Judges 16:14

KJV

And she fastened [it] with the pin, and said unto him, The Philistines [be] upon thee, Samson. And he awaked out of his sleep, and went away with the pin of the beam, and with the web.

KJV (with Strong's)

And she fastened {H8628} it with the pin {H3489}, and said {H559} unto him, The Philistines {H6430} be upon thee, Samson {H8123}. And he awaked {H3364} out of his sleep {H8142}, and went away {H5265} with the pin {H3489} of the beam {H708}, and with the web {H4545}.

Complete Jewish Bible

So she fastened her cloth work in the loom with a pin and wove his hair in, then said to him, "Shimshon! The P'lishtim have come for you!" He awoke from his sleep and pulled away the loom pin and the interwoven cloth.

Berean Standard Bible

So while he slept, Delilah took the seven braids of his hair and wove them into the web.Then she tightened it with a pin and called to him, “Samson, the Philistines are here!” But he awoke from his sleep and pulled out the pin with the loom and the web.

American Standard Version

And she fastened it with the pin, and said unto him, The Philistines are upon thee, Samson. And he awaked out of his sleep, and plucked away the pin of the beam, and the web.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 16:14 vividly portrays Delilah's third cunning attempt to uncover the secret of Samson's immense strength, as she weaves his hair into the fabric on a loom and fastens it with a pin. Despite her repeated betrayals and clear malicious intent, Samson, roused by her familiar cry of "The Philistines [be] upon thee, Samson," effortlessly tears away the entire loom apparatus, demonstrating his undiminished physical power even as his spiritual discernment remains dangerously dormant. This pivotal verse powerfully illustrates Samson's profound moral weakness and spiritual blindness, setting the tragic stage for his ultimate downfall.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 16:14 is strategically placed within the escalating and ultimately tragic narrative of Samson and Delilah, forming a crucial part of the book of Judges' larger cycle of apostasy and deliverance. This verse immediately follows Samson's second false confession regarding the source of his strength—claiming it lay in new ropes ([Judges 16:11](/judges/16-11 "Judges 16:11 - Samson's Second Deception")). Delilah's relentless persistence, driven by the substantial bribe offered by the Philistine lords, intensifies her efforts to uncover his true secret. Samson, despite having experienced two prior betrayals where Delilah's intentions to harm him were unequivocally clear, continues to engage in this perilous game. This pattern reveals a profound and alarming lack of spiritual discernment and an increasing degree of complacency, building dramatic tension and foreshadowing the inevitable revelation of his secret and his subsequent capture.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Judges chronicles a tumultuous period in Israel's history characterized by a cyclical pattern of disobedience to God, subsequent oppression by foreign powers (such as the Philistines), cries for divine deliverance, and the raising of charismatic leaders known as judges. Samson, uniquely set apart as a Nazarite from birth ([Judges 13:5](/judges/13-5 "Judges 13:5 - Samson's Nazarite Consecration")), was divinely appointed to initiate Israel's deliverance from Philistine domination. His extraordinary, supernatural strength was directly linked to his Nazarite vow, particularly the commandment against cutting his hair. The cultural practice of weaving on a loom, involving a "beam" (the main support), a "web" (the warp threads), and a "pin" (to secure the fabric), was a common and intimate domestic skill in ancient Near Eastern households. Delilah's action of weaving Samson's hair into the loom's fabric demonstrates a sophisticated and deeply personal attempt to bind him, leveraging a familiar domestic art for a treacherous, insidious purpose. This highlights the danger of trusting an enemy, especially when they operate within seemingly benign or intimate settings.
* **Key Themes:** This verse profoundly contributes to several overarching themes present in the Book of Judges and specifically within Samson's narrative. It underscores the theme of **persistent deception**, as Delilah's unwavering commitment to her mercenary mission highlights the relentless and insidious nature of temptation and the enemy's schemes. Samson's continued engagement with her, despite overwhelming evidence of her betrayal, tragically emphasizes his **spiritual blindness** and profound lack of discernment—a fatal flaw that directly precedes and foreshadows his eventual physical blinding ([Judges 16:21](/judges/16-21 "Judges 16:21 - Samson's Capture and Blinding")). The narrative also meticulously explores the **peril of compromise**, as Samson's repeated dalliance with Delilah, a woman from the very people God called him to deliver, starkly demonstrates the severe and destructive consequences of violating one's divine calling and core principles. Ultimately, Judges 16:14 starkly contrasts Samson's still-present, immense **physical strength** with his profound **moral and spiritual weakness**, compelling the reader to question the true nature of power, integrity, and faithfulness.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Fastened (Hebrew, _tâqaʻ'_):** This verb (H8628) signifies "to drive in, thrust, clap, pitch." In this context, it implies a deliberate, forceful, and secure action of embedding or securing something firmly. Delilah's act was not a mere tying but an intricate embedding, suggesting a more robust, integrated, and seemingly inescapable bond. This choice of word highlights her cunning, determination, and the escalating nature of her attempts to truly incapacitate Samson.
