Bible Commentaries
Judges 16

Introduction

Overview

Judges 16:1, Samson at Gaza escapes, and carries away the gates of the city; Judges 16:4, Delilah, corrupted by the Philistines, entices Samson; Judges 16:6, Thrice she is deceived; Judges 16:15, At last she overcomes him; Judges 16:21, The Philistines take him, and put out his eyes; Judges 16:22, His strength renewing he pulls down the house upon the Philistines, and dies.

Verse 1

Gaza: Gaza, a city of great antiquity, was situated between Raphia and Askelon, twenty-two miles north of the former, and sixteen south of of the latter, according to the Antonine Itinerary; three miles from the sea, according to Arrian, and thirty-four from Ashdod or Azotus, according to Diodorus Siculus. It was a place of great strength and importance; and successively belonged to the Philistines, Hebrews, Chaldeans, and Persians; which latter defended it for two months against Alexander the great, who finally took and destroyed it. It was afterwards rebuilt, and alternately possessed by the Egyptians, Syrians, and Jews. The present town, which the Arabs call Razza, is situated on an eminence, and is rendered picturesque by the number of fine minarets which rise majestically above the buildings, with beautiful date trees interspersed. It contains upwards of 2,000 inhabitants. Genesis 10:19, Joshua 15:47

an harlot: Heb. a woman an harlot

and went: Genesis 38:16-18, Ezra 9:1, Ezra 9:2

Reciprocal: Genesis 3:6 - saw Genesis 38:2 - saw Joshua 10:41 - Gaza Judges 1:18 - Gaza 1 Samuel 6:17 - Gaza 1 Kings 4:24 - Azzah Proverbs 7:8 - General 1 Corinthians 6:16 - an harlot

Verse 2

compassed: 1 Samuel 19:11, 1 Samuel 23:26, Psalms 118:10-12, Acts 9:24, 2 Corinthians 11:32, 2 Corinthians 11:33

quiet: Heb. silent

kill him: Judges 15:18, Matthew 21:38, Matthew 27:1, Acts 23:15

Reciprocal: Genesis 3:6 - saw Exodus 14:3 - They are entangled Judges 1:18 - Gaza 1 Samuel 23:7 - he is shut 1 Kings 22:3 - still 2 Kings 8:7 - is come Psalms 59:1 - when

Verse 3

took: Psalms 107:16, Isaiah 63:1-5, Micah 2:13, Acts 2:24

bar and all: Heb. with the bar

Reciprocal: Judges 16:20 - I will go 1 Samuel 23:7 - he is shut Psalms 59:1 - when Acts 9:24 - their

Verse 4

he loved: 1 Kings 11:1, Nehemiah 13:26, Proverbs 22:14, Proverbs 23:27, Proverbs 26:11, Proverbs 27:22, 1 Corinthians 10:6

in the valley: or, by the brook

Reciprocal: Numbers 13:23 - brook 1 Kings 11:2 - Solomon Proverbs 5:4 - sharp Proverbs 23:28 - as for a prey Isaiah 5:2 - the choicest vine

Verse 5

the lords: Judges 3:3, Joshua 13:3, 1 Samuel 29:6

Entice: Judges 14:15, Proverbs 2:16-19, Proverbs 5:3-11, Proverbs 6:24-26, Proverbs 7:21-27, 1 Corinthians 6:15-18

afflict: or, humble

we will: Judges 17:2, Genesis 33:16, Numbers 22:17, Numbers 22:18, Micah 7:3, Matthew 26:15, 1 Timothy 6:9, 1 Timothy 6:10

Reciprocal: Judges 16:18 - brought money 1 Samuel 6:16 - the five Job 31:9 - If mine Micah 7:5 - keep 1 Corinthians 2:4 - not

Verse 6

Psalms 12:2, Proverbs 6:26, Proverbs 7:21, Proverbs 22:14, Proverbs 26:28, Jeremiah 9:2-5, Micah 7:2, Micah 7:5

Reciprocal: Judges 14:17 - she lay Nehemiah 6:4 - four times

Verse 7

If they bind: Judges 16:10, 1 Samuel 19:17, 1 Samuel 21:2, 1 Samuel 21:3, 1 Samuel 27:10, Proverbs 12:19, Proverbs 17:7, Romans 3:8, Galatians 6:7, Colossians 3:9

green withs: or, new cords, Heb. moist

another: Heb. one.

