Old Testament

Judges 16:14

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 is deceiving Samson by weaving his long hair into a loom, which symbolizes 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 she wove his hair in and pinned it tight with the loom pin. Then she shouted, "The Philistines are here, Samson!" He woke up from his sleep and yanked his hair free, pulling out the pin and the fabric with it.

KJVKing James Version

And she fastened it with the pin, and said unto him, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awaked out of his sleep, and went away with the pin of the beam, and with the web.

Verse Analysis

Plain-English insight for readers

In this verse, Delilah is deceiving Samson by weaving his long hair into a loom, which symbolizes his strength. She uses this act to betray him, calling out that the Philistines are coming to capture him. Samson, still asleep, wakes up and pulls his hair free, demonstrating his physical strength but also his vulnerability to Delilah's manipulation. This moment highlights the tension between trust and betrayal, as Samson had confided in Delilah about the secret of his strength. The act of weaving his hair signifies how easily his strength can be compromised when he lets his guard down. Ultimately, this scene foreshadows the impending danger and the consequences of Samson's choices, as he is unaware of the true intentions behind Delilah's actions. It serves as a reminder of the importance of discernment in relationships and the potential for betrayal when one is not vigilant.

Key themes

Related Bible verses

How to apply Judges 16:14 to your life

This verse teaches us to be cautious in our relationships and to discern the intentions of those we trust. It reminds us that vulnerability can lead to betrayal, and we should be aware of the influences around us that may compromise our integrity and strength.

Curated for this public verse page. Judges Summary

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick, clear answers about this verse

What does Judges 16:14 mean?

Judges 16:14 describes Delilah weaving Samson's hair into a loom as part of her betrayal. This act symbolizes how his strength is tied to his hair, and it highlights the themes of deception and vulnerability in their relationship.

What is the significance of the loom pin in Judges 16:14?

The loom pin in Judges 16:14 represents the physical binding of Samson's strength to his hair. By fastening his hair with the pin, Delilah is attempting to control and weaken him, illustrating the danger of misplaced trust.

How does Judges 16:14 illustrate betrayal?

Judges 16:14 illustrates betrayal through Delilah's manipulation of Samson's trust. By weaving his hair and alerting him to danger, she reveals her true intentions to exploit his vulnerability.

What themes are present in Judges 16:14?

Judges 16:14 contains themes of betrayal, strength, deception, trust, and vulnerability. It highlights how trust can lead to manipulation and the consequences of being unaware of others' intentions.

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.

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