Old Testament
Judges 16:20
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
She shouted, "The Philistines are here, Samson!" He woke up and thought, "I'll break free just like before." But he didn't know that the LORD had left him.
Compare translations
And she said, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the LORD was departed from him.
What Judges 16:20 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, Delilah calls out to Samson, warning him that the Philistines are attacking. Samson, still groggy from sleep, believes he can escape as he has done in the past. However, he is unaware that the LORD has left him, meaning he no longer has the divine strength that once empowered him. This moment highlights Samson's overconfidence and lack of awareness of his spiritual state. He assumes he can rely on his strength without recognizing that his relationship with God has been severed due to his disobedience and betrayal. This serves as a critical turning point in the narrative, illustrating the consequences of ignoring spiritual warnings and the importance of staying connected to God for strength and guidance.
How to apply Judges 16:20 to your life
This verse reminds us to remain vigilant in our spiritual lives. Just as Samson was unaware of his separation from God, we too can become complacent. Regular prayer, reflection, and obedience to God's word are essential to maintain our strength and connection with Him.
Curated for this public verse page. Judges Summary
Learn the Bible through its people and places
Get to know the people in Scripture through illustrated stories, and explore the places where they lived and traveled.
Illustrated scene from Samson's story: Samson and Delilah (Judges 16:4–20)
Meet the people of the Bible
Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.
Samson
Photo: Photochrom print, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division (LCCN 2002725043). License: Public domain in the United States; Library of Congress states no known restrictions on publication. Source. Location: Nablus and Mount Gerizim, West Bank; print preserved by the Library of Congress. Resized for the web.
Explore the places of the Bible
See where biblical events happened, why each place matters, and what archaeology helps us understand.
Shechem
Where God promised the land to Abram, and where Joshua led Israel to renew the covenant.
Get full access with one subscription
Explore the people and places of the Bible. Read summaries of every book, with images and clear explanations covering every chapter. Access all these features and our Bible study tools with one subscription.
See PlansAsk AI about Judges 16:20
Ask a question about this verse and get a clear answer, with Bible references you can read for yourself.
Every Bible book, explained chapter by chapter
Explore summaries of every book of the Bible, with images and easy-to-understand explanations covering every chapter.
Keep studying Judges 16:20
Related Bible verses
Key themes
Related topics
At a Glance — the Book of Judges
- Author
- Traditionally attributed to Samuel
- Written
- Around 1050-1000 BC
- Genre
- Historical narrative
- Original Audience
- The Israelites living under the judges
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Judges 16:20 mean?
Judges 16:20 describes a moment when Delilah alerts Samson that the Philistines are attacking. Samson, believing he can escape as before, is unaware that the LORD has left him, indicating he no longer has divine strength due to his disobedience.
What is the significance of the phrase 'the LORD had left him' in Judges 16:20?
The phrase 'the LORD had left him' signifies that Samson's disobedience and betrayal have severed his connection with God, resulting in the loss of his supernatural strength. This moment underscores the consequences of ignoring spiritual warnings.
How does Judges 16:20 relate to the theme of spiritual blindness?
Judges 16:20 illustrates spiritual blindness by showing how Samson is unaware of his separation from God. His failure to recognize the loss of divine strength serves as a warning about the dangers of complacency in one's faith.
What lessons can we learn from Judges 16:20?
Judges 16:20 teaches the importance of staying connected to God and being aware of our spiritual condition. It reminds us that complacency can lead to a loss of strength and protection, emphasizing the need for regular prayer and obedience.
Daily Verse — straight to your inbox
A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.