Judges 16:7

KJV

And Samson said unto her, If they bind me with seven green withs that were never dried, then shall I be weak, and be as another man.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Samson {H8123} said {H559} unto her, If they bind {H631} me with seven {H7651} green {H3892} withs {H3499} that were never dried {H2717}, then shall I be weak {H2470}, and be as another {H259} man {H120}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Shimshon replied, "If they tie me up with seven fresh bowstrings that have never been dried, I will become as weak as any other man."

Berean Standard Bible

Samson told her, “If they tie me up with seven fresh bowstrings that have not been dried, I will become as weak as any other man.”

American Standard Version

And Samson said unto her, If they bind me with seven green withes that were never dried, then shall I become weak, and be as another man.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 16:7 marks the initial deceptive response from Samson to Delilah's persistent inquiries regarding the source of his extraordinary strength. This pivotal moment in the narrative reveals Samson's dangerous overconfidence and casual approach to a situation of profound spiritual and physical peril. It sets the stage for a series of escalating deceptions, ultimately leading to his betrayal, capture, and humiliation at the hands of the Philistines, highlighting the severe consequences of spiritual compromise and underestimating the enemy's resolve.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the dramatic narrative of Samson and Delilah in Judges chapter 16. Following Samson's previous exploits and encounters with Philistine women, including the woman of Timnah and the harlot in Gaza, his relationship with Delilah represents the culmination of his pattern of compromise. The Philistine lords, having been repeatedly humiliated by Samson's supernatural strength, approach Delilah with a substantial bribe to uncover the secret of his power. Judges 16:4-6 establishes Delilah's agreement to this treacherous task and her initial probing question. Samson's response in Judges 16:7 is the first of three false answers, each designed to mislead Delilah while maintaining the illusion of a playful game, yet each subtly hinting at the true nature of his strength. This sequence of deception builds narrative tension, foreshadowing the inevitable revelation and Samson's downfall.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Samson's era was a period of cyclical apostasy and oppression for Israel, as described in the book of Judges. The Philistines were a formidable, technologically advanced (iron weaponry) maritime people who had settled on the southwestern coast of Canaan and frequently oppressed Israel. Their culture was polytheistic, with Dagon being a prominent deity. The immense sum offered to Delilah (1,100 shekels of silver from each of the five Philistine lords, totaling 5,500 shekels) underscores the Philistines' desperation to neutralize Samson, who had become a significant threat to their dominance. Marriage and relationships with foreign women were often discouraged in Israelite law due to the risk of idolatry and cultural assimilation, a principle Samson consistently violated. The "green withs" mentioned in the verse were likely fresh, undried animal sinews or plant fibers, commonly used for binding in ancient times. Their "green" or moist state implies they would be pliable and strong initially, but would lose their integrity upon drying, a detail Samson cleverly employs in his deceptive answer.

* **Key Themes:** Judges 16:7 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Judges and Samson's narrative. The theme of **Deception and Betrayal** is central, as Delilah actively plots against Samson, and Samson, in turn, attempts to deceive her. This dynamic highlights the danger of intimate relationships built on ulterior motives. **Overconfidence and Spiritual Arrogance** are starkly evident in Samson's playful engagement with Delilah's probing questions, revealing his presumption that he can toy with temptation without consequence. This contrasts sharply with the divine source of his strength, which is a recurring theme. His strength is not inherent but a gift from God, tied to his Nazirite vow (see [Judges 13:5](/judges/13-5 "Judges 13:5 - Samson's Nazirite Vow")). The verse also subtly introduces the theme of **Vulnerability and Compromise**, as Samson's repeated yielding to forbidden relationships and his casual attitude toward his sacred calling ultimately expose him to profound danger, illustrating the perilous path of spiritual compromise detailed throughout [the book of Judges](/judges/1 "The Book of Judges - Cycles of Disobedience and Deliverance").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Green withs (Hebrew, _y'tarim lachim_ יְתָרִים לַחִים):** The term "withs" (יְתָרִים, _y'tarim_) refers to cords, bowstrings, or thongs, often made from animal sinews or fresh plant fibers. The adjective "green" or "never dried" (לַחִים, _lachim_) emphasizes their moist, pliable, and fresh state. Samson's specification of "seven" green withs is significant, as seven is a number often associated with completeness or divine perfection in biblical numerology, though here it is used in a context of deception. The choice of "green withs" is a clever ruse, as such materials would indeed be strong when fresh but would weaken considerably as they dried, making the condition seem plausible to Delilah while being entirely false regarding the true source of his strength. This detail underscores Samson's cunning in crafting a believable lie.