* **Pin (Hebrew, _yâthêd'_):** Referring to H3489, this term denotes a peg, nail, or stake, specifically used here for a peg in a loom to secure the warp or woven fabric. Its presence signifies a deliberate and significant effort to bind Samson within the very structure of the loom. The "pin" represents a point of anchor, a seemingly small but crucial element intended to make the entanglement permanent and effective.
* **Web (Hebrew, _maççeketh'_):** This term (H4545) refers to "something expanded, i.e. the warp in a loom (as stretched out to receive the woof)." It signifies the woven fabric or, more precisely, the warp threads (the lengthwise threads on the loom) into which the weft (the crosswise threads) is woven. Samson's hair was literally woven into this "web," making his escape an act of tearing apart the very fabric of the loom itself, a powerful visual of his physical might against Delilah's intricate trap.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And she fastened [it] with the pin":** This clause describes Delilah's calculated and more elaborate attempt to ensnare Samson. By weaving his hair into the "web" of the loom and then securing it with a "pin," she crafts a seemingly more robust and integrated bond than her previous attempts. This action demonstrates her increasing desperation, ingenuity, and malicious intent in fulfilling her mission for the Philistines, aiming to make his escape impossible.
* **"and said unto him, The Philistines [be] upon thee, Samson.":** This repeated cry serves as Delilah's consistent psychological manipulation and a direct, immediate test of Samson's strength. It functions as an urgent warning of danger, compelling Samson to react. Her consistent betrayal, despite his repeated escapes, underscores his profound lack of discernment and his dangerous complacency in the face of clear and present threats, revealing his continued willingness to play with fire.
* **"And he awaked out of his sleep, and went away with the pin of the beam, and with the web.":** Samson's awakening from sleep, while a physical response, symbolically points to his continued state of spiritual slumber and moral blindness, even as he physically responds to the alarm. His extraordinary ability to "go away with the pin of the beam, and with the web" indicates an undiminished display of physical power. He did not merely break free; he tore away the entire loom structure—the pin, the beam, and the woven fabric—to which he was attached, demonstrating that his physical strength remained fully intact, despite his deep moral and spiritual decay.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several significant **literary devices** that deepen its meaning and impact. **Repetition** is powerfully evident in Delilah's consistent cry, "The Philistines [be] upon thee, Samson," and in Samson's repeated foolishness despite clear betrayals. This highlights a tragic cyclical pattern of temptation, compromise, and a failure to learn. **Foreshadowing** is subtly yet powerfully used: Samson's spiritual blindness and his entanglement in the "web" of deceit subtly hint at his eventual physical blinding and capture by the Philistines ([Judges 16:21](/judges/16-21 "Judges 16:21 - Samson's Capture and Blinding")). There is also a strong element of **irony**; Samson, the divinely empowered deliverer of Israel, is repeatedly outwitted and manipulated by a foreign woman, exposing the stark contrast between his immense physical might and his profound moral and spiritual weakness. Finally, **symbolism** is richly present in the "web" and "pin," which represent the intricate, binding, and entangling nature of sin and temptation, slowly but surely binding Samson until he is fully ensnared. His "sleep" can be interpreted as a powerful symbol of his spiritual complacency, lack of vigilance, and moral apathy.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 16:14 serves as a profound theological cautionary tale, illustrating the insidious nature of persistent temptation and the devastating consequences of spiritual complacency. Samson's repeated engagement with Delilah, despite her overt and undeniable betrayals, underscores the deceitfulness of sin, which can blind even those greatly gifted by God to obvious dangers. His story warns that extraordinary physical strength or profound spiritual gifting does not negate the essential need for moral integrity, spiritual discernment, and unwavering vigilance. True strength is not merely physical prowess but spiritual vigilance, a discerning heart, and an unwavering commitment to God's covenant. Without these, even a divinely empowered individual can fall prey to compromise and ultimately face destruction. It powerfully highlights the timeless biblical principle that playing with sin inevitably leads to being ensnared and overcome by it.

