Old Testament

Judges 16:12

The Clear Bible Translation matches the King James Version, written at a 10th-grade reading level in plain English

At a Glance

In this verse, Delilah uses new ropes to bind Samson, attempting to capture him by tricking him into revealing the secret of his strength.

Author: Traditionally attributed to Samuel
Written: Around 1050-1000 BC
Genre: Historical narrative
Original Audience: The Israelites living under the judges

CBTClear Bible Translation

So Delilah took new ropes and tied him up with them. Then she shouted, "The Philistines are here, Samson!" Again, men were hiding in the inner room. But he snapped the ropes off his arms like they were thread.

KJVKing James Version

Delilah therefore took new ropes, and bound him therewith, and said unto him, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And there were liers in wait abiding in the chamber. And he brake them from off his arms like a thread.

Verse Analysis

Plain-English insight for readers

In this verse, Delilah uses new ropes to bind Samson, attempting to capture him by tricking him into revealing the secret of his strength. She calls out that the Philistines are coming, indicating a trap. However, Samson easily breaks free from the ropes, demonstrating his extraordinary strength. This moment highlights the ongoing conflict between Samson and the Philistines, as well as Delilah's betrayal. It also shows that despite the physical restraints placed on him, Samson's true strength comes from God, and no earthly bindings can hold him when he is empowered by divine strength. The presence of men hiding in the inner room adds to the tension, as they are waiting to seize Samson once he is captured. This scene is pivotal in the narrative, illustrating themes of deception, betrayal, and the struggle between Israel and its enemies.

Key themes

Related Bible verses

How to apply Judges 16:12 to your life

This verse reminds us of the dangers of trusting those who may not have our best interests at heart. It encourages vigilance and discernment in relationships, as well as reliance on God’s strength in overcoming challenges. We should be aware of potential traps in our lives.

Curated for this public verse page. Judges Summary

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick, clear answers about this verse

What does Judges 16:12 mean?

Judges 16:12 describes Delilah binding Samson with new ropes to capture him, but he easily breaks free, showcasing his divine strength. This moment emphasizes themes of betrayal and the ongoing conflict with the Philistines.

What is the significance of Delilah's actions in Judges 16:12?

Delilah's actions in Judges 16:12 highlight her betrayal of Samson and her role in the Philistines' plot against him. By using new ropes, she attempts to deceive him and reveal the secret of his strength.

What does the phrase 'like a thread' in Judges 16:12 mean?

The phrase 'like a thread' in Judges 16:12 illustrates how easily Samson breaks free from the ropes, emphasizing his extraordinary strength and the futility of trying to bind him.

How does Judges 16:12 relate to the overall story of Samson?

Judges 16:12 is a key moment in Samson's story, showcasing his struggle against betrayal and the Philistines. It illustrates how his strength, derived from God, cannot be contained by human means.

Book Summary

The Book of Judges

Judges 1–2: Incomplete Conquest and the Cycle of Sin

After the death of Joshua, the tribes of Israel inquire of the Lord who should first go up to fight the remaining Canaanites. Judah is chosen and, with the help of the tribe of Simeon, achieves several victories, but fails to drive out the inhabitants of the coastal plain because they have iron chariots. The book then details the failures of the other tribes—Benjamin, Manasseh, Ephraim, Zebulun, Asher, and Naphtali—to completely dispossess the Canaanites from their allotted territories. Instead of driving them out, the Israelites put them to forced labor, allowing pagan influences to remain in the land. An angel of the Lord appears at Bochim and rebukes the people for breaking their covenant with God by making treaties with the inhabitants of the land. The people weep and offer sacrifices, but the pattern of disobedience is set.

A new generation arises that does not know the Lord or the works He has done for Israel. This generation forsakes the God of their fathers, turning to worship the Baals and Ashtaroth of the surrounding peoples. This apostasy provokes the Lord's anger, and He hands them over to their enemies, who oppress them. When the Israelites cry out to the Lord in their misery, He raises up judges—deliverers who save them from their oppressors. However, as soon as a judge dies, the people relapse into even greater corruption, returning to their idolatrous ways. This establishes the book's central, recurring cycle: sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance, followed by a period of rest, and then a return to sin. Judges 3: Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar The first cycle of judgment begins as the Israelites do evil in the sight of the Lord and worship idols. God's anger burns against them, and He sells them into the hands of Cushan-Rishathaim, king of Mesopotamia, whom they serve for eight years. When the people cry out to the Lord, He raises up Othniel, the younger brother of Caleb, as their deliverer. The Spirit of the Lord comes upon him, and he leads Israel to victory, defeating the Mesopotamian king. The land has peace for forty years until Othniel's death. After Othniel dies, the Israelites again do evil, and God strengthens Eglon, the king of Moab, against them. Eglon, allied with the Ammonites and Amalekites, defeats Israel and captures the city of palms, Jericho. The Israelites are subject to Moab for eighteen years. When they cry out for help, God raises up Ehud, a left-handed man from the tribe of Benjamin. While delivering Israel's tribute, Ehud uses his left-handedness to his advantage, concealing a dagger on his right thigh. In a private audience with the obese King Eglon, he claims to have a secret message from God and stabs the king in the belly. Ehud escapes, rallies the Israelite forces, and leads them to a decisive victory over the Moabites, killing about 10,000 of their soldiers. The land enjoys peace for eighty years. After Ehud, Shamgar son of Anath is mentioned, who strikes down 600 Philistines with an oxgoad, also saving Israel.

Premium

Unlock the full Judges summary

Continue reading every chapter — themes, structure, and turning points.

The complete summary of Judges — a chapter-by-chapter breakdown covering all 21 chapters.

What you get

Every chapter of Judges summarized in clear, modern English

How each section connects — narrative flow, key themes, and turning points

Permanent access — read anytime, on any device

Best Value

Best value • Save over 90%

One-time purchase • Access anytime

ClearBible summaries are proprietary content and may not be copied, republished, or resold.

Checkout works as a guest. After payment, you create an account to claim your unlock.

← Verse 11 Verse 13 →