* **Weak (Hebrew, _chalah_ חָלָה):** The verb "weak" (חָלָה, _chalah_) can mean to be sick, to be faint, or to be weak. In this context, it denotes a state of profound physical incapacitation, the opposite of Samson's renowned supernatural strength. By claiming he would "be weak," Samson implies a complete loss of his unique power, reducing him to the level of an ordinary man. This word choice highlights the dramatic contrast between his normal state and the feigned vulnerability he describes, setting up the expectation of a profound transformation if the condition were met.

* **Another man (Hebrew, _echad meha'adam_ אֶחָד מֵהָאָדָם):** The phrase "as another man" (אֶחָד מֵהָאָדָם, _echad meha'adam_) literally means "one of the men" or "one of humanity." This expression emphasizes the loss of Samson's distinct, divinely endowed strength, reducing him to the common, mortal state of any other human being. It underscores the extraordinary nature of his power, which set him apart, and the profound humiliation implied by its absence. This phrase highlights the stark contrast between his unique, God-given might and the ordinary human condition, which he deceptively claims would be his fate under the specified conditions.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Samson said unto her,"**: This opening clause introduces Samson's direct response to Delilah's persistent questioning. It marks the beginning of his attempts to deceive her, initiating a dangerous game of cat and mouse where the stakes are his life and freedom.
* **"If they bind me with seven green withs that were never dried,"**: This is the first of Samson's false conditions. The specificity of "seven green withs" suggests a plausible, yet ultimately misleading, method of incapacitation. The number seven, often symbolic of completion, is here ironically used in a deceptive context. The "green withs" refer to fresh, undried cords or sinews, which would be strong when moist but would lose their strength upon drying, making the condition seem believable to Delilah. This detail showcases Samson's cleverness in crafting a lie that sounds convincing.
* **"then shall I be weak,"**: This clause states the supposed consequence of being bound by the "green withs." Samson claims that this specific binding would cause him to lose his extraordinary strength, implying a physical and perhaps spiritual debilitation. This is a direct lie, as his strength is not dependent on external bindings but on his Nazirite vow and God's empowering presence.
* **"and be as another man."**: This final clause further elaborates on the extent of his feigned weakness. It signifies a complete reduction of his unique, supernatural power, making him indistinguishable from an ordinary human being. This phrase highlights the dramatic contrast between his divinely endowed might and the common human condition, which he deceptively claims would be his fate.

#### Literary Devices
Judges 16:7 employs several powerful literary devices. **Dramatic Irony** is prominent, as the audience is fully aware of the true source of Samson's strength (his Nazirite vow, particularly his uncut hair, as revealed in [Judges 13:5](/judges/13-5 "Judges 13:5 - Samson's Nazirite Vow")), while Delilah and the Philistines remain ignorant. This creates tension and suspense, making Samson's deceptive answers all the more precarious. **Foreshadowing** is also subtly present; while the "seven green withs" are a lie, the emphasis on a specific number and a physical condition hints at the true, specific condition of his strength (the seven locks of his hair). Samson's casual engagement in this dangerous game, despite his divine calling, also exemplifies **Tragic Flaw**, as his overconfidence and susceptibility to temptation ultimately lead to his downfall. The narrative itself functions as a **Cautionary Tale**, illustrating the perils of spiritual compromise and underestimating the persistence of evil.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 16:7, though a deceptive utterance, holds profound theological implications. It underscores the theme of divine power versus human weakness. Samson's strength was not inherent but a miraculous gift from God, contingent upon his Nazirite vow. His casual attitude toward the secret of this strength reflects a dangerous disconnect from the sacredness of his calling, a pattern of compromise that pervades his story. The Philistines' relentless pursuit of the source of his strength mirrors the spiritual battle believers face against forces that seek to undermine their walk with God. Samson's overconfidence serves as a stark warning against spiritual arrogance, reminding us that true strength lies not in our own abilities or cleverness, but in humble reliance on God. The narrative highlights the insidious nature of temptation and the devastating consequences of playing with sin, even when one believes they are in control.

