Old Testament

Judges 16:4

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

At a Glance

In Judges 16:4, we see a pivotal moment in the life of Samson, a judge of Israel known for his incredible 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

Some time later, Samson fell in love with a woman named Delilah, who lived in the valley of Sorek.

KJVKing James Version

And it came to pass afterward, that he loved a woman in the valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah.

Verse Analysis

Plain-English insight for readers

In Judges 16:4, we see a pivotal moment in the life of Samson, a judge of Israel known for his incredible strength. Here, he falls in love with Delilah, a woman from the valley of Sorek. This relationship is significant because it sets the stage for Samson's eventual downfall. Delilah is later approached by the Philistines, who offer her money to discover the secret of Samson's strength. This verse highlights the theme of temptation and the dangers of being led by emotions rather than wisdom. Samson's attraction to Delilah illustrates how personal desires can lead to poor choices, especially when they conflict with one's responsibilities and commitments. The valley of Sorek symbolizes a place of vulnerability, where Samson's strength is ultimately tested. This relationship foreshadows the challenges he will face and the consequences of his decisions, emphasizing the importance of discernment in relationships and the potential pitfalls of ignoring wise counsel.

Key themes

Related Bible verses

How to apply Judges 16:4 to your life

This verse reminds us to be cautious in our relationships. Just as Samson's love for Delilah led him astray, we should evaluate whether our connections align with our values and responsibilities. Prioritizing wisdom over emotion can help us avoid pitfalls in our lives.

Curated for this public verse page. Judges Summary

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick, clear answers about this verse

What does Judges 16:4 teach about love and relationships?

Judges 16:4 illustrates the complexities of love and relationships, particularly how emotional attachments can lead to poor decisions. Samson's love for Delilah ultimately leads to his downfall, highlighting the importance of discernment in choosing partners. This verse serves as a reminder to evaluate whether our relationships align with our values and responsibilities, emphasizing the need for wisdom over mere attraction.

Who is Delilah in Judges 16:4 and why is she significant?

Delilah is a key figure in Judges 16:4, known for her relationship with Samson. Her significance lies in her role as the catalyst for Samson's downfall. The Philistines approach her to uncover the secret of Samson's strength, which she ultimately betrays. This relationship underscores themes of temptation and vulnerability, illustrating how personal desires can conflict with one's duties and lead to dire consequences.

What is the valley of Sorek's symbolism in Judges 16:4?

The valley of Sorek symbolizes a place of vulnerability and temptation in Judges 16:4. It represents the setting where Samson's strength is tested through his relationship with Delilah. This location serves as a metaphor for the dangers that can arise when one is emotionally compromised, emphasizing the need for caution and discernment in situations that may lead to moral or personal failure.

How can we apply the lessons from Judges 16:4 to modern life?

The lessons from Judges 16:4 can be applied to modern life by encouraging individuals to be cautious in their relationships. Just as Samson's emotional attachment to Delilah led him astray, we should assess whether our connections align with our values and responsibilities. Prioritizing wisdom and seeking counsel can help us navigate relationships more effectively, avoiding the pitfalls that come from acting solely on emotion.

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 3 Verse 5 →