Introduction:
Delilah is a prominent figure in the biblical narrative, known for her role in the account of Samson, one of the judges of Israel. Her account is primarily found in the Book of Judges, chapters 16:4-22. Delilah is often remembered for her betrayal of Samson, which led to his downfall. Her actions have been the subject of much interpretation and discussion throughout Christian history.

Biblical Account:
Delilah lived in the Valley of Sorek and is described as a woman whom Samson loved. The Philistine rulers approached her with a proposition to discover the secret of Samson's great strength, offering her a substantial sum of money in return. Judges 16:5 states, "The lords of the Philistines went to her and said, 'Entice him, and find out the source of his great strength and how we can overpower him, so we may tie him up and subdue him. Then each of us will give you eleven hundred shekels of silver.'"

Delilah's attempts to uncover Samson's secret are marked by persistence and cunning. She asked Samson three times about the source of his strength, and each time he misled her. However, on the fourth attempt, Samson revealed the truth: "No razor has ever come upon my head, because I have been a Nazirite to God from my mother’s womb. If I am shaved, my strength will leave me, and I will become as weak as any other man" (Judges 16:17).

Upon learning this, Delilah lulled Samson to sleep on her lap and called for someone to shave off the seven braids of his hair. Consequently, Samson's strength left him, and he was captured by the Philistines, who gouged out his eyes and imprisoned him.

Character Analysis:
Delilah's character is often viewed through the lens of her betrayal and manipulation. Her actions are seen as a stark contrast to the divine calling and strength of Samson. Delilah's willingness to betray Samson for monetary gain highlights themes of greed and treachery. Her account serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of temptation and the consequences of straying from one's divine purpose.

Theological Implications:
Delilah's role in the narrative of Samson underscores the vulnerability of even the strongest individuals when they deviate from their commitment to God. Samson's downfall, facilitated by Delilah, serves as a reminder of the importance of faithfulness and the perils of succumbing to worldly temptations. The account also illustrates the sovereignty of God, as even through Samson's failure, God's purposes were ultimately fulfilled.

Cultural and Historical Context:
In the ancient Near Eastern context, Delilah's actions can be seen as part of the larger conflict between the Israelites and the Philistines. Her involvement with the Philistine leaders reflects the political and social tensions of the time. Delilah's account has been interpreted in various ways throughout history, often symbolizing the seductive power of sin and the moral challenges faced by God's people.

Legacy:
Delilah's legacy is one of infamy, often cited as an example of betrayal and the destructive power of deceit. Her account has been referenced in literature, art, and music, symbolizing the archetype of the femme fatale. Despite her negative portrayal, Delilah's narrative continues to provoke reflection on human weakness and the need for spiritual vigilance.Delilah

poor; small; head of hair

Delilah

A Philistine woman, whom Samson loved, and who betrayed him to the enemies of Israel, Jud 16:1-31.

Languishing, a Philistine woman who dwelt in the valley of Sorek (Judges 16:4-20). She was bribed by the "lords of the Philistines" to obtain from Samson the secret of his strength and the means of overcoming it (Judges 16:4-18). She tried on three occasions to obtain from him this secret in vain. On the fourth occasion she wrung it from him. She made him sleep upon her knees, and then called the man who was waiting to help her; who "cut off the seven locks of his head," and so his "strength went from him." (see SAMSON.) (n.) The mistress of Samson, who betrayed him (Judges xvi.); hence, a harlot; a temptress.DELILAH

de-li'-la (delilah, "dainty one," perhaps; Septuagint Daleida, Dalida): The woman who betrayed Samson to the Philistines (Judges 16). She was presumably a Philistine, though that is not expressly stated. She is not spoken of as Samson's wife, though many have understood the account in that way. The Philistines paid her a tremendously high price for her services. The account indicates that for beauty, personal charm, mental ability, self-command, nerve, she was quite a wonderful woman, a woman to be admired for some qualities which she exhibits, even while she is to be utterly disapproved. See SAMSON.

Willis J. Beecher

1807. Delilah -- Philistine mistress of Samson
... 1806, 1807. Delilah. 1808 . Philistine mistress of Samson. Transliteration:
Delilah Phonetic Spelling: (del-ee-law') Short Definition: Delilah. ...
/hebrew/1807.htm - 6k

7796a. Soreq -- "choice vines," a valley where Delilah lived
Soreq or Soreq. 7796, 7796a. Soreq or Soreq. 7796b . "choice vines," a valley
where Delilah lived. Transliteration: Soreq or Soreq Short Definition: Sorek. ...
/hebrew/7796a.htm - 5k

7796. Sowreq -- "choice vines," a valley where Delilah lived
... 7795b, 7796. Sowreq. 7796a . "choice vines," a valley where Delilah lived.
Transliteration: Sowreq Phonetic Spelling: (so-rake') Short Definition: Sorek. Sorek ...
/hebrew/7796.htm - 5k

