Judges 16:19

KJV

And she made him sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head; and she began to afflict him, and his strength went from him.

KJV (with Strong's)

And she made him sleep {H3462} upon her knees {H1290}; and she called {H7121} for a man {H376}, and she caused him to shave off {H1548} the seven {H7651} locks {H4253} of his head {H7218}; and she began {H2490} to afflict {H6031} him, and his strength {H3581} went {H5493} from him.

Complete Jewish Bible

She had him go to sleep in her lap and called for a man to shave off his seven locks of hair. Then she began tormenting him, but his strength had gone away.

Berean Standard Bible

And having lulled him to sleep on her lap, she called a man to shave off the seven braids of his head. In this way she began to subdue him, and his strength left him.

American Standard Version

And she made him sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and shaved off the seven locks of his head; and she began to afflict him, and his strength went from him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 16:19 marks the devastating culmination of Delilah's relentless treachery against Samson, depicting the precise moment his extraordinary, divinely-granted strength departed from him. This verse portrays the ultimate act of deception that led to the downfall of Israel's most powerful judge, highlighting the immediate and tragic consequences of his spiritual compromise and the violation of his Nazarite vow.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 16:19 is the climax of the Samson narrative, situated within the broader Book of Judges which chronicles Israel's cyclical pattern of apostasy, oppression, repentance, and deliverance through divinely appointed judges. Samson, the last of the major judges, is introduced with a miraculous birth announcement and a lifelong Nazarite vow, emphasizing his unique calling as Israel's deliverer from Philistine oppression. This verse follows Delilah's three previous failed attempts to extract the secret of Samson's strength, each met with a false answer, culminating in Samson's fatal confession in [Judges 16:17](/judges/16-17 "Samson's Confession to Delilah"). The immediate consequence of this betrayal is detailed in [Judges 16:20-21](/judges/16-20 "Samson's Capture and Imprisonment"), where Samson is captured, blinded, and enslaved.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of the Judges (roughly 1400-1050 BC) was characterized by political fragmentation and spiritual decline in Israel, with recurring conflicts against surrounding peoples, particularly the Philistines. The Philistines, a technologically advanced "Sea Peoples" group, posed a significant military threat, possessing iron weaponry and well-organized cities. Samson's Nazarite vow, detailed in [Numbers 6](/numbers/6 "The Law of the Nazarite"), was a special commitment to God involving abstinence from wine, not cutting hair, and avoiding contact with dead bodies. For Samson, his uncut hair was not the source of his strength itself, but the visible sign and condition of his consecrated relationship with God, through which divine power flowed. Delilah, likely a Philistine or a woman loyal to their interests, exploited the cultural vulnerabilities of the time, using seduction and deceit as a weapon against Israel's champion.

* **Key Themes:** Judges 16:19 powerfully contributes to several key themes prevalent in the book. It underscores the **consequences of spiritual compromise**, as Samson's repeated yielding to temptation leads directly to his downfall, illustrating how persistent sin can erode divine protection. The verse also highlights the **divine source of true strength**, revealing that Samson's power was not inherent but a gift contingent on his faithfulness to God's covenant, emphasizing that human ability is nothing without divine empowerment. Furthermore, it exemplifies the destructive nature of **betrayal and deception**, as Delilah's calculated actions, driven by greed, bring about the tragic end of a divinely appointed leader, serving as a stark warning against misplaced trust and the allure of worldly gain.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sleep (Hebrew, _radam'_):** The verb רָדַם (_radam_) typically denotes a deep, heavy sleep, often one from which a person is difficult to awaken, or even a divinely induced stupor (e.g., [Genesis 2:21](/genesis/2-21 "God Causes a Deep Sleep")). Here, it emphasizes Samson's complete vulnerability and unconsciousness, making him utterly defenseless against Delilah's treachery. It suggests a profound spiritual slumber, a blindness to the imminent danger that mirrored his eventual physical blindness.
* **Afflict (Hebrew, _chalal'_):** The Hebrew verb חָלַל (_chalal_) carries a range of meanings including to profane, defile, wound, or begin. In this context, "she began to afflict him" implies an immediate onset of weakness, vulnerability, and perhaps even physical pain or discomfort as soon as his hair was cut. It suggests that the loss of his strength was not a gradual process but an instantaneous spiritual and physical undoing, a profaning of his consecrated status, which made him susceptible to the Philistines' subsequent actions.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And she made him sleep upon her knees;":** This phrase emphasizes Delilah's complete control and Samson's utter submission and vulnerability. His head, the very place where the symbol of his Nazarite vow resided, rested intimately and trustingly on the lap of his betrayer, signifying his profound spiritual and physical compromise. The imagery evokes a sense of deceptive peace before the storm.
* **"and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head;":** Delilah's active role in orchestrating the betrayal is underscored. She doesn't cut the hair herself, but directs "a man" (perhaps a servant or a Philistine agent) to perform the act, maintaining a degree of detachment while ensuring the deed is done. The "seven locks" are significant, likely symbolizing completeness or perfection, reinforcing the totality of the violation of his vow and the sacred nature of what was lost.
* **"and she began to afflict him, and his strength went from him.":** This is the pivotal moment. The phrase "she began to afflict him" suggests an immediate, palpable weakening or perhaps even a physical struggle as the divine power receded. The final clause, "and his strength went from him," is a stark, direct statement of the consequence. It highlights that his strength was not inherent but a gift that could be withdrawn, directly linked to his faithfulness to the Nazarite vow and, by extension, to God. The departure of strength was a direct result of the broken covenant.

