And she said, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the LORD was departed from him.

JUDGES 16:20KJV
Know the Bible

Judges 16:20 (KJV)

What does Judges 16:20 mean?

Judges 16:20 describes the moment when Samson, after being betrayed by Delilah, wakes up and assumes he still has his supernatural strength, but he does not realize that the LORD has left him. This verse marks the turning point where Samson's special power is gone because his relationship with God has been broken.

Delilah calls out to warn Samson that the Philistines are attacking, just as she has done before. Samson wakes up and thinks he can escape as usual, but he is unaware that God’s presence and strength have departed from him. The verse highlights Samson’s loss of awareness about his changed condition and sets up his capture by the Philistines.

The Hebrew behind Judges 16:20

  • "wist" (יָדַע, yāda‘): This word means "to know" or "to perceive." The verse emphasizes that Samson did not know or realize that the LORD had left him, showing his complete unawareness of his spiritual state.
  • "departed" (סוּר, sûr): This word means "to turn aside" or "to depart." It is used here to show that the LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH) had withdrawn His presence and power from Samson, which is the key reason for Samson’s sudden weakness.

Why Judges 16:20 matters

  • This verse clears up the common misunderstanding that Samson’s strength was simply in his hair; it shows that his power depended on God’s presence, not just a physical sign.
  • Judges 16:20 highlights the danger of taking God’s presence for granted, as Samson did, and the consequences of repeated disobedience.
  • The verse connects directly to the larger story of Samson’s downfall and the way his choices led to his vulnerability, setting up the events that follow in the chapter.

Where else these words appear

“shake” Hebrew H5287 · used in 9 verses

  • Exodus 14:27 And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to his strength when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled against it; and the LORD overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea.
  • Job 38:13 That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, that the wicked might be shaken out of it?
  • Isaiah 33:9 The earth mourneth and languisheth: Lebanon is ashamed and hewn down: Sharon is like a wilderness; and Bashan and Carmel shake off their fruits.

“awoke” Hebrew H3364 · used in 11 verses

  • Genesis 9:24 And Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his younger son had done unto him.
  • Genesis 41:7 And the seven thin ears devoured the seven rank and full ears. And Pharaoh awoke, and, behold, it was a dream.
  • 1 Kings 3:15 And Solomon awoke; and, behold, it was a dream. And he came to Jerusalem, and stood before the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and offered up burnt offerings, and offered peace offerings, and made a feast to all his servants.

“sleep” Hebrew H8142 · used in 23 verses

  • Genesis 28:16 And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not.
  • Psalms 127:2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.
  • Proverbs 24:33 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:

“Samson” Hebrew H8123 · used in 37 verses

  • Judges 13:24 And the woman bare a son, and called his name Samson: and the child grew, and the LORD blessed him.
  • Judges 15:4 And Samson went and caught three hundred foxes, and took firebrands, and turned tail to tail, and put a firebrand in the midst between two tails.
  • Judges 16:9 Now there were men lying in wait, abiding with her in the chamber. And she said unto him, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he brake the withs, as a thread of tow is broken when it toucheth the fire. So his strength was not known.