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.
JUDGES 16:13KJVWhat does Judges 16:13 mean?
Judges 16:13 shows Delilah confronting Samson, accusing him of mocking her and lying about the secret of his strength, and pressing him to reveal how he could be bound. Samson responds with another false answer, telling her that weaving the seven locks of his hair into a loom would bind him.
In this verse, Delilah is speaking directly to Samson as part of her ongoing attempts to discover the source of his strength for the Philistines. The conversation is tense, with Delilah expressing frustration at being deceived. Samson’s reply continues his pattern of misleading her, giving a specific but untrue method involving his hair, which hints at the real source of his strength but does not reveal it.
The Hebrew behind Judges 16:13
- "mocked" (הֲתַלְתָּ / hătalta): This word means to make fun of or deceive, showing Delilah feels tricked by Samson’s previous answers.
- "seven" (שֶׁבַע / sheva): The mention of "seven locks" emphasizes a specific and symbolic number in Hebrew culture, suggesting completeness or significance in Samson’s hair.
- "locks" (מַחְלְפוֹת / machlefot): This refers to the sections or braids of Samson’s hair, highlighting that his hair was distinctive and likely worn in a special way, which is important to the story.
Why Judges 16:13 matters
- This verse highlights the growing tension and manipulation in the relationship between Samson and Delilah, setting up the eventual betrayal.
- The detail about the "seven locks" of hair points the reader toward the true source of Samson’s strength, making it clear that his hair is significant even before the secret is fully revealed.
- Understanding Delilah’s accusation of being "mocked" helps clarify her motivation and persistence, showing why she continues to press Samson for the truth.