Judges 16:12

KJV

Delilah therefore took new ropes, and bound him therewith, and said unto him, The Philistines [be] upon thee, Samson. And [there were] liers in wait abiding in the chamber. And he brake them from off his arms like a thread.

KJV (with Strong's)

Delilah {H1807} therefore took {H3947} new {H2319} ropes {H5688}, and bound {H631} him therewith, and said {H559} unto him, The Philistines {H6430} be upon thee, Samson {H8123}. And there were liers in wait {H693} abiding {H3427} in the chamber {H2315}. And he brake {H5423} them from off his arms {H2220} like a thread {H2339}.

Complete Jewish Bible

So D'lilah took new ropes, tied him up, and said to him, "Shimshon! The P'lishtim have come for you!" (The people lying in wait were in the inside room.) But he broke the ropes from off his arms like a thread.

Berean Standard Bible

So Delilah took new ropes, tied him up with them, and called out, “Samson, the Philistines are here!” But while the men were hidden in her room, he snapped the ropes off his arms like they were threads.

American Standard Version

So Delilah took new ropes, and bound him therewith, and said unto him, The Philistines are upon thee, Samson. And the liers-in-wait were abiding in the inner chamber. And he brake them off his arms like a thread.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 16:12 captures a pivotal moment in the tragic narrative of Samson and Delilah, illustrating Samson's extraordinary, divinely-empowered strength alongside his alarming vulnerability to Delilah's persistent manipulation. This verse details Delilah's third attempt to uncover the secret of his power, a scheme orchestrated by the Philistine lords, where Samson effortlessly breaks free from new ropes, yet remains dangerously entangled in a cycle of deception that foreshadows his eventual downfall.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 16:12 is situated within the latter half of the Book of Judges, a period characterized by Israel's cyclical disobedience, oppression, and God's raising of deliverers. Samson's story, specifically in [Judges 13-16](/judges/13 "The Story of Samson"), marks the final and most detailed account of a judge before the transition to the monarchy. Chapter 16 focuses entirely on Samson's fatal entanglement with Delilah. This verse follows two previous failed attempts by Delilah to bind Samson, first with fresh bowstrings ([Judges 16:7](/judges/16-7 "Judges 16:7 - Delilah's First Attempt")) and then with new ropes ([Judges 16:9](/judges/16-9 "Judges 16:9 - Delilah's Second Attempt")). Each time, Samson, despite revealing a false "secret," demonstrates his immense power by breaking free, yet he foolishly continues to engage with Delilah's dangerous game, further illustrating his character flaws and the escalating stakes. The narrative builds dramatic tension with each failed attempt, drawing the reader closer to the inevitable revelation of Samson's true weakness.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Philistines were a formidable, technologically advanced people who occupied the southwestern coast of Canaan, frequently clashing with the Israelites during the period of the Judges. They were a constant source of oppression for Israel, and Samson was raised as a Nazirite specifically to "begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines" ([Judges 13:5](/judges/13-5 "Judges 13:5 - Samson's Nazirite Vow")). Delilah, a woman from the Valley of Sorek, a border region between Philistine and Israelite territory, was bribed by the five Philistine lords with an enormous sum of silver (1,100 shekels each, totaling 5,500 shekels) to discover the source of Samson's strength. This reflects the Philistines' strategic cunning and their determination to neutralize their most dangerous adversary, using deception and a woman's influence as a weapon, a common tactic in ancient Near Eastern espionage.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within the broader narrative. It underscores the theme of **Persistent Deception and Betrayal**, as Delilah's relentless pursuit of Samson's secret, driven by the Philistine's offer of silver, highlights the insidious nature of deceit and the ultimate betrayal of trust. Her repeated attempts, despite Samson's clear demonstrations of power, reveal her unwavering commitment to the Philistine cause. Furthermore, it highlights **Samson's Naivete and Stubbornness**, as despite narrowly escaping capture multiple times and knowing Philistine "liers in wait" are present (as explicitly stated in this verse), Samson continues to play a dangerous game with Delilah. This reveals a tragic flaw in his character—a blend of overconfidence, a lack of spiritual discernment, and an inability to resist temptation, even when faced with clear and present danger. His repeated submission to Delilah's questioning is a stark warning against spiritual complacency. Finally, the verse powerfully illustrates **Divine Strength vs. Human Weakness**. Samson's