Judges 16:13

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר
And he said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
דְּלִילָ֜ה
And Delilah
delilah, a philistine woman
#3
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#4
שִׁמְשׁ֗וֹן
unto Samson
shimshon, an israelite
#5
עַד
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
#6
הֵ֜נָּה
Hitherto
hither or thither (but used both of place and time)
#7
הֵתַ֤לְתָּ
thou hast mocked
to deride; by implication, to cheat
#8
בִּי֙
H0
#9
וַתְּדַבֵּ֤ר
me and told
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
#10
אֵלַי֙
near, with or among; often in general, to
#11
כְּזָבִ֔ים
to lie (i.e., deceive), literally or figuratively
#12
הַגִּ֣ידָה
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
לִּ֔י
H0
#14
בַּמֶּ֖ה
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
#15
תֵּֽאָסֵ֑ר
me wherewith thou mightest be bound
to yoke or hitch; by analogy, to fasten in any sense, to join battle
#16
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר
And he said
to say (used with great latitude)
#17
אֵלֶ֔יהָ
near, with or among; often in general, to
#18
אִם
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
#19
תַּֽאַרְגִ֗י
unto her If thou weavest
to plait or weave
#20
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#21
שֶׁ֛בַע
the seven
seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
#22
מַחְלְפ֥וֹת
locks
a ringlet of hair (as gliding over each other)
#23
רֹאשִׁ֖י
of my head
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
#24
עִם
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
#25
הַמַּסָּֽכֶת׃
with the web
something expanded, i.e., the warp in a loom (as stretched out to receive the woof)

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Judges. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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