Philistine woman who betrayed Samson
Delilah
Named in 6 verses of Judges, first in Judges 16:4.
דְּלִילָהDelilah
The name means “poor; small; head of hair.” Hitchcock's Bible Names, 1869
- Married to
- Samson
About Delilah Written by AI
Delilah, a Philistine woman from the Valley of Sorek, is known for her role in the downfall of Samson, one of Israel's judges. Samson fell in love with Delilah, and the Philistine rulers, seeing an opportunity to defeat their enemy, offered Delilah a substantial sum of money to discover the secret of Samson's strength (Judges 16:4 to 5). Delilah repeatedly asked Samson to reveal the source of his strength, but he deceived her three times. First, he told her that if he were bound with seven fresh bowstrings, he would become weak, but when she did so, he broke them easily (Judges 16:6 to 9). Next, he claimed that new ropes would render him helpless, but he snapped them as well (Judges 16:10 to 12). Finally, he said that weaving his hair into a loom would take away his strength, but this too proved false (Judges 16:13 to 14). Frustrated by Samson's deception, Delilah persistently pressed him for the truth, wearing him down with her words day after day. Eventually, Samson revealed that his strength came from his uncut hair, a sign of his Nazirite vow to God (Judges 16:15 to 17). Delilah lulled Samson to sleep, called for a man to shave his head, and his strength left him (Judges 16:18 to 19). The Philistines captured the weakened Samson, gouged out his eyes, and forced him to work as a grinder in prison (Judges 16:20 to 21). Delilah's betrayal ultimately led to Samson's humiliation and imprisonment, though he later regained his strength and brought down the Philistine temple, killing many Philistines and himself in the process (Judges 16:22 to 30). Delilah's story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of temptation, deception, and the consequences of betraying one's vows to God. It also highlights the weakness of even the strongest man when he allows himself to be swayed by the wiles of a woman.
Drafted by an AI model for STEPBible's TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Check it against the verses below.
Easton's Bible Dictionary, 1897
Languishing, a Philistine woman who dwelt in the valley of Sorek (Judg. 16:4-20). She was bribed by the “lords of the Philistines” to obtain from Samson the secret of his strength and the means of overcoming it (Judg. 16:4-18). She tried on three occasions to obtain from him this secret in vain. On the fourth occasion she wrung it from him. She made him sleep upon her knees, and then called the man who was waiting to help her; who “cut off the seven locks of his head,” and so his “strength went from him.” (See SAMSON.)
M. G. Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary, third edition (1897), public domain, from CrossWire. Shown as written; its Scripture quotes are from older translations.
Where the Bible names her
- Judges 16:4
Some time later, Samson fell in love with a woman in the Valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah.
- Judges 16:6
So Delilah said to Samson, “Please tell me the source of your great strength and how you can be tied up and subdued.”
- Judges 16:10
Then Delilah said to Samson, “You have mocked me and lied to me! Now please tell me how you can be tied up.”
- Judges 16:12
So Delilah took new ropes, tied him up with them, and called out, “Samson, the Philistines are here!” But while the men were hidden in her room, he snapped the ropes off his arms like they were threads.
- Judges 16:13
Then Delilah said to Samson, “You have mocked me and lied to me all along! Tell me how you can be tied up.” He told her, “If you weave the seven braids of my head into the web of a loom and tighten it with a pin, I will become as weak as any other man.”
- Judges 16:18
When Delilah realized that he had revealed to her all that was in his heart, she sent this message to the lords of the Philistines: “Come up once more, for he has revealed to me all that is in his heart.” Then the lords of the Philistines came to her, bringing the money in their hands.
From STEPBible's TIPNR, Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0): names, family, references and the AI written article. Verse text is the BSB.