Judges 16:1

KJV

¶ Then went Samson to Gaza, and saw there an harlot, and went in unto her.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then went {H3212} Samson {H8123} to Gaza {H5804}, and saw {H7200} there an harlot {H802}{H2181}, and went in {H935} unto her.

Complete Jewish Bible

Shimshon went to 'Azah, where he saw a prostitute and went in to spend the night with her.

Berean Standard Bible

One day Samson went to Gaza, where he saw a prostitute and went in to spend the night with her.

American Standard Version

And Samson went to Gaza, and saw there a harlot, and went in unto her.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Samson, the divinely appointed judge of Israel, travels to Gaza, a formidable Philistine stronghold, and there engages in sexual immorality with a harlot. This opening verse of Judges 16 immediately sets a tone of moral compromise, highlighting Samson's recurring pattern of succumbing to personal desires and spiritual weakness, which stands in stark contrast to his Nazarite consecration and God-given mission to deliver Israel from the Philistines.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 16:1 marks a pivotal moment in the narrative of Samson, following directly from his previous exploits and failures detailed in [Judges 14](/judges/14 "Judges 14 - Samson's Marriage and Riddle") and [Judges 15](/judges/15 "Judges 15 - Samson's Vengeance"). Chapters 14 and 15 showcase Samson's incredible strength and his escalating conflicts with the Philistines, but also his consistent moral failings, particularly his attraction to Philistine women. This verse, beginning a new chapter, intensifies this pattern, moving from a problematic marriage and vengeful acts to outright prostitution in enemy territory. It immediately precedes the Philistines' attempt to ambush him and his subsequent escape, setting the stage for the ultimate betrayal by Delilah and his capture, which forms the climax of his story in the remainder of [Judges 16](/judges/16 "Judges 16 - Samson and Delilah"). The narrative structure emphasizes a downward spiral of moral degradation, despite his continued display of supernatural strength.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Gaza was one of the five principal cities of the Philistine pentapolis (along with Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron), located on the strategic coastal plain. It was a heavily fortified city, a major commercial hub, and a significant center of Philistine power and idolatry. For Samson, a Nazarite consecrated to God and called to deliver Israel from the Philistines, entering Gaza was not merely a casual visit but a deliberate infiltration into the heart of enemy territory. His engagement with a harlot there was a profound act of defiance against his sacred vow and a public display of moral corruption in a place where he was meant to be an agent of divine judgment. Prostitution was common in ancient Near Eastern societies, often associated with cultic practices, but it was strictly forbidden for Israelites, especially for a Nazarite, who was set apart for special purity (cf. [Numbers 6:1-21](/numbers/6 "Numbers 6 - The Law of the Nazarite")). This act underscored his disregard for his covenantal obligations and the spiritual dangers inherent in such environments.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several recurring themes in the book of Judges and Samson's narrative. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **moral compromise and spiritual blindness**. Despite his divine calling and supernatural strength, Samson consistently demonstrates a profound lack of self-control and spiritual discernment, repeatedly succumbing to his carnal desires, particularly for foreign women (cf. [Judges 14:1-3](/judges/14-1 "Judges 14:1-3 - Samson's Desire for a Philistine Woman")). Secondly, it reinforces the theme of **consequences of sin**. Samson's actions in Gaza directly lead to the Philistines' attempt to capture him, illustrating the principle that sinful choices, even seemingly private ones, have public repercussions and can undermine one's divine purpose (cf. [Galatians 6:7](/galatians/6-7 "Galatians 6:7 - The Law of Sowing and Reaping")). Thirdly, it subtly points to the **sovereignty of God amidst human failure**. Even in Samson's repeated failings, God's overarching plan for Israel's deliverance continues to unfold, albeit often through Samson's personal suffering and the consequences of his own sin. This demonstrates God's ability to work through imperfect vessels, even while not condoning their disobedience, a pervasive theme throughout the book of Judges.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Samson (Hebrew, _Shimshon'_):** Derived from the Hebrew word for "sun" (שֶׁמֶשׁ, _shemesh_), his name possibly alludes to his radiant strength or perhaps a connection to Beth-shemesh, a city in his tribal territory. Ironically, the man whose name evokes light and power repeatedly walks in moral darkness and spiritual weakness, ultimately leading to his eyes being put out.
* **Gaza (Hebrew, _Azzah'_):** One of the five major Philistine cities, strategically located on the coastal route. Its name means "strong" or "fortress," emphasizing its formidable nature. Samson's entry into this enemy stronghold, especially for illicit purposes, signifies a direct confrontation with the very power he was called to subdue, but on terms of his own choosing, not God's.
* **Harlot (Hebrew, _zonah'_):__** This term (זוֹנָה) explicitly denotes a prostitute. Its use leaves no ambiguity about the nature of Samson's moral transgression. For a Nazarite, consecrated to God from birth and set apart for purity ([Numbers 6:1-21](/numbers/6 "Numbers 6 - The Law of the Nazarite")), engaging with a harlot was a profound violation of his sacred vow and a defilement of his person, rendering him ritually unclean and spiritually compromised.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then went Samson to Gaza,"**: This clause immediately establishes the setting and Samson's deliberate action. The journey to Gaza, a major Philistine city, is not accidental but a conscious choice to enter enemy territory, indicating a reckless disregard for his security and mission. The introductory "Then" links this event to the preceding narrative, implying a continuation of his self-willed behavior.
* **"and saw there an harlot,"**: The act of "seeing" initiates the temptation. It implies a deliberate gaze, a choice to acknowledge and perhaps even seek out such a person in a place known for its moral laxity. This highlights Samson's lack of self-control and his susceptibility to carnal desires, which repeatedly led him astray throughout his life.
* **"and went in unto her."**: This is a common biblical euphemism for engaging in sexual intercourse. This final phrase confirms the consummation of the immoral act. It signifies a profound moral and spiritual fall, a direct violation of his Nazarite vow, and a defilement of his body, which was meant to be an instrument of God's deliverance. This action underscores his spiritual blindness and the depth of his moral compromise.

