Delilah
femaleJudgesMeaning: “Delicate; or "of the night"”
The woman of the valley of Sorek who, bribed by the Philistine lords, coaxed the secret of his strength from Samson and betrayed him to his enemies.
Biography
Delilah is the woman whose name has become a byword for seductive betrayal. Loved by Samson, she sold his secret — and his freedom — to the Philistines for silver.
The Philistine bargain
The lords of the Philistines each promised Delilah eleven hundred pieces of silver if she could discover the source of Samson's strength (Judges 16:5). She pressed him repeatedly, and three times he deceived her.
The fatal secret
At last, worn down by her daily urging, Samson told her that his strength lay in his unshorn Nazirite hair. While he slept, Delilah had his head shaved; the Philistines seized him, put out his eyes, and bound him (Judges 16:17–21). Her betrayal led to Samson's humiliation — and, ultimately, to his final, faith-filled act of judgment on the Philistines.
Life Timeline
Bribed by the Philistine lords to learn Samson’s secret
Discovers and betrays the source of his strength
On the Bible timeline
Delilah belongs to the Conquest & the Judges era (c. 1400 – 1050 BC).
- c. 1375 – 1050 BCThe Age of the Judges
Themes & lessons from Delilah
Biblical themes that run through the passages where Delilah appears.
People they appear with
Scripture Appearances
6 verses in 1 bookJudges6 verses
Judges 16:4
And it came to pass afterward, that he loved a woman in the valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah. in: or, by the brook
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.
Judges 16:10
And Delilah said unto Samson, Behold, thou hast mocked me, and told me lies: now tell me, I pray thee, wherewith thou mightest be bound.
Judges 16:12
Delilah therefore took new ropes, and bound him therewith, and said unto him, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And there were liers in wait abiding in the chamber. And he brake them from off his arms like a thread.
Judges 16:13
And Delilah said unto Samson, Hitherto thou hast mocked me, and told me lies: tell me wherewith thou mightest be bound. And he said unto her, If thou weavest the seven locks of my head with the web.
Judges 16:18
And when Delilah saw that he had told her all his heart, she sent and called for the lords of the Philistines, saying, Come up this once, for he hath shewed me all his heart. Then the lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and brought money in their hand.
Frequently asked about Delilah
Who was Delilah in the Bible?
The woman of the valley of Sorek who, bribed by the Philistine lords, coaxed the secret of his strength from Samson and betrayed him to his enemies.
What does the name Delilah mean?
The name Delilah means “Delicate; or "of the night"”.
Where does Delilah appear in the Bible?
Delilah is mentioned 6 times across 1 book: Judges.
What can we learn from Delilah?
The story of Delilah touches on themes of delilah, money, valleys — explore each to study the lessons drawn from Delilah's life.
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