Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Then the rulers of the Philistines brought her seven fresh bowstrings that had not been dried, and she tied him with them. New Living Translation So the Philistine rulers brought Delilah seven new bowstrings, and she tied Samson up with them. English Standard Version Then the lords of the Philistines brought up to her seven fresh bowstrings that had not been dried, and she bound him with them. Berean Standard Bible So the lords of the Philistines brought her seven fresh bowstrings that had not been dried, and she tied him up with them. King James Bible Then the lords of the Philistines brought up to her seven green withs which had not been dried, and she bound him with them. New King James Version So the lords of the Philistines brought up to her seven fresh bowstrings, not yet dried, and she bound him with them. New American Standard Bible Then the governors of the Philistines brought up to her seven fresh animal tendons that had not been dried, and she bound him with them. NASB 1995 Then the lords of the Philistines brought up to her seven fresh cords that had not been dried, and she bound him with them. NASB 1977 Then the lords of the Philistines brought up to her seven fresh cords that had not been dried, and she bound him with them. Legacy Standard Bible Then the lords of the Philistines brought up to her seven fresh cords that had not been dried, and she bound him with them. Amplified Bible Then the Philistine lords brought her seven fresh cords that had not been dried, and she bound him with them. Christian Standard Bible The Philistine leaders brought her seven fresh bowstrings that had not been dried, and she tied him up with them. Holman Christian Standard Bible The Philistine leaders brought her seven fresh bowstrings that had not been dried, and she tied him up with them. American Standard Version Then the lords of the Philistines brought up to her seven green withes which had not been dried, and she bound him with them. English Revised Version Then the lords of the Philistines brought up to her seven green withes which had not been dried, and she bound him with them. GOD'S WORD® Translation The Philistine rulers brought her seven new bowstrings that were not dried out. She tied Samson up with them. Good News Translation So the Philistine kings brought Delilah seven new bowstrings that were not dried out, and she tied Samson up. International Standard Version Then the Philistine leaders brought her seven green cords that had never been dried, and she tied him up with them. NET Bible So the rulers of the Philistines brought her seven fresh bowstrings which had not been dried and they tied him up with them. New Heart English Bible Then the lords of the Philistines brought up to her seven green cords which had not been dried, and she bound him with them. Webster's Bible Translation Then the lords of the Philistines brought to her seven green withs, which had not been dried, and she bound him with them. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleSo the lords of the Philistines brought her seven fresh bowstrings that had not been dried, and she tied him up with them. World English Bible Then the lords of the Philistines brought up to her seven green cords which had not been dried, and she bound him with them. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd the princes of the Philistines bring up to her seven green cords which have not been dried, and she binds him with them. Young's Literal Translation And the princes of the Philistines bring up to her seven green withs which have not been dried, and she bindeth him with them. Smith's Literal Translation And the princess of Philisteim will bring up to her seven moist cords which were not dried, and she will bind him with them. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd the princes of the Philistines brought unto her seven cords, such is he spoke of, with which she bound him; Catholic Public Domain Version And the princes of the Philistines brought to her seven cords, such as he had described. And she bound him with these. New American Bible So the lords of the Philistines brought her seven fresh bowstrings that had not dried, and she bound him with them. New Revised Standard Version Then the lords of the Philistines brought her seven fresh bowstrings that had not dried out, and she bound him with them. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThen the lords of the Philistines brought up to her seven fresh bowstrings that had never been dried, and she bound him with them. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And the Tyrants of the Philistines brought up to her seven green bow strings that had not been dried, and she tied him up with them OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Then the lords of the Philistines brought up to her seven fresh bowstrings which had not been dried, and she bound him with them. Brenton Septuagint Translation And the princess of the Philistines brought to her seven moist cords that had not been spoiled, and she bound him with them. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Samson and Delilah…7Samson 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.” 8So the lords of the Philistines brought her seven fresh bowstrings that had not been dried, and she tied him up with them. 9While the men were hidden in her room, she called out, “Samson, the Philistines are here!” But he snapped the bowstrings like a strand of yarn seared by a flame. So the source of his strength remained unknown.