Judges 16:11
New International Version
He said, “If anyone ties me securely with new ropes that have never been used, I’ll become as weak as any other man.”

New Living Translation
Samson replied, “If I were tied up with brand-new ropes that had never been used, I would become as weak as anyone else.”

English Standard Version
And he said to her, “If they bind me with new ropes that have not been used, then I shall become weak and be like any other man.”

Berean Standard Bible
He replied, “If they tie me up with new ropes that have never been used, I will become as weak as any other man.”

King James Bible
And he said unto her, If they bind me fast with new ropes that never were occupied, then shall I be weak, and be as another man.

New King James Version
So he said to her, “If they bind me securely with new ropes that have never been used, then I shall become weak, and be like any other man.”

New American Standard Bible
Then He said to her, “If they bind me tightly with new ropes which have not been used, then I will become weak and be like any other man.”

NASB 1995
He said to her, “If they bind me tightly with new ropes which have not been used, then I will become weak and be like any other man.”

NASB 1977
And he said to her, “If they bind me tightly with new ropes which have not been used, then I shall become weak and be like any other man.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And he said to her, “If they bind me tightly with new ropes which have not been used for work, then I will become weak and be like any other man.”

Amplified Bible
He said to her, “If they bind me tightly with new ropes that have not been used, then I will become weak and be like any [other] man.”

Christian Standard Bible
He told her, “If they tie me up with new ropes that have never been used, I will become weak and be like any other man.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He told her, “If they tie me up with new ropes that have never been used, I will become weak and be like any other man.”

American Standard Version
And he said unto her, If they only bind me with new ropes wherewith no work hath been done, then shall I become weak, and be as another man.

Contemporary English Version
Samson answered, "Use some new ropes. If I'm tied up with ropes that have never been used, I'll be just as weak as anyone else."

English Revised Version
And he said unto her, If they only bind me with new ropes wherewith no work hath been done, then shall I become weak, and be as another man.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Samson told her, "If someone ties me up tightly with new ropes that have never been used, I will be like any other man."

Good News Translation
He told her, "If they tie me with new ropes that have never been used, I'll be as weak as anybody else."

International Standard Version
He told her, "If I'm tied up securely with new ropes that have never been used, then I'll become weak and just like any other human being."

Majority Standard Bible
He replied, “If they tie me up with new ropes that have never been used, I will become as weak as any other man.”

NET Bible
He said to her, "If they tie me tightly with brand new ropes that have never been used, I will become weak and be just like any other man."

New Heart English Bible
He said to her, "If they only bind me with new ropes with which no work has been done, then shall I become weak, and be as another man."

Webster's Bible Translation
And he said to her, If they bind me fast with new ropes that never were used, then shall I be weak, and be as another man.

World English Bible
He said to her, “If they only bind me with new ropes with which no work has been done, then shall I become weak, and be as another man.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And he says to her, “If they certainly bind me with thick bands, new ones, by which work has not been done, then I have been weak, and have been as one of mankind.”

Young's Literal Translation
And he saith unto her, 'If they certainly bind me with thick bands, new ones, by which work hath not been done, then I have been weak, and have been as one of the human race.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will say to her, If binding, they shall bind me with new cords which work was not done with them, and I was weak and was as another man.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he answered her: If I shall be bound with new ropes, that were never in work, I shall be weak and like other men.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he answered her, “If I will be bound with new cords, which have never been used, I will be weak and like other men.”

New American Bible
“If they bind me tight with new ropes, with which no work has been done,” he answered her, “I shall grow weaker and be like anyone else.”

New Revised Standard Version
He said to her, “If they bind me with new ropes that have not been used, then I shall become weak, and be like anyone else.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he said to her, If they bind me fast with new chains that never were used, then shall I be weak and be like any other man.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he said to her: “If they will bind me with new chains with which no work has been done, I will be weakened and I shall be as one man”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And he said unto her: 'If they only bind me with new ropes wherewith no work, hath been done, then shall I become weak, and be as any other man.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he said to her, If they should bind me fast with new ropes with which work has not been done, then shall I be weak, and shall be as another man.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Samson and Delilah
10Then Delilah said to Samson, “You have mocked me and lied to me! Now please tell me how you can be tied up.” 11He replied, “If they tie me up with new ropes that have never been used, I will become as weak as any other man.” 12So 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.…

Cross References
Judges 14:6
and the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon him, and he tore the lion apart with his bare hands as one would tear a young goat. But he did not tell his father or mother what he had done.

Judges 15:14
When Samson arrived in Lehi, the Philistines came out shouting against him. And the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him. The ropes on his arms became like burnt flax, and the bonds broke loose from his hands.

Judges 13:5
For behold, you will conceive and give birth to a son. And no razor shall touch his head, because the boy will be a Nazirite to God from the womb, and he will begin the deliverance of Israel from the hand of the Philistines.”

Judges 14:19
Then the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and he went down to Ashkelon, killed thirty of their men, took their apparel, and gave their clothes to those who had solved the riddle. And burning with anger, Samson returned to his father’s house,

Judges 15:8
And he struck them ruthlessly with a great slaughter, and then went down and stayed in the cave at the rock of Etam.

