Who was Delilah?

Samson's downfall

The story of Delilah

Delilah - Philistine spy.
Delilah - Philistine spy.
Philistine spy.

Delilah was a biblical figure best known for her role in the downfall of the Israelite hero, Samson. She was a Philistine woman from the town of Sorek, and her parents are not mentioned in the Bible. Delilah was approached by the Philistine lords to discover the source of Samson's strength, and she agreed to do so in exchange for a large sum of money. After several attempts, Delilah eventually tricked Samson into revealing the secret of his strength, which was his long hair. She then cut off his hair while he was sleeping, and the Philistines were able to capture him. Delilah is remembered as a symbol of female cunning and betrayal.

Name meaning

The name Delilah has Hebrew origins and is most commonly associated with the biblical story of Samson and Delilah. In Hebrew, Delilah (דלילה) is often interpreted to mean "delicate" or "weak," though the exact meaning can vary. The name is famously linked to the story in the Book of Judges in the Bible, where Delilah is a Philistine woman who betrays Samson, an Israelite with great physical strength, by discovering the secret of his strength—his uncut hair. Despite the potentially negative connotations from this story, in modern usage, Delilah is often seen as a strong, alluring name and remains popular in various cultures.

Name origin

Hebrew

Role

Philistine spy.

First mention

Judges 16:4

Appearances in the Bible

6 mentions

Delilah in the Bible

Explore all 1 chapters where Delilah appears

Judges

Chapter 16

Samson's Destructive Triumph:

Samson falls in love with Delilah, who betrays him and causes him to lose his strength.

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