Judges 16:7-9

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

8 Then the lords of the Philistines brought up to her seven green^[b] withs which had not been dried, and she bound him with them.

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^[c] the fire. So his strength was not known.

Judges 16:7-9 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JUDGES 16

In this chapter we have an account of Samson's too great familiarity with two harlots; by the one he was brought into great danger, and narrowly escaped, Jud 16:1-3, and by the other he was betrayed into the hands of the Philistines, having got the secret out of him wherein his great strength lay, Jud 16:4-20 who having him in their hands, put out his eyes, imprisoned him, and in their idol temple made sport of him, Jud 16:21-25, where praying for renewed strength from the Lord, he pulled down the temple, and destroyed multitudes with the loss of his own life, Jud 16:26-31.

Footnotes

• [a]. green...: or, new cords: Heb. moist
• [b]. green...: or, new cords: Heb. moist
• [c]. toucheth: Heb. smelleth