Judges 16:9 (KJV)

What does Judges 16:9 mean?

Judges 16:9 describes how men were secretly hiding in the room with Delilah, waiting to capture Samson, while Delilah called out that the Philistines were attacking him. Samson easily broke the cords that bound him, showing that his great strength was still unknown to them.

In this scene, Delilah is trying to discover the secret of Samson's strength for the Philistines, who are her people. The men lying in wait are ready to seize Samson if he is weakened. The verse uses a vivid image: Samson snaps the cords as easily as a thread of dried flax snaps when touched by fire, making it clear that the attempt to bind him has failed and his strength remains a mystery.

The Hebrew behind Judges 16:9

• "withs" (יְתָרִים, yetarim): This word refers to cords or bowstrings, often made from animal tendons. The choice of this word highlights that the material used was expected to be strong, yet it was no match for Samson.
• "thread" (פְּתִיל, p'til) and "tow" (נֶעֹרֶת, ne'oret): These words describe a thin string and the fibers of flax, both easily destroyed by fire. The comparison emphasizes just how effortlessly Samson broke free.
• "toucheth" (רָחַשׁ, rachash) and "fire" (אֵשׁ, esh): The image is of something fragile meeting fire and instantly being destroyed, underlining the ease with which Samson overcame the binding.

Why Judges 16:9 matters

• This verse shows that Samson’s strength was not just physical but extraordinary, far beyond what anyone expected, and that his secret was still safe at this point in the story.
• The detail about the men waiting in the chamber reveals the level of deception and danger Samson faced, even from someone close to him.
• The verse sets up the ongoing tension in the story, as the Philistines and Delilah continue to search for the true source of Samson’s strength, which becomes a key theme in the following verses.