Judges 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.
Judges 16:5 · King James Version
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.
Judges 16:5 in other translations
American Standard Version
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.
World English Bible
The lords of the Philistines came up to her, and said to her, “Entice him, and see in which his great strength lies, and by what means we may prevail against him, that we may bind him to afflict him; and we will each give you eleven hundred pieces of silver.”
Douay-Rheims
And the princes of the Philistines came to her, and said: Deceive him, and learn of him wherein his great strength lieth, and how we may be able to overcome him, to bind and afflict him: which if thou shalt do, we will give thee every one of us eleven hundred pieces of silver.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Vnto whome came the princes of the Philistims, and said vnto her, Entise him, and see wherein his great strength lieth, and by what meane we may ouercome him, that we may binde him, and punish him, and euery one of vs shall giue thee eleuen hundreth shekels of siluer.