Judg 16:5-12 | NETfull | STEP | The rulers of the Philistines went up to visit her and said to her, “Trick him! Find out what makes him so strong and how we can subdue him and humiliate him. Each one of us will give you eleven hundred silver pieces.”

Judges 16:5-12

5 The rulers of the Philistines went up to visit her and said to her, “Trick him! Find out what makes him so strong and how we can subdue him and humiliate ^{▼▼Heb “subdue him in order to humiliate him.”} him. Each one of us will give you eleven hundred silver pieces.”

6 So Delilah said to Samson, “Tell me what makes you so strong and how you can be subdued and humiliated.” ^{▼▼Heb “how you can be subdued in order to be humiliated.”} 7 Samson said to her, “If they tie me up with seven fresh ^{▼▼ Or “moist.”} bowstrings ^{▼▼ The word refers to a bowstring, probably made from animal tendons. See Ps 11:2; Job 30:11.} that have not been dried, I will become weak and be just like any other man.” 8 So the rulers of the Philistines brought her seven fresh bowstrings which had not been dried and they tied him up with them. 9 They hid ^{▼▼Heb “And the ones lying in wait were sitting for her.” The grammatically singular form וְהָאֹרֵב (v^eha’orev) is collective here, referring to the rulers as a group (so also in v. 16).} in the bedroom and then she said to him, “The Philistines are here, ^{▼▼Heb “are upon you.”} Samson!” He snapped the bowstrings as easily as a thread of yarn snaps when it is put close to fire. ^{▼▼Heb “when it smells fire.”} The secret of his strength was not discovered. ^{▼▼Heb “His strength was not known.”}

10 Delilah said to Samson, “Look, you deceived ^{▼▼ See Gen 31:7; Exod 8:29 [8:25 HT]; Job 13:9; Isa 44:20; Jer 9:4 for other uses of this Hebrew word (II תָּלַל, talal), which also occurs in v. 13.} me and told me lies! Now tell me how you can be subdued.” 11 He said to her, “If they tie me tightly with brand new ropes that have never been used, ^{▼▼Heb “with which no work has been done.”} I will become weak and be just like any other man.” 12 So Delilah took new ropes and tied him with them and said to him, “The Philistines are here, ^{▼▼Heb “are upon you.”} Samson!” (The Philistines were hiding in the bedroom.) ^{▼▼Heb “And the ones lying in wait were sitting in the bedroom.”} But he tore the ropes ^{▼▼Heb “them”; the referent (the ropes) has been specified in the translation for clarity.} from his arms as if they were a piece of thread.