And Samson said unto her, If they bind me with seven green withs that were never dried, then shall I be weak, and be as another man.

JUDGES 16:7KJV
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Judges 16:7 (KJV)

What does Judges 16:7 mean?

Judges 16:7 records Samson telling Delilah that if he is tied up with seven fresh, undried cords, he will become as weak as any other man. Samson is not telling the truth here, but is instead giving Delilah a false way to take away his strength.

In this verse, Samson is speaking to Delilah, who is trying to discover the secret of his strength at the request of the Philistine rulers. The "seven green withs" refers to fresh, flexible cords that have not yet dried out. Samson claims that being bound with these would make him lose his strength and become like any ordinary man, but he is misleading Delilah as part of their ongoing interaction.

The Hebrew behind Judges 16:7

  • "Green" (לַח, laḥ) means fresh or moist, emphasizing that the cords are newly made and not brittle. This detail shows that Samson is describing a binding that would be strong and hard to break.
  • "Withs" (יִתְרִים, yit'rim) refers to cords or bowstrings, often made from animal tendons or plant fibers. The choice of this word suggests something strong and flexible, not easily snapped.
  • "Weak" (חָלָה, chalah) is a verb that often means to become weak, sick, or powerless. Samson is claiming he would lose his extraordinary strength and become vulnerable.

Why Judges 16:7 matters

  • This verse shows Samson intentionally misleading Delilah, which sets the stage for the repeated pattern of her questioning and his deceptive answers.
  • The specific mention of "seven" and "green withs" adds detail to the story, highlighting the seriousness of Delilah's attempts and the creativity of Samson's responses.
  • Understanding the materials and words used helps clarify that Samson is not just making up a random answer, but describing something that would seem plausible as a restraint to someone unfamiliar with the true source of his strength.

Where else these words appear

“green” Hebrew H3892 · used in 6 verses

  • Genesis 30:37 And Jacob took him rods of green poplar, and of the hazel and chesnut tree; and pilled white strakes in them, and made the white appear which was in the rods.
  • Numbers 6:3 He shall separate himself from wine and strong drink, and shall drink no vinegar of wine, or vinegar of strong drink, neither shall he drink any liquor of grapes, nor eat moist grapes, or dried.
  • Ezekiel 17:24 And all the trees of the field shall know that I the LORD have brought down the high tree, have exalted the low tree, have dried up the green tree, and have made the dry tree to flourish: I the LORD have spoken and have done it.

“dried” Hebrew H2717 · used in 36 verses

  • Genesis 8:13 And it came to pass in the six hundredth and first year, in the first month, the first day of the month, the waters were dried up from off the earth: and Noah removed the covering of the ark, and looked, and, behold, the face of the ground was dry.
  • Isaiah 37:18 Of a truth, LORD, the kings of Assyria have laid waste all the nations, and their countries,
  • Jeremiah 51:36 Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will plead thy cause, and take vengeance for thee; and I will dry up her sea, and make her springs dry.

“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 16:10 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.

“bind” Hebrew H631 · used in 64 verses

  • Genesis 39:20 And Joseph's master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison.
  • Judges 15:13 And they spake unto him, saying, No; but we will bind thee fast, and deliver thee into their hand: but surely we will not kill thee. And they bound him with two new cords, and brought him up from the rock.
  • 2 Chronicles 33:11 Wherefore the LORD brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon.