Chapter
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Verse

Judges 16:10

ESV Then Delilah said to Samson, "Behold, you have mocked me and told me lies. Please tell me how you might be bound."
NIV Then Delilah said to Samson, "You have made a fool of me; you lied to me. Come now, tell me how you can be tied."
NASB Then Delilah said to Samson, 'Behold, you have toyed with me and told me lies; now please tell me how you may be bound.'
CSB Then Delilah said to Samson, "You have mocked me and told me lies! Won’t you please tell me how you can be tied up?"
NLT Afterward Delilah said to him, 'You’ve been making fun of me and telling me lies! Now please tell me how you can be tied up securely.'
KJV And Delilah said unto Samson, Behold, thou hast mocked me, and told me lies: now tell me, I pray thee, wherewith thou mightest be bound.
NKJV Then Delilah said to Samson, “Look, you have mocked me and told me lies. Now, please tell me what you may be bound with.”

What does Judges 16:10 mean?

Delilah's words imply she is deeply wounded in her soul. Samson did not trust her enough to reveal the secret of his supernatural strength (Judges 16:7–9). Most likely this is part of playful banter, and not entirely serious. If Samson suspects anything beyond flirtation and amusement (Judges 16:4–6), he doesn't act accordingly. Prior verses noted there were Philistines waiting in ambush but doesn't say they attacked. Whatever he might have thought when she first "warned" him, he will probably come to think these are just games (Judges 16:12, 14).

It's true that Samson has lied to Delilah. He might even be "mocking" her, to some extent. Of course, why would he ever dare to tell her the truth? Delilah's brilliant strategy, it seems, is to wear down his guard, until he fully—and foolishly—believes she means him no harm (Judges 16:20–21).

Delilah, putting on a pout, asks again to know how Samson's supernatural strength can be removed. Nothing is revealed to tell us his thoughts. We only know he continues to play out this odd game with Delilah.
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