Judges 16:11

KJV

And he said unto her, If they bind me fast with new ropes that never were occupied, then shall I be weak, and be as another man.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he said {H559} unto her, If they bind {H631} me fast {H631} with new {H2319} ropes {H5688} that never were occupied {H4399}{H6213}, then shall I be weak {H2470}, and be as another {H259} man {H120}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"All it takes," he answered, "is to tie me up with new ropes that haven't been used. Then I'll become weak and be like anyone else."

Berean Standard Bible

He replied, “If they tie me up with new ropes that have never been used, I will become as weak as any other man.”

American Standard Version

And he said unto her, If they only bind me with new ropes wherewith no work hath been done, then shall I become weak, and be as another man.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 16:11 captures the second of Samson's deceptive revelations to Delilah regarding the secret of his strength, proposing that if bound with "new ropes that never were occupied," he would become as weak as any ordinary man. This verse highlights Samson's dangerous overconfidence and his perilous game of deception, as he continues to toy with the persistent temptation and betrayal orchestrated by Delilah and the Philistines, setting the stage for his eventual downfall.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 16:11 is situated within the dramatic narrative of Samson and Delilah, following her initial failed attempt to discover the source of Samson's superhuman strength. In the preceding verses, Delilah, pressured by the Philistine lords, first entices Samson, who lies, claiming he would be weakened if bound with seven fresh bowstrings that had not been dried (Judges 16:6-7). Delilah, after testing this false premise and finding it ineffective (Judges 16:8-9), immediately presses him again for the truth. Judges 16:11 represents Samson's second fabricated answer, escalating the dangerous game of cat and mouse. This pattern of deception and testing continues through a third lie (Judges 16:13-14) before Samson finally reveals his true weakness, leading directly to his capture and humiliation (Judges 16:15-21). The verse thus functions as a critical step in the unraveling of Samson's life, demonstrating his gradual surrender to temptation and his tragic underestimation of Delilah's relentless resolve.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Judges chronicles a period in Israelite history characterized by a cyclical pattern of apostasy, oppression by foreign powers, cries for deliverance, and the raising of judges by God. Samson's story, set against the backdrop of Philistine domination, reflects the constant tension and conflict between Israel and its powerful, technologically superior neighbors. The Philistines, a maritime people who settled in the coastal plain of Canaan, were a formidable military and political force, often subjugating the Israelites. Delilah, likely a Philistine woman or at least aligned with their interests, acts as an agent of the Philistine lords, who offer her a substantial sum of money to betray Samson (Judges 16:5). This cultural context underscores the high stakes involved: Samson was a divinely appointed deliverer for Israel, and his capture was a strategic victory for the Philistines, aimed at neutralizing a significant threat to their hegemony. The use of ropes for binding was a common practice for restraining captives in ancient times, and Samson's repeated claims about specific types of bonds highlight the Philistines' practical attempts to subdue him.
* **Key Themes:** Judges 16:11 contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Judges and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates the theme of **deception and temptation**. Samson's repeated engagement in this perilous game, despite his divine calling, highlights the insidious nature of persistent temptation and the dangers of playing with sin rather than fleeing from it, a concept echoed in [James 1:14-15](/james/1-14 "James 1:14-15 - The Progression of Temptation"). Secondly, the verse underscores **misplaced confidence**. Samson's actions suggest a dangerous overconfidence in his own invincibility or ability to outwit Delilah, rather than relying on God's wisdom and protection. This hubris ultimately leads to his downfall, serving as a cautionary tale against self-reliance. Thirdly, it speaks to the **nature of divine strength**. Samson's strength was not inherent but a miraculous endowment, tied to his Nazarite vow. His statement, "then shall I be weak, and be as another man," foreshadows the loss of this supernatural ability, reducing him to ordinary human limits and contrasting sharply with his previous feats of divine power, such as the slaying of a thousand Philistines with a jawbone (as seen in [Judges 15:15](/judges/15-15 "Judges 15:15 - Samson's Victory at Lehi")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **New (Hebrew, _ḥăḏāšîm'_):** This adjective (חֲדָשִׁים) emphasizes the pristine, unused, and therefore supposedly strongest condition of the ropes. Samson specifies "new ropes that never were occupied," implying that their strength would be uncompromised by prior use or wear. This detail adds a layer of plausibility to his lie, suggesting a very specific and seemingly robust condition under which his strength would fail. Ironically, the true "newness" required for his strength was the unbroken nature of his Nazarite vow, not the physical state of the binding material.
* **Weak (Hebrew, _ḥālāh'_):** The verb (חָלָה) here means "to be weak," "to be sick," or "to be feeble." Samson's declaration, "then shall I be weak," indicates a complete loss of his supernatural power, reducing him to a state of utter vulnerability, indistinguishable from any ordinary person. This word choice highlights the dramatic contrast between his divinely empowered state and the common human condition, underscoring the profound nature of the strength he possessed and the catastrophic implications of its potential loss.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he said unto her,"**: This opening clause indicates Samson's direct response to Delilah's renewed interrogation. It highlights the ongoing, intimate, yet deceitful dialogue between them, emphasizing Samson's active participation in this dangerous game. His willingness to engage in further deception, rather than severing ties, demonstrates his persistent entanglement with temptation.
* **"If they bind me fast with new ropes that never were occupied,"**: This is Samson's second specific, yet false, condition for losing his strength. The phrase "new ropes that never were occupied" (חֲבָלִים חֲדָשִׁים אֲשֶׁר לֹא־נַעֲשָׂה בָהֶם מְלָאכָה, *ḥăḇālîm ḥăḏāšîm ʾăšer lōʾ-naʿăśâ bāhem məlāʾḵâ*) specifies ropes that are not merely new but have never been used for any work, implying maximum tensile strength. This elaborate detail makes the lie seem more credible, yet it is another test of Delilah's credulity and persistence, as Samson continues to underestimate her resolve and the Philistines' desperation.
* **"then shall I be weak, and be as another man."**: This concluding clause describes the supposed outcome of the binding. Samson claims he would become "weak" (וְחָלִיתִי, *wəḥālîṯî*), losing his extraordinary power, and be reduced to the state of "another man" (וְהָיִיתִי כְּאַחַד הָאָדָם, *wəhāyîṯî kəʾaḥaḏ hāʾāḏām*). This phrase underscores the supernatural nature of his strength; without it, he is merely human, subject to the same limitations as anyone else. It also foreshadows his eventual, true loss of strength, when he indeed becomes as "another man" after his hair is cut, unable to resist his enemies.

