Judges 16:10

KJV

And Delilah said unto Samson, Behold, thou hast mocked me, and told me lies: now tell me, I pray thee, wherewith thou mightest be bound.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Delilah {H1807} said {H559} unto Samson {H8123}, Behold, thou hast mocked {H2048} me, and told {H1696} me lies {H3577}: now tell {H5046} me, I pray thee, wherewith thou mightest be bound {H631}.

Complete Jewish Bible

D'lilah said to Shimshon, "You're making fun of me, telling me lies. Now, come on, tell me what it takes to tie you up."

Berean Standard Bible

Then Delilah said to Samson, “You have mocked me and lied to me! Now please tell me how you can be tied up.”

American Standard Version

And Delilah said unto Samson, Behold, thou hast mocked me, and told me lies: now tell me, I pray thee, wherewith thou mightest be bound.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 16:10 captures a critical juncture in the escalating and destructive relationship between Samson and Delilah, revealing Delilah's calculated frustration and unwavering manipulative persistence after Samson's repeated deceptions. This verse highlights the dangerous psychological game Samson is playing, trivializing his divine strength and sacred Nazirite vow, while Delilah, driven by Philistine gold, relentlessly probes for the secret to his undoing, setting the stage for his eventual tragic downfall.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within the climactic narrative of Samson, the last of the major judges detailed in the Book of Judges. Chapters 13-16 chronicle Samson's life, marked by extraordinary divine strength juxtaposed with profound personal and spiritual weakness. Judges 16 specifically focuses on his entanglement with Delilah, a Philistine woman bribed by the Philistine lords to discover the source of his strength. Prior to this verse, Samson has already deceived Delilah twice, first by claiming he could be bound with "seven fresh bowstrings that have not been dried" ([Judges 16:7](/judges/16-7 "Judges 16:7 - Samson's First Deception")), and then with "new ropes that have never been used" ([Judges 16:11](/judges/16-11 "Judges 16:11 - Samson's Second Deception")). Each time, Delilah, after securing him, would cry out, "The Philistines are upon you, Samson!", only for him to effortlessly break free. Judges 16:10 thus marks Delilah's third attempt, her frustration evident, but her resolve unbroken, as she confronts Samson about his "mockery" and "lies," demanding the true secret. This repetitive cycle builds intense dramatic tension, foreshadowing the inevitable betrayal.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of the Judges (roughly 1200-1000 BC) was a turbulent era in Israel's history, characterized by a cyclical pattern of apostasy, foreign oppression, cries for deliverance, and the raising of judges by God. The Philistines, a powerful "Sea Peoples" group who settled along the southwestern coast of Canaan, were a dominant oppressive force during Samson's time. They were technologically superior (iron weaponry) and highly organized, posing a constant threat to Israelite tribal independence. Bribery, as seen with Delilah, was a common tactic in ancient Near Eastern espionage and political maneuvering. Samson's Nazirite vow, taken from birth ([Judges 13:5](/judges/13-5 "Judges 13:5 - Samson's Nazirite Vow")), was a distinctive religious commitment involving abstinence from wine, not cutting hair, and avoiding contact with dead bodies. His uncut hair was not the *source* of his strength but the *sign* of his consecrated relationship with God, through which God's power flowed. For Delilah to ask about the "wherewith" he could be bound was to seek the means to control and neutralize him, thereby removing a major obstacle to Philistine dominance.
* **Key Themes:** Judges 16:10 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book. Firstly, it exemplifies the **Relentless Nature of Temptation and Manipulation**. Delilah's persistent questioning, despite Samson's repeated deceptions, illustrates how temptation, once given an inch, will relentlessly pursue a mile, adapting its tactics to wear down resolve. Her emotional appeal ("thou hast mocked me") is a classic manipulative ploy. Secondly, the verse underscores the theme of **Deception and Betrayal**. Both Samson and Delilah are engaged in a dangerous dance of deceit; Samson's lies are a mockery of his divine calling, while Delilah's actions are a calculated betrayal for monetary gain, highlighting the destructive power of dishonesty in relationships, particularly when spiritual integrity is at stake. Thirdly, it starkly reveals **Human Weakness and Complacency**. Despite his immense physical strength and miraculous anointing, Samson displays a profound spiritual and emotional vulnerability. His repeated willingness to play with the secret of his strength, even after experiencing the peril of Delilah's attempts, demonstrates a dangerous complacency and overconfidence in his own abilities, tragically foreshadowing his eventual capture and blinding, as described in [Judges 16:21](/judges/16-21 "Judges 16:21 - Samson's Capture and Blinding"). This verse is a microcosm of the spiritual decline within Israel during the Judges period, where even divinely appointed leaders are susceptible to moral compromise.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Mocked (Hebrew, _ta'al'_):** The Hebrew verb תָּעַל (_ta'al_) implies not merely deception, but a deeper sense of dealing treacherously, making sport of, or treating with contempt. When Delilah says Samson "mocked" her, it's more than just lying; it suggests he treated her (and by extension, the serious nature of her inquiry and his own vulnerability) with disdain and levity. This word choice emphasizes Samson's casual attitude towards the sacred trust of his strength and the dangerous game he was playing, reflecting a profound spiritual carelessness.
* **Lies (Hebrew, _kazav'_):** The word כָּזָב (_kazav_) is a straightforward term for falsehood, deceit, or a lie. Its use here reinforces the clear pattern of deliberate deception on Samson's part. It highlights the stark contrast between his outward display of power and his internal moral compromise. The repetition of "lies" underscores the established pattern of his behavior and Delilah's growing exasperation, yet also her unwavering determination to uncover the truth.
* **Bound (Hebrew, _asar'_):** The verb אָסַר (_asar_) means to bind, tie, or imprison. In this context, it signifies the desire for control and subjugation. Delilah's repeated question about how Samson "mightest be bound" goes beyond mere curiosity; it is a direct inquiry into the means of neutralizing his power, rendering him helpless and subject to the Philistines. This word is central to the conflict, representing the Philistines' ultimate goal: to strip Samson of his freedom and strength.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Delilah said unto Samson,"**: This opening clause establishes the ongoing dialogue and the persistent nature of Delilah's pursuit. Her direct address indicates a confrontation, moving beyond subtle persuasion to a more forceful demand.
* **"Behold, thou hast mocked me, and told me lies:"**: Delilah's accusation is a blend of genuine frustration and calculated manipulation. "Behold" (הִנֵּה, _hinneh_) serves as an interjection to draw Samson's immediate attention, emphasizing the gravity of her complaint. By accusing him of "mocking" and "lies," she attempts to shame him, leverage his guilt, and perhaps provoke him into revealing the truth out of a desire to appease her or prove his sincerity. This emotional appeal is a key part of her strategy to wear down his resistance.
* **"now tell me, I pray thee, wherewith thou mightest be bound."**: This is the crux of her demand. The phrase "I pray thee" (נָא, _na'_) is a plea for earnestness, an appeal to his affection or sense of obligation. Despite her accusations of mockery, she immediately reverts to her central objective: discovering the secret of his strength. This shows her relentless focus and the depth of her commitment to her treacherous mission for the Philistines. The repetition of the question, even after previous deceptions, highlights Samson's dangerous complacency and Delilah's unwavering resolve.