#### Literary Devices
Judges 16:19 is rich in **Irony**. Samson, the strongest man in Israel, divinely empowered to deliver his people, is rendered utterly helpless by a woman's deceit, not through brute force but through cunning and seduction. His strength, meant to overcome the Philistines, is undone by a Philistine-aligned woman. The **Symbolism** of Samson's hair is paramount; it is not the source of his strength but the outward sign of his consecrated relationship with God. Its removal symbolizes the breaking of his Nazarite vow and the severing of his spiritual connection, leading to the departure of divine power. The narrative also employs **Pathos**, evoking a sense of pity and sorrow for Samson's tragic fall, a hero brought low by his own moral failings and a woman's calculated betrayal.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 16:19 serves as a profound theological statement on the nature of divine empowerment, the sanctity of vows, and the devastating consequences of spiritual compromise. Samson's strength was a manifestation of God's Spirit working through him, not an inherent physical attribute. His violation of the Nazarite vow, symbolized by the cutting of his hair, was an act of profound disobedience and a disregard for his consecrated status. This act severed the conduit of divine power, demonstrating that God's gifts are often conditional upon faithfulness and obedience. The verse warns against the dangers of persistent temptation, the seductive power of sin, and the critical importance of guarding one's heart and commitments to God, as even great spiritual gifts can be lost through unfaithfulness.

* [Proverbs 4:23](/proverbs/4-23 "Guard Your Heart Above All Else")
* [1 Samuel 16:7](/1_samuel/16-7 "The Lord Looks at the Heart")
* [Hosea 4:6](/hosea/4-6 "My People Are Destroyed for Lack of Knowledge")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Judges 16:19 offers timeless lessons for believers today, serving as a stark reminder of the cost of compromise and the importance of spiritual vigilance. Samson's repeated yielding to Delilah's manipulative pressure, despite clear warnings, illustrates how persistent temptation can erode our spiritual defenses and lead to significant falls. Just as Samson's strength was tied to his vow, our spiritual vitality and effectiveness in God's service are often linked to our faithfulness to His Word, our personal commitments to Him, and our willingness to obey. This verse challenges us to discern carefully the relationships we cultivate, ensuring they build us up in faith rather than drawing us away from God's path. It underscores that our true strength, wisdom, and protection come solely from the Lord, and when we stray from Him, we risk losing access to that divine empowerment, much like Samson, who was unaware that the Lord had departed from him ([Judges 16:20](/judges/16-20 "Samson Unaware the Lord Had Departed")). Therefore, we are called to guard our hearts, uphold our vows, and remain in constant reliance on God's sustaining grace.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "vows" or commitments to God might I be neglecting or compromising in my life, and what are the potential spiritual consequences?**
* **How can I better discern relationships that might be spiritually detrimental, and what steps should I take to protect myself?**
* **In what areas of my life am I relying on my own strength or abilities rather than on God's empowering presence?**
* **How does this passage encourage me to be more vigilant against persistent temptations and subtle forms of spiritual erosion?**

### FAQ
**Why was Samson's strength tied to his hair, and what does it symbolize?**

Answer: Samson's strength was not inherently in his hair itself, but rather the hair was the visible sign and condition of his Nazarite vow, a special covenant of dedication to God outlined in [Numbers 6](/numbers/6 "The Law of the Nazarite"). One of the prohibitions of this vow was that a razor should never touch the Nazarite's head ([Numbers 6:5](/numbers/6-5 "Nazarite Vow Regarding Hair")). Therefore, the uncut hair symbolized his consecrated status and his complete dependence on God for his extraordinary power. When his hair was cut, it represented the breaking of his vow and a profound act of disobedience, which severed the conduit through which God's Spirit empowered him. It symbolizes that God's power flows through obedience and faithfulness, and when that covenant relationship is broken, the divine empowerment can be withdrawn.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Samson's tragic story, culminating in Judges 16:19, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment not in his strength, but in his weakness, betrayal, and ultimate death that brought deliverance. Samson, though divinely empowered, was ultimately a flawed deliverer, brought low by his own sin and the betrayal of one he loved. His strength was external and conditional, a gift that could be lost. In contrast, Jesus Christ is the ultimate and perfect deliverer, whose strength is inherent divinity, not contingent on any external sign or vow. He was also betrayed, not by a lover for money, but by a disciple for a paltry sum ([Matthew 26:14-16](/matthew/26-14 "Judas's Betrayal")). While Samson's strength departed, Christ willingly "emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant" ([Philippians 2:7](/philippians/2-7 "Christ's Humiliation")), allowing Himself to be "afflicted" and weakened unto death on the cross ([Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Christ's Suffering for Our Sins")). Yet, it was through this ultimate act of self-sacrificial weakness and obedience that He achieved the greatest victory, conquering sin and death, and providing eternal deliverance for all who believe ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14 "Christ's Victory Over Death")). Samson's physical strength was lost, but Christ's spiritual power was revealed in His resurrection, demonstrating that true power is found in obedient love and self-giving sacrifice, not in outward might ([1 Corinthians 1:25](/1_corinthians/1-25 "God's Wisdom 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

Proverbs 7:21

With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him.

Proverbs 7:23

Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it [is] for his life.

Proverbs 7:26

For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong [men] have been slain by her.

Proverbs 7:27

Her house [is] the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death.

Proverbs 23:33

Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things.

Proverbs 23:34

Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast.

Ecclesiastes 7:26

And I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart [is] snares and nets, [and] her hands [as] bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her.