#### Literary Devices
Judges 16:11 employs several literary devices to enhance its narrative impact. **Irony** is prominent, as Samson, the divinely empowered deliverer, repeatedly lies about the source of his strength, using plausible but false conditions for his weakness. The irony deepens when considering that his true weakness lay not in external bonds but in his internal spiritual compromise and the eventual revelation of his Nazarite vow's secret. His statement, "then shall I be weak, and be as another man," also serves as a powerful **foreshadowing**. It precisely describes the fate that awaits him when Delilah finally discovers his secret and his hair is shorn, rendering him truly "weak" and "as another man" in the hands of his enemies. The recurring motif of binding with different materials (bowstrings, new ropes, hair woven into a loom) also functions as **symbolism**, representing the escalating attempts to control and subdue Samson, mirroring his own increasing entanglement in sin and his diminishing spiritual freedom.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 16:11, as part of Samson's tragic narrative, offers profound theological insights into the nature of divine gifting, human responsibility, and the perils of spiritual compromise. Samson's repeated flirtation with temptation and his casual disregard for the sacred trust of his Nazarite vow underscore the principle that even extraordinary divine endowments do not negate the need for personal obedience and vigilance against sin. His overconfidence in his physical strength and cunning blinded him to the spiritual dangers he faced, ultimately leading to the loss of his anointing and his capture. The passage serves as a stark reminder that true strength, particularly spiritual strength, is not a static possession but is maintained through faithful adherence to God's will and a humble reliance on His power, not our own. The narrative warns against the deceptive nature of sin, which often appears harmless or controllable, but relentlessly seeks to erode one's spiritual foundations.

