Judges 16:17

And opening all his heart to her, he said to her, My head has never been touched by a blade, for I have been separate to God from the day of my birth: if my hair is cut off, then my strength will go from me and I will become feeble, and will be like any other man.

Bible in Basic English

In The King James Version

That he told her all his heart, and said unto her. There hath not come a razor upon mine head; for I have been a Nazarite unto God from my mother’s womb: if I be shaven, then my strength will go from me, and I shall become weak, and be like any other man.

In Context

16So day after day she gave him no peace, for ever questioning him till his soul was troubled to death.

18And when Delilah saw that he had let her see into his heart, she sent word to the chiefs of the Philistines saying, Come up this time, for he has let out all his heart to me. Then the chiefs of the Philistines came to her, with the money in their hands.

Read all of Judges 16

Cross References

Numbers 6:5All the time he is under his oath let no blade come near his head; till the days while he is separate are ended he is holy and his hair may not be cut.

Proverbs 12:23A sharp man keeps back his knowledge; but the heart of foolish men makes clear their foolish thoughts.

Proverbs 29:12If a ruler gives attention to false words, all his servants are evil-doers.

Acts 18:18And Paul, after waiting some days, went away from the brothers and went by ship to Syria, Priscilla and Aquila being with him; and he had had his hair cut off in Cenchrea, for he had taken an oath.

Matthew Henry on Judges 16:5-18

Delilah's Treachery. ( b. c. 1120.) 4 And it came to pass afterward, that he loved a woman in the valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah. 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. 6 And Delilah said to Samson, Tell me, I pray thee, wherein thy great strength lieth, and wherewith… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Judges 16:17