Judges 16:13
New International Version
Delilah then said to Samson, “All this time you have been making a fool of me and lying to me. Tell me how you can be tied.” He replied, “If you weave the seven braids of my head into the fabric on the loom and tighten it with the pin, I’ll become as weak as any other man.” So while he was sleeping, Delilah took the seven braids of his head, wove them into the fabric

New Living Translation
Then Delilah said, “You’ve been making fun of me and telling me lies! Now tell me how you can be tied up securely.” Samson replied, “If you were to weave the seven braids of my hair into the fabric on your loom and tighten it with the loom shuttle, I would become as weak as anyone else.” So while he slept, Delilah wove the seven braids of his hair into the fabric.

English Standard Version
Then Delilah said to Samson, “Until now you have mocked me and told me lies. Tell me how you might be bound.” And he said to her, “If you weave the seven locks of my head with the web and fasten it tight with the pin, then I shall become weak and be like any other man.”

Berean Standard Bible
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.”

King James Bible
And Delilah said unto Samson, Hitherto thou hast mocked me, and told me lies: tell me wherewith thou mightest be bound. And he said unto her, If thou weavest the seven locks of my head with the web.

New King James Version
Delilah said to Samson, “Until now you have mocked me and told me lies. Tell me what you may be bound with.” And he said to her, “If you weave the seven locks of my head into the web of the loom”—

New American Standard Bible
Then Delilah said to Samson, “Up to now you have toyed with me and told me lies; tell me how you may be bound.” And he said to her, “If you weave the seven locks of my hair with the web [and fasten it with the pin, then I will be weak like any other man.”

NASB 1995
Then Delilah said to Samson, “Up to now you have deceived me and told me lies; tell me how you may be bound.” And he said to her, “If you weave the seven locks of my hair with the web and fasten it with a pin, then I will become weak and be like any other man.”

NASB 1977
Then Delilah said to Samson, “Up to now you have deceived me and told me lies; tell me how you may be bound.” And he said to her, “If you weave the seven locks of my hair with the web [and fasten it with a pin, then I shall become weak and be like any other man.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then Delilah said to Samson, “Up to now you have deceived me and told me lies; tell me how you may be bound.” And he said to her, “If you weave the seven locks of my head with the web [and fasten it with a pin, then I will become weak and be like any other man.”

Amplified Bible
Then Delilah said to Samson, “Until now you have mocked me and told me lies; tell me [truthfully] with what you may be bound.” And he said to her, “If you weave the seven braids of my hair with the web [and fasten it with a pin, then I will become weak and be like any other man.”

Christian Standard Bible
Then Delilah said to Samson, “You have mocked me all along and told me lies! Tell me how you can be tied up.” He told her, “If you weave the seven braids on my head into the fabric on a loom—”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then Delilah said to Samson, “You have mocked me all along and told me lies! Tell me how you can be tied up.” He told her, “If you weave the seven braids on my head with the web of a loom—”

American Standard Version
And Delilah said unto Samson, Hitherto thou hast mocked me, and told me lies: tell me wherewith thou mightest be bound. And he said unto her, If thou weavest the seven locks of my head with the web.

Contemporary English Version
"You're still lying and making a fool of me," Delilah said. "Tell me how I can tie you up!" "My hair is in seven braids," Samson replied. "If you weave my braids into the threads on a loom and nail the loom to a wall, then I will be as weak as anyone else."

English Revised Version
And Delilah said unto Samson, Hitherto thou hast mocked me, and told me lies: tell me wherewith thou mightest be bound. And he said unto her, If thou weavest the seven locks of my head with the web.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Delilah told Samson, "You're still making fun of me by telling me lies. Tell me how you can be tied up." Samson replied, "Just weave the seven braids of my hair with the other threads in the loom."

Good News Translation
Delilah said to Samson, "You're still making a fool of me and not telling me the truth. Tell me how someone could tie you up." He told her, "If you weave my seven locks of hair into a loom, and make it tight with a peg, I'll be as weak as anybody else."

International Standard Version
Later on, Delilah told Samson, "You're still mocking me and telling me lies! Tell me how to tie you up!" He answered her, "If you weave the seven locks on my head into a loom and fasten it with a peg, then I will become weak and just like any other human being."