Verse 8

bound him: Ecclesiastes 7:26

Reciprocal: Acts 21:33 - be

Verse 9

toucheth: Heb. smelleth, Psalms 58:9

Reciprocal: Judges 15:14 - the cords Judges 16:20 - I will go

Verse 10

now tell me: Judges 16:7, Judges 16:13, Judges 16:15-17, Proverbs 23:7, Proverbs 23:8, Proverbs 24:28, Ezekiel 33:31, Luke 22:48

Reciprocal: Nehemiah 6:4 - four times Matthew 2:16 - when

Verse 11

If they bind me: Proverbs 13:3, Proverbs 13:5, Proverbs 29:25, Ephesians 4:25

that never: etc. Heb. wherewith work hath not been done

Verse 12

Reciprocal: Judges 15:14 - the cords Acts 21:33 - be

Verse 13

with the web: It is evident that this verse ends abruptly, and does not contain a full sense. Houbigant has particularly noticed this, and corrected the text from the Septuagint, which adds after these words:

ךבי ודךסןץףחע פש נבףףבכש ויע פןם פןיקןם, ךבי וףןלבי שע ויע פשם בםטסשנשם בףטוםחע ךבי ודוםופן ום פש ךןילבףטבי בץפןם ךבי וכבגו בכיהב פבע ונפב ףויסבע פחע ךוצבכחע בץפןץ, ךבי ץצבםום ום פש היבףלבפי, ך.פ.כ.

"and shall fasten them with the pin in the wall, I shall become weak like other men, and so it was, that when he slept, Dalida took the seven locks of his head, and wove them with the web," etc. This is absolutely necessary to complete the sense; else Delilah would appear to do something she was not ordered to do, and to omit what she was commanded. Dr. Kennicott very judiciously observes, that the omission, for such it appears to be, begins and ends with the same word; and that the same word occurring in different places, is a very common cause of omission in Hebrew manuscripts. Judges 16:13

Reciprocal: Judges 14:17 - she lay Judges 16:10 - now tell me

Verse 14

went away: Ezra 9:13, Ezra 9:14, Psalms 106:43

Reciprocal: Judges 16:20 - I will go

Verse 15

How canst: Judges 14:16, Proverbs 2:16, Proverbs 5:3-14

when thine: Genesis 29:20, Deuteronomy 6:5, 1 Samuel 15:13, 1 Samuel 15:14, 2 Samuel 16:17, Proverbs 23:26, Song of Solomon 8:6, Song of Solomon 8:7, John 14:15, John 14:21-24, John 15:10, 2 Corinthians 5:14, 2 Corinthians 5:15, 1 John 2:15, 1 John 2:16, 1 John 5:3

Reciprocal: Judges 16:10 - now tell me Nehemiah 6:4 - four times Proverbs 5:4 - sharp Proverbs 7:21 - With her Proverbs 23:7 - Eat Ezekiel 16:30 - the work 2 Corinthians 6:6 - love Ephesians 4:15 - speaking the truth James 3:6 - a world

Verse 16

she pressed: Proverbs 7:21-23, Proverbs 7:26, Proverbs 7:27, Luke 11:8, Luke 18:5

vexed: Heb. shortened, Job 21:4, *marg. Jonah 4:9, Mark 14:24

Reciprocal: Judges 14:17 - she lay Job 19:2 - vex Proverbs 1:10 - General Ezekiel 16:30 - the work

Verse 17

all his heart: Proverbs 12:23, Proverbs 29:12, Micah 7:5

There hath: Judges 13:5, Numbers 6:5, Acts 18:18

Reciprocal: Proverbs 29:11 - General Lamentations 4:7 - Nazarites Acts 21:24 - that they

