Judges 16:5
In Judges 16:5, we read: *“The lords of the Philistines came up to her and said to her, ‘Entice him, and see where his great strength lies and how we may overpower him that we may bind him to afflict him. Then we will each give you eleven hundred pieces of silver.’”* (v.5). The “her” in this verse refers to Delilah, who lived in the Valley of Sorek, a region that lay between the territories of the Philistines and the land occupied by the Israelites around the 12th or 11th century BC. The Philistines themselves occupied a coastal area in the southwest of Canaan, famous for its five principal cities: Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Ekron, and Gath. By approaching Delilah with a bribe, the Philistine leaders hoped to discover the secret of Samson’s strength, reflecting a larger conflict between Israel and the Philistines during this period of the Judges.
The verse highlights a moment of treachery, as Delilah is tempted to betray Samson for a significant sum of money—*“eleven hundred pieces of silver”* (v.5). Samson, a judge of Israel who likely served around 1075–1055 BC, displayed extraordinary physical might that came from the LORD’s empowerment (Judges 13–16). When the Philistines promise a substantial reward, it reveals the lengths to which they would go to subvert Samson’s divinely granted power. This betrayal for silver may foreshadow similar acts of betrayal seen later in the New Testament, such as Judas receiving silver in return for handing over Jesus (Matthew 26:14–15 NASB-95), underscoring a recurring theme of human frailty and corruption when faced with earthly wealth.
Furthermore, this verse sets in motion one of the most well-known downfalls in biblical history. Delilah’s role here is not a mere bystander; she becomes an active participant who uses her proximity to Samson to fulfill the Philistines’ request. The text *“see where his great strength lies”* (v.5) underscores the Philistine perplexity about Samson’s power, blending physical conflict with spiritual implications, since Samson’s might came from his dedication to God. The arrangement with Delilah exemplifies the subtlety of sin and the vulnerability that comes when a person, especially one chosen by God, places trust in an unreliable confidant.
Delilah agrees to help the Philistines uncover Samson’s secret.
This quick synopsis was AI autogenerated utilizing existing TheBibleSays commentaries as the primary source material. To read a related commentary that has been fully developed, see the list below. If there is an issue with this summary please let us know by emailing:[email protected]
Other Relevant Commentaries:
- Judges 2:1-5 meaning. The angel of the Lord delivers a message of rebuke to the Israelites at Bochim, reminding them of God’s faithfulness and their disobedience. The angel warns of the consequences of their actions, leading the people to weep and offer sacrifices to the Lord.
- Judges 5:1-5 meaning. The song of Deborah and Barak is a victory hymn celebrating God’s deliverance of Israel from the oppression of the Canaanite king Jabin and his commander Sisera. This song praises the leadership of Israel’s volunteers, glorifies the Lord’s mighty acts in battle, and recalls God’s past interventions in Israel’s history, worshiping His sovereignty and power over creation.
- Judges 2:16-23 meaning. Despite Israel’s repeated disobedience, God raises up judges to deliver them from their oppressors. However, the people persist in idolatry and corruption, leading to God’s decision to leave the remaining nations in the land as a test of Israel’s faithfulness.