Old Testament

Judges 16:9

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 calling out that the Philistines are attacking him.

Author
Traditionally attributed to Samuel
Written
Around 1050-1000 BC
Genre
Historical narrative
Original Audience
The Israelites living under the judges
CBTClear Bible Translation

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.

KJVKing James Version

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.

Verse Analysis

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.

Key themes

Related topics

deception, betrayal, strength

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

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.

The Book of Judges
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.

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