Majority Standard Bible
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.?

NET Bible
Delilah said to Samson, "Up to now you have deceived me and told me lies. Tell me how you can be subdued." He said to her, "If you weave the seven braids of my hair into the fabric on the loom and secure it with the pin, I will become weak and be like any other man."

New Heart English Bible
Delilah said to Samson, "Until now, you have mocked me and told me lies. Tell me how you might be bound." He said to her, "If you weave the seven braids on my head with the fabric and fasten them with the pin, then I will be weak as another man."

Webster's Bible Translation
And Delilah said to Samson, hitherto thou hast mocked me, and told me lies: tell me with what thou mayest be bound. And he said to her, If thou weavest the seven locks of my head with the web.

World English Bible
Delilah said to Samson, “Until now, you have mocked me and told me lies. Tell me with what you might be bound.” He said to her, “If you weave the seven locks of my head with the fabric on the loom.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Delilah says to Samson, “Until now you have played on me, and speak lies to me; declare to me with what you are bound.” And he says to her, “If you weave the seven locks of my head with the web.”

Young's Literal Translation
And Delilah saith unto Samson, 'Hitherto thou hast played upon me, and dost speak unto me lies; declare to me wherewith thou art bound.' And he saith unto her, 'If thou weavest the seven locks of my head with the web.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And Delilah will say to Samson, Till now thou deceivedst me, and thou wilt speak to me lies: announce to me in what thou shalt be bound. And he will say to her, If thou shalt weave the seven braids of my head with the warp.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Dalila said to him again: How long dost thou deceive me, and tell me lies? Shew me wherewith thou mayest be bound. And Samson answered her: If thou plattest the seven locks of my head with a lace, and tying them round about a nail fastenest it in the ground, I shall be weak.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And Delilah spoke to him again: “How long will you deceive me and tell me falsehoods? Reveal with what you ought to be bound.” And Samson responded to her, “If you weave the seven locks of my head with a loom, and if you tie these around a spike and fix it to the ground, I will be weak.”

New American Bible
Delilah said to Samson again, “Up to now you have mocked me and told me lies. Tell me how you may be bound.” He said to her, “If you weave the seven locks of my hair into the web and fasten them with the pin, I shall grow weaker and be like anyone else.”

New Revised Standard Version
Then Delilah said to Samson, “Until now you have mocked me and told me lies; tell me how you could be bound.” He said to her, “If you weave the seven locks of my head with the web and make it tight with the pin, then I shall become weak, and be like anyone else.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Delilah said to Samson, Behold you have deceived me and told me lies; tell me with what you might be bound. And he said to her, If you weave the seven locks of my head into a web.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Daliyala said to Samson: “See, you have lied to me and you have told me lies! Show me by what you may be bound.” And he said to her, “If it is that you weave the seven locks of my head with the weaver’s shuttle”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Delilah said unto Samson: 'Hitherto thou hast mocked me, and told me lies; tell me wherewith thou mightest be bound.' And he said unto her: 'If thou weavest the seven locks of my head with the web.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Dalida said to Sampson, Behold, thou hast deceived me, and told me lies; tell me, I intreat thee, wherewith thou mayest be bound: and he said to her, If thou shouldest weave the seven locks of my head with the web, and shouldest fasten them with the pin into the wall, then shall I be weak as another man.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Samson and Delilah
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. 13Then 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.” 14So while he slept, Delilah took the seven braids of his hair and wove them into the web. Then she tightened it with a pin and called to him, “Samson, the Philistines are here!” But he awoke from his sleep and pulled out the pin with the loom and the web.…

Cross References
Judges 14:12-18
“Let me tell you a riddle,” Samson said to them. “If you can solve it for me within the seven days of the feast, I will give you thirty linen garments and thirty sets of clothes. / But if you cannot solve it, you must give me thirty linen garments and thirty sets of clothes.” “Tell us your riddle,” they replied. “Let us hear it.” / So he said to them: “Out of the eater came something to eat, and out of the strong came something sweet.” For three days they were unable to explain the riddle. ...

