Judges 16 5

Judges 16:5 kjv

And the lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and said unto her, Entice him, and see wherein his great strength lieth, and by what means we may prevail against him, that we may bind him to afflict him; and we will give thee every one of us eleven hundred pieces of silver.

Judges 16:5 nkjv

And the lords of the Philistines came up to her and said to her, "Entice him, and find out where his great strength lies, and by what means we may overpower him, that we may bind him to afflict him; and every one of us will give you eleven hundred pieces of silver."

Judges 16:5 niv

The rulers of the Philistines went to her and said, "See if you can lure him into showing you the secret of his great strength and how we can overpower him so we may tie him up and subdue him. Each one of us will give you eleven hundred shekels of silver."

Judges 16:5 esv

And the lords of the Philistines came up to her and said to her, "Seduce him, and see where his great strength lies, and by what means we may overpower him, that we may bind him to humble him. And we will each give you 1,100 pieces of silver."

Judges 16:5 nlt

The rulers of the Philistines went to her and said, "Entice Samson to tell you what makes him so strong and how he can be overpowered and tied up securely. Then each of us will give you 1,100 pieces of silver."

Judges 16 verses

Judges 16 5 Meaning

This verse initiates the active betrayal of Samson by Delilah. The five lords of the Philistines approach Delilah, offering her an immense sum of silver—eleven hundred pieces each—to uncover the secret source of Samson’s extraordinary strength. Their ultimate goal is not just to subdue him, but to bind and humiliate him, neutralizing the greatest threat to their dominion. The offer highlights their desperate fear of Samson and their willingness to invest heavily in deceit to achieve his downfall.

Judges 16 5 Context

Judges Chapter 16 marks the climactic final period of Samson’s tumultuous judgeship. Having repeatedly acted independently, often guided by lust and personal revenge rather than a clear divine strategy, Samson had become a singular, albeit flawed, force against the Philistine oppressors of Israel. His incredible, divinely-empowered strength baffled his enemies, who continuously sought to discover its source and neutralize him. Previous attempts by the Philistines to entrap and betray Samson through his wives or other women had failed, often resulting in devastating Philistine losses. Now, with Samson residing with Delilah in the Valley of Sorek, the Philistine lords saw a renewed opportunity. This verse initiates their highly calculated and mercenary plot, reflecting their strategic determination to overcome their greatest obstacle. The historical context reflects a period of spiritual decline and political instability in Israel, with the Philistines asserting their dominance, while God, in His mercy, continued to raise up deliverers like Samson despite their weaknesses.

Judges 16 5 Word analysis

• And the lords of the Philistines: (Hebrew: Sarnei Pelištim) These "lords" were the rulers of the Philistine pentapolis—the five major cities of Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Ekron, and Gath. The use of "sarnei" is distinct from general kings or rulers and indicates a specific Philistine political structure, where these five entities likely formed a powerful confederacy. Their collective action underscores the perceived severity of the Samson threat and the high priority they placed on his capture.
• came up unto her: Signifies their direct and organized approach to Delilah, indicating a formal, high-level delegation and the strategic importance of this mission. It suggests a clandestine meeting in the Valley of Sorek, a region likely under Philistine influence.
• and said unto her: Delilah willingly engaged in negotiation. The proposal was presented openly and explicitly, laying out the terms of their lucrative offer.
• Entice him: (Hebrew: pattı̂y) This verb means "to persuade," "to allure," "to deceive," or "to tempt." It implies a calculated act of seduction and manipulation, using intimacy and persuasion to extract a secret. It highlights the deliberate treachery involved and Delilah's active role as an agent of deception.
• and see wherein his great strength lieth: The Philistines did not attribute Samson's strength to God or a supernatural source. Instead, they believed it had a discoverable, intrinsic, and physical basis. They sought the "secret" or the "reason" behind his power, assuming it was something they could control once understood, demonstrating their limited, worldly understanding compared to a spiritual reality.
• and by what means we may prevail against him: Their objective was absolute dominance and mastery. "Prevail against" (Hebrew: nitqappehu) implies not just overcoming but completely subduing and humbling him, removing him as an active threat.
• that we may bind him to afflict him: (Hebrew: le'anoto) This reveals their true malicious intent beyond mere incapacitation. "To bind" signifies taking him captive and rendering him helpless. "To afflict him" or "to humble him" points to their desire for revenge, public humiliation, and potential torment, reflecting their deep animosity and desire for complete subjugation of their tormentor.
• and we will give thee every one of us eleven hundred pieces of silver: This is a staggeringly high bribe. "Eleven hundred pieces of silver" (Hebrew: eleph u’me’ah kesef) per Philistine lord meant Delilah would receive a total of 5,500 pieces of silver. For comparison, a slave typically cost 30 shekels of silver (Exo 21:32). This sum was an enormous fortune, highlighting both Delilah's extraordinary greed and the Philistines' utter desperation and deep-seated fear of Samson. It represents the "price" of betrayal.

