Judges 16:8

8 Then the rulers of the Philistines brought her seven fresh bowstrings that had not been dried, and she tied him with them.

Judges 16:8 in Other Translations

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

8 Then the lords of the Philistines brought up to her seven fresh bowstrings that had not been dried, and she bound him with them.

8 So the Philistine rulers brought Delilah seven new bowstrings, and she tied Samson up with them.

8 The Philistine tyrants brought her seven bowstrings, not dried out, and she tied him up with them.

8 The Philistine leaders brought her seven fresh bowstrings that had not been dried, 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.

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FOOTNOTES:

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

Judges 16:8 In-Context

6 So Delilah said to Samson, “Tell me the secret of your great strength and how you can be tied up and subdued.”

7 Samson answered her, “If anyone ties me with seven fresh bowstrings that have not been dried, I’ll become as weak as any other man.”

8 Then the rulers of the Philistines brought her seven fresh bowstrings that had not been dried, and she tied him with them.

9 With men hidden in the room, she called to him, “Samson, the Philistines are upon you!” But he snapped the bowstrings as easily as a piece of string snaps when it comes close to a flame. So the secret of his strength was not discovered.

10 Then Delilah said to Samson, “You have made a fool of me; you lied to me. Come now, tell me how you can be tied.”