Judges 16:4 - It came to pass afterward, that he loved a woman in the valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah.

Generated Verse: Judges 16:4

What does "Judges 16:4" mean?


Judges 16:4, "It came to pass afterward, that he loved a woman in the valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah," is a simple statement of fact but loaded with foreshadowing. Let's break it down:

"It came to pass afterward...": This is a common biblical phrase meaning "Later on" or "Subsequently." It indicates a shift in the narrative, moving the story forward.

"...that he loved a woman...": The "he" refers to Samson, the strong judge of Israel known for his exploits against the Philistines. The word "loved" here can be interpreted in a few ways:
Romantic love: It could imply genuine affection, although the rest of the story casts doubt on the depth and sincerity of Samson's love.
Desire or lust: It may simply mean Samson was infatuated with Delilah and desired her, without necessarily deep emotional connection.
Strong attraction: A middle ground between love and lust, suggesting a powerful attraction that clouded Samson's judgment. Given the context of the story, this is a likely interpretation.

"...in the valley of Sorek...": This specifies the location where Delilah lived. The valley of Sorek was a region likely controlled or heavily influenced by the Philistines. This is important because Samson was dedicated to opposing the Philistines. The fact that he is drawn to a woman in their territory already suggests a conflict of interest and potential danger.

"...whose name was Delilah.": This introduces a key character. The naming of Delilah sets the stage for her role in the narrative as a character and possible antagonist to Samson.

In summary, the verse means:

After a period of time, Samson developed a romantic interest in a woman named Delilah.
Delilah lived in the valley of Sorek, a Philistine area.
This sets up a potentially dangerous relationship that could compromise Samson's mission and well-being. It foreshadows a turning point in Samson's life where his personal desires could conflict with his duties to Israel.

This verse acts as an introduction to a tragic story, where Samson's weakness for Delilah leads to his downfall. It highlights the dangers of succumbing to temptation and the potential consequences of love that crosses enemy lines.

What categories does "Judges 16:4" have?