1810. Dilan -- a city in Judah
... Word Origin from Delilah Definition a city in Judah NASB Word Usage Dilean (1).
Dilean. Of uncertain derivation; Dilan, a place in Palestine -- Dilean. ...
/hebrew/1810.htm - 5k

A Strong Man who Lost his Strength
... THE OLD TESTAMENT A STRONG MAN WHO LOST HIS STRENGTH. Afterward, Samson fell
in love with a woman in the valley of Sorek, named Delilah. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/a strong man who lost.htm

The Story of Samson, the Strong Man
... The name of this woman was Delilah. The rulers of the Philistines came to Delilah
and said to her: ... And Delilah tried again to find his secret. She said: ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of samson the.htm

Sleep Not
... Alas! carnal security is a Delilah always. ... Now, what do I see in Samson while he
lies asleep in Delilah's lap. I see peril of the deadliest sort. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/sleep not.htm

Concerning the Fortitude of Samson, and what Mischiefs He Brought ...
... which thing was the beginning of his miseries; for he fell in love with a woman
that was a harlot among the Philistines: her name was Delilah, and he lived ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 8 concerning the fortitude.htm

Strength Profaned and Lost
... We are strong only as we keep our hearts clear of lower loves, and lean on God alone.
Delilah is most dangerous when honeyed words drop from her lips. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/strength profaned and lost.htm

Mutual Help.
... Samson, the giant, becomes the blinded, helpless slave, by trusting to false Delilah.
Ahab loses honour and life by making Jezebel his counsellor. ...
/.../the life of duty a years plain sermons v 2/sermon lxiv mutual help.htm

Come, Let us Hear How they Contend for victory: the Guilty Ones ...
... S., Samson who in respect of the lion's whelp, scorned thee, O Death: through
Delilah, frail vessel, I yoked him to the mill."20. ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn liii come let us.htm

How Long Standing an Evil Love of Money Is...
... almost lost the victory. 131. Why? Did not the woman Delilah's love of money
deceive Samson, the bravest man of all? [559] So he who ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xxvi how long standing.htm

Sinners Bound with the Cords of Sin
... Samson could burst asunder green withes and new ropes, but when at last his darling
sin had bound him to his Delilah, that bond he could not snap, though it ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 16 1870/sinners bound with the cords.htm

Sinners Bound with the Cords of Sin
... Samson could burst asunder green withes and new ropes, but when at last his darling
sin had bound him to his Delilah, that bond he could not snap, though it ...
/.../spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/sinners bound with the cords.htm

Delilah (7 Occurrences)
...DELILAH. de-li'-la (delilah, "dainty one," perhaps; Septuagint Daleida, Dalida):
The woman who betrayed Samson to the Philistines (Judges 16). ...
/d/delilah.htm - 10k

Tied (33 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Judges 16:6 Delilah said to Samson, "Tell me, please, where your great
strength lies, and what you might be bound to afflict you." (See NIV). ...
/t/tied.htm - 16k

Mightest (21 Occurrences)
... Judges 16:6 And Delilah said to Samson, Tell me, I pray thee, wherein thy great
strength lieth, and wherewith thou mightest be bound to afflict thee. ...
/m/mightest.htm - 13k

Mocked (40 Occurrences)
... Judges 16:10 Delilah said to Samson, "Behold, you have mocked me, and told me lies:
now tell me, please, with which you might be bound." (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY ...
/m/mocked.htm - 18k

Pin (10 Occurrences)
... piece of wood or metal (eg brass, Exodus 27:19) such as that used by weavers in
beating up the woof in the loom (Judges 16:14, where Delilah fastened Samson's ...
/p/pin.htm - 13k

Sorek (1 Occurrence)
... nachal soreq, "the valley of the choice (soreq) vine" (see VINE); sorech): "(Samson)
loved a woman in the valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah" (Judges 16:4 ...
/s/sorek.htm - 9k

Samson (37 Occurrences)
... After this we have an account of his exploits at Gaza (16:1-3), and of his infatuation
for Delilah, and her treachery (16:4-20), and then of his melancholy ...
/s/samson.htm - 37k

Deli'lah (6 Occurrences)
Deli'lah. Delilah, Deli'lah. Delineation . Multi-Version Concordance Deli'lah
(6 Occurrences). ... (DBY RSV). Delilah, Deli'lah. Delineation . Reference Bible
/d/deli'lah.htm - 8k

Bands (130 Occurrences)
... Judges 16:6 So Delilah said to Samson, Make clear to me now what is the secret of
your great strength, and how you may be put in bands and made feeble. (BBE). ...
/b/bands.htm - 37k

Fool (95 Occurrences)
... Judges 16:10 Delilah said to Samson, "Behold, you have mocked me, and told me lies:
now tell me, please, with which you might be bound." (See NIV). ...
/f/fool.htm - 47k

Who was Delilah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What is an Delilah spirit? | GotQuestions.org

What should we learn from the account of Samson and Delilah? | GotQuestions.org

Delilah: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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