This verse is part of the story of Samson and Delilah. In Judges 16, the Philistines are trying to find a way to capture Samson, who is incredibly strong and has been a major threat to them. They bribe Delilah, whom Samson loves, to find the secret of his strength.
Here's a breakdown of the verse and its meaning:
"Then the lords of the Philistines": The rulers or leaders of the Philistine people. They are the ones orchestrating the plan to capture Samson.
"brought up to her seven green cords which had not been dried": These were fresh, moist, and pliable cords, likely made of plant fibers or animal sinew. The fact that they were "green" and "not dried" suggests they would be weaker and easier to break than cured, hardened ropes. This is a key part of the deception. The Philistines are deliberately giving Delilah something that would appear to be a secure restraint but would actually be easy for Samson to break, in order to test his claims.
"and she bound him with them": Delilah followed the Philistines' instructions. She tied Samson up with these cords, presumably while he was sleeping or unsuspecting.
The significance:
Deception and Betrayal: This verse highlights Delilah's betrayal of Samson. She is using her relationship with him to trick him, motivated by the Philistines' money.
Testing Samson: The Philistines are not stupid. They don't expect these cords to actually hold Samson. They are testing him. If Samson breaks free easily, they will know that whatever Delilah asked him (about his strength) isn't the true source.
Irony: The fact that the cords are specifically described as "green" and "not dried" is important. It emphasizes the weakness of the restraints and foreshadows Samson's easy breaking of them. This reinforces the idea that Samson's strength is not physical but something divinely granted.
The Slippery Slope: This verse is just the first step in a series of attempts by Delilah to discover the secret of Samson's strength. Each time, she ties him up with something different, and each time, Samson breaks free. This gradual escalation increases the tension and highlights Samson's naivety in trusting Delilah.
In conclusion, this verse is a crucial piece of the Samson and Delilah story, showcasing the deception, betrayal, and testing that lead to the eventual discovery of Samson's weakness. It's not just about physical restraints, but about the manipulation and trust that are being exploited.
This verse is part of the story of Samson and Delilah. In Judges 16, the Philistines are trying to find a way to capture Samson, who is incredibly strong and has been a major threat to them. They bribe Delilah, whom Samson loves, to find the secret of his strength.
Here's a breakdown of the verse and its meaning:
"Then the lords of the Philistines": The rulers or leaders of the Philistine people. They are the ones orchestrating the plan to capture Samson.
"brought up to her seven green cords which had not been dried": These were fresh, moist, and pliable cords, likely made of plant fibers or animal sinew. The fact that they were "green" and "not dried" suggests they would be weaker and easier to break than cured, hardened ropes. This is a key part of the deception. The Philistines are deliberately giving Delilah something that would appear to be a secure restraint but would actually be easy for Samson to break, in order to test his claims.
"and she bound him with them": Delilah followed the Philistines' instructions. She tied Samson up with these cords, presumably while he was sleeping or unsuspecting.
The significance:
Deception and Betrayal: This verse highlights Delilah's betrayal of Samson. She is using her relationship with him to trick him, motivated by the Philistines' money.
Testing Samson: The Philistines are not stupid. They don't expect these cords to actually hold Samson. They are testing him. If Samson breaks free easily, they will know that whatever Delilah asked him (about his strength) isn't the true source.
Irony: The fact that the cords are specifically described as "green" and "not dried" is important. It emphasizes the weakness of the restraints and foreshadows Samson's easy breaking of them. This reinforces the idea that Samson's strength is not physical but something divinely granted.
The Slippery Slope: This verse is just the first step in a series of attempts by Delilah to discover the secret of Samson's strength. Each time, she ties him up with something different, and each time, Samson breaks free. This gradual escalation increases the tension and highlights Samson's naivety in trusting Delilah.
In conclusion, this verse is a crucial piece of the Samson and Delilah story, showcasing the deception, betrayal, and testing that lead to the eventual discovery of Samson's weakness. It's not just about physical restraints, but about the manipulation and trust that are being exploited.