* [Proverbs 6:27-28](/proverbs/6-27-28 "Proverbs 6:27-28 - Playing with Fire")
* [1 Corinthians 10:12](/1_corinthians/10-12 "1 Corinthians 10:12 - Warning Against Overconfidence")
* [Hebrews 12:1](/hebrews/12-1 "Hebrews 12:1 - Laying Aside Every Weight and Sin")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Samson's story, particularly his actions in Judges 16:11, serves as a powerful and enduring cautionary tale for believers today. His repeated engagement with temptation, his deceptive games, and his gradual compromise highlight the insidious nature of sin and its ability to erode even the most profound divine anointing. We learn that spiritual strength is not an automatic, unlosable possession, but rather a dynamic gift that requires constant vigilance, obedience, and a humble reliance on God. To "play with sin" or to underestimate the persistence of temptation, as Samson did with Delilah, is to invite spiritual weakening and devastating consequences. This narrative compels us to examine our own lives: where might we be tolerating small compromises, overestimating our own resilience, or failing to flee from situations that threaten our spiritual integrity? True spiritual power comes not from our own abilities or cleverness, but from an unwavering commitment to God's will and a recognition that His strength is made perfect in our weakness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Where in my life might I be "playing with temptation" rather than fleeing from it?**
* **In what areas do I rely on my own perceived strength or cunning, rather than humbly seeking God's wisdom and power?**
* **How does Samson's eventual loss of strength remind me of the importance of guarding my spiritual walk and commitments?**
* **What practical steps can I take to avoid the gradual compromise that led to Samson's downfall?**

### FAQ

**Why did Samson keep lying to Delilah instead of simply leaving her?**

Answer: Samson's repeated lies and his continued engagement with Delilah, despite the obvious danger, reveal a complex mix of overconfidence, arrogance, and perhaps a fatal attraction. He was a man of immense physical strength but significant moral weakness. He likely believed he was invincible and could outwit Delilah, enjoying the thrill of the dangerous game without truly believing she could uncover his secret. This pattern reflects a common human tendency to underestimate the power of persistent temptation and the destructive nature of sin. His actions demonstrate a lack of spiritual discernment and a disregard for his divine calling, ultimately leading him to believe he could control the situation, even as he was being drawn deeper into a trap. His failure to flee from temptation, as encouraged in [1 Corinthians 6:18](/1_corinthians/6-18 "1 Corinthians 6:18 - Flee Sexual Immorality"), ultimately proved to be his undoing.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Samson's story is fraught with human failure and tragic compromise, Judges 16:11, read through a Christ-centered lens, offers profound insights into the nature of true strength and deliverance. Samson, as a judge, was a type of deliverer for Israel, yet his strength was external and tied to a vow he ultimately broke. His declaration, "then shall I be weak, and be as another man," foreshadows his physical humiliation and the loss of his supernatural power, reducing him to an ordinary, vulnerable human. This contrasts sharply with Jesus Christ, the ultimate Deliverer, whose strength was not merely physical but divine, inherent, and perfect. Christ willingly "made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness" ([Philippians 2:7](/philippians/2-7 "Philippians 2:7 - Christ's Humiliation and Exaltation")), truly becoming "as another man" in His incarnation, yet without sin. He allowed Himself to be bound, mocked, and crucified, not because of a weakness or broken vow, but out of perfect obedience and boundless love, willingly laying down His life for the redemption of humanity ([John 10:18](/john/10-18 "John 10:18 - Jesus Lays Down His Life")). Unlike Samson, whose strength was restored for a final, self-sacrificial act in death, Christ's power was demonstrated supremely in His resurrection, conquering death and sin once and for all ([Romans 1:4](/romans/1-4 "Romans 1:4 - Jesus Declared Son of God by Resurrection")). Thus, Samson's flawed strength and eventual weakness point to the perfect, sinless strength of Christ, who truly became weak for our sake so that we might become strong in Him ([2 Corinthians 13:4](/2_corinthians/13-4 "2 Corinthians 13:4 - Christ's Weakness and Power")).

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

Judges 15:13

And they spake unto him, saying, No; but we will bind thee fast, and deliver thee into their hand: but surely we will not kill thee. And they bound him with two new cords, and brought him up from the rock.

Ephesians 4:25

Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.

Proverbs 13:3

¶ He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: [but] he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.

Proverbs 29:25

¶ The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.

Proverbs 13:5

¶ A righteous [man] hateth lying: but a wicked [man] is loathsome, and cometh to shame.