Judges 16:22 — Word Study
WLCוַיָּ֧חֶל שְׂעַר־ רֹאשׁ֛וֹ לְצַמֵּ֖חַ כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר גֻּלָּֽח׃ פ
BSAHowever, the hairsêʻâr [referring to the locks on his head] of his headrôʼsh [upper part of the body] beganchâlal▸ [to start anew or break forth] to growtsâmach [to spring forth or increase] back afterʼăsher [again, after a period of loss] it had been shavedgâlach■ [completely, cut off or laid bare]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וַיָּ֧חֶל | and it began | Verb, Hiphil, sequential imperfect third person masculine singular |
| שְׂעַר־ | [the] hair of | Noun common, masculine singular construct |
| רֹאשׁ֛וֹ | head his | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| לְצַמֵּ֖חַ | to grow back | Preposition, verb piel infinitive construct common |
| כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר | when | Preposition, particle |
| גֻּלָּֽח׃ פ | it had been shaved | Verb, Pual, perfect third person masculine singular |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | However, the hair of his head began to grow back after it had been shaved. |
| KJV | Howbeit the hair of his head began to grow again after he was shaven. |
| ASV | Howbeit the hair of his head began to grow again after he was shaven. |
| YLT | And the hair of his head beginneth to shoot up, when he hath been shaven, |
| WEB | However, the hair of his head began to grow again after he was shaved. |
| BBE | But the growth of his hair was starting again after it had been cut off. |
Translations align closely in their rendering of the verse, focusing on the theme of hair regrowth.
The structure is clear, with a main clause followed by an infinitive phrase and a prepositional phrase providing context.
6 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbחָלַל
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Judges 16:22
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Fall and Restoration of Samsongenerated
Judges 16:22 describes the moment after Samson's capture, where, despite his humiliation, a sign of hope emerges as his hair begins to grow back. This moment follows his defeat by the Philistines, who had gouged out his eyes and imprisoned him. The narrative illustrates a theme of loss followed by renewal, reflecting on the cyclical nature of strength and vulnerability in Samson's life.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leviticus 26:44 | Yet in spite of this, when they are in the land of their enemies, I will not reject or despise them so as to destroy them and break My covenant with them; for I am the LORD their God. |
| 2 | Deuteronomy 32:36 | For the LORD will vindicate His people and have compassion on His servants when He sees that their strength is gone and no one remains, slave or free. |
| 3 | Psalm 106:44–45 | Nevertheless He heard their cry; He took note of their distress. |
| 4 | Psalm 107:13–14 | Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He saved them from their distress. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 4 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — חָלַל, vai.Ya.chelgenerated
The verb חָלַל (*chalal*) is a Hiphil form meaning 'to begin' or 'to start anew.' It conveys the idea of initiating a process, akin to breaking forth from a previous state. In this context, it indicates the commencement of hair growth after a period of loss, symbolizing potential restoration.
This word appears frequently in the Hebrew Bible, often in contexts that imply a beginning or a new phase. The passive nature of its usage here suggests that the growth is a natural process following the shaving.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
Translations of this verse generally agree, all conveying the concept of hair regrowth after being shaved.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb יָּחֶל (*yaḥal*), meaning 'began,' governs the sentence, indicating the action of hair regrowth. The structure includes a subject noun phrase and several prepositional phrases that elaborate on the context of the hair's growth.
The sentence is straightforward, with a clear subject-verb-object structure, emphasizing the action of hair growing back after the event of shaving.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates יָּחֶל as ἤρχατο (*ērchato*), which means 'began' or 'started.' This choice maintains the original meaning of initiating a new phase, paralleling the Hebrew.
This translation reflects a consistent understanding of the narrative, emphasizing the theme of renewal following loss.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Judges 16:22 tells us that after Samson was captured and had his hair shaved, it began to grow back. This moment signifies hope and renewal after a time of great loss.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It symbolizes a potential return to strength and restoration after a time of defeat.
Samson's hair is a symbol of his strength, tied to his Nazirite vow, and its regrowth hints at the possibility of regaining his power.
It illustrates that even after severe loss, there is hope for renewal and a new beginning.
We can reflect on the importance of resilience and the potential for recovery after difficult times.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what areas of my life do I need to seek renewal after loss?
- How can I recognize signs of growth and restoration in my own experiences?
- What does Samson's story teach us about vulnerability and strength?
- How can I support others who are going through a time of loss?
Commentators on this verse — 6 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Judges 16:22 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleHowbeit, the hair of his head began to grow again after he was shaven.
Read John Gill on Judges 16 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryHowbeit the hair of his head began to grow again after he was shaven. Howbeit the hair of his head began to grow again.