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 16:6-9
So Delilah said to Samson, “Please tell me the source of your great strength and how you can be tied up and subdued.” / 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.” / So the lords of the Philistines brought her seven fresh bowstrings that had not been dried, and she tied him up with them. ...

Judges 16:19-20
And having lulled him to sleep on her lap, she called a man to shave off the seven braids of his head. In this way she began to subdue him, and his strength left him. / Then she called out, “Samson, the Philistines are here!” When Samson awoke from his sleep, he thought, “I will escape as I did before and shake myself free.” But he did not know that the LORD had departed from him.

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.

Deuteronomy 7:3-4
Do not intermarry with them. Do not give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons, / because they will turn your sons away from following Me to serve other gods. Then the anger of the LORD will burn against you, and He will swiftly destroy you.

1 Samuel 16:13
So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward. Then Samuel set out and went to Ramah.

1 Kings 11:1-4
King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women along with the daughter of Pharaoh—women of Moab, Ammon, Edom, and Sidon, as well as Hittite women. / These women were from the nations about which the LORD had told the Israelites, “You must not intermarry with them, for surely they will turn your hearts after their gods.” Yet Solomon clung to these women in love. / He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines—and his wives turned his heart away. ...

Proverbs 5:3-4
Though the lips of the forbidden woman drip honey and her speech is smoother than oil, / in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a double-edged sword.

Proverbs 7:21-27
With her great persuasion she entices him; with her flattering lips she lures him. / He follows her on impulse, like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer bounding into a trap, / until an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare—not knowing it will cost him his life. ...

Proverbs 31:3
Do not spend your strength on women or your vigor on those who ruin kings.

Ecclesiastes 7:26
And I find more bitter than death the woman who is a snare, whose heart is a net, and whose hands are chains. The man who pleases God escapes her, but the sinner is ensnared.

Matthew 26:41
“Watch and pray so that you will not enter into temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”

Mark 14:38
Watch and pray so that you will not enter into temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”


Treasury of Scripture

And Delilah said to Samson, Till now you have mocked me, and told me lies: tell me with which you might be bound. And he said to her, If you weave the seven locks of my head with the web.

with the web.

Jump to Previous
Bound Braids Deceived Delilah Hair Head Hitherto I'll Lies Making Mayest Mightest Mocked Pin Samson Seven Sleeping Tied Tight Weak Weave Web Wherewith
Jump to Next
Bound Braids Deceived Delilah Hair Head Hitherto I'll Lies Making Mayest Mightest Mocked Pin Samson Seven Sleeping Tied Tight Weak Weave Web Wherewith
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














Then Delilah said to Samson
This phrase introduces Delilah, a central figure in Samson's narrative. Her name, Delilah, is derived from the Hebrew root "dalal," meaning "to weaken or impoverish." This is fitting, as her actions lead to Samson's downfall. Delilah's role is pivotal in the story, representing temptation and betrayal. Historically, Delilah is often seen as a Philistine, though the text does not explicitly state her nationality. Her relationship with Samson is complex, marked by manipulation and deceit.

Until now you have mocked me and lied to me
Delilah accuses Samson of deception, highlighting the tension in their relationship. The Hebrew word for "mocked" is "hathal," which can also mean to deceive or make sport of. This reflects the ongoing battle of wits between Samson and Delilah. In a broader scriptural context, this interaction underscores the theme of trust and betrayal, a recurring motif in the Bible. Delilah's persistence is a testament to her determination to uncover Samson's secret, driven by the Philistine leaders' promise of silver.

Tell me how you can be tied up
Delilah's request is direct and persistent, emphasizing her role as an agent of the Philistines. The phrase "tied up" in Hebrew is "asar," meaning to bind or imprison. This is symbolic of the spiritual and physical bondage that sin can create. Delilah's insistence on discovering Samson's weakness is a reminder of the relentless nature of temptation and the importance of vigilance in one's spiritual life.