extraordinary, God-given strength ("he brake them... like a thread") is a hallmark of his judgeship. However, it also subtly points to his growing human weakness and moral compromise, which ultimately lead to his downfall when he finally reveals the true source of his power ([Judges 16:19](/judges/16-19 "Judges 16:19 - Samson's Hair Cut")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **New (Hebrew, _chadash_):** The Hebrew word for "new" (חָדָשׁ, _chadash_) emphasizes the fresh, unused quality of the ropes. Delilah and the Philistines were not using old, worn-out bindings but ropes specifically chosen for their strength and integrity. This highlights the futility of even the strongest human efforts against Samson's divinely empowered strength, making his effortless breaking of them even more dramatic.
* **Thread (Hebrew, _pethil_):** The Hebrew word for "thread" (פְּתִיל, _pethil_) in the simile "like a thread" is crucial. It refers to a thin strand, often of flax or yarn, used for wicks or cordage. The comparison underscores the absolute ease with which Samson broke the new ropes. What should have been a formidable restraint became as insubstantial as a single, fragile strand, vividly demonstrating the supernatural nature of his power. This imagery powerfully contrasts the robust "new ropes" with Samson's strength, making them seem utterly insignificant.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Delilah therefore took new ropes, and bound him therewith":** This clause initiates Delilah's third attempt, demonstrating her persistence and the Philistine's continued strategy. The "new ropes" signify an attempt to use the strongest available means, highlighting the Philistine's determination and the perceived strength of the binding.
* **"and said unto him, The Philistines [be] upon thee, Samson.":** This is Delilah's repeated cry, a pre-arranged signal to the hidden Philistines and a test for Samson. It serves as a direct challenge, forcing Samson to react and reveal whether his "secret" is true. Samson's continued engagement with this dangerous game, despite the clear warning, underscores his spiritual blindness and overconfidence.
* **"And [there were] liers in wait abiding in the chamber.":** This parenthetical statement is crucial for the reader's understanding. It confirms the immediate danger and Samson's awareness of the Philistine presence. The "liers in wait" are a constant, unseen threat, emphasizing the treacherous environment Samson willingly remains in. This detail heightens the dramatic irony, as the audience knows the peril Samson is in, even as he treats it as a game.
* **"And he brake them from off his arms like a thread.":** This final clause provides the dramatic resolution of this attempt. The simile "like a thread" vividly portrays the effortless, almost contemptuous ease with which Samson shatters the ropes. This act serves as a powerful display of his God-given strength, reinforcing his unique status as a judge endowed with supernatural power, and sets the stage for the ultimate revelation of his true weakness.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices to convey its meaning and heighten the narrative's tension. **Simile** is prominently featured in "he brake them... like a thread," which vividly illustrates the immense, supernatural nature of Samson's strength by contrasting the robust new ropes with the fragility of a mere strand. This comparison emphasizes the effortless and overwhelming power at his disposal. **Repetition** is also a key device, as Delilah's phrase "The Philistines are upon thee, Samson" is repeated from previous attempts. This repetition builds dramatic tension, highlights Delilah's persistent deception, and underscores Samson's foolishness in continually falling for the same trap, despite the clear and present danger. Furthermore, the presence of "liers in wait" creates **dramatic irony**, as the audience, and Samson himself, are fully aware of the hidden danger, yet Samson continues to play a perilous game, making his eventual capture all the more tragic. This device emphasizes his spiritual complacency and the escalating consequences of his choices.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 16:12 serves as a profound theological warning about the interplay of divine gifting and human responsibility. While God's strength is undeniably present in Samson, his repeated engagement with Delilah highlights the perilous nature of spiritual compromise and the deceptive power of persistent temptation. It underscores that even those uniquely gifted by God are not immune to the consequences of their own moral failures and lack of discernment. Samson's story is a sobering reminder that God's power does not negate our personal accountability or the need for vigilance against sin. It illustrates how repeated exposure to temptation, even when seemingly overcome, can dull one's spiritual senses and lead to a gradual erosion of boundaries, ultimately resulting in tragic consequences.

