Judges 16:12 - So Delilah took new ropes, and bound him therewith, and said to him, “The Philistines are on you, Samson!” The ambush was waiting in the inner room. He broke them off his arms like a thread.

Generated Verse: Judges 16:12

What does "Judges 16:12" mean?


This verse is part of the ongoing cycle of deception and failed attempts to capture Samson in the story of Samson and Delilah (Judges 16). Here's a breakdown of what it means:

"So Delilah took new ropes, and bound him therewith...": Delilah, motivated by the Philistines and their offer of money, is trying again to subdue Samson. This time she uses new ropes, suggesting she's learning from her previous failures. Each attempt by Delilah is a test of Samson's trust and a step closer to revealing his secret weakness.

"...and said to him, “The Philistines are on you, Samson!”": This is the setup, the trigger phrase. Delilah's shouting alerts Samson to the supposed danger. It's designed to scare him and test whether her binding has truly taken away his strength. It's also a blatant act of betrayal.

"The ambush was waiting in the inner room.": This is crucial context. The Philistines are hiding nearby, ready to seize Samson if Delilah's plan works. Their presence emphasizes the premeditated and treacherous nature of Delilah's actions.

"He broke them off his arms like a thread.": This shows that the new ropes, like the previous bindings, are useless against Samson's superhuman strength. He effortlessly snaps them. This confirms that he hasn't revealed the true source of his power yet.

In essence, this verse depicts:

Continued deception: Delilah persistently trying to trick Samson.
Failed attempt to capture: Samson easily overcoming another physical restraint.
Heightened tension: The Philistines are close, and the trap is set.
Samson's oblivious state: He remains unaware of the depths of Delilah's betrayal and the real danger he's in.

The verse contributes to the building suspense and foreshadows the eventual revelation of Samson's secret and his ultimate downfall. It shows the patience of Delilah and the escalating game of cat and mouse between her and Samson.