Judges 16:6
Judges 16:6 in Multiple Translations
So Delilah said to Samson, “Please tell me the source of your great strength and how you can be tied up and subdued.”
¶ And Delilah said to Samson, Tell me, I pray thee, wherein thy great strength lieth, and wherewith thou mightest be bound to afflict thee.
And Delilah said to Samson, Tell me, I pray thee, wherein thy great strength lieth, and wherewith thou mightest be bound to afflict thee.
So Delilah said to Samson, Make clear to me now what is the secret of your great strength, and how you may be put in bands and made feeble.
Delilah went and pleaded with Samson, “Please tell me where your incredible strength comes from, and what can be used to tie you up so you can't do anything.”
And Delilah saide to Samson, Tell mee, I pray thee, wherein thy great strength lieth, and wherewith thou mightest bee bound, to doe thee hurt.
And Delilah saith unto Samson, 'Declare, I pray thee, to me, wherein thy great power [is], and wherewith thou art bound, to afflict thee.'
Delilah said to Samson, “Please tell me where your great strength lies, and what you might be bound to afflict you.”
And Delilah said to Samson, Tell me, I pray thee, in what thy great strength lieth , and with what thou mayest be bound to afflict thee.
And Dalila said to Samson: Tell me, I beseech thee, wherein thy greatest strength lieth, and what it is wherewith if thou wert bound thou couldst not break loose.
So Delilah said to Samson, “Please tell me what makes you so strong, and tell me how someone can subdue you and tie you up.”
Berean Amplified Bible — Judges 16:6
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 16:6 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/תֹּ֤אמֶר
דְּלִילָה֙
אֶל
שִׁמְשׁ֔וֹן
הַגִּֽידָ/ה
נָּ֣א
לִ֔/י
בַּ/מֶּ֖ה
כֹּחֲ/ךָ֣
גָד֑וֹל
וּ/בַ/מֶּ֥ה
תֵאָסֵ֖ר
לְ/עַנּוֹתֶֽ/ךָ
וַ/תֹּ֤אמֶר
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
דְּלִילָה֙
Dᵉlîylâh
H1807
Delilah
N-proper
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Prep
שִׁמְשׁ֔וֹן
Shimshôwn
H8123
Samson
N-proper
הַגִּֽידָ/ה
nâgad
H5046
to tell
V-Hiphil-Impv-2ms | Suff
נָּ֣א
nâʼ
H4994
please
Part
לִ֔/י
Prep | Suff
בַּ/מֶּ֖ה
mâh
H4100
what?
Prep | Part
כֹּחֲ/ךָ֣
kôach
H3581
reptile
N-ms | Suff
גָד֑וֹל
gâdôwl
H1419
Great (Sea)
Adj
וּ/בַ/מֶּ֥ה
mâh
H4100
what?
Conj | Prep | Part
תֵאָסֵ֖ר
ʼâçar
H631
to bind
V-Niphal-Imperf-2ms
לְ/עַנּוֹתֶֽ/ךָ
ʻânâh
H6031
be occupied
Prep | V-Piel-Inf-a | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Judges 16:6
וַ/תֹּ֤אמֶר
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.
דְּלִילָה֙
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.
שִׁמְשׁ֔וֹן
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.
הַגִּֽידָ/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.
נָּ֣א
nâʼ
H4994
"please"
Part
The Hebrew word 'nâ'' is used to express a polite request, like 'please' or 'I pray', and is often added to verbs to make them more polite. In the Bible, it appears in passages like Ezra's reading of the law to the people.
Definition: 1) I (we) pray, now, please 1a) used in entreaty or exhortation
Usage: Occurs in 374 OT verses. KJV: I beseech (pray) thee (you), go to, now, oh. See also: Genesis 12:11; Judges 4:19; 1 Kings 13:6.
לִ֔/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.
כֹּחֲ/ךָ֣
kôach
H3581
"reptile"
N-ms | Suff
Koach means strength or power, referring to human, angelic, or God's might. It can also describe the strength of animals or the produce of soil.
Definition: 1) a small reptile, probably a kind of lizard, which is unclean 1a) perhaps an extinct animal, exact meaning is unknown
Usage: Occurs in 121 OT verses. KJV: ability, able, chameleon, force, fruits, might, power(-ful), strength, substance, wealth. See also: Genesis 4:12; Job 36:5; Psalms 22:16.
גָד֑וֹל
gâdôwl
H1419
"Great (Sea)"
Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means something or someone great, whether in size, age, or importance. It appears in descriptions of the Great Sea and the Philistines. The word is used to convey a sense of magnitude or grandeur.