Read Robert Jamieson on Judges 16 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleThis circumstance, though in itself inconsiderable, is noted as a sign of the recovery of God’ s favour, and his former strength, in some good degree, upon his bitter repentance, and his renewing of his vow with God, which was allowed for Nazarites to do, , &c., and which it is here supposed he did, and by the effects proved.
Read Matthew Poole on Judges 16 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsJudges 16:22 Howbeit the hair of his head began to grow again after he was shaven.Ver. 22. Howbeit the hair of his head began to grow again.] By this time Samson was thoroughly humbled, and "accepting the chastisement of his iniquity," found God favourable, whose property it is to comfort the abject, and to do his people good when they are called outcasts; when men say, "This is Zion, whom no man seeketh after." Samson repenting, reassumed his Nazariteship, and God was soon reconciled.
Read John Trapp on Judges 16 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 22. The hair of his head began to grow again] And may we not suppose that, sensible of his sin and folly, he renewed his Nazir vow to the Lord, in consequence of which his supernatural strength was again restored?
Read AdamClarke on Judges 16 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges22. began to grow again] and his strength simultaneously. The remark prepares the way for the supreme effort at the end. We must suppose a considerable interval to have passed between the capture and the closing scene.
Read Cambridge on Judges 16 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
However, the hair of his head began to grow back after it had been shaved.
However, the hair of his head began to grow again after he was shaved.
However, the hair of his head began to grow back after it had been shaved.
His hair began to grow back after it had been shaved off.
Tyndale line
Howbeit the hair of his head began to grow again after he was shaven.
Howbeit the hair of his head began to grow again after he was shaven.
Howbeit the hair of his head began to grow again after he was shaven.
However the hair of his head began to grow again after he was shaved.
And the heare of his head began to growe againe after that it was shauen.
Strictly literal
But the hair of his head began to grow after he was shaved.
And the hair of his head beginneth to shoot up, when he hath been shaven,
And the hair of his head begins to shoot up when he has been shaven,
But the hair of his head began to grow again after it was shaved off.
But the hair on his head began to grow again after it had been shaved.
From the Latin
And now his hair began to grow again.
Simplified
But his hair began to grow back after it had been shaved off.
But the growth of his hair was starting again after it had been cut off.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree on the wording of this verse, with all six Hebrew words matched in the Greek translation. This indicates a strong textual consistency between the two traditions.
וַיָּ֧חֶל שְׂעַר־ רֹאשׁ֛וֹ לְצַמֵּ֖חַ כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר גֻּלָּֽח׃ פ
6 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Judges 16:22
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
The Hebrew word חָלַל (*chalal*) is built from a primitive root meaning to bore or pierce, and it encompasses a range of meanings including to wound, to play the flute, and to profane or defile. It can refer to both physical actions, like piercing, and moral or ritual violations, such as polluting oneself or breaking a covenant. The lexicons note various grammatical forms and uses, but do not indicate significant disagreement.
חָלַל vb. bore, pierce
Qal my heart is pierced (wounded) within me
Pi. in the hand of the ones wounding thee
Pu. pierced by the sword
Po‛el his hand pierced the fleeing serpent
Po‛al pierced, wounded because of our transgressions
base
[חלל] vb. denom. play the pipe, pipe
Qal as well the singers as the pipe-players
Polel dancers
Pi. and the people piped with pipes
base
[חָלַל] vb. pollute, defile, profane
Niph.
reflex. pollute, defile oneself
Pass., be polluted, defiled
Pi.
defile, pollute
violate the honour of, dishonour
violate a covenant
treat a vineyard as common
Pu. my great name which is profaned among the nations
Hiph.
I will not let my holy name be profaned any more.
he shall not violate his word
begin
Hoph. then it was begun (= men began) to call on the name of י׳
base
H2490a חָלַל bore, pierce H2490b חלל vb. denom. play the pipe, pipe H2490c חָלַל pollute, defile, profane
2490 chalal khaw-lal'
a primitive root (compare 2470); properly, to bore, i.e. (by
implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane
(a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), to begin
(as if by an "opening wedge"); denom. (from 2485) to play (the
flute):--begin (X men began), defile, X break, defile, X eat
(as common things), X first, X gather the grape thereof, X
take inheritance, pipe, player on instruments, pollute, (cast
as) profane (self), prostitute, slay (slain), sorrow, stain,
wound.
see HEBREW for 02470
see HEBREW for 02485
חָלַל (cha.lal) — to bore.
1) to wound (fatally), bore through, pierce, bore
1a) (Qal) to pierce
1b) (Pual) to be slain
1c) (Poel) to wound, pierce
1d) (Poal) to be wounded
חָלַל (cha.lal) — to play flute.
