Judges 16:14 (KJV)

What does Judges 16:14 mean?

Judges 16:14 describes how Delilah tied Samson’s hair into a loom, fastened it with a pin, and then called out to warn him that the Philistines were attacking. Samson woke up and easily pulled away the pin, the loom beam, and the woven web, showing that he still had his great strength.

In this scene, Delilah is trying to discover the secret of Samson’s strength for the Philistines, who want to capture him. She follows Samson’s misleading instructions by weaving his hair and securing it, but when she shouts the warning, Samson simply gets up and carries off the loom parts, unharmed and unrestrained. This moment highlights both Delilah’s persistence and Samson’s continued ability to break free despite her efforts.

The Hebrew behind Judges 16:14

• fastened (תִּתְקַע, titqa‘): This word means to fix or secure something firmly. Here, it emphasizes that Delilah made sure Samson’s hair was tightly attached to the loom, showing her careful attempt to trap him.
• pin (יָתֵד, yatēd): This refers to a peg or pin used to hold things in place. In the context of weaving, it would have been a sturdy part of the loom, making Samson’s escape even more impressive when he pulls it out effortlessly.
• beam (יָתֵד, yatēd) and web (מַסָּכָה, massākāh): The “beam” is a main part of the loom, and the “web” is the woven fabric. The verse paints a vivid picture of Samson’s strength by noting he took both the pin and the woven web with him when he got up.

Why Judges 16:14 matters

• This verse shows how Samson’s supernatural strength was still with him, even as Delilah’s attempts to trap him became more elaborate.
• The detail about the loom and the pin helps the reader see how determined Delilah was and how physically powerful Samson remained at this point in the story.
• Understanding this verse clarifies the build-up to Samson’s eventual downfall, showing the repeated pattern of deception and escape before his strength is finally lost.