Characteristics of Delilah in The Bible

Characteristics of Delilah in The Bible: In the book of Judges one of the characters that is interesting to study is Samson. Samson, the strongest man who ever lived was brought down by a woman known as Delilah. What character did Delilah have to be able to deceive and lead to the capture of Samson? In this article, we have looked at Delilah’s character.

Characteristics of Delilah in The Bible

1. Money- minded

Judges 16: 5

“The rulers of the Philistines went to her and said, “See if you can lure him into showing you the secret of his great strength and how we can overpower him so we may tie him up and subdue him. Each one of us will give you eleven hundred shekels[a] of silver.”

Delilah betrayed Samson because she was promised silver. After seeing the financial gain she was ready to do anything to know Samson’s source of strength.

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2. Manipulative

Judges 16: 10

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.”

In the above verse, it is clear Delilah was using manipulation to know why he was so strong. She manipulates Samson to feel like he treating her as a fool by not telling her the truth.

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3. Deceitful

Judges 16: 8-9

8 Then the rulers of the Philistines brought her seven fresh bowstrings that had not been dried, and she tied him with them. 9 With men hidden in the room, she called to him, “Samson, the Philistines are upon you!” But he snapped the bowstrings as easily as a piece of string snaps when it comes close to a flame. So the secret of his strength was not discovered.

Through deceit, she was able to tie Samson with seven fresh bowstrings from Philistine rulers. Although with this deceit she didn’t get the source of Samson’s strength, deceit and manipulation would soon bear fruits.

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4. Persistent

To know the truth, Delilah was patient and persistent. Three times Samson failed to reveal his source of strength, but Delilah would not give up. She used various tactics, including emotional manipulation. Finally, after the fourth attempt, Samson told her the source of strength was his unshaved hair.

 5. Cunning

Judges 16: 15

Then she said to him, “How can you say, ‘I love you,’ when you won’t confide in me? This is the third time you have made a fool of me and haven’t told me the secret of your great strength.”

Delilah was clever and cunning in her approach. She pretends to care for Samson and wants him to reciprocate the same love by telling her the truth. Through her wits, she wins Samson’s confidence and trust.

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6. Nagging

Judges 16: 16

16 With such nagging she prodded him day after day until he was sick to death of it.

Through nagging, Delilah made Samson reach a melting point. He finally had to tell her the truth because he could not take her nagging anymore.

7. Betrayer

Judges 16: 18

18 When Delilah saw that he had told her everything, she sent word to the rulers of the Philistines, “Come back once more; he has told me everything.” So the rulers of the Philistines returned with the silver in their hands

Another Characteristic of Delilah is a betrayer.  Delilah could not wait to betray Samson. After knowing the secret of his strength she went a word to the Philistine’s rulers.

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Conclusion: Characteristics of Delilah in The Bible

The above characteristics bring out Delilah’s character. She is also portrayed as a symbol of temptation. She lured Samson away from God until he was captured by the Philistines.