Bible Dictionary
Delilah
Delilah was a woman from the valley of Sorek who betrayed Samson to the Philistine rulers. By persistently discovering the secret of his strength, she enabled the Philistines to capture and humiliate him.
Definition
Delilah was a woman from the valley of Sorek who betrayed Samson to the Philistine rulers. After repeated attempts, she discovered the secret of his strength and enabled the Philistines to capture him.
Biblical Usage
The Philistine lords bribed Delilah to learn how Samson might be overcome. She caused him to sleep, summoned the waiting man, and had the seven locks of his head cut off, after which his strength left him.
Historical Background
She is presumed to have been a Philistine, though this is not expressly stated. The account presents her as possessing beauty, charm, ability, self-command, and nerve, while condemning her treachery.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Languishing, a Philistine woman who dwelt in the valley of Sorek (Judg. 16:4-20). She was bribed by the “lords of the Philistines” to obtain from Samson the secret of his strength and the means of overcoming it (Judg. 16:4-18). She tried on three occasions to obtain from him this secret in vain. On the fourth occasion she wrung it from him. She made him sleep upon her knees, and then called the man who was waiting to help her; who “cut off the seven locks of his head,” and so his “strength went from him.” (See SAMSON.)
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>de-li'-la (delilah, "dainty one," perhaps; Septuagint Daleida, Dalida): The woman who betrayed Samson to the Philistines (Jud 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.</p><p>Willis J. Beecher</p>