Old Testament
Judges 16:9
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
She had men hiding in the room with her. Then she shouted, 'The Philistines are upon you, Samson!' But he snapped the bowstrings like a thread of flax that breaks when it touches fire. So his strength was not discovered.
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Now there were men lying in wait, abiding with her in the chamber. And she said unto him, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he brake the withs, as a thread of tow is broken when it toucheth the fire. So his strength was not known.
What Judges 16:9 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, Delilah is deceiving Samson by calling out that the Philistines are attacking him. Unbeknownst to Samson, there are men hiding nearby, ready to capture him. When he hears Delilah's shout, he breaks free from the bonds she has placed on him, demonstrating his incredible strength. The imagery of the bowstrings breaking like a thread of flax when it touches fire emphasizes how easily he escapes. This moment highlights both Samson's physical power and the danger of his situation, as he remains unaware of the betrayal happening right under his nose. Delilah's manipulation and the presence of the Philistines illustrate the themes of deception and vulnerability, showing how even the strongest can be caught off guard by those they trust.
How to apply Judges 16:9 to your life
This verse reminds us to be cautious about whom we trust. Just as Samson was betrayed by someone close to him, we too can be vulnerable to deception. It's important to seek wisdom and discernment in our relationships to avoid being misled or taken advantage of.
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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Related Bible verses
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 16:9 mean?
Judges 16:9 describes how Delilah deceives Samson by alerting him to an attack from the Philistines while hiding men in the room. Samson breaks free from the bonds she placed on him, showcasing his strength and highlighting the themes of betrayal and deception.
What is the significance of Delilah's betrayal in Judges 16:9?
Delilah's betrayal in Judges 16:9 is significant as it illustrates the danger of misplaced trust. Samson, despite his great strength, is caught off guard by someone he trusted, emphasizing the vulnerability that can come from close relationships.
What does the imagery of breaking bowstrings mean in Judges 16:9?
The imagery of breaking bowstrings in Judges 16:9 symbolizes Samson's immense strength and ability to escape danger. It compares the ease with which he breaks free to how easily a thread breaks when exposed to fire, highlighting both his power and the precariousness of his situation.
What themes are present in Judges 16:9?
Judges 16:9 presents themes of deception, betrayal, strength, and vulnerability. It shows how trust can lead to manipulation and how even the strongest individuals can be caught off guard by those closest to them.
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