Samson and Delilah

The words

1. Awoke

   Awaking after his hair is shaved, Samson expects to escape as before; Judges says he does not know the LORD has left him.

   Judges 16:19–20 (opens a new tab)

2. Dagon

   The Philistine rulers sacrifice to Dagon in celebration of Samson’s capture; the gathering ends when the building collapses, killing Samson and many others.

   Did you know?

   First Samuel also locates a house of Dagon at Ashdod, where the Philistines bring the captured ark and set it beside Dagon.

   Judges 16:23–24 (opens a new tab) · Judges 16:30 (opens a new tab) · 1 Samuel 5:1–2 (opens a new tab)

3. Delilah

   The Philistine rulers offer Delilah silver to discover Samson’s weakness; she presses him daily until he tells her about his uncut hair.

   Judges 16:5 (opens a new tab) · Judges 16:15–17 (opens a new tab)

4. Fastened

   In the weaving test, Delilah fastens the web with a pin; Samson wakes and carries away the pin of the beam and the web.

   Judges 16:13–14 (opens a new tab)

5. Fetters

   Bronze chains, in the NET Bible.

   After blinding Samson, the Philistines take him to Gaza and bind him with brass fetters; he grinds in the prison house.

   Judges 16:21 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: Judges 16:18-22 (opens a new tab)

6. Gaza

   Earlier in the chapter, Samson visits an unnamed harlot at Gaza; later, the Philistines bring him there as a blinded prisoner.

   Judges 16:1 (opens a new tab) · Judges 16:21 (opens a new tab)

7. Hair

   Samson traces his uncut hair to being a Nazarite to God from birth; Delilah calls for a man to shave his seven locks.

   Did you know?

   The NET note explains the traditional term “Nazirite” as being set apart to God, linking Samson’s hair rule with dedication from birth.

   Judges 13:5 · Judges 16:17 (opens a new tab) · Judges 16:19 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: Judges 13:5 (opens a new tab)

8. Locks

   Braids, in the NET Bible.

   The seven locks appear in Samson’s weaving answer and again when Delilah has his hair shaved; afterward his strength leaves him.

   Judges 16:13 (opens a new tab) · Judges 16:19 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: Judges 16:18-22 (opens a new tab)

9. Manoah

   Judges introduces Manoah as a Danite from Zorah; his wife is promised a son who will begin to deliver Israel from the Philistines.

   Judges 13:2–5 (opens a new tab)

10. Prison House

    Samson grinds in Gaza’s prison after he is blinded and bound; the Philistines later bring him out to entertain their gathering.

    Judges 16:21 (opens a new tab) · Judges 16:25 (opens a new tab)

11. Ropes

    In the second test, Delilah uses new ropes never used before; Samson snaps them from his arms like thread.

    Judges 16:10–12 (opens a new tab)

12. Samson

    Samson holds the supporting pillars and bows with all his might; the building falls, killing him and others inside.

    Judges 16:29–30 (opens a new tab)

13. Sorek

    Judges places Delilah in the valley of Sorek and says Samson loves her there; the Philistine rulers approach her to learn his weakness.

    Judges 16:4–5 (opens a new tab)

14. Withs

    Fresh bowstrings, in the NET Bible.

    Samson’s first answer calls for seven undried green withs; Delilah binds him with them, but he breaks them like a thread.

    Judges 16:7–9 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: Judges 16:6-14 (opens a new tab)

15. Zorah

    After Samson’s death, his family buries him between Zorah and Eshtaol in Manoah’s burial place; Judges also names Zorah as Manoah’s home.

    Judges 16:31 (opens a new tab) · Judges 13:2 (opens a new tab)