Old Testament
Judges 16:5
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
The Philistine rulers went to her and said, "Entice him and find out where his great strength comes from. Discover how we can overpower him so we can bind him and afflict him. Each of us will give you 1,100 pieces of silver."
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And the lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and said unto her, Entice him, and see wherein his great strength lieth, and by what means we may prevail against him, that we may bind him to afflict him: and we will give thee every one of us eleven hundred pieces of silver.
What Judges 16:5 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In Judges 16:5, the leaders of the Philistines approach Delilah with a plan to discover the secret of Samson's incredible strength. They offer her a substantial reward of 1,100 pieces of silver from each ruler, which indicates the high stakes involved. The Philistines are desperate to defeat Samson, who has been a significant threat to them due to his supernatural abilities. This verse highlights themes of betrayal and manipulation, as Delilah is being used to exploit Samson's vulnerabilities. The rulers' request to entice Samson shows their cunning and willingness to resort to deceit to achieve their goals. This moment sets the stage for the eventual downfall of Samson, illustrating how external pressures and temptations can lead to one's ruin. Delilah's role as a seductress emphasizes the dangers of compromising one's integrity for material gain, a lesson that resonates throughout the narrative.
How to apply Judges 16:5 to your life
This verse serves as a reminder to be cautious of temptations and the influences of others. It encourages us to remain vigilant about our weaknesses and to seek strength from God rather than relying solely on our own abilities. Trusting the wrong people can lead to our downfall.
Curated for this public verse page. Judges Summary
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Illustrated scene from Samson's story: Samson and Delilah (Judges 16:4–20)
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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.
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Keep studying Judges 16:5
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Key themes
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 16:5 mean?
Judges 16:5 describes how the Philistine rulers approached Delilah to find out the secret of Samson's strength. They offered her a large reward to entice him, highlighting themes of betrayal and manipulation.
What is the significance of the silver in Judges 16:5?
The offer of 1,100 pieces of silver from each Philistine ruler signifies the high stakes involved in capturing Samson. It illustrates the lengths to which the Philistines are willing to go to defeat him.
What themes are present in Judges 16:5?
Judges 16:5 presents themes of betrayal, manipulation, temptation, and deceit. It shows how external pressures can exploit vulnerabilities, leading to one's downfall.
Who are the main characters in Judges 16:5?
The main characters in Judges 16:5 are Delilah, who is approached by the Philistine rulers, and the rulers themselves, who seek to uncover Samson's secret strength.
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