"For, lo, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and no razor shall come on his head: for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb: and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines."
Biblical Name · Hebrew (Shimshon) Origin
Samson Meaning in the Bible
Samson
boy
Samson means "Sun; Sunshine; Distinguished", a boy's name of Hebrew (Shimshon) origin. Samson appears in the King James Bible, and Judges 16:28 is the passage most often tied to it. Samson's name — 'sun' — speaks of brilliance that can either illuminate or burn. His life teaches that extraordinary gifts require disciplined stewardship, and that God's redemptive grace extends even to the final hour.
Is Samson in the Bible?
Yes — Samson appears in the King James Bible, including Judges 16:28.
Pronunciation:/SAM-sun/
OriginHebrew (Shimshon)
MeaningSun; Sunshine; Distinguished
What does Samson mean?
Samson is a boy name of Hebrew (Shimshon) origin meaning "Sun; Sunshine; Distinguished". Samson means "sun" or "sunshine" in Hebrew. He was an Israelite judge endowed with supernatural strength through the Spirit of the LORD, set apart as a Nazirite from birth to begin delivering Israel from the Philistines.
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What does Samson mean in the Bible?
Samson means "Sun; Sunshine; Distinguished" and is a name of Hebrew (Shimshon) origin. Below is what Scripture and Christian tradition attach to that meaning.
Samson means "sun" or "sunshine" in Hebrew. He was an Israelite judge endowed with supernatural strength through the Spirit of the LORD, set apart as a Nazirite from birth to begin delivering Israel from the Philistines.
Samson's feats of strength are legendary — killing a lion with his bare hands, slaying a thousand Philistines with a donkey's jawbone, and carrying the gates of Gaza on his shoulders. Yet his story is equally one of squandered potential, as his weakness for foreign women repeatedly led him into trouble.
Samson's final act of faith came in his death. Blinded and humiliated, he prayed for strength one last time and brought down the temple of Dagon on the Philistine lords. Hebrews 11 lists Samson among the heroes of faith, showing that even a deeply flawed man can find redemption.
Where does Samson appear in the Bible (KJV)?
Samson is connected to 1 key passage in the King James Bible, beginning with Judges 16:28. Each verse is quoted in full below.
"And Samson called unto the LORD, and said, O Lord God, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God."
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Which books of the Bible mention Samson?
Samson is mentioned across 2 books of the Bible. Follow any book below to read it in the KJV.
What is the spiritual meaning of Samson?
Samson's name — 'sun' — speaks of brilliance that can either illuminate or burn. His life teaches that extraordinary gifts require disciplined stewardship, and that God's redemptive grace extends even to the final hour.
Related Promises of God
Promises connected to the meaning of the name Samson:
God Promises Strength in Weakness
Bible promises that God's power is made perfect in your weakness.
God Promises a Harvest If You Don't Give Up
Bible promises for perseverance and not growing weary.
God Promises Courage for Every Battle
Bible promises about divine courage when facing opposition and challenges.
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Samson and Delilah
Judges 13–16 • strength
Promise
God Promises Strength in Weakness
Bible promises that God's power is made perfect in your weakness.
Promise
God Promises a Harvest If You Don't Give Up
Bible promises for perseverance and not growing weary.
What names are related to Samson?
Names that pair well with Samson
Sibling sets, middle-name combinations, and complementary pairings chosen for matching origin, meaning, and similar syllable weight.
Share the meaning of Samson
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Samson name meaning: frequently asked questions
Yes — Samson appears in the King James Bible, including Judges 16:28.
Samson means "Sun; Sunshine; Distinguished." It is a Hebrew (Shimshon) name. The King James Bible uses it in Judges 16:28, so the meaning is carried by a real person in Scripture.
Hebrew (Shimshon). Samson comes into English from Hebrew (Shimshon) and carries the sense "Sun; Sunshine; Distinguished." It appears in the King James Bible, including Judges 16:28.
Common questions about the name Samson
Can I download a free King James Bible PDF to study the name Samson?
Yes. The complete King James Bible is available as a free PDF download — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
Where can I read the full biblical context for Samson?
You can read every verse where Samson appears in the King James Bible by downloading the free KJV PDF or reading online. The download page also includes a bookmarked Book of Psalms KJV PDF for easy reference.