* [Proverbs 7:21-23](/proverbs/7-21 "Proverbs 7:21-23 - The Allure of the Seductress")
* [1 Corinthians 10:12](/1_corinthians/10-12 "1 Corinthians 10:12 - Warning Against Overconfidence")
* [James 1:14-15](/james/1-14 "James 1:14-15 - The Progression of Temptation to Sin")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Samson's repeated near-captures in Judges 16:12 offer a powerful cautionary tale for believers today. His story warns against the insidious nature of persistent temptation and the dangers of spiritual complacency. Even when God's grace allows us to escape immediate consequences, repeatedly yielding to compromising situations or relationships can lead to a gradual dulling of our spiritual senses and a tragic erosion of discernment. We are reminded that true strength is not merely physical or intellectual prowess, but spiritual vigilance and unwavering obedience to God. Like Samson, we may be gifted by God, but our human weaknesses, particularly our susceptibility to pride, lust, or overconfidence, can undermine those blessings if not addressed with humility and reliance on the Holy Spirit. The narrative urges us to guard our hearts, to flee from temptation, and to seek wisdom to avoid situations that could compromise our faith or purpose, understanding that playing with sin is never a game we can win.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Where in my life might I be "playing with fire" or repeatedly engaging in situations that compromise my spiritual integrity, much like Samson with Delilah?**
* **How does Samson's overconfidence in his strength, despite clear warnings, parallel ways I might rely on my own abilities rather than God's wisdom in facing temptation?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate greater spiritual discernment and vigilance to avoid falling into similar patterns of compromise?**

### FAQ
**Why did Samson repeatedly fall for Delilah's tricks, even knowing Philistines were lying in wait?**

Answer: Samson's behavior reveals a complex mix of overconfidence, spiritual blindness, and perhaps a deep-seated attraction or infatuation that clouded his judgment. Despite his supernatural strength, he was morally weak and lacked the spiritual discernment to recognize and flee from danger. He seems to have treated Delilah's attempts as a game, perhaps enjoying the thrill of demonstrating his power, rather than perceiving the grave threat to his calling and life. This pattern illustrates how persistent sin and compromise can dull one's spiritual senses, leading to foolish decisions even when the danger is clear, as seen in his continued engagement despite knowing the "liers in wait" were present in the chamber ([Judges 16:12](/judges/16-12 "Judges 16:12 - Samson's Third Escape")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Samson's story is a tragic narrative of a flawed deliverer, it ultimately points forward to the perfect deliverer, Jesus Christ. Samson, endowed with supernatural strength, was called to begin Israel's deliverance from the Philistines, yet his own moral failures and susceptibility to temptation led to his capture and a self-sacrificial death that brought partial victory. In stark contrast, Jesus, the true [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), possessed not only divine power but also perfect obedience and moral purity. Unlike Samson, who succumbed to the allure of a deceptive woman, Jesus faced the ultimate temptation in the wilderness ([Matthew 4:1-11](/matthew/4-1 "Matthew 4:1-11 - The Temptation of Jesus")) and remained without sin ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, Our Sinless High Priest")). Samson's strength was a temporary gift, ultimately undone by his own weakness, but Christ's strength is inherent and eternal, demonstrated not in breaking ropes but in breaking the bonds of sin and death through His perfect life, atoning sacrifice, and glorious resurrection ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). Samson's story of a judge who, despite his flaws, brings a measure of deliverance through his death, foreshadows Christ, the ultimate Judge and Savior, who perfectly accomplished deliverance for all humanity through His willing and sinless sacrifice on the cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Humility and Obedience")).

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.