Judges 16 18

Judges 16:18 kjv

And when Delilah saw that he had told her all his heart, she sent and called for the lords of the Philistines, saying, Come up this once, for he hath showed me all his heart. Then the lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and brought money in their hand.

Judges 16:18 nkjv

When Delilah saw that he had told her all his heart, she sent and called for the lords of the Philistines, saying, "Come up once more, for he has told me all his heart." So the lords of the Philistines came up to her and brought the money in their hand.

Judges 16:18 niv

When Delilah saw that he had told her everything, she sent word to the rulers of the Philistines, "Come back once more; he has told me everything." So the rulers of the Philistines returned with the silver in their hands.

Judges 16:18 esv

When Delilah saw that he had told her all his heart, she sent and called the lords of the Philistines, saying, "Come up again, for he has told me all his heart." Then the lords of the Philistines came up to her and brought the money in their hands.

Judges 16:18 nlt

Delilah realized he had finally told her the truth, so she sent for the Philistine rulers. "Come back one more time," she said, "for he has finally told me his secret." So the Philistine rulers returned with the money in their hands.

Judges 16 verses

Judges 16 18 Meaning

Judges 16:18 reveals the turning point in Samson’s betrayal: Delilah's successful extraction of his deepest secret concerning his Nazirite vow, symbolized by his hair, which was the divine source of his strength. Upon learning "all his heart," she immediately notified the Philistine lords, inviting them for a final attempt, assuring them of his complete surrender. Promptly, they came, bringing the pre-agreed payment for Samson’s capture, signifying the culmination of her deceit and his tragic spiritual downfall.

Judges 16 18 Context

Judges 16:18 occurs at the climax of Samson's self-destructive relationship with Delilah. The broader context of Judges is a cycle of Israelite apostasy, divine judgment through foreign oppression, Israel’s cry for deliverance, and God raising up a judge to save them. Samson's narrative, however, presents a more ambiguous judgeship, marked by personal flaws and a tumultuous life that reflects the spiritual chaos of his era ("everyone did what was right in their own eyes," Jgs 21:25).

Leading up to this verse, Delilah has repeatedly attempted to uncover the secret of Samson's strength, pressing him with deceptive pleas of love (vv. 6-15). Each time, Samson has offered a false explanation, only to see it disproved by the Philistines attempting to capture him. However, her incessant pressure and "wearying him with her words day after day" (v. 16) eventually wore him down. Verse 18 marks the moment Samson completely succumbs, revealing his deepest and most sacred truth, rooted in his Nazirite vow (Num 6). His spiritual compromise culminates here, setting the stage for his capture, blinding, and ultimate death in the following verses. This moment signifies the success of Philistine espionage against God’s appointed deliverer, facilitated by a woman he trusted.

Judges 16 18 Word analysis

• When Delilah: דְּלִילָה (Dĕlîlāh) - While her name might suggest 'feeble' or 'languishing,' ironically, she exhibits relentless determination and strength in her deceit. Her role here is as a calculated agent of the Philistines.

• saw that he had told her: An active perception, confirming her goal was achieved. Her previous attempts had left her uncertain, but now she had definitive proof.

• all his heart: כָּל־לְבָבֽוֹ (kol-lĕḇāḇōw) - This Hebrew phrase is crucial. The 'heart' (lêbāb) in biblical thought encompasses not just emotions, but the seat of intellect, will, and conscience; the inner person, including one's deepest thoughts and motives. Samson's revealing "all his heart" means he surrendered his entire innermost being, his trust, and his most vital secret to her, leaving nothing hidden. This signifies a profound spiritual and emotional surrender, more than just disclosing a fact about his hair.

• she sent and called: Immediate and decisive action, indicating her confidence and the urgency to capitalize on Samson’s revelation before he could reconsider.

• the lords of the Philistines: סַרְנֵי פְלִשְׁתִּים (sarnê Pelištim) - The "lords" (seranim) refer to the rulers of the five main Philistine cities. They represent the corporate political and military power of Israel's oppressor, keen on neutralizing God's instrument of judgment against them.

• saying, ‘Come up this once’: This specific phrasing underscores the prior failed attempts. It's an urgent invitation, conveying certainty that this time, their endeavor will be successful, as the crucial secret has finally been uncovered.

• ‘for he has told me all his heart.’: This repetition reinforces the complete surrender Samson made. It's Delilah’s evidence to the Philistine lords that she has indeed secured the crucial information, validating their investment.

• Then the lords of the Philistines came up to her: Their prompt arrival shows their eagerness and belief in Delilah’s claim. Their quick response emphasizes the severity and urgency of Samson’s impending capture.

• and brought the money in their hand: כָּסֶף (kesef - silver). This refers to the promised sum (eleven hundred pieces of silver from each lord, mentioned in v. 5). The money highlights the clear mercenary motive behind Delilah’s actions and the Philistines’ determination to achieve their goal at any cost.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "told her all his heart": This phrase underlines the depth of Samson's fatal compromise. It suggests not only the revelation of a secret but also a profound breach of sacred trust and an inner surrender, reflecting his weakening commitment to his divine calling. It's a statement about his soul's state, not just an admission.
  • "she sent and called... Come up this once... brought the money": This sequence of actions demonstrates the Philistines' persistent and calculating strategy, combined with Delilah’s efficient and cold-blooded execution. It emphasizes the financial motivation of betrayal and the immediacy of consequences once divine protections are removed due to unfaithfulness.

Judges 16 18 Bonus section

The narrative highlights the spiritual decline prevalent in the period of the Judges. Samson, consecrated to God from birth, repeatedly fell prey to sensual temptations, revealing a consistent disconnect between his supernatural strength and his personal moral choices. His failure here is not merely about hair being cut; it's the culmination of a pattern of disregarding the Nazirite covenant principles (abstaining from strong drink, touching dead bodies - though these are implied breaks in his previous actions, his relationship with Delilah directly violates the spirit of separation). His strength was not inherent in his hair itself, but was a symbolic manifestation of his covenant with the God of Israel. When he betrayed this ultimate secret, he symbolically and effectively broke his vow and detached himself from the source of his strength, demonstrating that spiritual power is inextricably linked to obedience and covenant faithfulness. This event ironically foreshadows a broader truth: when Israel failed in its covenant relationship, it too lost its divine protection and fell prey to its enemies.

Judges 16 18 Commentary

Judges 16:18 serves as a chilling testament to the dangers of moral compromise and misplaced trust. Samson, repeatedly ensnared by Delilah's deceit, finally divulges his sacred Nazirite secret, signaling his utter spiritual and emotional exhaustion and capitulation. The phrase "told her all his heart" indicates not just a verbal disclosure, but the unveiling of his innermost being, revealing the true vulnerability born of his long-standing spiritual apathy and self-indulgence. Delilah's immediate action to summon the Philistine lords, confirmed by their quick arrival with the money, illustrates the swift, tangible consequences of forsaking divine commitments. The Philistine readiness to pay underscores the value they placed on dismantling Samson’s God-given power, seeing his spiritual compromise as their opportunity to finally succeed. This verse thus captures the precise moment Samson's journey transitioned from one of divinely enabled strength and potential deliverance to one of self-inflicted vulnerability and captivity. It powerfully conveys how internal moral failure can render God's instrument powerless.