King James Version

What Does Judges 16:15 Mean?

Judges 16:15 in the King James Version says “And she said unto him, How canst thou say, I love thee, when thine heart is not with me? thou hast mocked me these three...” — study this verse from Judges chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And she said unto him, How canst thou say, I love thee, when thine heart is not with me? thou hast mocked me these three times, and hast not told me wherein thy great strength lieth.”

Judges 16:15 · KJV

LoveStrength

Context

13

And Delilah said unto Samson, Hitherto thou hast mocked me, and told me lies: tell me wherewith thou mightest be bound. And he said unto her, If thou weavest the seven locks of my head with the web.

14

And she fastened it with the pin, and said unto him, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awaked out of his sleep, and went away with the pin of the beam, and with the web.

15

And she said unto him, How canst thou say, I love thee, when thine heart is not with me? thou hast mocked me these three times, and hast not told me wherein thy great strength lieth.

16

And it came to pass, when she pressed him daily with her words, and urged him, so that his soul was vexed unto death; vexed: Heb. shortened

17

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.

Read Judges 16 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And she said unto him, How canst thou say, I love thee, when thine heart is not with me? thou hast mocked me these three times, and hast not told me wherein thy great strength lieth.

This verse belongs to the Samson cycle addressing Samson, Delilah, and final victory in death. Samson represents both the heights of God-empowered strength and the depths of human weakness through moral compromise. His Nazirite vow (Numbers 6:1-21) set him apart as holy to God, yet his persistent violations of this vow—contact with dead animals (14:8-9), seven-day feast (likely involving wine, 14:10), and finally revealing his hair's secret (16:17)—demonstrate progressive spiritual decline.

Theologically, Samson illustrates how spiritual gifts don't guarantee spiritual maturity. The Spirit of the LORD came upon Samson repeatedly, giving superhuman strength, yet this empowerment didn't produce corresponding moral transformation. His attraction to Philistine women (14:1-3, 16:1, 16:4) directly violated God's command against intermarriage with Canaanites (Deuteronomy 7:3-4). This demonstrates that God can use flawed instruments for His purposes, but this never excuses or endorses sin.

Samson's final prayer—"O Lord God, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me" (16:28)—shows genuine repentance and renewed faith. His death accomplished more than his life (16:30), suggesting that even spectacular failure can be redeemed when we return to God. However, the tragedy is that Samson's potential was largely wasted through moral compromise. His story warns believers that consistent holy living, not merely spectacular spiritual experiences, characterizes faithful discipleship.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Historical Setting: The Book of Judges spans approximately 350-400 years (c. 1375-1050 BCE) during the Late Bronze Age collapse and early Iron Age. This period saw the disintegration of major empires (Hittites, Mycenaeans) and weakening of Egyptian control over Canaan, creating a power vacuum filled by emerging peoples including Philistines (Sea Peoples), Aramaeans, and regional kingdoms. The decentralized tribal structure left Israel vulnerable to external oppression and internal chaos.

Cultural Context: This passage relates to Samson, Delilah, and final victory in death. Canaanite religion dominated the region, centered on Baal (storm/fertility god), Asherah (mother goddess), and Anat (war goddess). Archaeological discoveries at Ugarit (Ras Shamra) have provided extensive information about Canaanite mythology and religious practices. Baal worship involved ritual prostitution, child sacrifice, and fertility rites tied to agricultural seasons. Israel's persistent attraction to these gods demonstrates the strong cultural pressure to conform to surrounding nations' religious practices.

The material culture of this period shows gradual Israelite settlement in the Canaanite hill country, with simpler pottery and architecture than coastal Canaanite cities. Iron technology was beginning to spread, giving military advantage to peoples who mastered it (note the Philistines' iron monopoly, 1 Samuel 13:19-22). The absence of centralized government during the judges period stands in stark contrast to the bureaucratic city-states of Canaan and the imperial administration of Egypt and Mesopotamia. This political structure reflected Israel's theocratic ideal—God as king—yet the repeated cycles of apostasy showed this ideal required more than political structures; it demanded heart transformation.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage about Samson, Delilah, and final victory in death reveal God's character in dealing with persistent human rebellion and incomplete obedience?
  2. What patterns of spiritual compromise or incomplete obedience in your own life mirror Israel's failures during the judges period?
  3. How does understanding the cyclical nature of sin and deliverance in Judges help you appreciate Christ's perfect and final deliverance from sin's power?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
תֹּאמַ֣ר1 of 19

“And she said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵלָ֗יו2 of 19
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֵ֚יךְ3 of 19

“unto him How”

H349

how? or how!; also where

תֹּאמַ֣ר4 of 19

“And she said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲהַבְתִּ֔יךְ5 of 19

“I love”

H157

to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)

וְלִבְּךָ֖6 of 19

“thee when thine heart”

H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

אֵ֣ין7 of 19
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

אִתִּ֑י8 of 19
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

זֶ֣ה9 of 19
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

שָׁלֹ֤שׁ10 of 19

“me these three”

H7969

three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice

פְּעָמִים֙11 of 19

“times”

H6471

a stroke, literally or figuratively (in various applications, as follow)

הֵתַ֣לְתָּ12 of 19

“is not with me thou hast mocked”

H2048

to deride; by implication, to cheat

בִּ֔י13 of 19
H0
וְלֹֽא14 of 19
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

הִגַּ֣דְתָּ15 of 19

“and hast not told”

H5046

properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to

לִּ֔י16 of 19
H0
בַּמֶּ֖ה17 of 19
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

כֹּֽחֲךָ֥18 of 19

“strength”

H3581

vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce)

גָדֽוֹל׃19 of 19

“me wherein thy great”

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Judges. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Judges 16:15 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Judges 16:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Judges 14:16John 14:152 Corinthians 5:14-15Song of Solomon 8:6-7Proverbs 5:3-14John 15:10

Test Your Knowledge

Judges 16 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterJudges Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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