Definition: adj great Also named: pe.lish.ti (פְּלִשְׁתִּי "(Sea of the )Philistines" H6430I)
Usage: Occurs in 499 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] aloud, elder(-est), [phrase] exceeding(-ly), [phrase] far, (man of) great (man, matter, thing,-er,-ness), high, long, loud, mighty, more, much, noble, proud thing, [idiom] sore, ([idiom]) very. See also: Genesis 1:16; Joshua 7:26; 1 Kings 20:13.
וּ/בַ/מֶּ֥ה
mâh
H4100
"what?"
Conj | 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.
תֵאָסֵ֖ר
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.
לְ/עַנּוֹתֶֽ/ךָ
ʻânâh
H6031
"be occupied"
Prep | V-Piel-Inf-a | Suff
To afflict or oppress someone, making them feel low or depressed. In the Bible, it can also mean to humble oneself, as seen in Psalm 35:13. It involves being put down or becoming weak.
Definition: (Qal) to be occupied, be busied with
Usage: Occurs in 79 OT verses. KJV: abase self, afflict(-ion, self), answer (by mistake for H6030 (עָנָה)), chasten self, deal hardly with, defile, exercise, force, gentleness, humble (self), hurt, ravish, sing (by mistake for H6030 (עָנָה)), speak (by mistake for H6030 (עָנָה)), submit self, weaken, [idiom] in any wise. See also: Genesis 15:13; 2 Kings 17:20; Psalms 35:13.
Study Notes — Judges 16:6
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Judges 16:6 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Judges 16:6
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Judges 16:6
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Judges 16:6
- Trapp's Commentary on Judges 16:6
- Ellicott's Commentary on Judges 16:6
- Whedon's Commentary on Judges 16:6
- Sermons on Judges 16:6
Context — Samson and Delilah
4Some time later, Samson fell in love with a woman in the Valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah.
5The 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. ”
6So Delilah said to Samson, “Please tell me the source of your great strength and how you can be tied up and subdued.”
7Samson 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.” 8So the lords of the Philistines brought her seven fresh bowstrings that had not been dried, and she tied him up with them.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 7:21 | With her great persuasion she entices him; with her flattering lips she lures him. |
| 2 | Proverbs 6:26 | For the levy of the prostitute is poverty, and the adulteress preys upon your very life. |
| 3 | 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. |
| 4 | Psalms 12:2 | They lie to one another; they speak with flattering lips and a double heart. |
| 5 | Micah 7:2 | The godly man has perished from the earth; there is no one upright among men. They all lie in wait for blood; they hunt one another with a net. |
| 6 | Micah 7:5 | Do not rely on a friend; do not trust in a companion. Seal the doors of your mouth from her who lies in your arms. |
| 7 | Proverbs 26:28 | A lying tongue hates those it crushes, and a flattering mouth causes ruin. |
| 8 | Jeremiah 9:2–5 | If only I had a traveler’s lodge in the wilderness, I would abandon my people and depart from them, for they are all adulterers, a crowd of faithless people. “They bend their tongues like bows; lies prevail over truth in the land. For they proceed from evil to evil, and they do not take Me into account,” declares the LORD. “Let everyone guard against his neighbor; do not trust any brother, for every brother deals craftily, and every friend spreads slander. Each one betrays his friend; no one tells the truth. They have taught their tongues to lie; they wear themselves out committing iniquity. |
Judges 16:6 Summary
In this verse, Delilah is trying to trick Samson into telling her the secret of his great strength. She asks him to share his secret with her, and this shows how she is trying to manipulate him for her own gain, as seen in Judges 16:5. This verse teaches us to be careful about who we trust and to be aware of people who might be trying to deceive us, as warned in Matthew 10:16-17. We should always try to be honest and transparent in our relationships, as modeled in Ephesians 4:25, and trust in God's wisdom and guidance to protect us from harm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Delilah ask Samson about the source of his strength?
Delilah asked Samson about the source of his strength because she was motivated by the promise of money from the lords of the Philistines, as seen in Judges 16:5, and she wanted to discover the secret to his power so they could overpower him.
What can we learn from Delilah's approach to Samson?
Delilah's approach to Samson teaches us that manipulation and deception can be used to achieve evil purposes, as warned in Proverbs 26:24-26, and we should be cautious of those who try to flatter or deceive us to get what they want.
How does this verse relate to the theme of deception in the Bible?
This verse illustrates the theme of deception found throughout the Bible, such as in Genesis 3:13, where Eve was deceived by the serpent, and it serves as a reminder to be discerning and wise in our relationships, as advised in 1 Corinthians 15:33.
What does this verse reveal about Samson's character?
This verse reveals that Samson was willing to trust Delilah and share his secrets with her, which ultimately led to his downfall, as seen in Judges 16:17, and it serves as a warning about the dangers of trusting those who do not have our best interests at heart, as cautioned in Psalm 41:9.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I may be vulnerable to deception or manipulation, and how can I protect myself?