… Cross References Judges 14:15-17 So on the fourth day they said to Samson’s wife, “Entice your husband to explain the riddle to us, or we will burn you and your father’s household to death. Did you invite us here to rob us?” / Then Samson’s wife came to him, weeping, and said, “You hate me! You do not really love me! You have posed to my people a riddle, but have not explained it to me.” “Look,” he said, “I have not even explained it to my father or mother, so why should I explain it to you?” / She wept the whole seven days of the feast, and finally on the seventh day, because she had pressed him so much, he told her the answer. And in turn she explained the riddle to her people. Judges 15:11-13 In response, three thousand men of Judah went to the cave at the rock of Etam, and they asked Samson, “Do you not realize that the Philistines rule over us? What have you done to us?” “I have done to them what they did to me,” he replied. / But they said to him, “We have come down to arrest you and hand you over to the Philistines.” Samson replied, “Swear to me that you will not kill me yourselves.” / “No,” they answered, “we will not kill you, but we will tie you up securely and hand you over to them.” So they bound him with two new ropes and led him up from the rock. 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 14:1-3 One day Samson went down to Timnah, where he saw a young Philistine woman. / So he returned and told his father and mother, “I have seen a daughter of the Philistines in Timnah. Now get her for me as a wife.” / But his father and mother replied, “Can’t you find a young woman among your relatives or among any of our people? Must you go to the uncircumcised Philistines to get a wife?” But Samson told his father, “Get her for me, for she is pleasing to my eyes.” Judges 15:6 “Who did this?” the Philistines demanded. “It was Samson, the son-in-law of the Timnite,” they were told. “For his wife was given to his companion.” So the Philistines went up and burned her and her father to death. 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 15:14 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 13:24-25 So the woman gave birth to a son and named him Samson. The boy grew, and the LORD blessed him. / And the Spirit of the LORD began to stir him at Mahaneh-dan, between Zorah and Eshtaol. Judges 14:4 (Now his father and mother did not know this was from the LORD, who was seeking an occasion to move against the Philistines; for at that time the Philistines were ruling over Israel.) Judges 15:3 Samson said to them, “This time I will be blameless in doing harm to the Philistines.” Judges 14:16-17 Then Samson’s wife came to him, weeping, and said, “You hate me! You do not really love me! You have posed to my people a riddle, but have not explained it to me.” “Look,” he said, “I have not even explained it to my father or mother, so why should I explain it to you?” / She wept the whole seven days of the feast, and finally on the seventh day, because she had pressed him so much, he told her the answer. And in turn she explained the riddle to her people. Judges 15:7 And Samson told them, “Because you have done this, I will not rest until I have taken vengeance upon you.” 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 15:15-16 He found the fresh jawbone of a donkey, reached out his hand and took it, and struck down a thousand men. / Then Samson said: “With the jawbone of a donkey I have piled them into heaps. With the jawbone of a donkey I have slain a thousand men.” Judges 13:3 The angel of the LORD appeared to the woman and said to her, “It is true that you are barren and have no children; but you will conceive and give birth to a son. Treasury of Scripture Then the lords of the Philistines brought up to her seven green thongs which had not been dried, and she bound him with them. bound him Ecclesiastes 7:26 And I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her. Jump to Previous Bindeth Bound Bow-Cords Bowstrings Chiefs Cords Dried Dry Knotted Lords New Philistines Princes Rulers Seven Thongs Tied Tightly Withes WithsJump to Next Bindeth Bound Bow-Cords Bowstrings Chiefs Cords Dried Dry Knotted Lords New Philistines Princes Rulers Seven Thongs Tied Tightly Withes WithsJudges 16 1. Samson at Gaza escapes, and carries away the gates of the city4. 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 So the lords of the Philistines The Philistines were a significant adversarial group to the Israelites during the time of the Judges. They were a seafaring people who settled along the coastal regions of Canaan. The "lords" refers to the rulers or leaders of the five major Philistine cities: Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron. These leaders were often involved in military and political decisions, especially those concerning their conflicts with Israel. brought her seven fresh bowstrings that had not been dried and she tied him up with them Persons / Places / Events 1. SamsonA judge of Israel known for his supernatural strength, which was a gift from God tied to his Nazirite vow. 2. Delilah A woman from the Valley of Sorek whom Samson loved. She was approached by the Philistine rulers to discover the secret of Samson's strength. 3. Philistine Lords The rulers of the Philistines who were enemies of Israel. They sought to capture Samson by exploiting his relationship with Delilah. 4. Valley of Sorek A region where Delilah lived, and where the events of Samson's betrayal took place. 5. Seven Fresh Bowstrings The items used by Delilah in her first attempt to bind Samson, symbolizing the Philistines' initial strategy to weaken him. Teaching Points The Danger of CompromiseSamson's relationship with Delilah shows how personal compromise can lead to spiritual and physical downfall. Believers must guard their hearts and remain steadfast in their commitments to God. The Power of Influence Delilah's influence over Samson highlights the impact others can have on our spiritual journey. Christians should seek relationships that encourage and strengthen their faith. God's Sovereignty and Human Weakness Despite Samson's failures, God's purposes were ultimately fulfilled. This reminds us that God can work through our weaknesses and mistakes to accomplish His will. The Importance of Obedience Samson's account underscores the necessity of obedience to God's commands. Disobedience can lead to dire consequences, but obedience brings blessing and protection. Recognizing Temptation Samson's repeated encounters with Delilah's deceit illustrate the need for discernment and vigilance against temptation. Believers should be aware of their vulnerabilities and seek God's strength to resist. