Original Word: דִּלִילָה
Part of Speech: Proper Name Feminine
Transliteration: Dliylah
Pronunciation: deh-LEE-lah
Phonetic Spelling: (del-ee-law')
KJV: Delilah
NASB: Delilah
Word Origin: [from H1809 (דָּלַל - brought low)]

1. languishing
2. Delilah, a Philistine woman

Delilah

From dalal; languishing -- Delilah, a Philistine woman -- Delilah.

see HEBREW dalal

Word Origin
from dalal
Definition
Philistine mistress of Samson
NASB Translation
Delilah (6).

דְּלִילָה proper name, feminine Delila, Philistine woman, mistress of Samson Judges 16:4,6,10,12,13,18.

Name and Narrative Setting

Delilah appears exclusively in Judges 16, in the closing portion of the Samson cycle. Samson “fell in love with a woman in the Valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah” (Judges 16:4). The valley lies between Judah and Philistia, highlighting the boundary‐crossing nature of Samson’s affection.

Occurrences and Context

Judges 16:4 – Samson’s affection is introduced.

Judges 16:6 – Delilah begins her quest for the secret of Samson’s strength.

Judges 16:10, 16:12, 16:13 – Three additional attempts expose her persistence and Samson’s growing vulnerability.

Judges 16:18 – Her successful betrayal leads to Samson’s seizure.

Character Analysis

• Instrument of Philistine strategy: “The lords of the Philistines went up to her and said, ‘Entice him…’ ” (Judges 16:5).
• Motivated by greed: offered eleven hundred silver pieces from each Philistine ruler—an immense sum underscoring the Philistines’ desperation and her avarice.
• Methodical manipulator: Each appeal escalates in intensity, culminating in emotional blackmail—“How can you say, ‘I love you,’ when your heart is not with me?” (Judges 16:15).
• Ultimately complicit in sacrilege: she allows Samson’s Nazirite hair to be cut while he sleeps on her knees, a deliberate profanation of his consecration.

Historical Significance

Delilah embodies the Philistine threat during the Judges period. Her success enables Philistine dominance until Samson’s climactic self‐sacrifice. The narrative illustrates the cyclical pattern in Judges: Israel’s compromise, oppression, and partial deliverance.

Theological Implications

1. Divine sovereignty amid human failure: God’s purpose moves forward even through Delilah’s treachery and Samson’s folly, culminating in greater Philistine casualties at Samson’s death than in his life (Judges 16:30).
2. Consequences of spiritual compromise: Samson’s gradual disclosure mirrors Israel’s incremental abandonment of covenant distinctiveness.

Moral and Ministry Considerations

• Guarding the heart (Proverbs 4:23) is essential for leaders; emotional entanglements can open doors to spiritual defeat.
• Discernment in relationships: “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers” (2 Corinthians 6:14) finds practical illustration in Samson and Delilah.
• The cost of unchecked temptation: what begins as flirtation with foreign alliances ends in blindness and bondage.

Typological and Christological Reflections

Samson, a flawed deliverer, prefigures Christ only by contrast. Where Samson succumbs to Delilah’s seduction, Christ remains sinless under every trial. Delilah, therefore, foreshadows the tempter, while Samson’s eventual death that brings victory anticipates the perfect, willing sacrifice of Christ.

Lessons for Contemporary Believers

1. Persistent temptation must be met with persistent obedience; small concessions erode spiritual strength.
2. External foes often exploit internal weaknesses; holiness involves both separation and vigilance.
3. God can redeem failure, yet obedience spares needless suffering and preserves testimony.
4. Leadership collapses when consecration is treated lightly; private sin yields public defeat.

References

Judges 16:4; Judges 16:6; Judges 16:10; Judges 16:12; Judges 16:13; Judges 16:18

דְּלִילָ֜ה דְּלִילָֽה׃ דְּלִילָה֙ דְּלִילָה֩ דְלִילָ֗ה דלילה דלילה׃ də·lî·lāh deliLah dəlîlāhInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts