Judges 16:8

8 So the Philistine rulers brought seven new leather straps to her. They weren't completely dry. Delilah tied Samson 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.

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FOOTNOTES:

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

Judges 16:8 In-Context

6 So Delilah spoke to Samson. She said, "Tell me the secret of why you are so strong. Tell me how you can be tied up and controlled."

7 Samson answered her, "Let someone tie me up with seven new leather straps. They must be straps that aren't completely dry. Then I'll become as weak as any other man."

8 So the Philistine rulers brought seven new leather straps to her. They weren't completely dry. Delilah tied Samson up with them.

9 Men were hiding in the room. She called out to him. She said, "Samson! The Philistines are attacking you!" But he snapped the leather straps easily. They were like pieces of string that had come too close to a flame. So the secret of why he was so strong wasn't discovered.

10 Delilah spoke to Samson again. "You have made me look foolish," she said. "You told me a lie. Come on. Tell me how you can be tied up."