Verse 18

Come up: Psalms 62:9, Proverbs 18:8, Jeremiah 9:4-6

brought money: Judges 16:5, Numbers 22:7, 1 Kings 21:20, Matthew 26:15, Ephesians 5:5, 1 Timothy 6:10

Reciprocal: Ecclesiastes 7:26 - I find

Verse 19

she made: Proverbs 7:21-23, Proverbs 7:26, Proverbs 7:27, Proverbs 23:33, Proverbs 23:34, Ecclesiastes 7:26

Reciprocal: Numbers 6:5 - razor Proverbs 5:9 - General Proverbs 6:33 - A wound Jonah 1:5 - and was Hebrews 11:34 - out of

Verse 20

I will go: Judges 16:3, Judges 16:9, Judges 16:14, Deuteronomy 32:30, Isaiah 42:24, Hosea 7:9

the Lord: Numbers 14:9, Numbers 14:42, Numbers 14:43, Joshua 7:12, 1 Samuel 16:14, 1 Samuel 18:12, 1 Samuel 28:14-16, 2 Chronicles 15:2, Isaiah 59:1, Isaiah 59:2, Jeremiah 9:23, Jeremiah 9:24, Matthew 17:16, Matthew 17:20, 2 Corinthians 3:5

Reciprocal: Exodus 34:29 - wist 1 Samuel 20:25 - as at other times 1 Samuel 28:15 - God 2 Chronicles 32:31 - left him Psalms 51:11 - take Proverbs 22:14 - mouth Jeremiah 51:38 - yell

Verse 21

and put out: Heb. and bored out, Proverbs 5:22, Proverbs 14:14, Proverbs 2:19

bound him: 2 Kings 25:7, 2 Chronicles 33:11, Psalms 107:10-12, Psalms 149:8

grind: Exodus 11:5, Isaiah 47:2, Matthew 24:41

Reciprocal: Joshua 10:41 - Gaza Judges 1:18 - Gaza 1 Samuel 6:17 - Gaza 1 Samuel 11:2 - thrust 2 Samuel 3:34 - hands 1 Chronicles 10:4 - abuse Job 20:5 - the triumphing Psalms 107:12 - he brought Proverbs 7:26 - General Proverbs 22:14 - mouth Jeremiah 39:7 - chains Lamentations 5:13 - the young Mark 14:46 - General Luke 17:35 - grinding Luke 22:53 - but Luke 22:64 - blindfolded John 18:12 - bound Acts 21:33 - be

Verse 22

the hair: Leviticus 26:44, Deuteronomy 32:36, Psalms 106:44, Psalms 106:45, Psalms 107:13, Psalms 107:14

after he was shaven: or, as when he was shaven

Reciprocal: Genesis 49:17 - shall be 1 Chronicles 19:5 - your beards

Verse 23

Dagon: 1 Samuel 5:2-5, Jeremiah 2:11, Micah 4:5, Romans 1:23-25, 1 Corinthians 8:4, 1 Corinthians 8:5, 1 Corinthians 10:20

to rejoice: Job 30:9, Job 30:10, Psalms 35:15, Psalms 35:16, Proverbs 24:17

Reciprocal: Exodus 32:6 - sat down Judges 9:27 - the house Judges 10:6 - the gods of the Philistines 1 Samuel 6:16 - the five 1 Samuel 30:16 - eating 1 Samuel 31:9 - to publish 2 Samuel 1:20 - Tell 1 Chronicles 10:4 - abuse 1 Chronicles 10:9 - tidings Isaiah 44:11 - let them all Isaiah 45:11 - command Ezekiel 31:11 - delivered Daniel 1:2 - and he Daniel 3:2 - sent Daniel 5:4 - praised Daniel 5:23 - hast praised Hosea 2:5 - give Amos 6:13 - which James 5:13 - any merry Revelation 11:10 - rejoice

Verse 24

praised: Deuteronomy 32:27, Isaiah 37:20, Ezekiel 20:14, Daniel 5:4, Daniel 5:23, Habakkuk 1:16, Revelation 11:10

which slew many of us: Heb. and who multiplied our slain, Judges 15:8, Judges 15:16