* [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Goes Before Destruction")
* [1 Corinthians 10:12](/1_corinthians/10-12 "1 Corinthians 10:12 - Warning Against Overconfidence")
* [Galatians 6:7](/galatians/6-7 "Galatians 6:7 - Sowing and Reaping")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Samson's initial deceptive answer to Delilah in Judges 16:7 serves as a powerful cautionary tale for believers today. It highlights the insidious nature of persistent temptation and the grave danger of spiritual compromise, even when we believe we are in control. Samson, endowed with supernatural strength for God's purposes, playfully engaged with a woman actively seeking his destruction, demonstrating a profound spiritual naivety and overconfidence. This narrative urges us to take temptation seriously, recognizing that sin often approaches subtly, disguised as harmless amusement or a minor deviation. We are called to guard our hearts and minds, to be discerning about our relationships, and to flee from situations that threaten our spiritual integrity, rather than to test the boundaries of our resilience. True spiritual strength is found not in our ability to resist temptation on our own terms, but in our humble reliance on God's power and our unwavering commitment to His commands.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Where in my life might I be playing with temptation or underestimating the seriousness of spiritual compromise?**
* **How does Samson's overconfidence challenge my own assumptions about my spiritual strength or resilience?**
* **In what ways might I be subtly deceiving myself or others about the true state of my spiritual walk?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate greater discernment and guard against deceptive influences in my life?**

### FAQ
**Why did Samson give a false answer instead of simply refusing to tell Delilah?**

Answer: Samson's decision to give a false answer, rather than outright refusal, stems from a complex mix of factors, primarily his overconfidence, his playful yet dangerous engagement with Delilah, and perhaps a desire to maintain the illusion of control and affection. He likely believed he could outwit her and the Philistines, enjoying the thrill of the deception without truly understanding the gravity of her intentions. His character throughout Judges reveals a pattern of impulsiveness and a tendency to indulge his desires, often leading him into perilous situations. He may have also been testing Delilah's persistence or simply trying to buy time, but his repeated false answers ultimately reveal a tragic underestimation of the enemy's resolve and the depth of Delilah's betrayal. This behavior contrasts sharply with the wisdom found in [Proverbs 26:28](/proverbs/26-28 "Proverbs 26:28 - A Lying Tongue Hates Those It Hurts").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Samson, the Nazirite judge, was set apart from birth, endowed with supernatural strength by God's Spirit to deliver Israel from the Philistines. Yet, his story, particularly his casual compromise in Judges 16:7, highlights the tragic failure of human strength and faithfulness, even when divinely empowered. Samson's strength was external, tied to a vow he ultimately broke, leading to his literal and spiritual blindness. In contrast, Jesus Christ is the true and perfect Nazirite, set apart not by a vow but by His very nature as God incarnate. His strength was not merely physical, but spiritual and moral, demonstrated in His perfect obedience to the Father, even unto death on the cross (see [Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Jesus' Obedience to Death")). Where Samson played with temptation and succumbed to compromise, Jesus faced every temptation, including the devil's cunning deceptions in the wilderness (as seen in [Matthew 4:1-11](/matthew/4-11 "Matthew 4:1-11 - The Temptation of Jesus")), yet remained sinless. Samson's "weakness" was a consequence of his disobedience, leading to his capture and humiliation; Christ's "weakness" on the cross was a voluntary act of self-sacrifice, bringing about ultimate victory over sin and death, becoming the true [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). His apparent defeat was the very means of our salvation, demonstrating that true power is found in humble obedience and sacrificial love, not in physical might or clever deception.

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

Colossians 3:9

Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;

Romans 3:8

And not [rather], (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.

1 Samuel 27:10

And Achish said, Whither have ye made a road to day? And David said, Against the south of Judah, and against the south of the Jerahmeelites, and against the south of the Kenites.

Judges 16:10

And Delilah said unto Samson, Behold, thou hast mocked me, and told me lies: now tell me, I pray thee, wherewith thou mightest be bound.

1 Samuel 19:17

And Saul said unto Michal, Why hast thou deceived me so, and sent away mine enemy, that he is escaped? And Michal answered Saul, He said unto me, Let me go; why should I kill thee?

Galatians 6:7

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

1 Samuel 21:2

And David said unto Ahimelech the priest, The king hath commanded me a business, and hath said unto me, Let no man know any thing of the business whereabout I send thee, and what I have commanded thee: and I have appointed [my] servants to such and such a place.