#### Literary Devices
The passage in Judges 16:10 is rich with **Dramatic Irony**, as the reader is fully aware of Samson's immense strength and the sacred nature of his Nazirite vow, while Samson himself seems to treat this divine gift with a dangerous flippancy. His physical power is contrasted with his profound spiritual and moral weakness, creating a tragic tension. **Repetition** is a key device, with Delilah's repeated questioning and Samson's repeated deceptions building a sense of inevitability towards his downfall. This cyclical pattern emphasizes the relentless nature of temptation and Samson's increasing vulnerability. The dialogue also employs **Emotional Manipulation** on Delilah's part, as she uses accusations of mockery and lies to elicit a different response from Samson, attempting to shame him into revealing the truth. This scene also serves as powerful **Foreshadowing**, clearly indicating that Samson's continued dalliance with Delilah will lead to his ultimate betrayal and capture, despite his current ability to escape.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 16:10 serves as a potent theological warning about the insidious nature of temptation and the dire consequences of spiritual compromise. Samson's repeated engagement with Delilah's manipulative inquiries, despite knowing her intentions and the danger, illustrates a perilous complacency. This verse highlights how sin, when entertained, becomes a relentless pursuer, subtly eroding one's defenses until a critical vulnerability is exposed. The narrative underscores the principle that divine anointing does not negate human responsibility or the need for vigilance against the schemes of the enemy. Samson's folly reminds us that even those gifted by God can fall prey to their own desires and the persistent allure of sin, leading to a forfeiture of spiritual power and purpose. It is a stark reminder of the importance of integrity, discernment, and guarding one's heart and commitments, for playing with sin is never a harmless game.