- How can I discern whether someone's intentions are pure or if they are trying to deceive me, and what role does the Holy Spirit play in this process, as seen in John 16:13?
- What are some ways I can build strong, healthy relationships based on trust and mutual respect, as modeled in Ephesians 4:32?
- How can I learn from Samson's mistakes and apply those lessons to my own life, especially in regards to being aware of my own weaknesses and vulnerabilities, as warned in 1 Corinthians 10:12?
Gill's Exposition on Judges 16:6
And Delilah said to Samson,.... At a proper opportunity, when in his hands and caresses, as Josephus relates (e), and introduced it in an artful manner, admiring his strange exploits, and wondering
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Judges 16:6
And Delilah said to Samson, Tell me, I pray thee, wherein thy great strength lieth, and wherewith thou mightest be bound to afflict thee. No JFB commentary on this verse.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Judges 16:6
Wherein thy great strength lieth; what is the cause of this prodigious strength, or wherein doth it consist? She seems to ask merely out of curiosity, to understand the state of a person whom she so highly values.
Trapp's Commentary on Judges 16:6
Judges 16:6 And Delilah said to Samson, Tell me, I pray thee, wherein thy great strength [lieth], and wherewith thou mightest be bound to afflict thee.Ver. 6. Tell me, I pray thee, wherein thy great strength.] It is likely that Samson at some time or other had given out that his great strength lay in something whereof he might be deprived, though he never yet told wherein; and was now most hardly drawn to it.
Ellicott's Commentary on Judges 16:6
(6) And wherewith thou mightest be bound.—The narrative, if taken as a full account of all that took place, would leave in the mind an impression of almost incredible fatuity on the part of Samson. The general lesson is that of 1Es 4:26 : “Many have gone out of their wits for women, and have become slaves on account of them; many have perished and erred and sinned by reason of women.” (Comp. Proverbs 7:26.) Eastern legends constantly show how women have deceived even prophets. But there was no reason why the sacred historian should linger over the details of scenes so unworthy. If Delilah spoke thus plainly at once, we can only imagine that she was professing to treat the whole matter as a jest. Josephus says: “When Samson was drinking, or at other moments, expressing admiration of his deeds, she kept scheming how to ascertain in what way he was so pre-eminent in valour.” An illustration may be found in 1Es 4:29 : “I saw Apame taking the crown from the king’s head and setting it on her own head; she also struck the king with her left hand, and yet for all that the king gaped and gazed upon her with open mouth. If she laughed upon him, he laughed; if she took displeasure at him, he flattered her, that she may be reconciled to him.” The genius of a great poet has depicted such wiles in the idyll of Merlin and Vivi-enne, and it is only by supposing that such wiles were put forth in this instance that we can retain credit for even the most ordinary sense on the part of the Danite hero. But his fault was not stupidity—it was sensual infatuation; and in the ruin and shame which this sensual weakness brought upon him, and the way in which, step by step, it led him to forfeit the great gift of God, lies the chief moral of the story. We find the same lesson in the legend of Hercules and Omphale; and even if this legend was not influenced by the story of Samson’s life, yet there is a general analogy between the character of the Greek and the Jewish hero. Samson was no Solomon, and yet the heart of even Solomon— “. . . . though large, Beguiled by fair idolatresses, fell.”
Whedon's Commentary on Judges 16:6
6. Tell me, I pray thee, wherein thy great strength lieth — We shall better understand both the words and conduct of Delilah and Samson if we regard her questions and persuasion touching the secret
Sermons on Judges 16:6
| Sermon | Description | |
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Strengthen Me Just Once by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the preacher starts by talking about the distractions and temptations of the world, comparing them to different varieties of ice cream and donuts. He then refers to |
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Revival Series 1 - Part 1 by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the current state of America and mankind, stating that they cannot hold together for another five years. He plans to preach on various topics |
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The Enemy of Revival - Part 1 (Cd Quality) by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the preacher starts by quoting a scripture about the children of Israel doing evil in the sight of the Lord and being delivered into the hands of the Philistines fo |
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Strengthen Me Just Once - Alternate 2 by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of having a genuine experience with God that requires sacrifice and dedication. He compares the pursuit of spiritual anointin |
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Be Strong and Do Exploits by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the current state of the Church of Jesus Christ, describing it as "sleeping through revolution." He emphasizes that while the world is consta |
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Samson - Part 1 by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of responding to God's call in the present moment. He warns that God's offer of salvation may not be available indefinitely a |
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The Church's Strength and Secret by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the story of Samson from the Bible and uses it as a metaphor for the spiritual condition of some believers. He describes how Samson, a powerfu |