He replied, 'If you weave the seven braids of my head
Samson's response involves the "seven braids" of his hair, which are significant. The number seven in the Bible often symbolizes completeness or perfection. Samson's hair is the source of his Nazirite vow and strength, representing his consecration to God. By mentioning his hair, Samson is dangerously close to revealing the true source of his strength, indicating a lapse in his judgment and spiritual discernment.

into the fabric on the loom and tighten it with a pin
The imagery of weaving his hair into a loom is rich with symbolism. Weaving, in ancient cultures, was a meticulous and deliberate process, often associated with creation and artistry. The act of weaving Samson's hair into a loom suggests entanglement and the loss of freedom. The "pin" used to tighten the fabric signifies the finality and binding nature of sin when one is ensnared by temptation.

I will become as weak as any other man
Samson's statement reveals his awareness of his unique strength and the consequences of losing it. The phrase "as weak as any other man" underscores the idea that without God's empowerment, Samson is no different from any other person. This serves as a powerful reminder of the source of true strength and the dangers of taking God's gifts for granted. In the broader biblical narrative, it highlights the theme of human frailty and the need for divine dependence.

(13) If thou weavest the seven locks of my head with the web.--The illustrious and "sunny locks of the Nazarite" did not, as Milton imagines, "lie waving and curling about his god-like shoulders," but were plaited into seven locks. The word for "locks"--machelephoth--occurs here only. The LXX. render it "curls" (bostruchous) and seiras, which appears to mean "plaits," like the Greek plokamous. The word for "web" is a technical word, and perhaps means warp. The LXX. and the Vulg. add, "and drive them with the peg into the wall," which is implied in the next verse. With almost incredible levity and folly, Samson here goes to the very verge of the true secret, and suffers his sacred hair to be woven in a harlot's loom. (Tertio de mysterio deprompsit jam lapsuro propior. St. Ambrose.)

Verse 13. - The seven locks, by which we learn that his mass of hair as a Nazarite was arranged in seven locks or plaits. His resistance was becoming weaker, and he now approached the dangerous ground of his unshorn hair. With the web. This must mean the warp, which was already fastened in the loom, and across which Samson s locks were to be woven as the woof.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then Delilah
דְּלִילָ֜ה (də·lî·lāh)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1807: Delilah -- Philistine mistress of Samson

said
וַתֹּ֨אמֶר (wat·tō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

Samson,
שִׁמְשׁ֗וֹן (šim·šō·wn)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8123: Samson -- a deliverer of Israel

“You have mocked
הֵתַ֤לְתָּ (hê·ṯal·tā)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 2048: To deride, to cheat

me
בִּי֙ (bî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrew

and lied to me
וַתְּדַבֵּ֤ר (wat·tə·ḏab·bêr)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

all along!
הֵ֜נָּה (hên·nāh)
Adverb
Strong's 2008: Hither, thither

Tell
הַגִּ֣ידָה (hag·gî·ḏāh)
Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 5046: To be conspicuous

me how
בַּמֶּ֖ה (bam·meh)
Preposition-b | Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

you can be tied up.”
תֵּאָסֵ֑ר (tê·’ā·sêr)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 631: To yoke, hitch, to fasten, to join battle

He told her,
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

you weave
תַּאַרְגִ֗י (ta·’ar·ḡî)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person feminine singular
Strong's 707: To plait, weave

the seven
שֶׁ֛בַע (še·ḇa‘)
Number - feminine singular
Strong's 7651: Seven, seven times, a week, an indefinite number

braids
מַחְלְפ֥וֹת (maḥ·lə·p̄ō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 4253: A ringlet of hair

of my head
רֹאשִׁ֖י (rō·šî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 7218: The head

into
עִם־ (‘im-)
Preposition
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

the web of a loom [and fasten it with a pin, I will become as weak as any other man.]”
הַמַּסָּֽכֶת׃ (ham·mas·sā·ḵeṯ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4545: Something expanded, the warp in a, loom


Links
Judges 16:13 NIV
Judges 16:13 NLT
Judges 16:13 ESV
Judges 16:13 NASB
Judges 16:13 KJV

Judges 16:13 BibleApps.com
Judges 16:13 Biblia Paralela
Judges 16:13 Chinese Bible
Judges 16:13 French Bible
Judges 16:13 Catholic Bible

OT History: Judges 16:13 Delilah said to Samson Hitherto you have (Jd Judg. Jdg)
Judges 16:12
Top of Page
Top of Page