Judges 16:6

And Delilah said to Samson, Tell me, I pray thee, wherein thy great strength [lieth], and wherewith thou mightest be bound to afflict thee.

And Delilah {H1807} said {H559} to Samson {H8123}, Tell {H5046} me, I pray thee, wherein thy great {H1419} strength {H3581} lieth, and wherewith thou mightest be bound {H631} to afflict {H6031} thee.

D'lilah said to Shimshon, "Please tell me what it is that makes you so strong, and how someone could tie you up and subdue you."

So Delilah said to Samson, “Please tell me the source of your great strength and how you can be tied up and subdued.”

And Delilah said to Samson, Tell me, I pray thee, wherein thy great strength lieth, and wherewith thou mightest be bound to afflict thee.

Commentary

Judges 16:6 marks a pivotal moment in the tragic narrative of Samson and Delilah, revealing the cunning strategy employed by the Philistines to subdue Israel’s strongest judge. This verse captures Delilah’s direct and manipulative plea to Samson, setting the stage for his eventual downfall.

Context

Following Samson’s numerous exploits and miraculous feats of strength against the Philistines, he enters into a relationship with Delilah in the Valley of Sorek. The Philistine lords, desperate to capture and neutralize their formidable enemy, approach Delilah with a massive bribe—eleven hundred pieces of silver from each of them—to discover the secret of his immense power. This verse is Delilah’s first direct attempt to extract that crucial information, initiating a series of deceptions that will test Samson’s resolve and expose his vulnerabilities. Samson’s strength was not inherent but divinely bestowed, tied to his Nazarite vow from birth, a fact Delilah seeks to uncover.

Key Themes

  • Deception and Betrayal: Delilah's question is rooted in pure deceit, motivated by greed. Her feigned affection masks a calculated betrayal designed to deliver Samson into the hands of his enemies.
  • Temptation and Compromise: This verse highlights the seductive power of persistent questioning and the danger of succumbing to emotional manipulation. Samson, despite his physical prowess, proves vulnerable to Delilah's relentless probing, demonstrating that even the strongest can be weakened by moral compromise.
  • The Nature of Strength: The core inquiry "wherein thy great strength lieth" probes the source of Samson's supernatural ability. It raises questions about the origin of power, whether it is physical, spiritual, or tied to an external sign. For Samson, his strength was a divine gift, tied to his obedience to God’s covenant.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "wherein thy great strength [lieth]" directly translates the Hebrew question, emphasizing the search for the secret or source of his power. The Hebrew word for "strength" (כֹּחַ, koach) refers to physical power, might, or ability. Delilah's objective is not merely to understand his strength but to find a way to bind him "to afflict thee," implying a desire to utterly incapacitate and humble him.

Practical Application

Judges 16:6 serves as a powerful cautionary tale for believers today. It underscores the insidious nature of temptation and the importance of guarding our weaknesses. Just as Delilah persistently sought Samson's vulnerability, so too does the enemy seek to discover and exploit our spiritual Achilles' heel. We are called to be vigilant and discerning, recognizing that compromise in small areas can lead to significant spiritual loss. Understanding the importance of spiritual armor and reliance on God's strength, not our own, is crucial in resisting such pressures. This narrative reminds us that true strength lies in faithfulness and obedience to God, not in physical might or worldly compromise.

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Cross-References

  • Proverbs 22:14 (2 votes)

    ¶ The mouth of strange women [is] a deep pit: he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein.

  • Proverbs 26:28 (2 votes)

    ¶ A lying tongue hateth [those that are] afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.

  • Jeremiah 9:2 (2 votes)

    Oh that I had in the wilderness a lodging place of wayfaring men; that I might leave my people, and go from them! for they [be] all adulterers, an assembly of treacherous men.

  • Jeremiah 9:5 (2 votes)

    And they will deceive every one his neighbour, and will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies, [and] weary themselves to commit iniquity.

  • Proverbs 7:21 (2 votes)

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

  • Micah 7:2 (2 votes)

    The good [man] is perished out of the earth: and [there is] none upright among men: they all lie in wait for blood; they hunt every man his brother with a net.

  • Psalms 12:2 (2 votes)

    They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: [with] flattering lips [and] with a double heart do they speak.