Judges 16:17

KJV

That he told her all his heart, and said unto her, There hath not come a razor upon mine head; for I [have been] a Nazarite unto God from my mother's womb: if I be shaven, then my strength will go from me, and I shall become weak, and be like any [other] man.

KJV (with Strong's)

That he told {H5046} her all his heart {H3820}, and said {H559} unto her, There hath not come {H5927} a razor {H4177} upon mine head {H7218}; for I have been a Nazarite {H5139} unto God {H430} from my mother's {H517} womb {H990}: if I be shaven {H1548}, then my strength {H3581} will go {H5493} from me, and I shall become weak {H2470}, and be like any other man {H120}.

Complete Jewish Bible

so that he finally told her everything. He said to her, "No razor has ever touched my head, because I have been a nazir of God since I was born. If someone shaves me, then my strength will leave me; and I will be like any other man."

Berean Standard Bible

Samson told her all that was in his heart: “My hair has never been cut, because I have been a Nazirite to God from my mother’s womb. If I am shaved, my strength will leave me, and I will become as weak as any other man.”

American Standard Version

And he told her all his heart, and said unto her, There hath not come a razor upon my head; for I have been a Nazirite unto God from my mother’s womb: if I be shaven, then my strength will go from me, and I shall become weak, and be like any other man.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 16:17 marks the tragic culmination of Delilah's relentless manipulation, as Samson, worn down by her persistent demands, finally divulges the true source of his supernatural strength: his lifelong Nazarite vow, symbolized by his uncut hair. This pivotal confession reveals his profound vulnerability and misplaced trust, directly leading to the loss of his divine empowerment, his capture by the Philistines, and a stark illustration of the devastating consequences of spiritual compromise and disobedience.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the dramatic climax of the narrative arc concerning Samson and Delilah, spanning [Judges 16](/judges/16 "Judges 16 - Samson and Delilah"). Following three prior attempts where Samson offered deceptive answers to Delilah's inquiries about his strength ([Judges 16:6-15](/judges/16-6 "Judges 16:6-15 - Delilah's Relentless Interrogation")), Delilah's emotional and psychological warfare escalates. She "pressed him daily with her words, and urged him, so that his soul was vexed unto death" ([Judges 16:16](/judges/16-16 "Judges 16:16 - Delilah's Relentless Pressure")). This verse signifies Samson's breaking point, where his personal weakness for Delilah overrides his divine calling and the sacredness of his vow. It sets the stage for his immediate downfall, capture, and subsequent humiliation, serving as a tragic turning point in his life story within the broader narrative of the judges.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Samson's strength was not inherent in his hair but was a direct manifestation of God's Spirit empowering him through his adherence to a Nazarite vow. This vow, detailed in [Numbers 6](/numbers/6 "Numbers 6 - The Law of the Nazarite"), was a special act of consecration to the Lord, requiring abstinence from wine and strong drink, avoiding contact with dead bodies, and, most notably for Samson, refraining from cutting one's hair. The uncut hair was a visible sign of this dedication and separation unto God. For Samson, this was a lifelong vow, declared even before his birth by an angel ([Judges 13:5](/judges/13-5 "Judges 13:5 - Samson's Nazarite Calling Foretold")). In ancient Israelite culture, hair could symbolize strength, vitality, and even honor, making the cutting of it a profound act of humiliation or a sign of mourning. For a Nazarite, it was a direct violation of their sacred covenant with God. The Philistines, as the oppressive foreign power, sought to understand and neutralize Samson, their greatest threat, making his secret of immense strategic value.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several key themes prevalent in the book of [Judges](/judges "The Book of Judges - Cycles of Disobedience and Deliverance"). The most prominent is the **sacredness and consequences of the Nazarite vow**, illustrating that divine empowerment is contingent upon faithfulness to God's specific commands and covenants. Samson's strength was not his own, but God's power working through his consecrated status. Secondly, the theme of **misplaced trust and betrayal** is starkly evident, as Samson confides his deepest secret to an enemy who has repeatedly demonstrated her treacherous intentions. This highlights the dangers of compromising with temptation and the destructive nature of unholy alliances. Finally, the verse underscores the **nature of true strength**, revealing that it is not merely physical prowess but is deeply rooted in one's spiritual connection and obedience to God. Samson's physical weakness after his hair is cut is a direct spiritual consequence, demonstrating that when the spiritual connection is severed through disobedience, even the mightiest can become "weak, and be like any other man."