Reciprocal: Numbers 31:2 - Avenge Judges 15:14 - the Philistines 1 Samuel 31:9 - to publish 2 Samuel 1:20 - Tell 1 Chronicles 10:9 - tidings Daniel 1:2 - and he

Verse 25

their hearts: Judges 9:27, Judges 18:20, Judges 19:6, Judges 19:9, 2 Samuel 13:28, 1 Kings 20:12, Esther 3:15, Isaiah 22:13, Daniel 5:2, Daniel 5:3, Matthew 14:6, Matthew 14:7

them: Heb. before them

sport: Job 30:9, Job 30:10, Psalms 35:15, Psalms 35:16, Psalms 69:12, Psalms 69:26, Proverbs 24:17, Proverbs 24:18, Micah 7:8-10, Matthew 26:67, Matthew 26:68, Matthew 27:29, Matthew 27:39-44, Hebrews 11:36

Reciprocal: Judges 19:22 - they were Ruth 3:7 - his heart Esther 1:10 - the heart Job 41:5 - play Psalms 80:6 - our enemies Isaiah 57:4 - sport Jeremiah 38:19 - mock Luke 22:64 - blindfolded

Verse 27

and there: "Samson, therefore," says Dr. Shaw, "must have been in a court or area below; and consequently the temple will be of the same kind with the ancient, פולוםח, or sacred enclosures, which were only surrounded either in part, or on all sides, with some plain or cloistered buildings. Several palaces, doutwanas, (as the courts of justice are called in those countries) are built in this fashion. On their public festivals and rejoicings, the roofs of these cloisters are crowded with spectators. I have often seen numbers of people diverted in this manner on the roof of the dey's palace at Algiers; which, like many others, has an advanced cloister, over against the gate of the palace, like a long pent-house, supported by one or two contiguous pillars in front, or centre."

the roof: Judges 9:51, Deuteronomy 22:8, Joshua 2:8, 2 Samuel 11:2

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 10:21 - full from one end to another

Verse 28

called: 2 Chronicles 20:12, Psalms 50:15, Psalms 91:15, Psalms 116:4, Lamentations 3:31, Lamentations 3:32, Hebrews 11:32

remember me: Psalms 74:18-23, Jonah 2:1, Jonah 2:2, Jonah 2:7, Jeremiah 15:15

that I may: Judges 5:31, Psalms 58:10, Psalms 58:11, Psalms 143:12, 2 Timothy 4:14, Revelation 6:10

Reciprocal: Numbers 31:2 - Avenge Joshua 10:13 - until Judges 11:36 - forasmuch Esther 8:13 - avenge themselves Isaiah 40:31 - renew

Verse 29

on which it was borne up: or, he leaned on them, Judges 16:29

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 16:14 - the Spirit

Verse 30

me: Heb. my soul

die: Matthew 16:25, Acts 20:24, Acts 21:13, Philippians 2:17, Philippians 2:30, Hebrews 12:1-4

and the house: Job 20:5, Job 31:3, Psalms 62:3, Ecclesiastes 9:12, Matthew 24:38, Matthew 24:39, 1 Thessalonians 5:2

So the dead: Judges 14:19, Judges 15:8, Judges 15:15, Genesis 3:15, Philippians 2:8, Colossians 2:15, Hebrews 2:14, Hebrews 2:15

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 33:22 - General Judges 14:6 - rent him Job 1:19 - it fell Psalms 107:12 - he brought

Verse 31

his brethren: John 19:39-42

between Zorah: Judges 13:2, Judges 13:25, Joshua 19:41

And he judged: Judges 15:20

Reciprocal: Joshua 15:33 - Eshtaol Judges 18:2 - Zorah Judges 18:8 - Zorah and Eshtaol 1 Samuel 12:11 - Bedan 1 Chronicles 2:53 - the Zareathites Ezekiel 25:15 - to destroy Hebrews 11:32 - Samson