* [Proverbs 6:27-28](/proverbs/6-27-28 "Proverbs 6:27-28 - Playing with Fire")
* [James 1:14-15](/james/1-14-15 "James 1:14-15 - The Process of Temptation")
* [1 Corinthians 10:12](/1_corinthians/10-12 "1 Corinthians 10:12 - Warning Against Overconfidence")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Judges 16:10 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. Samson's dangerous game with Delilah vividly illustrates the persistent and cunning nature of temptation. Just as Delilah relentlessly probed Samson's weakness, spiritual adversaries will persistently seek out our vulnerabilities, often through seemingly innocuous or emotionally charged appeals. This verse calls us to cultivate acute spiritual discernment, recognizing manipulative influences and the subtle ways sin seeks to gain a foothold. It warns against complacency and overconfidence in our spiritual strength, reminding us that even great anointing does not exempt us from the need for vigilance and integrity. Playing with sin, even in seemingly minor ways, can desensitize us to its dangers, leading to a gradual erosion of our spiritual defenses and potentially catastrophic consequences. We are called to guard our hearts, uphold our commitments to God, and flee from temptation, rather than entertaining it.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Where in my life might I be playing a "dangerous game" with temptation, similar to Samson?**
* **How do I respond when confronted about my deceptions or areas of compromise? Do I minimize, deflect, or genuinely repent?**
* **What manipulative influences or persistent temptations am I facing, and how am I actively resisting them?**
* **How can I cultivate greater spiritual discernment to recognize subtle attacks on my integrity or faith?**

### FAQ
**Why did Samson continue to play this dangerous game with Delilah, even after her repeated betrayals?**
Answer: Samson's continued engagement with Delilah, despite her obvious treachery, is a perplexing aspect of his character, revealing a dangerous combination of overconfidence, spiritual complacency, and possibly a perverse enjoyment of the "game." He may have been so assured of his physical strength that he believed he could always escape, underestimating the spiritual danger. His repeated deceptions suggest a lack of integrity and a casual attitude towards his Nazirite vow, which was the covenantal sign of his strength. This spiritual blindness, coupled with his carnal desires, made him vulnerable to Delilah's persistent emotional and physical manipulation. His actions illustrate the insidious nature of sin, which can gradually dull one's senses and lead to a tragic underestimation of its ultimate consequences, as seen in his eventual capture in [Judges 16:20-21](/judges/16-20-21 "Judges 16:20-21 - Samson's Capture and Blinding").

**What does Delilah's persistence in this verse teach us about the nature of temptation?**
Answer: Delilah's relentless persistence in Judges 16:10 is a powerful illustration of the nature of temptation. It teaches us that temptation is often not a one-time event but a persistent, adaptive, and cunning force. Like Delilah, temptation will not give up easily; it will probe, accuse, manipulate, and wear down resistance over time. It targets our weaknesses, exploits our emotional vulnerabilities, and can even use our own complacency against us. Just as Delilah changed her tactics from simple requests to emotional accusations ("thou hast mocked me"), temptation often shifts its approach when initial attempts fail. This highlights the need for constant vigilance and a firm resolve, as emphasized in passages like [1 Peter 5:8](/1_peter/5-8 "1 Peter 5:8 - Be Sober and Watchful"), which warns believers to be sober and watchful because the devil prowls like a roaring lion.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Judges 16:10, with Samson's tragic display of spiritual weakness and susceptibility to temptation, stands in stark contrast to the perfect obedience and unwavering resolve of Jesus Christ. Samson, despite being endowed with supernatural strength for Israel's deliverance, repeatedly played with sin, mocked sacred commitments, and ultimately succumbed to the persistent allure of temptation, leading to his own downfall and a temporary defeat for Israel. His failure to guard his heart and his divine calling underscores humanity's desperate need for a deliverer who is not only strong but also perfectly righteous and unyielding to temptation. Jesus, the true and ultimate Deliverer, faced temptation in its most intense forms, as seen in His wilderness encounter with Satan ([Matthew 4:1-11](/matthew/4-1-11 "Matthew 4:1-11 - Jesus' Temptation in the Wilderness")), yet He never wavered, never mocked His divine mission, and never succumbed to lies or manipulation. Unlike Samson, whose strength was tied to a vow he ultimately broke, Christ's power was inherent in His divine nature and perfect obedience, culminating in His ultimate sacrifice on the cross to truly bind the power of sin and death ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). Where Samson failed to deliver his people fully due to his own sin, Christ, the Lamb of God, perfectly fulfilled His mission, taking away the sin of the world and offering true freedom and spiritual strength to all who believe in Him ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")).

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.