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Heart (Hebrew, _lêb'_):** This term (H3820) refers to the innermost being, encompassing emotions, will, and intellect. Samson's act of telling "all his heart" signifies a complete disclosure of his deepest thoughts, feelings, and vulnerability, representing a profound, albeit misplaced, emotional and intellectual surrender to Delilah.
* **Nazarite (Hebrew, _nâzîyr'_):** This term (H5139) denotes someone "separated" or "consecrated" to God through a special vow, as detailed in [Numbers 6](/numbers/6 "Numbers 6 - The Law of the Nazarite"). Samson's lifelong Nazarite status, ordained from his birth, marked him as uniquely set apart for divine service, making his violation of the vow a direct affront to his sacred calling and God's specific commands.
* **Strength (Hebrew, _kôach'_):** This word (H3581) signifies vigor, might, and power. In Samson's case, it refers to the extraordinary, supernatural physical ability bestowed upon him by God's Spirit. His statement that his "strength will go from me" highlights that this power was not inherent but a divine gift contingent upon his consecrated state as a Nazarite, directly tied to his obedience to the vow.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"That he told her all his heart,"**: This phrase emphasizes the complete and unreserved nature of Samson's confession. After repeated deceptions, he finally reveals his deepest secret, indicating his emotional exhaustion and perhaps a dangerous level of trust or infatuation with Delilah, despite her obvious manipulative intent. This disclosure signifies a profound personal and spiritual surrender.
* **"and said unto her, There hath not come a razor upon mine head; for I have been a Nazarite unto God from my mother's womb:"**: Samson explicitly states the first and most visible condition of his Nazarite vow—the uncut hair. He clarifies that this was not a temporary vow but a lifelong consecration, established by God even before his birth, underscoring the profound spiritual significance and divine origin of his calling and the sacred nature of the covenant he was about to violate.
* **"if I be shaven, then my strength will go from me, and I shall become weak, and be like any other man."**: This is the critical revelation. Samson directly links the cutting of his hair to the loss of his supernatural strength, acknowledging that his power is not intrinsic but tied to his consecrated status. The phrase "like any other man" highlights the dramatic shift from his unique, divinely empowered state to one of ordinary human vulnerability, a consequence of breaking his sacred vow and severing his connection to divine power.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent literary devices. **Foreshadowing** is evident throughout the preceding verses, as Delilah's persistent questioning and Samson's weakening resolve clearly point towards this inevitable disclosure. The verse itself contains a form of **prophecy** or **prediction**, as Samson accurately foretells the consequence of his hair being shaven. There is significant **irony** in Samson, the physically strongest man, being emotionally and spiritually weak enough to succumb to Delilah's nagging. His "strength" (physical) is tied to a "vow" (spiritual), and the breaking of the spiritual vow leads to the loss of physical power, creating a powerful **cause-and-effect** relationship. The phrase "like any other man" serves as a **simile**, vividly illustrating the profound loss of his unique, divine empowerment and his reduction to a common state of vulnerability.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 16:17 profoundly illustrates the principle that divine empowerment is not an inherent quality but a gift contingent upon faithfulness and obedience to God's specific calling and covenant. Samson's strength was a manifestation of the Spirit of the Lord working through his Nazarite consecration, not a magical property of his hair itself. His revelation and subsequent breach of the vow highlight the dangers of spiritual compromise, misplaced trust, and the deceptive nature of sin, which often begins with small concessions that lead to catastrophic consequences. The narrative serves as a cautionary tale, emphasizing that true spiritual strength is maintained through a steadfast relationship with God and adherence to His commands, rather than relying on past anointing or personal ability.