(Piel) to play the flute or pipe
חָלַל (cha.lal) — to profane/begin: begin.
: begin
1) to profane, defile, pollute, desecrate, begin
1a) (Niphal)
1a1) to profane oneself, defile oneself, pollute oneself
1a1a) ritually
1a1b) sexually
1a2) to be polluted, be defiled
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to profane, make common, defile, pollute
1b2) to violate the honour of, dishonour
1b3) to violate (a covenant)
1b4) to treat as common
1c) (Pual) to be profaned (of name of God)
1d) (Hiphil)
1d1) to let be profaned
1d2) to begin
1e) (Hophal) to be begun
חָלַל (cha.lal) — to profane/begin: profane.
: profane
1) to profane, defile, pollute, desecrate, begin
1a) (Niphal)
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Hiphil · sequential imperfect third person masculine singularHc/Vhw3ms
שֵׂעָר (se'ar) means 'hair' and can refer to the hair of both animals and humans, as well as hair used in garments. It is derived from the root meaning 'to dishevel' or 'toss,' suggesting a rough or bristly quality. The term is referenced in Isaiah 7:20.
שֵׂעָר 27 n.m. hair
base
H8181 שֵׂעָר hair
8181 se`ar say-awr'
or sa.ar (Isaiah 7:20) {sah'-ar}; from 8175 in the sense of
dishevelling; hair (as if tossed or bristling):--hair(-y), X
rough.
see HEBREW for 08175
שֵׂעָר (se.ar) — hair.
1) hair
1a) hair (of animals, man)
1b) hair (of garment made of hair)
Aramaic equivalent: se.ar (שְׂעַר "hair" H8177)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular constructHNcmsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
רֹאשׁ (ro'sh) means 'head' and encompasses various meanings related to position and rank. It can refer to the head of a person or animal, the top of a mountain, or a chief in various contexts, such as a city or nation. The word also signifies beginnings and sums, appearing in phrases related to enumeration. Additionally, it serves as a proper noun for 'Rosh,' a title for a chief or prince.
רֹאשׁ 599 n.m.
(c. 230 t.) head, of human being
head, of animals
top (88 t.)
height, of stars
head = chief (man)
= chief (city)
chief nation
= chief (place, position)
= chief priest
= head of a family
head = front, leader's place
of time, beginning, of night watch
of things, river-heads
chief, choicest, best, of spices
head = division of army, company, band
= sum, esp. in phr. take sum of, enumerate
other phr.
base
רֹאשׁ n.pr.gent. Rôsh
base
H7218a רֹאשׁ . . (c. 230 t.) head, of human being
. head, of animals
. . top (88 t.)
. height, of stars
. . head = chief (man)
. = chief (city)
. chief nation
. = chief (place, position)
. = chief priest
. = head of a family
. . head = front, leader's place
. of time, beginning, of night watch
. of things, river-heads
. chief, choicest, best, of spices
. head = division of army, company, band
. = sum, esp. in phr. take sum of, enumerate
. other phr.
H7218b רֹאשׁ n. pr. gent. Rôsh
7218 ro'sh roshe
from an unused root apparently meaning to shake; the head (as
most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many
applications, of place, time, rank, itc.):--band, beginning,
captain, chapiter, chief(-est place, man, things), company,
end, X every (man), excellent, first, forefront, ((be-))head,
height, (on) high(-est part, (priest)), X lead, X poor,
principal, ruler, sum, top.
רֹאשׁ (rosh) — head.
: head
1) head, top, summit, upper part, chief, total, sum, height, front, beginning
1a) head (of man, animals)
1b) top, tip (of mountain)
1c) height (of stars)
1d) chief, head (of man, city, nation, place, family, priest)
1e) head, front, beginning
1f) chief, choicest, best
1g) head, division, company, band
1h) sum
רֹאשׁ (rosh) — prince.
Rosh, a tite for a chief or prince
רֹאשׁ (rosh) — head: leader.
: leader
1) head, top, summit, upper part, chief, total, sum, height, front, beginning
1a) head (of man, animals)
1b) top, tip (of mountain)
1c) height (of stars)
1d) chief, head (of man, city, nation, place, family, priest)
1e) head, front, beginning
1f) chief, choicest, best
1g) head, division, company, band
1h) sum
רֹאשׁ (rosh) — head: top.
: top/best
1) head, top, summit, upper part, chief, total, sum, height, front, beginning
1a) head (of man, animals)
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp3ms
צָמַח (tsamach) is a Hebrew verb meaning to sprout or spring up. It encompasses various forms of growth, including plants, hair, and even speech. The root can be used in different grammatical aspects, such as causing something to grow or sprout. The entries highlight its literal and figurative uses, particularly in contexts like abundant growth or the effects of rain.
