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    Who Was Delilah in the Bible?

    Who Was Delilah in the Bible? Delilah was a Philistine woman who betrayed Samson by discovering the secret of his strength and delivering him to his enemies for silver.

    Key verse: Judges 16:4-5 (KJV)

    Delilah was a Philistine woman who betrayed Samson by discovering the secret of his strength and delivering him to his enemies for silver.

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    Quick Answer

    Delilah was a Philistine woman who betrayed Samson by discovering the secret of his strength and delivering him to his enemies for silver.

    "And it came to pass afterward, that he loved a woman in the valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah. 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 16:4-5 (KJV)

    The Biblical Answer

    Delilah lived in the Valley of Sorek and became Samson's lover. The lords of the Philistines approached her and offered each eleven hundred pieces of silver if she could discover the source of Samson's supernatural strength and how to subdue him. She pressed him repeatedly, and each time he gave a false answer — but she tested him and found him lying. Finally, 'his soul was vexed unto death,' and he told her the truth: 'There hath not come a razor upon mine head; for I have been a Nazarite unto God from my mother's womb.' She had his head shaved while he slept on her knees, and when he awoke, the Philistines seized him, gouged out his eyes, and bound him with fetters of brass. Delilah's name has become synonymous with treacherous seduction. She represents the danger of compromise with the world and the tragic cost of trusting those who do not love God.

    Key Scripture References

    "And it came to pass afterward, that he loved a woman in the valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah. 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."
    "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."
    "But the Philistines took him, and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass; and he did grind in the prison house."

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    Read it in context

    The answer above sits inside Judges. The 365-day chronological plan reads it in the order the events happened.

    Read Judges on day 64 of the chronological Bible reading plan

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    Frequently Asked Questions

    Delilah lived in the Valley of Sorek and became Samson's lover. The lords of the Philistines approached her and offered each eleven hundred pieces of silver if she could discover the source of Samson's supernatural strength and how to subdue him. She pressed him repeatedly, and each time he gave a false answer — but she tested him and found him lying. Finally, 'his soul was vexed unto death,' and he told her the truth: 'There hath not come a razor upon mine head; for I have been a Nazarite unto God from my mother's womb.' She had his head shaved while he slept on her knees, and when he awoke, the Philistines seized him, gouged out his eyes, and bound him with fetters of brass. Delilah's name has become synonymous with treacherous seduction. She represents the danger of compromise with the world and the tragic cost of trusting those who do not love God.

    Samson was an Israelite judge with supernatural strength given by God, whose life of great potential was marred by moral compromise but ended in a final act of faith.

    Deborah was a prophetess and the only female judge of Israel, who led the nation in both spiritual and military matters, commanding Barak to defeat the Canaanite army of Sisera.