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Book of Judges - Chapter 16 - Verse 5

16:5
And the lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and said unto her, Entice him, and see wherein his great strength lieth, and by what means we may prevail against him, that we may bind him to afflict him: and we will give thee every one of us eleven hundred pieces of silver.

Meaning

In this verse from the book of Judges, the lords of the Philistines approach Delilah with a sinister proposal. They want her to deceive Samson and discover the source of his incredible strength. By doing so, they hope to find a way to defeat him and capture him. In exchange for her help, they offer Delilah a substantial reward of eleven hundred pieces of silver. This verse highlights the cunning nature of the Philistines, who were determined to overcome their powerful enemy by any means necessary. It also reveals Delilah's betrayal of Samson, as she ultimately agrees to the Philistines' plan, leading to his downfall. The verse serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of deceit and greed, showing how manipulation and treachery can have grave consequences.

Theological Overview

When looking at the theological interpretation of this verse from Judges 16:5, we see the story of Delilah being approached by the lords of the Philistines to betray Samson. The word "Entice" used in this verse carries a deeper meaning, suggesting the manipulation and deception that Delilah would use to lure Samson into revealing the secret of his strength. This verse illustrates the consequences of betraying one's own people for personal gain, as Delilah agrees to assist the Philistines in binding Samson. The word "strength" in this context signifies not just physical power but also the spiritual power that Samson possessed as a chosen leader of Israel. The offer of eleven hundred pieces of silver to betray Samson reflects the greed and corruption that can lead individuals to make immoral choices. Overall, this verse serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of succumbing to temptation and the importance of remaining faithful to one's principles even in the face of great rewards.

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