT verses. KJV: brook, flood, river, stream, valley. See also: Genesis 26:17; 1 Kings 18:5; Psalms 18:5.
שֹׂרֵ֑ק Sôwrêq H7796 "Sorek" N-proper
The Valley of Sorek is a place in the Bible where Delilah lived, known for its vineyards, as mentioned in Judges 16.
Definition: Combined with na.chal (נַ֫חַל " Valley" H5158J) § Sorek = "choice vines" a wadi in Palestine in which Delilah lived
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: Sorek. See also: Judges 16:4.
וּ/שְׁמָ֖/הּ shêm H8034 "name" Conj | N-ms | Suff
In the Bible, a name represents a person's identity, honor, and character, like God's name symbolizing His power and authority. It appears in Genesis and other books, often referring to God's name or a person's reputation. This concept is central to understanding biblical identity.
Definition: 1) name 1a) name 1b) reputation, fame, glory 1c) the Name (as designation of God) 1d) memorial, monument Aramaic equivalent: shum (שֻׁם "name" H8036)
Usage: Occurs in 771 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] base, (in-) fame(-ous), named(-d), renown, report. See also: Genesis 2:11; Exodus 3:15; Deuteronomy 16:6.
דְּלִילָֽה 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.

Study Notes — Judges 16:4

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 1 Corinthians 10:6 These things took place as examples to keep us from craving evil things as they did.
2 Proverbs 22:14 The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit; he who is under the wrath of the LORD will fall into it.
3 Nehemiah 13:26 Did not King Solomon of Israel sin in matters like this? There was not a king like him among many nations, and he was loved by his God, who made him king over all Israel—yet foreign women drew him into sin.
4 Proverbs 26:11 As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.
5 1 Kings 11:1 King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women along with the daughter of Pharaoh—women of Moab, Ammon, Edom, and Sidon, as well as Hittite women.
6 Proverbs 27:22 Though you grind a fool like grain with mortar and a pestle, yet his folly will not depart from him.
7 Proverbs 23:27 For a prostitute is a deep pit, and an adulteress is a narrow well.

Judges 16:4 Summary

[This verse tells us that Samson, one of the judges of Israel, fell in love with a woman named Delilah from the Valley of Sorek. This relationship would ultimately lead to trouble for Samson, as we see in the next few verses. Samson's love for Delilah shows us how easily we can be distracted from our purpose and calling, just like Samson was distracted from his role as a judge in Israel (Judges 13:5). We can learn from Samson's mistakes by prioritizing our relationship with God and seeking His guidance in our relationships and decisions, as encouraged in Proverbs 3:5-6.]

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Samson fall in love with Delilah despite her being from the Valley of Sorek, a region associated with the Philistines, Israel's enemies?

The Bible does not provide a clear answer, but it may be related to Samson's previous patterns of behavior, such as his desire for a Philistine woman in Judges 14:1-2, which was not in line with God's will as stated in Deuteronomy 7:3-4.

What can we learn from Samson's relationship with Delilah about the dangers of worldly relationships?

Samson's relationship with Delilah ultimately led to his downfall, as seen in the subsequent verses, Judges 16:5-6, and serves as a warning about the dangers of unequally yoked relationships, as mentioned in 2 Corinthians 6:14.

How does Samson's love for Delilah relate to his calling as a judge in Israel?

Samson's love for Delilah may have distracted him from his calling as a judge in Israel, as stated in Judges 13:5, and led him to prioritize his personal desires over his responsibilities to God and the Israelites, as seen in the context of Judges 13-16.

What role does the Valley of Sorek play in the story of Samson and Delilah?

The Valley of Sorek is the location where Samson met Delilah, and it may symbolize a place of spiritual compromise, as Samson's actions in this region led to his spiritual downfall, reminiscent of the warnings in Psalm 1:1 against walking in the counsel of the wicked.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some areas in my life where I may be compromising my faith, similar to Samson's relationship with Delilah?
  2. How can I prioritize my relationship with God and stay focused on my spiritual calling, despite the temptations and distractions of the world?
  3. What are some warning signs that I may be entering into an unequally yoked relationship, and how can I seek God's guidance in such situations?
  4. In what ways can I learn from Samson's mistakes and apply the lessons to my own life, especially in regards to the importance of obedience to God's will?

Gill's Exposition on Judges 16:4

And it came to pass afterwards, that he loved a woman in the valley of Sorek,.... Which, according to Adrichomius (y) was but half a mile from the brook Eshcol, from whence the spies brought a bunch

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Judges 16:4

And it came to pass afterward, that he loved a woman in the valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah. He loved a woman in the valley of Sorek.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Judges 16:4

He loved a woman; either, first, With conjugal love, so as to marry her, as divers both Jews and Christians have thought. Or, secondly, With lustful love, as a harlot; which though not certain, because the phrase is here ambiguous, she being neither called a harlot, as she of Gaza was, , nor yet his wife, as she of Timnath was, ,3,20, yet it may seem more probable; partly, because the dreadful punishment now inflicted upon Samson for this sin, whom God spared for the first offence, is an intimation that this sin was not inferior to the former; partly, because the confidence which the Philistine lords had in her, and their bold and frequent treating with her, and the whole course of her carriage towards Samson, show her to be a mercenary and perfidious harlot, and not a wife, whose affection and interest would have obliged her to better things; and partly, because Samson did not carry her home to his house, as husbands use to do their wives; but lodged in her house, as appears from the whole story.

