Delilah

Fausset's Bible Dictionary

("the languishing one".) A Philistine harlot, of the valley of Sorek, whom the five Philistine lords, when they found Samson loved her, bribed for 1,100 shekels each to be their political emissary, to find out from Samson the secret of his strength. On four different occasions she tempted him to tell the secret. On the third occasion Samson trifled so presumptuously with the divine gift committed to him as to suggest that his seven consecrated locks should be woven with the web; when we go to the edge of temptation our gall is near. This "languishing" prostitute, with her vile challenging of his "love," "How canst thou say, I love thee, when thine heart is not with me?" and by daily vexing importunity, wrung the secret from him at the fourth time.

His strength lay in dedication to God, of which his Nazarite locks were the sign. Laying down his head in her lap he lost them, and with them lost God in him, the spring of a strength which was not his own. Lust, severing from God the source of strength, makes the strongest powerless; only by waiting on the Lord, we, like Samson, renew the strength which was lost by self-indulgence and self-reliance. Contrast  Daniel 1:8-16;  Isaiah 40:30-31;  Proverbs 7:6-27. So Israel, strong while faithful to Jehovah, incurs the curse which Balaam, however wishing it, could not inflict, the moment that the people commits whoredom with the daughters of Moab ( Numbers 25:1;  Numbers 25:6;  Numbers 31:15-16).

Morrish Bible Dictionary

A Philistine harlot, of the valley of Sorek, loved by Samson. She, being bribed by the Philistines, teased Samson till he told her wherein his great strength lay.  Judges 16:4-18 . By the great reward offered her — 5,500 'shekels' — it appears probable that she was a political courtesan. We wonder at the folly of Samson, for he had ample proofs of her design; but, alas, being away from God, the light had become darkness, and how great that darkness! The 'lap of Delilah' should be a signal warning to all.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Del'ilah or Deli'lah. (Languishing). A woman who dwelt in the Valley of Sorek, beloved by Samson.  Judges 16:4-18. There seems to be little doubt that, she was a Philistine courtesan. See Samson . (B.C. 1141).

People's Dictionary of the Bible

Delilah ( De-Lî'Lah, or Dĕl'I-Lah ), Pining With Desire. A harlot of the valley of Sorek, in the tribe of Judah, and near the borders of the Philistines, with whom Samson associated and who betrayed him,.  Judges 16:4-18. See Samson.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

 Judges 16:4-20 Judges 16:4-18Samson

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

A Philistine woman, whom Samson loved, and who betrayed him to the enemies of Israel,  Judges 16:1-31 .

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

DELILAH . The Philistine woman who betrayed Samson into the hands of the Philistines. See Samson.

Holman Bible Dictionary

 Judges 16:4Samson

Webster's Dictionary

(n.) The mistress of Samson, who betrayed him (Judges xvi.); hence, a harlot; a temptress.

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

(Heb. Delilah', דְּלַילָה , prob. languishing, sc. with lustful desire; Sept. Δαλιδά , Josephus Δαλιλά ), a woman who dwelt in the valley of Sorek, beloved by Samson, ( Judges 16:4-18). B.C. 1165. Her connection with Samson forms the third and last of those amatory adventures which in his history are so inextricably blended with the craft and prowess of a judge in Israel. She was bribed by the "lords of the Philistines" to win from Samson the secret of his strength, and the means of overcoming it. (See Samson).

It is not stated, either in Judges or Josephus, whether she was an Israelite or a Philistine. Nor can this question be determined by reference to the geography of Sorek, since, in the time of the judges, the frontier was shifting and indefinite. The following considerations, however, supply presumptive evidence that she was a Philistine:

1. Her Occupation , which seems to have been that of a courtesan of the higher class, a kind of political Hetaera. This view is still more decided in Josephus (who calls her Γυνὴ Ἑταιριζομένη , and associates her influence over Samson with Πότος and Συνουσία , Ant. v. 8, 11). He also states more clearly her relation as a political agent to the "lords of the Philistines" ( סְרָנַים Joseph. Οἱ Προεστῶτες , Οἱ Ἄρχοντες Παλαιστίνων ; Sept. Ἄρχοντες , Οἱ Τοῦ Κοινοῦ ; magistrates, political lords, Milton, Sams. Ag . 850, 1195), employing under their directions "liers in wait" ( הָאֹרֵב , Τὸ Ἔνεδρον ; comp.  Joshua 8:14). On the other hand, Chrysostom and many of the fathers have maintained that Delilah was married to Samson (so Milton, 227), a natural but uncritical attempt to save the morality of the Jewish champion. See  Judges 16:9;  Judges 16:18, as showing an exclusive command of her establishment inconsistent with the idea of matrimonial connection (Patrick, ad loc.). There seems to be little doubt that she was a courtesan; and her employment as a political emissary, together with the large sum which was offered for her services (1100 pieces of silver from each lord = 5500 shekels; comp.  Judges 3:3), and the tact which is attributed to her in Judges, but more especially in Josephus, indicates a position not likely to be occupied by any Israelitish woman at that period of national depression. (See Philistines).

2. The general tendency of the Scripture narrative: the sexual temptation represented as acting upon the Israelites from without ( Numbers 25:1;  Numbers 25:6;  Numbers 31:15-16). (See Harlot).

3. The special case of Samson ( Judges 14:1;  Judges 16:1).

In Milton Delilah appears as a Philistine, and justifies herself to Samson on the ground of patriotism (Sam. Ag. 850, 980).

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

dē̇ - lı̄´la ( דּלידלה , delı̄lāh , "dainty one," perhaps; Septuagint Δαλειδά , Daleidá , Δαλιδά , Dalidá ): The woman who betrayed Samson to the Philistines (Jdg 16). She was presumably a Philistine, though that is not expressly stated. She is not spoken of as Samson's wife, though many have understood the account in that way. The Philistines paid her a tremendously high price for her services. The account indicates that for beauty, personal charm, mental ability, self-command, nerve, she was quite a wonderful woman, a woman to be admired for some qualities which she exhibits, even while she is to be utterly disapproved. See Samson .

Kitto's Popular Cyclopedia of Biblial Literature

Del´ilah, the woman whom Samson loved, and who betrayed him to his enemies (Judges 16) [SAMSON].

The Nuttall Encyclopedia

The Philistine woman who beguiled and betrayed Samson.