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Judges 16:8

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Judges 16:8 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Then the lords of the Philistines brought up to her seven green withes which had not been dried, and she bound him with them.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Then the lords of the Philistines brought up to her seven green withes which had not been dried, and she bound him with them.
Judges 16:8 — American Standard Version

Context — Judges 16

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
5And the lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and said unto her, Entice him, and see wherein his great strength lieth, and by what means we may prevail against him, that we may bind him to afflict him: and we will give thee every one of us eleven hundred [pieces] of silver.
6And Delilah said to Samson, Tell me, I pray thee, wherein thy great strength lieth, and wherewith thou mightest be bound to afflict thee.
7And Samson said unto her, If they bind me with seven green withes that were never dried, then shall I become weak, and be as another man.
8Then the lords of the Philistines brought up to her seven green withes which had not been dried, and she bound him with them.
9Now she had liers-in-wait abiding in the inner chamber. And she said unto him, The Philistines are upon thee, Samson. And he brake the withes, as a string of tow is broken when it toucheth the fire. So his strength was not known.
10And Delilah said unto Samson, Behold, thou hast mocked me, and told me lies: now tell me, I pray thee, wherewith thou mightest be bound.
11And he said unto her, If they only bind me with new ropes wherewith no work hath been done, then shall I become weak, and be as another man.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Then the lords of the Philistines brought up to her, etc.] 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 f336: 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,…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“she bound him with them--probably in a sportive manner, to try whether he was jesting or in earnest.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“bound him: Ecc 7:26 Judges 16:9”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification