Samson

Biblical Figures

Samson was a judge, Nazirite and military leader in the book of Judges. After victories against the Philistines, he was tricked by his lover, Delilah, into betraying the source of his strength. He was captured and blinded by the Philistines, but he was eventually able to kill many of them, and himself, by destroying their temple.

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The Birth of a Nazirite Hero

TANAKH

Samson was destined to be a Nazirite from birth, dedicated to God and tasked with beginning the deliverance of Israel from the Philistines. The Book of Judges recounts the angel's message to Samson's mother, foretelling his birth and divine mission.

For you are going to conceive and bear a son; let no razor touch his head, for the boy is to be a nazirite to God from the womb on. He shall be the first to deliver Israel from the Philistines.”

Judges 13:5

Samson's Divine Nazirite Status

TALMUD

Samson's unique status as a Nazirite was declared by an angel, not through a human vow. The Gemara discusses the origin of Samson's Nazirite status, referencing Judges 13:5, and debates whether it was accepted through a human vow or declared by an angel.

The Gemara challenges the assumption that Samson’s naziriteship was not accepted through a vow: And was Samson not a nazirite whose naziriteship was accepted by a vow? Isn’t it written: “For the child shall be a nazirite of God from the womb” (Judges 13:5)? The Gemara answers: There it was the angel who spoke. Samson’s nazirite status did not stem from a vow uttered by a human being.

Nazir 4b:17

The Spiritual Consequences of Samson's Hair

CHASIDUT

Samson's physical blemish of his hair led to the blinding of his eyes, symbolizing a deeper spiritual consequence. Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, in his early 19th-century work Likutei Moharan, explores the spiritual implications of Samson's story from the Book of Judges.

Therefore, when one blemishes the hair, sight—the “seven coatings of the eyes”—is blemished. Thus it is said of Shimshon, who blemished the “seven locks of his head,” that “the Philistines gouged out his eyes” (ibid. 16:21).

Likutei Moharan 29:12:4

Samson the Divine Champion

KABBALAH

Samson's divine blessing and heritage made him a powerful force against idol-worshipping nations. The Zohar, a central text of Jewish mysticism, delves into the esoteric aspects of Samson's life and his role as a divine warrior.

It says of Samson that the “spirit of God began to move him in the camp of Dan” (Jud. 13, 25). Samson was a Nazirite, and a man of huge strength, and he was a serpent in this world in face of the idolatrous nations, because he inherited the blessing of his ancestor Dan.’

Zohar, Vayechi 69:709

The Unique Strength of Samson

MIDRASH

Samson, a descendant of the tribe of Dan, is portrayed as a unique warrior who required no assistance in battle, likening him to the Unique One of the world. The Midrash Tanchuma, a collection of homiletic teachings from around the 9th century, provides deep insights into the qualities of biblical figures, including Samson.

Dan shall judge his people like one of the tribes of Israel (Gen. 49:16). Like one signifies that like Judah, he was one of the most distinguished of the tribes. Another explanation of like one of the tribes of Israel. He was like the Unique One of the world, who requires no assistance in battle, as it is said: I have trod the wine press alone (Isa. 43:3). Samson, who descended from Dan, needed no assistance from others, as is said: With the jawbone of an ass have I smitten a thousand men (Judg. 15:16).

Midrash Tanchuma, Vayechi 12:1

The Humble Beginnings of Samson

JEWISH THOUGHT

Samson's story begins with a unique and humble origin, marked by his mother's anonymity and the specific precautions she had to take during her pregnancy. Dr. Erica Brown analyzes Samson's life in the book, Leadership in the Wilderness.

The Exception to the Rule
Judges 13 tells the story of Samson’s humble beginnings. His father Manoah and his mother, the wife of Manoah, were simple people. His mother’s unnamed presence in the story is the locus of pain; the hero’s anonymous mother is lost to posterity as an individual in her own right. Samson did not benefit from the typical genealogical introduction awarded most biblical characters. We are told that Samson’s mother was infertile, but unlike the heroines of other infertility stories in the Bible, she did not protest this state…

Leadership in the Wilderness; Authority and Anarchy in the Book of Numbers, Part I, Chapter 4; The Leadership Gadfly 32

The Trust Between Samson and Delilah

COMMENTARY

Despite Samson's previous deceptions, Delilah believed his explanation about the source of his strength, revealing a deeper layer of their relationship and the complexities of trust. The contemporary work, The Depths of Yonah, explains the Gemara in Sotah 9b which provides insight into Delilah's belief in Samson's final explanation, despite his earlier falsehoods.

Nikkarim Divrei Emet
I suggested that perhaps we can take our cue from the Gemara (Sotah 9b) which explains why Delilah believed Shimshon’s explanation that cutting his hair would eliminate his great strength (Shoftim 16:18) . After all, Shimshon had fooled her repeatedly with false explanations of the source of his supernatural abilities.

Depths of Yonah 3:3:9

The Literary Craft of a Biblical Hero's Downfall

COMMENTARY

The narrative of a biblical hero's downfall is rich with literary and structural elements that heighten its tension and climax. The Book of Judges in the Hebrew Bible presents this story, using repeating phrases, folk motifs, and the theme of secrets withheld to build suspense.