#### Literary Devices
Judges 16:1 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. **Juxtaposition** is immediately evident, placing Samson, the divinely appointed deliverer of Israel, in the heart of enemy territory (Gaza) engaging in an act of profound moral depravity. This stark contrast between his sacred calling and his profane actions highlights his spiritual decline. The verse also functions as significant **foreshadowing**, hinting at Samson's ultimate downfall. His inability to control his sexual desires, manifest here, will be the very weakness exploited by Delilah later in the chapter, leading to his capture and blinding. There is a strong element of **irony** present: the man endowed with superhuman physical strength is revealed to be profoundly weak in moral character and self-control. Finally, the phrase "went in unto her" serves as a **euphemism**, a common biblical technique to refer to sexual relations without explicit detail, yet its meaning is unequivocally clear, emphasizing the gravity of Samson's transgression.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 16:1 serves as a stark theological warning about the insidious nature of moral compromise and the dangers of spiritual complacency, particularly for those entrusted with divine calling. Samson, consecrated from birth, repeatedly chose self-gratification over his sacred vows, demonstrating a tragic disconnect between his immense physical power and his profound spiritual weakness. This verse underscores the biblical truth that outward strength or divine gifting does not negate the need for inward purity, self-control, and adherence to God's moral law. His actions highlight the principle that sin, even seemingly private acts, has public consequences and can derail God's purposes for an individual, even if God's ultimate plan for His people still prevails. It reveals the destructive power of unchecked lust and the spiritual blindness that accompanies a life of compromise.

* [Numbers 6:1-21](/numbers/6 "Numbers 6 - The Law of the Nazarite Vow") - Details the requirements of the Nazarite vow, which Samson flagrantly violated.
* [Proverbs 4:23](/proverbs/4-23 "Proverbs 4:23 - Guarding the Heart") - Emphasizes the importance of guarding one's heart, a principle Samson failed to heed.
* [Galatians 6:7](/galatians/6-7 "Galatians 6:7 - Sowing and Reaping") - Illustrates the principle that "whatever one sows, that will he also reap," vividly demonstrated in Samson's life.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Samson's journey to Gaza and his encounter with the harlot stands as a timeless and sobering narrative for believers today. It compels us to examine the areas of our own lives where we might be susceptible to compromise, especially when we feel strong or secure in our gifts or calling. Samson possessed extraordinary strength, yet his moral Achilles' heel led to his downfall. This reminds us that spiritual vigilance is paramount, for temptation often strikes where we are weakest, or paradoxically, where we feel most invulnerable. The narrative challenges us to consider whether our actions align with our confession of faith and our divine purpose. It's a call to cultivate self-control, to flee from temptation, and to prioritize spiritual purity over fleeting carnal desires, recognizing that every choice has spiritual ramifications, not just for ourselves but for our witness and effectiveness in God's kingdom.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I most prone to spiritual or moral compromise, and how can I proactively guard against them?**
* **How does Samson's story challenge my understanding of spiritual strength versus physical or gifted ability?**
* **What steps can I take to cultivate greater self-control and discernment in my daily walk with God?**