Words-group analysis

• "And the lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and said unto her," This opening establishes the organized, governmental nature of the conspiracy. It wasn't an individual act but a coordinated effort by the highest Philistine authorities, indicating the national significance of neutralizing Samson. Their direct approach to Delilah signals their recognition of her unique position and influence over Samson.
• "Entice him, and see wherein his great strength lieth, and by what means we may prevail against him," This phrase reveals the Philistines' method and motive. They plan to use cunning and deceit through Delilah, rather than open confrontation, acknowledging their inability to defeat him militarily. Their focus on the source of his strength shows a mechanistic worldview, believing a "trick" or "secret" underlay his power, rather than understanding it as a divine gift contingent on a vow.
• "that we may bind him to afflict him:" This clearly states the brutal objective. It goes beyond capture; it speaks of subjugation and suffering. The desire to "afflict" implies torture, humiliation, or severe punishment, emphasizing their vindictive hatred for Samson and what he represented as Israel's judge.
• "and we will give thee every one of us eleven hundred pieces of silver." The sheer scale of the bribe speaks volumes about Delilah's character and the Philistines' desperation. It represents a mercenary agreement where Samson's freedom, divine purpose, and even his life are traded for vast wealth, underscoring the destructive power of greed.

Judges 16 5 Bonus section

• The sum of 5,500 pieces of silver (assuming 1,100 from each of the five Philistine lords) was an astronomical amount in ancient times, perhaps equivalent to hundreds of years of an average worker's wages. This emphasizes the Philistines' extreme fear and desperation to neutralize Samson, as well as Delilah's extraordinary venality. This sum dwarfs many other biblical payments for significant acts or even royal treasures, illustrating the price set upon Samson’s capture.
• This passage serves as a powerful cautionary tale about the dangers of repeated spiritual compromise and unguarded intimacy. Samson, though supernaturally strong, was perpetually weak in his self-discipline and choice of companions, repeatedly gravitating towards Philistine women. This moral failing allowed his enemies to finally penetrate his defenses through a partner he trusted, highlighting the vulnerability that comes with disobedience and spiritual carelessness.
• The narrative subtly contrasts divine omnipotence with human cleverness. The Philistines believed that with enough cunning and money, they could unravel what they presumed was a natural mystery. They fundamentally misunderstood the nature of Samson's power, which flowed from a divine covenant (the Nazarite vow), not from some physical anomaly. Their plot, therefore, represents a worldly attempt to control and suppress what is essentially God's work.

Judges 16 5 Commentary

Judges 16:5 lays bare the insidious nature of the Philistine plot against Samson, marking the pivot point for his eventual downfall. The proposition to Delilah is driven by fear and desperation, underscoring Samson's continued efficacy as a one-man army, despite his spiritual compromise. The Philistines, limited in their understanding, perceived Samson's strength as a mere physical phenomenon, a "secret" to be uncovered, rather than a divinely appointed gift linked to his Nazarite vow. This theological blind spot—attributing a spiritual reality to a physical cause—is central to their approach. Delilah's instant willingness to betray Samson for an astronomical sum—5,500 pieces of silver from the five lords combined—demonstrates her profound avarice and complete lack of loyalty or love, portraying her as the embodiment of mercenary evil. The explicit desire to "bind him to afflict him" reveals the Philistines' vindictive intentions: not just to neutralize a threat, but to humiliate and torment their long-standing oppressor. This verse, therefore, highlights the destructive power of temptation, the insidious nature of worldly wisdom trying to understand divine power, and the devastating consequences when spiritual vulnerabilities meet the alluring power of greed.