Judges 16:8 Parallel Verses [⇓ See commentary ⇓]
Judges 16:8, NIV: Then the rulers of the Philistines brought her seven fresh bowstrings that had not been dried, and she tied him with them.Judges 16:8, ESV: Then the lords of the Philistines brought up to her seven fresh bowstrings that had not been dried, and she bound him with them.
Judges 16:8, KJV: Then the lords of the Philistines brought up to her seven green withs which had not been dried, and she bound him with them.
Judges 16:8, NASB: Then the governors of the Philistines brought up to her seven fresh animal tendons that had not been dried, and she bound him with them.
Judges 16:8, NLT: So the Philistine rulers brought Delilah seven new bowstrings, and she tied Samson up with them.
Judges 16:8, CSB: The Philistine leaders brought her seven fresh bowstrings that had not been dried, and she tied him up with them.
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The Holy Bible, New Living Translation, Copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Carol Stream, Illinois 60188.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® Copyright© 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
New American Standard Bible Copyright© 1960 - 2020 by The Lockman Foundation.
Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright© 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers.
What does Judges 16:8 mean? [⇑ See verse text ⇑]
Delilah is lying to Samson: Philistines rulers are the real reason behind her questions (Judges 16:7). They have offered her a huge sum of money if she can use seduction to reveal the secret of Samson's strength (Judges 16:4–6). Samson, in turn, has lied to Delilah. He probably doesn't realize how untrustworthy she is. Yet he's playing along with what probably feels like a lover's game.She has asked Samson what it would take to subdue him completely. He knows she is asking about his supernatural strength. Samson has told her, falsely, that being tied with seven fresh, undried bowstrings would make him as weak as any other man. That would make some sense, since Samson's Nazirite vow (Judges 13:4–5) prohibited contact with carcasses and corpses (Numbers 6:1–21). Bowstrings were made from dried animal intestine or other tendons. "Fresh bowstrings" were pieces of a dead animal.
Delilah's patrons provide the seven fresh bowstrings. She uses them to tie Samson up, perhaps as he sleeps. What she says next, Samson may have taken as a joke (Judges 16:9). It's not—Delilah has men waiting in case Samson is weak. Either way, he will easily snap the cords.