Judges 16:10

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַתֹּ֤אמֶר
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
דְּלִילָה֙
And Delilah
delilah, a philistine woman
#3
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#4
שִׁמְשׁ֔וֹן
unto Samson
shimshon, an israelite
#5
הִנֵּה֙
lo!
#6
הֵתַ֣לְתָּ
Behold thou hast mocked
to deride; by implication, to cheat
#7
בִּ֔י
H0
#8
וַתְּדַבֵּ֥ר
me and told
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
#9
אֵלַ֖י
near, with or among; often in general, to
#10
כְּזָבִ֑ים
me lies
falsehood; literally (untruth) or figuratively (idol)
#11
עַתָּה֙
at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive
#12
הַגִּֽידָה
now tell
properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to
#13
נָּ֣א
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
#14
לִ֔י
H0
#15
בַּמֶּ֖ה
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
#16
תֵּֽאָסֵֽר׃
me I pray thee wherewith thou mightest be bound
to yoke or hitch; by analogy, to fasten in any sense, to join battle

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Judges Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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