Trapp's Commentary on Judges 16:4

Judges 16:4 And it came to pass afterward, that he loved a woman in the valley of Sorek, whose name [was] Delilah.Ver. 4. And it came to pass afterward.] Not long afterwards, but before he had soundly repented of his former faultiness; the orifice of his lust being not yet stopped. So Lot committed incest two nights together. But of Judah it is expressly noted that, coming to a sight of his sin with Tamar, he "knew her again no more." In the valley of Sorek.] A pleasant place, full of vines and myrtles. To Samson it proved a valley of vanity. Whose name was Delilah.] A fit name for a harlot, for it comes from Dalal, which signifieth to exhaust, or to impoverish. It is the property of such female sinners to exhaust the purse, drain the strength, dry up the credit, waste the all of the mightiest Samsons. The Rabbis make Delilah to have been his wife, and further say, that he taught her the law of Moses before he took her; but none of this is likely to be true.

Ellicott's Commentary on Judges 16:4

(4) He loved a woman.—Delilah was not, as Milton represents, his wife. Josephus (Antt. v. 8, § 11) says that she was one who played the harlot among the Philistines, and the fathers all speak of her in similar terms. Nor is it at all clear—as is generally assumed—that she was a Philistine. In the valley of Sorek.—The English Version here follows the Vulgate, but the word for valley is nachal, and the words may mean (as the LXX. take them) “on the brook of Sorek.” Sorek was not in the Philistine district, but was near Samson’s native town of Zorah (Judges 13:2). It seems to have derived its name from the “choice vines” that grew there (Genesis 49:11; Isaiah 5:2; Jeremiah 2:21, Hebr.).Delilah.—The “tender” or “delicate.” Ewald thinks it means “the traitress,” referring to Journ. Asiat., 2:389. The Rabbis refer it to the root daldal, “to debilitate.”

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Judges 16:4

Verse 4. He loved a woman in the valley of Sorek] Some think Samson took this woman for his wife; others, that he had her as a concubine. It appears she was a Philistine; and however strong his love was for her, she seems to have had none for him. He always matched improperly, and he was cursed in all his matches. Where the valley or brook of Sorek was, is not easy to be ascertained. Eusebius and Jerome say it lay southward of Eleutheropolis; but where was Eleutheropolis? Ancient writers take all their measurements from this city; but as it is nowhere mentioned in the Scriptures, it is impossible to fix its situation for we know not its ancient name.

Cambridge Bible on Judges 16:4

4–31. Samson and Delîlah: his ruin and famous end4. the valley of Sorek] Now Wâdi eṣ ?-Ṣ ?arâr, a broad valley narrowing as it rises towards the Judaean highlands; the railway from Jaffa to Jerusalem ascends the lower part of it. Soreḳ ? denotes a choice kind of vine (Genesis 49:11, Isaiah 5:2, Jeremiah 2:21), which may have given its name to the valley. A ruined site near Ṣ ?ar‘a (Judges 13:2 n.) is still called Sûrîk.

Barnes' Notes on Judges 16:4

A village to the north of Eleutheropolis, called Caphar-Sotek, was still existing in the time of Eusebius, near Zorah.

Whedon's Commentary on Judges 16:4

SAMSON AND DELILAH, Judges 16:4-20. 4. Loved a woman… Delilah — She was, doubtless, a Philistine woman, and it comports well with Samson’s history that among the daughters of that people he found his earliest and his latest love.

Sermons on Judges 16:4

SermonDescription
Edwin Fesche Herod by Edwin Fesche In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of our actions leading up to making important decisions. He urges the listeners to reflect on their past actions and allow th
Walter Beuttler Four Ways to Lose the Lord's Presence by Walter Beuttler Walter Beuttler preaches on the story of Samson and Delilah, emphasizing the danger of losing the secret of consecration, as seen in Samson's downfall due to revealing his source o
Paris Reidhead (So Great a Salvation) Victory Part 1 by Paris Reidhead In this sermon, the speaker discusses the topic of temptation and how to escape from it. He emphasizes the importance of listening to the word of God and not just hearing what we w
David Wilkerson Let Him That Thinks He Stands Take Heed Lest He Fall by David Wilkerson In this sermon, the preacher begins by expressing his pain and asking God for relief. He then encourages the congregation to look to Jesus as the author and finisher of their faith
David Wilkerson How Quickly We Turn Aside by David Wilkerson In this sermon, the preacher discusses the dangers of idolatry and how it can lead people away from God. He emphasizes that idols can take many forms, such as sports, entertainment
Zac Poonen Sanctification : 3. a Disciplined Body by Zac Poonen In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of having a disciplined body as part of the process of entire sanctification. He highlights that our bodies are temples of the
Chuck Smith (Through the Bible) Numbers 11-20 by Chuck Smith In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the lessons that can be learned from the history of the children of Israel as recorded in the book of Exodus. He emphasizes the importance o
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