Judges 16:5

And the lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and said unto her, Entice him, and see wherein his great strength [lieth], and by what [means] we may prevail against him, that we may bind him to afflict him: and we will give thee every one of us eleven hundred [pieces] of silver.

And the lords {H5633} of the Philistines {H6430} came up {H5927} unto her, and said {H559} unto her, Entice {H6601} him, and see {H7200} wherein his great {H1419} strength {H3581} lieth, and by what means we may prevail {H3201} against him, that we may bind {H631} him to afflict {H6031} him: and we will give {H5414} thee every one {H376} of us eleven hundred {H505}{H3967} pieces of silver {H3701}.

The chiefs of the P'lishtim went up to her and said, "Coax him into telling you where his great strength comes from and how we can overcome him, so that we can tie him up and subdue him. If you do, each of us will give you 1,100 pieces of silver."

The lords of the Philistines went to her and said, “Entice him and find out the source of his great strength and how we can overpower him to tie him up and subdue him. Then each one of us will give you eleven hundred shekels of silver.”

And the lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and said unto her, Entice him, and see wherein his great strength lieth, and by what means we may prevail against him, that we may bind him to afflict him: and we will give thee every one of us eleven hundred pieces of silver.

Commentary

Context of Judges 16:5

This verse plunges us deeper into the tragic narrative of Samson, one of Israel's judges, whose life was marked by incredible strength and significant moral failings. Following his previous exploits against the Philistines, including the incident with the harlot in Gaza and carrying off the city gates (Judges 16:3), Samson has now fallen in love with Delilah, a woman from the valley of Sorek. The Philistines, long-time oppressors of Israel (Judges 13:1), recognize Delilah as a strategic opportunity to finally subdue their formidable enemy, Samson, whose incredible strength was a divine gift tied to his Nazarite vow from birth (Judges 13:5).

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Power of Temptation and Deception: The Philistine lords directly approach Delilah with a clear, manipulative agenda: to "entice him" and uncover the secret of his strength. This highlights how adversaries often use allurements and cunning to bring down those who are strong or influential.
  • The Lure of Riches: The immense bribe offered to Delilah—"eleven hundred pieces of silver" from each of the five Philistine lords, totaling 5,500 pieces—reveals the high value they placed on Samson's capture. This staggering sum underscores the corrupting power of money and its ability to tempt individuals into acts of profound betrayal, echoing later biblical accounts of betrayal for monetary gain.
  • Vulnerability of the Strong: Despite Samson's unparalleled physical power, his moral and spiritual weaknesses, particularly his susceptibility to foreign women and sensuality, made him highly vulnerable to the Philistine scheme. This serves as a cautionary tale that even great strength or gifting does not exempt one from temptation or its consequences.
  • Strategic Malice: The Philistines' objective was not merely to defeat Samson, but to "bind him to afflict him," indicating a desire for prolonged suffering and public humiliation. Their plan was calculated and cruel.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "entice" is pathah (פָּתָה), which carries the connotation of opening up, persuading, or seducing, often with an element of deception. It implies a cunning psychological manipulation rather than overt force. The phrase "pieces of silver" (כֶּסֶף, kesef) refers to a common form of currency in that era, typically unminted silver weighed out. The specific amount, 1100 from each lord, was an extraordinary sum, illustrating the Philistines' desperation and the immense price on Samson's head.

Practical Application

Judges 16:5 offers timeless lessons for believers today:

  1. Guard Against Compromise: Samson's repeated compromises with his spiritual calling and his entanglement with foreign women ultimately opened the door for his downfall. We must be vigilant against spiritual complacency and avoid compromising our values or faith.
  2. Recognize the Enemy's Tactics: Like the Philistines, spiritual adversaries often employ deception, temptation, and the lure of worldly gain to discover and exploit our weaknesses. Understanding these tactics helps us to be more discerning.
  3. Beware of Betrayal: This verse highlights how even those close to us can be used as instruments of betrayal when money or personal gain is involved. It emphasizes the importance of wisdom in whom we trust and share our vulnerabilities.
  4. The High Cost of Sin: The Philistines' desire to "afflict" Samson after binding him foreshadows the painful consequences of his choices. Sin, though initially alluring, ultimately leads to bondage and suffering.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Judges 14:15 (5 votes)

    And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they said unto Samson's wife, Entice thy husband, that he may declare unto us the riddle, lest we burn thee and thy father's house with fire: have ye called us to take that we have? [is it] not [so]?

  • Joshua 13:3 (5 votes)

    From Sihor, which [is] before Egypt, even unto the borders of Ekron northward, [which] is counted to the Canaanite: five lords of the Philistines; the Gazathites, and the Ashdothites, the Eshkalonites, the Gittites, and the Ekronites; also the Avites:

  • 1 Timothy 6:9 (3 votes)

    But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and [into] many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

  • 1 Timothy 6:10 (3 votes)

    For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

  • Proverbs 2:16 (2 votes)

    To deliver thee from the strange woman, [even] from the stranger [which] flattereth with her words;

  • Proverbs 2:19 (2 votes)

    None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life.

  • Matthew 26:15 (2 votes)

    And said [unto them], What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.