Judges 16 8

Judges 16:8 kjv

Then the lords of the Philistines brought up to her seven green withes which had not been dried, and she bound him with them.

Judges 16:8 nkjv

So the lords of the Philistines brought up to her seven fresh bowstrings, not yet dried, and she bound him with them.

Judges 16:8 niv

Then the rulers of the Philistines brought her seven fresh bowstrings that had not been dried, and she tied him with them.

Judges 16:8 esv

Then the lords of the Philistines brought up to her seven fresh bowstrings that had not been dried, and she bound him with them.

Judges 16:8 nlt

So the Philistine rulers brought Delilah seven new bowstrings, and she tied Samson up with them.

Judges 16 verses

Judges 16 8 Meaning

This verse details the initial phase of Delilah's attempt to discover and overcome Samson's strength, following his deceptive disclosure. It records the precise fulfillment of Samson's first false statement regarding the source of his power, wherein the Philistine lords immediately provide Delilah with seven fresh, undried bowstrings, and she promptly uses them to bind him. The verse sets the stage for the recurring cycle of betrayal and Samson's escalating spiritual and physical vulnerability.

Judges 16 8 Context

Judges 16 recounts Samson's final, tragic encounters, culminating in his capture and eventual death. Verse 8 is a crucial part of the repeating narrative cycle initiated in this chapter between Samson and Delilah. Following Samson's romantic entanglements, this chapter focuses on his deep susceptibility to Philistine women, a recurring weakness despite his divine call. The Philistine "lords" represent the unified political and military leadership, demonstrating the importance they placed on neutralizing Samson, the chief deliverer against their oppression. They approach Delilah directly, bribing her with an enormous sum to discover the secret of Samson's strength. Delilah then undertakes a persistent and manipulative effort to extract this information, testing Samson repeatedly with different binding methods. Verse 8 describes the very first physical attempt by Delilah to incapacitate Samson based on his own (false) admission from verse 7. Historically, this period marked a continuous struggle between Israel and the Philistines for dominance in the land. The Philistines, a maritime people who had settled on the coastal plain, were technologically advanced (iron-working) and well-organized, posing a formidable threat to a disunited Israel. Their actions here underscore their relentless determination to overcome God's chosen deliverer through deception and exploitation of his known weaknesses.

Judges 16 8 Word analysis

• Then (וַיַּעֲל֤וּ - vaya'alu): This Hebrew conjunction-verb indicates an immediate consequence or sequence of action. It highlights the swift Philistine response to Delilah's inquiry, demonstrating their readiness to implement Samson's false instruction.
• the lords (סַרְנֵ֨י - sarnei): Refers to the five ruling "princes" or "satraps" of the major Philistine cities (Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Gath, Ekron). Their collective involvement underscores the grave threat Samson posed and their unified determination to capture him. This was not a private venture but an official, well-funded mission.
• of the Philistines (פְלִשְׁתִּים֙ - p'lishtim): The primary adversaries of Israel during the period of the Judges. Their name (often interpreted as "immigrants" or "wanderers") identifies the oppressing power against whom Samson was divinely called to deliver Israel.
• brought up to her (אֵלֶ֙יהָ֙ - eleiha - "to her"): The emphasis is on Delilah as the active agent and facilitator of their plan. The Philistine lords trust her completely with the task of deception and capture.
• seven (שִׁבְעָ֛ה - shiv'a): A number often symbolizing completeness, fullness, or divine perfection in biblical numerology. Here, it could emphasize a thorough or ultimate attempt, echoing Samson's previous associations with the number seven (e.g., Jdg 16:13, 19). It also fits the specific details Samson concocted for his false secret.
• fresh (לַחִים֙ - lachim): Meaning "moist," "undried," "pliable." The literal description refers to bowstrings that had not been exposed to air long enough to become stiff and rigid. Samson's false claim linked his strength to this unique, undried state, suggesting a pseudo-magical efficacy to Delilah.
• bowstrings (יְתָרִים֙ - yetarim): These were typically made from animal sinews or twisted fibers, known for their extreme tensile strength once dry. In the context of Samson's lie, the specific property of being "fresh" was supposedly crucial. They are instruments of lethal power when attached to a bow.
• that had not been dried (אֲשֶׁ֤ר לֹֽא־חֹרָ֑בוּ - asher lo-choravu): This phrase further clarifies the "fresh" quality, explicitly stating that they had not withered or become rigid. It reinforces the exact condition Samson falsely stated was necessary to subdue him, demonstrating the Philistines' careful adherence to his supposed "secret."
• and she bound him with them (וַתַּאַסְרֵם֙ - vata'asrēm): Delilah immediately puts the method into practice. The verb asar means "to bind," "to tie," or "to imprison," highlighting her active role in the attempted subjugation.

• "Then the lords of the Philistines brought up to her...": This phrase signifies the concerted and organized effort of the Philistine leadership to leverage Delilah as their primary tool to defeat Samson. It shows their high stake in the matter and their reliance on guile rather than brute force.
• "seven fresh bowstrings, that had not been dried...": This group of words describes the precise materials specified by Samson in his lie. The detail underscores the meticulousness of Delilah and the Philistines in following Samson's "instructions," revealing their cunning and determination to ensure the method's effectiveness.
• "and she bound him with them.": This brief clause shows Delilah's immediate and deceptive action. It confirms the trap is set according to Samson's own misleading words, showcasing the repeated pattern of his deception and Delilah's immediate attempts to betray him.

Judges 16 8 Bonus section

• Echoes of Divine Judgment: While Samson's actions are foolish, the Philistines' persistent efforts against him are paradoxically a part of God's larger plan to use Samson's unique strength and weaknesses to humble His enemies, despite Israel's moral decay (Jud 14:4).
• The Power of Manipulation: This verse graphically depicts the power of manipulative love, where trust is exploited for material gain and to achieve a malicious objective. Delilah's immediate action after Samson's "disclosure" reinforces her cunning and relentless pursuit of the Philistine reward.
• Samson's Contempt for his Gift: By constantly revealing false "secrets" and playing games with the source of his strength, Samson showed a careless disregard for the divine nature of his gift. His willingness to entertain the idea of losing his strength, even in jest, eventually led to its actual loss.

Judges 16 8 Commentary

Judges 16:8 is pivotal as it initiates the testing phase of Delilah's plan, revealing Samson's deeply ingrained susceptibility to deception. His self-inflicted blindness to Delilah's obvious treachery is starkly contrasted by the shrewdness and promptness of the Philistine lords. Their immediate supply of "seven fresh bowstrings, that had not been dried" demonstrates their unwavering commitment and the strategic significance of subduing Samson. This material detail, derived from Samson's own deceitful mouth, highlights his foolishness in continuing to play a dangerous game with those who sought his destruction. Despite the ease with which Samson breaks these bonds in the subsequent verse, this moment serves as a painful illustration of his spiraling descent into spiritual compromise. His dalliance with sin and his continuous disregard for divine warnings are symbolized by his voluntary entrance into this repeated cycle of bondage and feigned liberation, bringing him closer to his eventual physical and spiritual downfall. The physical bindings mirror the increasing spiritual cords of sin tightening around Samson, cords which he found progressively harder to break.