### FAQ
**Why did Samson, a Nazarite, go to Gaza and engage with a harlot?**

Answer: Samson's actions in Judges 16:1 are a continuation of a recurring pattern of moral compromise and self-indulgence that characterized his life, despite his divine calling as a Nazarite. While the text doesn't explicitly state his *motive* for going to Gaza, a Philistine stronghold, it's consistent with his attraction to Philistine women (as seen in [Judges 14:1-3](/judges/14-1 "Judges 14:1-3 - Samson's Desire for a Philistine Woman")) and his general disregard for the strictures of his Nazarite vow (outlined in [Numbers 6](/numbers/6 "Numbers 6 - The Law of the Nazarite")). His decision to engage with a harlot there demonstrates a profound lack of self-control and spiritual discernment, prioritizing immediate gratification over his sacred consecration and his mission to deliver Israel from the very people whose immoral practices he was embracing. It highlights his spiritual blindness and the tragic disconnect between his immense physical strength and his profound moral weakness.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Samson's story, particularly his moral failure in Judges 16:1, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment not in parallel, but in stark contrast. Samson, the flawed deliverer, was consecrated from birth yet repeatedly succumbed to sin, ultimately leading to his own capture and death as a consequence of his moral compromise. He was a judge who could not judge himself, a strong man weakened by his own desires. In contrast, Jesus Christ is the perfect Deliverer, consecrated not by a temporary vow but by His very nature as the Son of God ([Hebrews 7:26](/hebrews/7-26 "Hebrews 7:26 - Christ's Perfect Priesthood")). He entered the "enemy territory" of a fallen world, not to indulge in its sin, but to conquer it through His absolute purity and obedience ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, Our Sympathetic High Priest")). While Samson's strength was physical and ultimately failed him due to moral weakness, Christ's strength is spiritual, rooted in His perfect righteousness and unwavering devotion to the Father's will ([John 14:30](/john/14-30 "John 14:30 - The Prince of This World Has No Claim on Me")). Samson's death, though redemptive in its outcome for Israel, was a consequence of his sin; Christ's death was a sinless, voluntary sacrifice, not for His own failings, but for the sins of humanity, offering true and lasting deliverance ([Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - Wounded for Our Transgressions")). Thus, Samson's tragic moral decline in Gaza serves as a dark backdrop against which the radiant purity, perfect obedience, and ultimate redemptive power of the true [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God") are illuminated.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Joshua 15:47

Ashdod with her towns and her villages, Gaza with her towns and her villages, unto the river of Egypt, and the great sea, and the border [thereof]:

Ezra 9:1

¶ Now when these things were done, the princes came to me, saying, The people of Israel, and the priests, and the Levites, have not separated themselves from the people of the lands, [doing] according to their abominations, [even] of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites.

Ezra 9:2

For they have taken of their daughters for themselves, and for their sons: so that the holy seed have mingled themselves with the people of [those] lands: yea, the hand of the princes and rulers hath been chief in this trespass.

Genesis 38:16

And he turned unto her by the way, and said, Go to, I pray thee, let me come in unto thee; (for he knew not that she [was] his daughter in law.) And she said, What wilt thou give me, that thou mayest come in unto me?

Genesis 38:18

And he said, What pledge shall I give thee? And she said, Thy signet, and thy bracelets, and thy staff that [is] in thine hand. And he gave [it] her, and came in unto her, and she conceived by him.

Genesis 10:19

And the border of the Canaanites was from Sidon, as thou comest to Gerar, unto Gaza; as thou goest, unto Sodom, and Gomorrah, and Admah, and Zeboim, even unto Lasha.