English Standard Version
Judges 16:11
11And he said to her, "If they bind me with new ropes that have not been used, then I shall become weak and be like any other man."
Judges 16:11 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)And he said unto her, If they bind me fast with new ropes that never were occupied, then shall I be weak, and be as another man.
- New International Version (NIV)He said, “If anyone ties me securely with new ropes that have never been used, I’ll become as weak as any other man.”
- New King James Version (NKJV)So he said to her, “If they bind me securely with new ropes that have never been used, then I shall become weak, and be like any other man.”
- New Living Translation (NLT)Samson replied, “If I were tied up with brand-new ropes that had never been used, I would become as weak as anyone else.”
Context of Judges 16:11
9Now she had men lying in ambush in an inner chamber. And she said to him, "The Philistines are upon you, Samson!" But he snapped the bowstrings, as a thread of flax snaps when it touches the fire. So the secret of his strength was not known. 10Then Delilah said to Samson, "Behold, you have mocked me and told me lies. Please tell me how you might be bound." And he said to her, "If they bind me with new ropes that have not been used, then I shall become weak and be like any other man." 12So Delilah took new ropes and bound him with them and said to him, "The Philistines are upon you, Samson!" And the men lying in ambush were in an inner chamber. But he snapped the ropes off his arms like a thread. 13Then Delilah said to Samson, "Until now you have mocked me and told me lies. Tell me how you might be bound." And he said to her, "If you weave the seven locks of my head with the web and fasten it tight with the pin, then I shall become weak and be like any other man."
Read all of Judges 16Judges 16:11 word by word
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֵלֶ֔יהָ אִם־אָס֤וֹר יַאַסְר֙וּנִי֙ בַּעֲבֹתִ֣ים חֲדָשִׁ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֛ר לֹֽא־נַעֲשָׂ֥ה בָהֶ֖ם מְלָאכָ֑ה וְחָלִ֥יתִי וְהָיִ֖יתִי כְּאַחַ֥ד הָאָדָֽם׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- And he saidאָמַר'âmar · to sayH559
- unto her, If they bindאָסַר'âsar · to bindH631
- with newחָדָשׁchâdâsh · newH2319
- ropesעֲבֹת‛ăbôth ‛ăbôth ‛ăbôthâh · cordH5688
- that never were occupiedעָשָׂה‛âώâh · to make: doH6213
- that never were occupiedמְלָאכָהmelâ'kâh · workH4399
- then shall I be weakחָלָהchâlâh · be weak: weakH2470
- and be as anotherאֶחָד'echâd · oneH259
- manאָדָם'âdâm · manH120
Cross-references for Judges 16:11
- Proverbs 13:3Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.
- Proverbs 29:25The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.
- Ephesians 4:25Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.
Commentaries on Judges 16:11
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 11If they bind me fast with new ropes - Samson wishes to keep up the opinion which the Philistines held; viz., that his mighty strength was the effect of some charm; and therefore he says, Seven green withs which had not been dried; new ropes that were never occupied; weave the seven locks of my hair with the web, etc.; the green withs, the new ropes, and the number seven, are such matters as would naturally be expected in a charm or spell.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 11Occupied - The margin, “wherewith work hath not been done,” is better.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 4-17Verses 4-17 Samson had been more than once brought into mischief and danger by the love of women, yet he would not take warning, but is again taken in the same snare, and this third time is fatal. Licentiousness is one of the things that take away the heart. This is a deep pit into which many have fallen; but from which few have escaped, and those by a miracle of mercy, with the loss of reputation and usefulness, of almost all, except their souls. The…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 11They had already tested brand-new ropes (Judges 15:13–14).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 4-144. he loved a woman in the valley of Sorek--The location of this place is not known, nor can the character of Delilah be clearly ascertained. Her abode, her mercenary character, and her heartless blandishments afford too much reason to believe she was a profligate woman.Read the comment
Topics related to Judges 16:11
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Judges 16
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- Darby Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries