Bible Strands
Judges 16:17
Samson told her all that was in his heart: “My hair has never been cut, because I have been a Nazirite to God from my mother’s womb. If I am shaved, my strength will leave me, and I will become as weak as any other man.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Samson discloses the source of his power to Delilah after her daily, exhausting pleas finally break his resistance.
The words — The text highlights מוֹרָה (mo.Rah), meaning a razor, and the phrase לֹא עָלָה (lo' 'alah), literally "it has not come up" against his head.
The thread — This uncut hair vow recalls the angelic commission in Judges 13:5 and stands in direct tension with the warning against trusting a companion in Micah 7:5.
Why it lands — Samson’s verbal surrender ends his concealment and immediately prompts Delilah to summon the Philistine lords with the promised payment.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
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.
Cross-references
- Micah 7:5 Do not rely on a friend; do not trust in a companion. Seal the doors of your mouth from her who lies in your arms.
- Judges 13:5 For behold, you will conceive and give birth to a son. And no razor shall touch his head, because the boy will be a Nazirite to God from the womb, and he will begin the deliverance of Israel from the hand of the Philistines.”
- Proverbs 12:23 A shrewd man keeps his knowledge to himself, but a foolish heart proclaims its folly.
- Numbers 6:5 For the entire period of his vow of separation, no razor shall touch his head. He must be holy until the time of his separation to the LORD is complete; he must let the hair of his head grow long.
- Acts 18:18 Paul remained in Corinth for quite some time before saying goodbye to the brothers. He had his head shaved in Cenchrea to keep a vow he had made, and then he sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila.
- Numbers 6:2 “Speak to the Israelites and tell them that if a man or woman makes a special vow, the vow of a Nazirite, to separate himself to the LORD,
- Proverbs 29:12 If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials will be wicked.