Judges 16:15
And she said unto him, How canst thou say, I love thee, when thine heart is not with me? thou hast mocked me these three times, and hast not told me wherein thy great strength lieth.
Judges 16:15 · King James Version
Meaning
This verse comes from the story of Samson and Delilah in the book of Judges in the Bible. In this verse, Delilah questions Samson's love for her, as she feels that he has deceived her by not revealing the source of his strength. Samson had been teasing Delilah by giving her false answers about the secret of his strength, but each time she tested his words, they turned out to be lies. Delilah's frustration is evident in her question to Samson, as she accuses him of mocking her and not truly loving her if he cannot trust her with the truth. This verse serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of deceit and the importance of honesty and trust in relationships.
Theological Overview
One possible theological interpretation of this verse comes from the story of Samson and Delilah in the book of Judges. In this particular passage, Delilah questions Samson's professed love for her because he had not been truthful with her about the source of his strength. This interaction highlights the theme of deception and betrayal, as Samson's failure to disclose the true source of his power ultimately leads to his downfall. The story serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of dishonesty and the importance of being open and transparent in relationships. Through a word study of the Hebrew text, the phrase "thine heart is not with me" conveys the idea of emotional detachment or lack of sincerity, emphasizing the need for genuine love and trust in relationships. Additionally, the repetition of the number three ("these three times") may symbolize completeness or fullness, underscoring the seriousness of Samson's deception. Overall, this verse offers a valuable lesson on the importance of honesty and authenticity in relationships, as well as the consequences of deceit.
Judges 16:15 in other translations
American Standard Version
And she said unto him, How canst thou say, I love thee, when thy heart is not with me? thou hast mocked me these three times, and hast not told me wherein thy great strength lieth.
World English Bible
She said to him, “How can you say, ‘I love you,’ when your heart is not with me? You have mocked me these three times, and have not told me where your great strength lies.”
Douay-Rheims
And Dalila said to him: How dost thou say thou lovest me, when thy mind is not with me? Thou hast told me lies these three times, and wouldst not tell me wherein thy greatest strength lieth.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Againe shee sayde vnto him, Howe canst thou say, I loue thee, when thine heart is not with me? thou hast mocked mee these three times, and hast not tolde me wherein thy great strength lieth.