Judges 15:15
He found the fresh jawbone of a donkey, reached out his hand and took it, and struck down a thousand men.

Numbers 6:5
For the entire period of his vow of separation, no razor shall touch his head. He must be holy until the time of his separation to the LORD is complete; he must let the hair of his head grow long.

1 Samuel 17:34-35
David replied, “Your servant has been tending his father’s sheep, and whenever a lion or a bear came and carried off a lamb from the flock, / I went after it, struck it down, and delivered the lamb from its mouth. If it reared up against me, I would grab it by its fur, strike it down, and kill it.

1 Samuel 17:50
Thus David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him.

1 Kings 3:12
behold, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been another like you, nor will there ever be.

1 Kings 19:8
So he got up and ate and drank. And strengthened by that food, he walked forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God.

2 Kings 1:8
“He was a hairy man,” they answered, “with a leather belt around his waist.” “It was Elijah the Tishbite,” said the king.

Matthew 3:4
John wore a garment of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.

Matthew 11:18
For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon!’

Mark 1:6
John was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.


Treasury of Scripture

And he said to her, If they bind me fast with new ropes that never were occupied, then shall I be weak, and be as another man.

if they bind me

Proverbs 13:3,5
He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction…

Proverbs 29:25
The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.

Ephesians 4:25
Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.

that never.

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Bind Human I'll New Occupied Ones Race Ropes Round Securely Thick Ties Tightly Used Weak Wherewith Work
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Bind Human I'll New Occupied Ones Race Ropes Round Securely Thick Ties Tightly Used Weak Wherewith Work
Judges 16
1. Samson at Gaza escapes, and carries away the gates of the city
4. Delilah corrupted by the Philistines, entices Samson
6. Thrice she is deceived
15. At last she overcomes him
21. The Philistines take him, and put out his eyes
22. His strength renewing, he pulls down the house upon the Philistines and dies














If they tie me with new ropes
In this phrase, Samson is responding to Delilah's persistent questioning about the source of his strength. The Hebrew word for "tie" (אָסַר, 'asar) implies binding or imprisoning, suggesting a restriction of freedom. The use of "new ropes" indicates a fresh attempt to subdue him, as older ropes might have been weakened or previously ineffective. This reflects the ongoing struggle between Samson's divine strength and human attempts to control it. Historically, ropes were made from materials like flax or hemp, which were strong but could be broken by someone with extraordinary strength. This phrase highlights the futility of human efforts against God's anointed when His purpose is at work.

that have never been used
The emphasis on ropes "that have never been used" suggests a belief in the power of purity or novelty. In ancient times, new materials were often considered stronger or more reliable. This detail underscores the desperation and creativity of those trying to capture Samson, as they seek any possible means to overcome his God-given strength. Spiritually, it can symbolize the fresh attempts of the enemy to entrap believers, yet it also serves as a reminder that no earthly power can prevail against divine empowerment.

I will become as weak as any other man
Samson's claim that he would become "as weak as any other man" if bound with new ropes is a significant admission. The Hebrew word for "weak" (חָלָשׁ, chalash) conveys the idea of being feeble or without strength. This statement reveals Samson's awareness of his unique strength, which sets him apart from ordinary men. It also foreshadows his eventual downfall when he reveals the true source of his strength to Delilah. From a theological perspective, this phrase serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of compromising one's divine calling and the vulnerability that comes from disobedience to God.

(11) New ropes.--As in Judges 15:13.

That never were occupied.--"Occupied" is an old word for "used." (See Exodus 38:24, "All the gold that was occupied for the work;" Luke 19:13; Hebrews 13:9; "Like a new bright silver dish never occupied "--Ascham, Schoolmaster.) Here, again, Samson distantly touches on the consecration which is the secret of his strength.

Verse 11. - Ropes - literally, twisted things; hence cords or ropes, as Psalm 2:3; Isaiah 5:18. Occupied - an old obsolete phrase, for which we should now say used.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
He replied,
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“If
אִם־ (’im-)
Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

they tie me up
אָס֤וֹר (’ā·sō·wr)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 631: To yoke, hitch, to fasten, to join battle

with new
חֲדָשִׁ֔ים (ḥă·ḏā·šîm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 2319: New

ropes
בַּעֲבֹתִ֣ים (ba·‘ă·ḇō·ṯîm)
Preposition-b | Noun - common plural
Strong's 5688: Something intwined, a string, wreath, foliage

that
אֲשֶׁ֛ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

have never
לֹֽא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

been used,
נַעֲשָׂ֥ה (na·‘ă·śāh)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

I will become as weak
וְחָלִ֥יתִי (wə·ḥā·lî·ṯî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 2470: To be weak or sick

as any
כְּאַחַ֥ד (kə·’a·ḥaḏ)
Preposition-k | Number - masculine singular construct
Strong's 259: United, one, first

other man.”
הָאָדָֽם׃ (hā·’ā·ḏām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 120: Ruddy, a human being


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OT History: Judges 16:11 He said to her If they only (Jd Judg. Jdg)
Judges 16:10
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