Topical Bible: Beard: Samson

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In the biblical narrative, Samson is a prominent figure known for his extraordinary strength, which is attributed to his Nazirite vow, a commitment that included abstaining from cutting his hair (Judges 13:5). While the Bible does not explicitly mention Samson's beard, it is reasonable to infer that, as a Nazirite, he would have also refrained from shaving his beard, as part of the vow involved letting one's hair grow uncut.

Samson's account is primarily found in the Book of Judges, chapters 13 to 16. He was born to Manoah and his wife, who had been barren until an angel of the Lord announced that she would conceive a son. The angel instructed that the child be raised as a Nazirite from birth, which included the stipulation that "no razor shall come upon his head" (Judges 13:5). This vow was a sign of his dedication to God and was the source of his supernatural strength.

Throughout his life, Samson's strength is demonstrated in various feats, such as killing a lion with his bare hands (Judges 14:5-6), striking down thirty Philistines (Judges 14:19), and defeating a thousand men with the jawbone of a donkey (Judges 15:15). His uncut hair, and by extension his unshaven beard, symbolized his consecration to God and his unique role as a judge and deliverer of Israel.

The narrative reaches a pivotal moment when Samson falls in love with Delilah, who is persuaded by the Philistine rulers to discover the secret of his strength. After persistent questioning, Samson reveals that his strength would leave him if his hair were cut (Judges 16:17). Delilah subsequently has his hair shaved while he sleeps, leading to his capture by the Philistines (Judges 16:19-21).

Samson's account concludes with his final act of strength. While imprisoned, his hair begins to grow back, symbolizing the return of his dedication to God. In a final plea, Samson prays to the Lord for strength one last time and brings down the temple of Dagon, killing himself and many Philistines (Judges 16:28-30).

The account of Samson underscores the significance of the Nazirite vow and the symbolic power of hair and, by implication, the beard, as a sign of divine empowerment and dedication. His life serves as a testament to the importance of faithfulness to God's calling and the consequences of straying from one's vows.

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Judges 16:17
That he told her all his heart, and said to her, There has not come a razor on my head; for I have been a Nazarite to God from my mother's womb: if I be shaven, then my strength will go from me, and I shall become weak, and be like any other man.
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Library

A Compendious view of the Christian Life.
... Having celebrated the beauty of the beard by a repetition, he made the face to ... The
noble Samson was overcome by the harlot, and by another woman was shorn of ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter xi a compendious view of.htm

The Encamping Angel
... who 'scrabbled on the doors,' and let 'the spittle run down his beard,' is the ... trust
and praise; he hears the lions roar among the rocks where Samson had found ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/the encamping angel.htm

Philosophy Conveys Only an Imperfect Knowledge of God.
... For to Samson power was given in his hair, in order that he might perceive that ... to
all, "as the ointment," it is said, "which descends to Aaron's beard, and to ...
/.../the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xvii philosophy conveys only an.htm

Sinners Bound with the Cords of Sin
... Samson could burst asunder green withes and new ropes, but when at last his darling ...
As for what they will endure who have beard the gospel, but have wilfully ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 16 1870/sinners bound with the cords.htm

New Uses for Old Trophies
... his own talents, and the use he makes of them; need he wonder if, when next he goes
forth, as Samson of old ... We were a long time before we came up to beard that. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/new uses for old trophies.htm

A Book for Boys and Girls Or, Temporal Things Spritualized.
... dotterel[10] play; And since at gravity they make a tush, My very beard I cast ... mind
express, May I by them bring some good thing to pass, As Samson, with the ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a book for boys and.htm

The Exile Continued.
... of the gate,[H] and "let his spittle run down into his beard." (1 Samuel 21 ... by was
the valley where he had killed Goliath, the scenes of Samson's exploits were ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/v the exilecontinued.htm

One Lion Two Lions no Lion at All
... foresees is more than he can face: it is a lion, and he is neither Samson, nor David ...
the lion," and he will be with you and take the lion by the beard and slay ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/one lion two lions no.htm

Concerning Peaceableness
... How many in our days may be compared to Samson's foxtails, which were tied together ...
Caesar and Pompey, he was never seen to laugh or shave his beard or cut his ...
/.../the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/18 concerning peaceableness.htm

Book ii. Jerome Answers the Second, Third, and Fourth Propositions ...
... Nathan the words, [4803] "The Lord also hath put away thy sin." Samson and Samuel ...
not wear out: the hair of all alike did not grow, nor the beard increase: the ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/book ii jerome answers the.htm