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Judges 16:8?2. How does Judges 16:8 illustrate the consequences of ignoring God's warnings? 3. What can we learn about temptation from Delilah's actions in Judges 16:8? 4. How does Judges 16:8 connect with Proverbs 7:21-23 on deceit? 5. How can we guard against manipulation like Samson faced in Judges 16:8? 6. What steps can we take to strengthen our resolve against sin's allurements? 7. How does Judges 16:8 reflect the theme of human weakness and divine strength? 8. What does Judges 16:8 reveal about the cultural practices of the Philistines? 9. How does the story of Samson challenge modern views on morality and justice? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Judges 16? 11. Why did Israelites take a longer route to Canaan? 12. What defines the Delilah spirit? 13. In 2 Kings 8:1-6, how does the seven-year famine align with historical or archaeological evidence for prolonged famines in that region? 14. Who were the kings of Israel and Judah? What Does Judges 16:8 Mean So the lords of the PhilistinesThese five regional rulers (Judges 3:3; 1 Samuel 6:4) act in unison, highlighting both their fear of Samson and their determination to break him. Earlier they had come to Delilah with the promise of silver (Judges 16:5), showing how earthly power often uses wealth to advance its purposes. Their presence reminds us of the repeated cycle in Judges: Israel sins, enemies oppress, and God raises a deliverer (Judges 2:16-19). Here, however, the oppressors take the offensive against God’s chosen judge. Brought her The men place the materials straight into Delilah’s hands. This underscores their full confidence in her cooperation and reveals the depth of her betrayal (contrast Ruth 1:16-17, where loyalty marks covenant love). Delilah becomes an instrument of temptation much like the Moabite women in Numbers 25:1-3 or Jezebel in 1 Kings 21:25-26—outsiders who lure God’s people away from obedience. Seven fresh bowstrings Seven often signals completeness (Genesis 2:2-3; Joshua 6:4). The Philistines hope these “complete” restraints will decisively end Samson’s strength. Bowstrings, made from animal sinew, mirror the weapons Samson had once mocked (Judges 15:15). The irony is thick: they choose hunting cords to trap the hunter. Bullet points for significance: • Symbolic completeness: a man famous for unparalleled power is to be subdued by a perfect set of cords. • Flesh versus Spirit: sinew represents human effort; Samson’s strength is divine (Judges 14:6; Zechariah 4:6). • Echo of covenant language: seven also marks oaths (Genesis 21:28-31); Delilah twists an oath-like number for deceit. That had not been dried Freshness means maximum strength and elasticity. Just as new ropes failed in Judges 15:13-14, these new cords are thought to succeed. The Philistines trust tangible strength; yet Scripture consistently shows God undoing such confidence (Psalm 20:7; Isaiah 31:1). Their choice exposes a worldview rooted in the material, ignoring the spiritual source of Samson’s might. And she tied him up with them Delilah moves from enticement to action, embodying James 1:14-15: “each one is tempted…then desire…gives birth to sin.” Samson allows himself to be bound—perhaps out of misplaced confidence (Proverbs 16:18) or naiveté toward Delilah’s motives (Judges 16:6). The binding anticipates the final scene where real cords—and compromised vows—lead to Samson’s downfall (Judges 16:21). Yet even here, God’s purpose advances: human schemes will ultimately bring Samson into position for his greatest act of deliverance (Judges 16:30). summary Judges 16:8 captures a moment when human power plots to overthrow God-given strength. The Philistine rulers, wielding wealth and cunning, deliver seven undried bowstrings to Delilah, hoping perfect, fresh sinews will bind Samson. Delilah’s betrayal progresses from words to deeds, and Samson’s casual submission foreshadows the danger of treating divine gifts lightly. The verse warns against trusting in material strategies while reminding us that God’s purposes stand, even when His servant stumbles. Hebrew So the lordsסַרְנֵ֣י (sar·nê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 5633: An axle, a peer of the Philistines פְלִשְׁתִּ֗ים (p̄ə·liš·tîm) Noun - proper - masculine plural Strong's 6430: Philistines -- inhabitants of Philistia brought וַיַּעֲלוּ־ (way·ya·‘ă·lū-) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively her לָ֞הּ (lāh) Preposition | third person feminine singular Strong's Hebrew seven שִׁבְעָ֛ה (šiḇ·‘āh) Number - masculine singular Strong's 7651: Seven, seven times, a week, an indefinite number fresh לַחִ֖ים (la·ḥîm) Adjective - masculine plural Strong's 3892: Fresh, unused, undried bowstrings יְתָרִ֥ים (yə·ṯā·rîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 3499: An overhanging, an excess, superiority, remainder, a small rope that אֲשֶׁ֣ר (’ă·šer) Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that had not לֹא־ (lō-) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no been dried, חֹרָ֑בוּ (ḥō·rā·ḇū) Verb - Pual - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 2717: To parch, to desolate, destroy, kill and she bound him וַתַּאַסְרֵ֖הוּ (wat·ta·’as·rê·hū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular | third person masculine singular Strong's 631: To yoke, hitch, to fasten, to join battle with them. בָּהֶֽם׃ (bā·hem) Preposition | third person masculine plural Strong's Hebrew Links Judges 16:8 NIVJudges 16:8 NLT Judges 16:8 ESV Judges 16:8 NASB Judges 16:8 KJV Judges 16:8 BibleApps.com Judges 16:8 Biblia Paralela Judges 16:8 Chinese Bible Judges 16:8 French Bible Judges 16:8 Catholic Bible OT History: Judges 16:8 Then the lords of the Philistines brought (Jd Judg. Jdg) |