צָמַח vb. sprout, spring up
Qal sprout, spring up
Pi. grow abundantly
Hiph.
cause to grow
of rain, cause the earth to sprout
base
H6779 צָמַח sprout, spring up
6779 tsamach tsaw-makh'
a primitive root; to sprout (transitive or intransitive,
literal or figurative):--bear, bring forth, (cause to, make
to) bud (forth), (cause to, make to) grow (again, up), (cause
to) spring (forth, up).
צָמַח (tsa.mach) — to spring.
1) to sprout, spring up, grow up
1a)(Qal)
1a1) to sprout, spring up
1a1a) of plants
1a1b) of hair
1a1c) of speech (fig.)
1b) (Piel) to grow abundantly or thickly
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to cause to grow
1c2) to cause to sprout
Prep | V-Piel-Inf-a — Preposition · verb piel infinitive construct commonHR/Vpcc
The Hebrew word אֲשֶׁר (*asher*) is a relative pronoun that can mean 'who,' 'which,' or 'that.' It serves various grammatical functions, including as an adverb or conjunction, indicating relationships between clauses, places, or conditions. Variants like בַאֲשֶׁר (*ba-asher*), מֵאֲשֶׁר (*me-asher*), and כַּאֲשֶׁר (*ka-asher*) expand its usage to specific contexts such as location, causation, and time.
אֲשֶׁר part. of relation A sign of relation, bringing the clause introduced by it into relation with an antecedent clause.
base
בַאֲשֶׁר
in (that) which
adv. in (the place) where
conj. in that, inasmuch as
on account of whom?
base
מֵאֲשֶׁר
from (or than) that which
adv. from (the place) where
conj. from (the fact) that …, since
base
כַּאֲשֶׁר conj. according as, as, when
according to that which, according as, as
with a causal force, in so far as, since
with a temporal force, when
base
H834a אֲשֶׁר part. of relation A sign of relation, bringing the clause introduced by it into relation with an antecedent clause. H834b בַאֲשֶׁר . in (that) which
. adv. in (the place) where
. conj. in that, inasmuch as
. on account of whom?
H834c מֵאֲשֶׁר . from (or than) that which
. adv. from (the place) where
. conj. from (the fact) that …, since
H834d כַּאֲשֶׁר conj. according as, as, when . according to that which, according as, as
. with a causal force, in so far as, since
. with a temporal force, when
834 'aher ash-er'
a primitive relative pronoun (of every gender and number);
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction)
when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.:--X after, X
alike, as (soon as), because, X every, for, + forasmuch, +
from whence, + how(-soever), X if, (so) that ((thing) which,
wherein), X though, + until, + whatsoever, when, where
(+ -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, +
whither(- soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is
indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun
expletively, used to show the connection.
אֲשֶׁר (a.sher) — which.
A: 1) (relative part.)
1a) which, who
1b) that which
2) (conj)
2a) that (in obj clause)
2b) when
2c) since
2d) as
2e) conditional if
B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which
2) (adv)
2a) where
3) (conj)
3a) in that, inasmuch as
3b) on account of
C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which
2) from (the place) where
3) from (the fact) that, since
D: Kaph+
1) (conj.), according as, as, when
1a) according to that which, according as, as
1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since
1c) with a temporal force: when
בַאֲשֶׁר (ba.a.sher) — in which.
1) in (that) which
2) (adv)
2a) where
3) (conj)
3a) in that, inasmuch as
3b) on account of
מֵאֲשֶׁר (me.a.sher) — whence.
1) from (or than) that which
2) from (the place) where
3) from (the fact) that, since
כַּאֲשֶׁר (ka.a.sher) — as which.
conj
1) according as, as, when
1a) according to that which, according as, as
Prep | Rel — Preposition · particleHR/Tr
גָּלַח (galach) means to be bald or to shave, with various forms indicating actions like shaving oneself or being shaven. It can also figuratively refer to devastation. The entries consistently describe its uses in different grammatical forms, but do not provide specific verse references.
[גָּלַח] vb. be bald;
Pi. shave, shave off
Pu. be shaven
Hithp. shave oneself
base
H1548 [גָּלַח] be bald; Pi. shave, shave off
1548 galach gaw-lakh'
a primitive root; properly, to be bald, i.e. (causatively) to
shave; figuratively to lay waste:--poll, shave (off).
גָּלַח (ga.lach) — to shave.
1) to poll, shave, shave off, be bald
1a) (Piel)
1a1) to shave
1a2) to shave off
1a3) (fig. of devastation)
1b)(Pual) to be shaven
1c) (Hithpael) to shave oneself
V-Pual-Perf-3ms — Verb · Pual · perfect third person masculine singularHVPp3ms