Judges 16:8

8 So the rulers of the Philistines brought her seven fresh bowstrings that weren't dried out, and she tied him up with them.

Judges 16:8 Meaning and Commentary

Judges 16:8

Then the lords of the Philistines brought up to her
To the chamber where she was with Samson, she having acquainted them with what he had told her:

seven green withs, which had not been dried;
just such as he had described and directed to:

and she bound him with them;
taking an opportunity, very likely, when he was asleep, and drunk too, according to Josephus ^F24: the Philistines did not attempt to bind him, supposing that he would not admit them to do it, if aware of them; and they might fear, if asleep, he might awake before they could do it, and fall upon them and destroy them; but as for Delilah, if she had been found at it, she could have excused it as a piece of curiosity, being willing to try whether he told her truth or not.

---

FOOTNOTES:

F24 Antiqu. l. 5. c. 8. sect. 11.

Judges 16:8 In-Context

6 So Delilah said to Samson, "Please tell me what gives you such great strength and how you can be tied up and made weak."

7 Samson replied to her, "If someone ties me up with seven fresh bowstrings that aren't dried out, I'll become weak. I'll be like any other person."

8 So the rulers of the Philistines brought her seven fresh bowstrings that weren't dried out, and she tied him up with them.

9 While an ambush was waiting for her signal in an inner room, she called out to him, "Samson, the Philistines are on you!" And he snapped the bowstrings like a thread of fiber snaps when it touches a flame. So the secret of his strength remained unknown.

10 Then Delilah said to Samson, "You made a fool out of me and lied to me. Now please tell me how you can really be tied up!"