* [Proverbs 7:26-27](/proverbs/7-26-27 "The Destructive Path of the Adulteress")
* [1 Corinthians 10:12](/1_corinthians/10-12 "Warning Against Overconfidence")
* [James 1:14-15](/james/1-14-15 "The Progression of Temptation to Sin")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Samson's tragic narrative, particularly as illuminated in Judges 16:14, offers timeless and potent lessons for believers today. His repeated failures to learn from Delilah's clear betrayals serve as a stark warning against spiritual complacency and the insidious dangers of playing with sin. We are called to cultivate keen spiritual discernment, recognizing that temptation often rears its head in familiar patterns and through seemingly harmless or even intimate avenues. Just as Samson's physical strength remained while his spiritual guard was down, we can possess significant gifts, talents, or positions yet be profoundly vulnerable to moral compromise if our hearts are not vigilant and our discernment dulled. This verse challenges us to honestly assess areas of our lives where we might be repeatedly engaging with temptations or destructive patterns that have previously caused us spiritual harm. It urges us to establish firm boundaries, seek wise counsel, and embrace accountability to protect our divine calling and our precious relationship with God. The cost of compromise, as Samson's story tragically demonstrates, can be severe, leading to a loss of spiritual vision, purpose, and ultimate freedom.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Where in my life am I repeatedly engaging with temptations or patterns that have previously caused me spiritual harm?**
* **How can I cultivate greater spiritual discernment to recognize the subtle deceptions of the enemy in my daily interactions and relationships?**
* **What specific boundaries do I need to establish or reinforce to protect my calling and my relationship with God from compromise and spiritual complacency?**

### FAQ
**Why did Samson keep telling Delilah the "secret" even though she kept betraying him?**

Answer: Samson's continued engagement with Delilah, despite her clear and repeated betrayals, is a profound illustration of spiritual blindness, the deceitfulness of the human heart, and the insidious nature of sin, as described in [Jeremiah 17:9](/jeremiah/17-9 "Jeremiah 17:9 - The Deceitfulness of the Heart"). Several factors likely contributed to his foolishness. Firstly, he was almost certainly consumed by infatuation or lust, which severely clouded his judgment and made him highly vulnerable to manipulation. Secondly, Samson exhibited extreme overconfidence in his extraordinary strength, perhaps believing he could always escape, no matter how close he came to revealing his true secret. This hubris prevented him from taking the threats seriously, a common pitfall for those who feel invincible or self-sufficient ([Proverbs 14:16](/proverbs/14-16 "Proverbs 14:16 - The Prudent and the Foolish")). Thirdly, his repeated "games" with Delilah suggest a dangerous pattern of testing boundaries and flirting with sin, rather than fleeing from it as a wise person would ([Proverbs 4:14-15](/proverbs/4-14-15 "Proverbs 4:14-15 - Avoid the Path of the Wicked")). His moral decay had progressed to a point where he was no longer discerning or valuing his divine calling above his personal desires, leading to a tragic lack of self-awareness and spiritual vigilance.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Samson's story, particularly his persistent spiritual blindness, moral compromise, and ultimate downfall, powerfully foreshadows the desperate need for a true Deliverer, one who would not succumb to temptation or compromise. Unlike Samson, whose strength was external, tied to a vow, and whose tragic weakness lay in his moral character and lack of discernment, Jesus Christ is the perfectly obedient Son of God, whose strength is inherent, divine, and whose integrity is absolutely unblemished. Where Samson repeatedly played with sin and ultimately lost his vision, freedom, and purpose, Jesus faced the full force of temptation—in the wilderness ([Matthew 4:1-11](/matthew/4-1-11 "Matthew 4:1-11 - Jesus' Temptation in the Wilderness")), in the Garden of Gethsemane ([Matthew 26:36-46](/matthew/26-36-46 "Matthew 26:36-46 - Jesus' Agony in Gethsemane")), and on the cross—yet remained without sin ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, Our Sympathetic High Priest")). Samson's strength was physical, primarily used for personal vengeance and limited, temporary deliverance; Christ's strength is spiritual, redemptive, and eternally transformative, freely given to conquer sin and death for all humanity. He is the true [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God") who willingly laid down His life ([John 10:18](/john/10-18 "John 10:18 - Jesus' Authority to Lay Down His Life")), not as a consequence of compromise or weakness, but as a perfect, substitutionary sacrifice, securing eternal freedom and spiritual sight for all who believe in Him.

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

Ezra 9:13

And after all that is come upon us for our evil deeds, and for our great trespass, seeing that thou our God hast punished us less than our iniquities [deserve], and hast given us [such] deliverance as this;

Ezra 9:14

Should we again break thy commandments, and join in affinity with the people of these abominations? wouldest not thou be angry with us till thou hadst consumed [us], so that [there should be] no remnant nor escaping?

Psalms 106:43

Many times did he deliver them; but they provoked [him] with their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity.