Judges 16:8

*Then the lords of the Philistines brought up to her seven fresh cords that had not been dried, and she bound him with them* (v.8). The passage recounts how Delilah, under the influence of the Philistine authorities, takes these new cords to bind Samson. It is part of a larger sequence where Delilah is attempting to discover the secret of Samson’s strength. Samson is an important figure in Israel’s history; he served as a judge during the period broadly estimated between 1380–1050 BC. He was called by God to deliver Israel from Philistine oppression, yet his narrative shows both his extraordinary feats of might and his vulnerability when spiritually and relationally compromised.

In the immediate context, Delilah’s actions highlight her willingness to cooperate with the enemies of Israel in exchange for a personal reward, demonstrating the depth of betrayal Samson faces (Judges 16:5 NASB-95). Some scholars place these events in the region near the Valley of Sorek, a fertile area near the border of Philistine territory. This locale was significant, as it provided a meeting point of Israelite and Philistine cultures, intensifying the tension between Samson’s calling and his interactions with the Philistines.

By using fresh cords that had not been dried, the Philistines hoped the cords would have extra strength or durability, but this attempt ultimately fails to subdue Samson. In a broader theological sense, the verse points to humanity’s inability to overcome the power of God’s anointing when He has a purpose for someone, a theme inexorably seen in the life of Jesus Christ, who triumphed despite the efforts of those who sought to bind or silence Him (Matthew 16:21–23 NASB-95). Samson’s story thus illustrates that external forces, no matter how formidable, cannot prevail against God’s will.

Samson’s temporary restraint by fresh cords underscores how easily human strategies crumble before God’s chosen instrument.