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 16:13KJV
Know the Bible

Judges 16:13 (KJV)

What 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.

Where else these words appear

“locks” Hebrew H4253 · used in 2 verses

  • Judges 16:19 And she made him sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head; and she began to afflict him, and his strength went from him.

“web” Hebrew H4545 · used in 2 verses

  • Judges 16:14 And she fastened it with the pin, and said unto him, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awaked out of his sleep, and went away with the pin of the beam, and with the web.

“Delilah” Hebrew H1807 · used in 6 verses

  • Judges 16:4 And it came to pass afterward, that he loved a woman in the valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah.
  • Judges 16:6 And Delilah said to Samson, Tell me, I pray thee, wherein thy great strength lieth, and wherewith thou mightest be bound to afflict thee.
  • Judges 16:12 Delilah therefore took new ropes, and bound him therewith, and said unto him, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And there were liers in wait abiding in the chamber. And he brake them from off his arms like a thread.

“mocked” Hebrew H2048 · used in 9 verses

  • Genesis 31:7 And your father hath deceived me, and changed my wages ten times; but God suffered him not to hurt me.
  • Judges 16:10 And Delilah said unto Samson, Behold, thou hast mocked me, and told me lies: now tell me, I pray thee, wherewith thou mightest be bound.
  • Job 13:9 Is it good that he should search you out? or as one man mocketh another, do ye so mock him?