Judges 16 10

Judges 16:10 kjv

And Delilah said unto Samson, Behold, thou hast mocked me, and told me lies: now tell me, I pray thee, wherewith thou mightest be bound.

Judges 16:10 nkjv

Then Delilah said to Samson, "Look, you have mocked me and told me lies. Now, please tell me what you may be bound with."

Judges 16:10 niv

Then Delilah said to Samson, "You have made a fool of me; you lied to me. Come now, tell me how you can be tied."

Judges 16:10 esv

Then Delilah said to Samson, "Behold, you have mocked me and told me lies. Please tell me how you might be bound."

Judges 16:10 nlt

Afterward Delilah said to him, "You've been making fun of me and telling me lies! Now please tell me how you can be tied up securely."

Judges 16 verses

Judges 16 10 Meaning

Judges 16:10 describes Delilah's second manipulative confrontation with Samson. After his previous false disclosures about the source of his strength, she accuses him directly of mocking her and telling lies. This accusation is a calculated tactic, aimed at guilt-tripping Samson and re-establishing her demand to know the true secret of his power, underscoring her relentless and deceitful persistence in serving the Philistines' agenda to capture him.

Judges 16 10 Context

Judges 16:10 is embedded within the tragic narrative of Samson and Delilah. The chapter details Delilah's commission by the Philistine lords to discover the source of Samson's extraordinary strength in exchange for a massive sum of silver (Judges 16:5). This verse follows Samson's first deceptive revelation in Judges 16:7. In the previous interaction, Samson told Delilah he could be weakened if bound with "seven fresh bowstrings that had not been dried." Delilah, acting on this, had the Philistine men lie in wait. After binding him, she cried out, "The Philistines are upon you, Samson!" to test him, only for Samson to snap the bowstrings as if they were threads. Verse 10 captures Delilah's immediate, disappointed, and accusatory reaction, marking the beginning of the second attempt in her persistent and manipulative quest, driving towards his eventual capture. The broader context of the Book of Judges highlights Israel's spiritual decline, repetitive cycles of disobedience, oppression, cries for deliverance, and the raising of judges. Samson's story illustrates not only physical strength but profound moral and spiritual weakness, where personal lusts and disobedience continually undermined his God-given calling.

Judges 16 10 Word analysis

• And Delilah said unto Samson: Delilah, Hebrew Dalilah, meaning "languishing" or "feeble," is ironically named for one who brings weakness. Her speaking "unto Samson" highlights a direct, personal, and manipulative engagement.
• Behold: Hebrew Hinnēh, an interjection drawing attention, emphasizing the immediate and sharp accusation she is about to make. It carries a sense of "Look now!" or "Indeed!"
• thou hast mocked me: The Hebrew verb ḥātal (חָתַל) here implies to delude, to make sport of, to trifle with. It's stronger than a mere casual lie; it conveys intentional deception with a degree of disrespect or jesting, presenting Samson's earlier response not as a simple untruth, but as a deliberate insult or playful scorn from her perspective. This serves to escalate her emotional appeal.
• and told me lies: Hebrew kizāb (כָּזַב), means to lie, deceive, or disappoint. This reinforces the previous phrase, specifying the nature of his "mocking." It's not just that he deceived her, but he specifically communicated falsehoods, making his actions unambiguous betrayal to her. Her repeating the accusation underscores her sense of being wronged and provides leverage for her continued questioning.
• now tell me: Demonstrates her relentless pursuit and impatience. The word "now" indicates immediate demand.
• I pray thee: Hebrew naʾ (נָא), a particle of entreaty or request, often translated as "please." Despite her accusation, she adopts a polite, pleading tone. This combination of accusation ("mocked me, and told me lies") followed by a polite request ("I pray thee") is a classic manipulative tactic, designed to wear down Samson's resistance through a blend of guilt and apparent deference.
• wherewith thou mightest be bound: This is her central, recurring question, phrased to directly seek the means of his vulnerability. The focus is not on his strength but on how to negate it—how he could be made weak. This clearly articulates her mission given by the Philistine lords.

Judges 16 10 Bonus section

The repeated structure in Judges 16, where Delilah accuses Samson after each failed attempt (e.g., v. 10, v. 13, v. 15), is a literary device highlighting her cunning persistence and Samson's escalating spiritual blindness. Each repetition sees Samson revealing a truth closer to the actual source of his strength, demonstrating his gradual surrender. Delilah's appeal here, leveraging "mocked me" and "lies," targets Samson's honor or affection, a common strategy of psychological manipulation. Her continued demand for "wherewith thou mightest be bound" reveals her consistent goal: to incapacitate, not merely understand. This scenario prefigures how spiritual enemies can persistently test and weaken believers through repetitive temptations, using shame or false pleas to achieve their destructive ends, much like the subtle yet relentless tactics of the adversary (1 Pet 5:8).

Judges 16 10 Commentary

Judges 16:10 is pivotal in detailing Delilah's sophisticated manipulative strategy. She immediately capitalizes on Samson's failed attempt at deception, turning his lies into a weapon against him. Her accusation, "you mocked me and told me lies," is not simply an outburst of frustration; it's a deliberate psychological tactic. By appealing to trust and feigned hurt, she aims to break down his resistance and establish a pseudo-intimacy where withholding information seems like a further breach of affection. This calculated reproach pressures Samson to reveal the truth, especially as his overconfidence or lack of discernment keeps him engaged in this dangerous game. The Philistine agenda, driven by money, fuels her persistence. Samson's vulnerability is not primarily his physical strength, but his moral weakness, specifically his susceptibility to foreign women and his willingness to repeatedly entertain the source of his temptation, ignoring the obvious danger despite clear evidence of her treachery. This cycle foreshadows his eventual downfall, underscoring how repeated disobedience and dalliance with temptation ultimately erode spiritual conviction and lead to devastating consequences. The verse serves as a stark warning about the perils of spiritual compromise and failing to recognize deceptive entreaties.