Judges 16:17 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Samson finally reveals his whole secret: as a Nazarite from birth, his strength depends on his unshaven hair.
What Does Judges 16:17 Mean?
At last Samson tells her all his heart. No razor has ever touched his head, for he has been set apart to God from the womb; if his hair is shaved, his strength will leave him and he will become like any other man. The secret is fully surrendered.
The uncut hair was the visible sign of a life consecrated to God, the outward mark of an inward dedication. By revealing it to one who would betray it, Samson does not merely lose a secret; he hands over the symbol of his belonging to the Lord. The verse shows how guarding the heart matters most, for once the inmost consecration is given to the wrong keeper, everything built upon it stands in peril.
Judges 16:17 in the Original Language
nazir (נָזִיר), 'Nazarite' -- one set apart or consecrated to God by vow, here from birth.
Frequently Asked Questions About Judges 16:17
What does Judges 16:17 mean?
Samson finally reveals his whole secret: as a Nazarite from birth, his strength depends on his unshaven hair.