Judges 16 16

Judges 16:16 kjv

And it came to pass, when she pressed him daily with her words, and urged him, so that his soul was vexed unto death;

Judges 16:16 nkjv

And it came to pass, when she pestered him daily with her words and pressed him, so that his soul was vexed to death,

Judges 16:16 niv

With such nagging she prodded him day after day until he was sick to death of it.

Judges 16:16 esv

And when she pressed him hard with her words day after day, and urged him, his soul was vexed to death.

Judges 16:16 nlt

She tormented him with her nagging day after day until he was sick to death of it.

Judges 16 verses

Judges 16 16 Meaning

Judges 16:16 describes the turning point in Samson's resistance to Delilah's relentless questioning. It reveals that after sustained, daily verbal and emotional pressure, Samson reached a state of profound mental and emotional exhaustion, to the point where his inner being was so distressed he felt on the verge of dying from the strain. This verse signifies the moment his will was broken by her persistence.

Judges 16 16 Context

Judges chapter 16 depicts the tragic culmination of Samson's moral weaknesses. He falls in love with Delilah, a woman from the Philistine Valley of Sorek. The Philistine lords bribe Delilah to discover the secret of Samson's immense strength, hoping to capture and subdue their long-standing Israelite tormentor. Over three previous attempts, Samson successfully evaded her probes by giving false answers, each time resulting in an attempted Philistine ambush which he easily repelled. This particular verse describes Delilah's fourth and ultimately successful attempt, immediately preceding his revelation of the secret. The chapter highlights Samson's personal indulgence and spiritual compromise, juxtaposed with his role as a Nazirite dedicated to God for Israel's deliverance. The broader context of the Book of Judges illustrates Israel's repeating cycle of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance through a divinely appointed Judge, a cycle that Samson's personal life ironically mirrored in his repeated moral failures despite his strength.

Judges 16 16 Word analysis

• And it came to pass,
  • A common biblical narrative connector, often signifying a significant turn or progression of events in the story.
• when she pressed him
  • Hebrew: titserâh (תְּצִיקֶהָ) from the root tsuq (צוּק). It means "to narrow, distress, constrain, besiege, press hard upon." It implies a continuous, unyielding, almost suffocating pressure, not just a casual question.
• daily
  • Hebrew: yom-yom (יוֹם יוֹם), literally "day by day." This emphasizes the relentless, continuous, and habitual nature of Delilah's harassment. It highlights the psychological wear-down effect of her non-stop nagging without respite.
• with her words,
  • Indicates the specific method of pressure: verbal. This highlights her use of emotional manipulation, pleading, nagging, feigned love, and perhaps accusations of not trusting her. Her weapon was not physical force but psychological and emotional warfare.
• and urged him,
  • Hebrew: vataqvitsayhu (וַתְּקִיצֶהוּ) from the root qûts (קוּץ). This word can mean "to abhor," "to loathe," "to be disgusted," or "to weary," particularly referring to feeling weariness of life itself. Delilah's continuous pressing made Samson utterly tired and sick of the situation.
• so that his soul was vexed
  • Hebrew: va'tiqsar napsho (וַתִּקְצַר נַפְשׁוֹ), literally "his soul was shortened" or "cut short." This idiom refers to a state of impatience, exasperation, extreme distress, emotional exhaustion, or profound inner anguish. His emotional and mental endurance had been depleted.
• unto death;
  • Hebrew: lamuth (לָמוּת). This is hyperbole indicating the absolute extremity of his internal anguish. He felt so overwhelmed, worn out, and emotionally drained that he wished for death, or felt his very being was dying from the stress. It signifies profound mental and spiritual agony, pushing him beyond his breaking point.

Judges 16 16 Bonus section

• Psychological Warfare: This verse provides a powerful ancient illustration of psychological manipulation, showing how constant pressure, even without physical coercion, can break a person's spirit. Delilah skillfully leveraged intimacy and emotion to achieve her objective.
• Samson's Fatal Flaw: His true weakness was not his hair, but his inability to resist sensual and emotional temptation, consistently placing himself in compromising situations. This highlights that external strength does not equate to inner fortitude or moral resolve.
• Spiritual Vulnerability: As a Nazirite, Samson was under a vow, yet he repeatedly compromised. This constant "vexing unto death" was not merely emotional but also spiritual anguish, as he knew he was betraying his dedication to God by risking his secret. His giving in indicates a breakdown in his spiritual discipline.
• The Unseen Battle: The most significant battles in life, and often the most dangerous, are not always physical but occur in the mind and soul, where convictions are tested and compromises made. Samson's fall illustrates how an ongoing inner conflict can ultimately lead to ruin if not properly guarded.

Judges 16 16 Commentary

Judges 16:16 is a critical verse demonstrating that Samson, despite his incredible physical strength, was vulnerable to persistent emotional and psychological manipulation. Delilah's tactic was not force but unrelenting verbal and emotional pressure, applied daily. This slow, corrosive torment chipped away at his resolve until his inner self (his "soul") was overwhelmed to the point of desperation, as if he were dying from the anguish. It underscores the destructive power of prolonged relational distress and the danger of not establishing firm boundaries against those who seek to exploit weaknesses. Samson's physical might could not save him from his moral weakness and susceptibility to temptation. It serves as a profound warning that persistent sin, unchecked compromise, and failing to flee from persistent temptation can lead even the strongest to despair and downfall. This narrative illuminates that some battles are fought and lost not on a physical battlefield, but within the confines of one's own heart and mind, worn down by continuous temptation.