* [Numbers 6:1-21](/numbers/6-1-21 "The Law of the Nazarite Vow")
* [Proverbs 4:23](/proverbs/4-23 "Guard Your Heart")
* [1 Samuel 2:30](/1_samuel/2-30 "Those Who Honor Me I Will Honor")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Samson's tragic confession in Judges 16:17 offers profound lessons for believers today, serving as a stark reminder of the fragility of spiritual strength when confronted with persistent temptation and misplaced affections. It challenges us to examine the "vows" or commitments we have made to God – whether explicit or implicit – and to recognize that our spiritual effectiveness and divine empowerment are intricately linked to our faithfulness in upholding those commitments. Samson's downfall was not instantaneous but a gradual erosion of his resolve, culminating in this moment of profound compromise. This urges us to be vigilant against the subtle pressures and manipulative influences that seek to draw us away from our consecrated walk with God. We are called to cultivate discernment in our relationships, ensuring that our closest confidants are those who build us up in faith, not those who would exploit our vulnerabilities or tempt us to stray. Ultimately, our true strength lies not in our own abilities or past achievements, but in our ongoing, obedient reliance on God and the indwelling power of His Spirit.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "vows" or commitments have I made to God, and how faithfully am I upholding them in my daily life?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be experiencing "persistent nagging" or subtle pressures that threaten to erode my spiritual resolve?**
* **Am I discerning enough in my relationships, ensuring that I only confide my deepest vulnerabilities to trustworthy individuals who will encourage my walk with Christ?**
* **What does "becoming like any other man" mean for me spiritually, and how can I guard against losing the unique anointing or calling God has placed on my life?**

### FAQ

**Was Samson's strength literally in his hair, or was it symbolic?**

Answer: Samson's strength was not literally in his hair itself, but the uncut hair was the visible sign and condition of his lifelong Nazarite vow. His strength was a supernatural endowment from God, a manifestation of the Spirit of the Lord empowering him as long as he remained consecrated according to the terms of his vow. The hair was a symbol of his separation and obedience to God. When he allowed his hair to be cut, he was not merely losing hair; he was deliberately breaking his sacred covenant with God, which then caused the Spirit of the Lord to depart from him, resulting in the loss of his strength. The text clearly states, "the Lord had departed from him" ([Judges 16:20](/judges/16-20 "Judges 16:20 - The Lord Departs from Samson")), indicating the spiritual nature of his loss.

**What is the significance of Samson being a Nazarite "from his mother's womb"?**

Answer: The phrase "from my mother's womb" emphasizes that Samson's Nazarite vow was not a personal choice he made later in life but a divine decree established by God even before his birth. An angel of the Lord announced to his barren mother that she would conceive and that the child "shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb" ([Judges 13:5](/judges/13-5 "Judges 13:5 - Samson's Miraculous Birth and Calling")). This highlights the unique and lifelong nature of his consecration, making his eventual breach of the vow all the more tragic and indicative of a profound rejection of his divine purpose and calling.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Samson's story, culminating in Judges 16:17, serves as a poignant backdrop against which the perfect obedience and ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ shine even brighter. Samson, consecrated from birth, ultimately failed to uphold his vow, leading to the loss of his strength and his humiliation, becoming "like any other man." In stark contrast, Jesus, the true Nazarite (though not under the Mosaic vow, but truly "separated" and "consecrated" to God's will), perfectly fulfilled every righteous requirement. His strength was not contingent on external symbols but was inherent in His divine nature and His unwavering obedience to the Father, even unto death on the cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience Unto Death")). While Samson's strength departed, leading to his capture and blindness, Christ willingly laid down His life, demonstrating ultimate power over sin and death ([John 10:18](/john/10-18 "John 10:18 - Jesus Lays Down His Life")). Samson's weakness led to his enslavement, but Christ's redemptive work frees us from the bondage of sin, making us strong in Him ([2 Corinthians 12:9-10](/2_corinthians/12-9-10 "2 Corinthians 12:9-10 - God's Grace is Sufficient")). Ultimately, Samson's failure underscores humanity's need for a perfect deliverer, one who would not succumb to temptation but would perfectly fulfill God's will, offering true and lasting strength to all who believe in Him ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, Our Sympathetic High Priest")).

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

Micah 7:5

Trust ye not in a friend, put ye not confidence in a guide: keep the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom.

Proverbs 12:23

¶ A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.

Judges 13:5

For, lo, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and no razor shall come on his head: for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb: and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.

Numbers 6:5

All the days of the vow of his separation there shall no razor come upon his head: until the days be fulfilled, in the which he separateth [himself] unto the LORD, he shall be holy, [and] shall let the locks of the hair of his head grow.

Numbers 6:2

Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When either man or woman shall separate [themselves] to vow a vow of a Nazarite, to separate [themselves] unto the LORD:

Acts 18:18

¶ And Paul [after this] tarried [there] yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn [his] head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow.

Proverbs 29:12

¶ If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants [are] wicked.