Although it is not the final story in the cycle, the Delila episode is a climax of sorts. Carefully constructed of repeating phrases (for example, “Now the ambush was sitting [for her] in the inner-room”; “Philistines upon you, Shimshon!”), it reprises most of the words and motifs that have appeared up to this point (see “Judges, Appendix; the Sound and Structure of a Biblical Tale”) and welds them into a tight whole. Folk motifs return, in the person of the nagging lover, the new, fresh ropes, and the number of Delila’s attempts to get at the truth—the classic 3+1 pattern of folklore…

The Early Prophets, by Everett Fox, Judges, Part II b; Later Leaders; Decline, The Woman of the Night 2

The Consequences of Samson's Actions

MIDRASH

Samson's punishment of being blinded by the Philistines was a direct consequence of his initial sins. The Ein Yaakov, a compilation of Talmudic stories and parables, reflects on the moral and spiritual lessons derived from the story of Samson, emphasizing the consequences of his actions.

Our Rabbis were taught Samson rebelled against God through his eyes; as it is said (Judges 14, 3) And Samson said unto his father, 'This one take for me; for she pleaseth me well, therefore the Philistines blinded him, as it is said (Ib. 17, 21) And the Philistines seized him and put his eyes out. Did Samson then do a wrong thing? Behold, it is written (Ib. 14, 4) But his father and mother knew not that it was from the Lord, that he sought but an occasion against the Philistines. However, he himself went there only because of pleasure…

Ein Yaakov (Glick Edition), Sotah 1:21

The Miraculous Victories of Samson

MIDRASH

Samson's victories were not just feats of strength but were accompanied by miraculous events, such as water flowing from his mouth to quench his thirst. Louis Ginzberg’s early 20th-century compilation, Legends of the Jews, recounts the heroic and miraculous deeds of Samson, reflecting the Jewish tradition of valorizing biblical figures.

Samson won his first victory over the Philistines by means of the jawbone of the ass on which Abraham had made his way to Mount Moriah. It had been preserved miraculously. After this victory a great wonder befell. Samson was at the point of perishing from thirst, when water began to flow from his own mouth as from a spring.

Legends of the Jews 4:2:68

Samson's Final Prayer

COMMENTARY

Samson's final prayer reveals his willingness to sacrifice his life for divine justice. Rabbeinu Bachya’s commentary on Genesis connects Samson’s plea for strength to the broader theme of divine intervention in Jewish history.

It is however possible to explain this verse as a prayer offered by Samson. Yaakov foresaw the death of this judge of Israel and how G’d had responded to his final prayer (Judges 16,28). Samson was content to die together with his enemies as long as G’d would help him to revenge himself on them as he himself said in Judges 16,30.

Rabbeinu Bahya, Bereshit 49:18:2

Samson's Strength and Cunning

SECOND TEMPLE

Samson's extraordinary physical strength and cunning allowed him to outsmart the Philistines, showcasing his defiance and resourcefulness. Josephus, a 1st-century Jewish historian, provides a detailed account of Jewish history, including the exploits of Samson.

10. After this fight Samson held the Philistines in contempt, and came to Gaza, and took up his lodgings in a certain inn. When the rulers of Gaza were informed of his coming thither, they seized upon the gates, and placed men in ambush about them, that he might not escape without being perceived; but Samson, who was acquainted with their contrivances against him, arose about midnight, and ran by force upon the gates, with their posts and beams, and the rest of their wooden furniture, and carried them away on his shoulders, and bare them to the mountain that is over Hebron…

The Antiquities of the Jews 5:8:10

The Divine Strength of Samson

MIDRASH

Samson's extraordinary physical feats are manifestations of the Divine Spirit, showcasing his unique connection to God. The fifth-century midrashic text, Vayikra Rabbah, explores the deeper meanings behind Samson's supernatural abilities and their spiritual significance.

Another matter: “This is the offering of Aaron” – that is what the verse said: “He said to them: From the eater emerged food” (Judges 14:14). Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥman said: When the Divine Spirit began to resonate in Samson, it began in three places, as it is stated: “The spirit of the Lord began to move him in the camp of Dan, between Tzora and Eshtaol” (Judges 13:25). What is “between Tzora and Eshtaol”? Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥman said: It teaches that he took two mountains and knocked them against one another, like a person who takes two pebbles and knocks them against one another…

Vayikra Rabbah 8:2

Samson the Nazirite Hero

COMMENTARY

Samson's life offers a unique perspective on the Nazirite vow, highlighting the significant events that define his legacy. The Mishnah, a foundational Jewish text from around 200 CE, discusses the Nazirite vow and uses Samson as a key example.

[If one says,] “Behold, I shall be like Samson”, “like the son of Manoah”, “like the husband of Delilah, or “like the one who uprooted the doors of Gaza,” or “like the one whose eyes the Philistines put out,” he is a nazirite like Samson. Samson, son of Manoah, husband of Delilah, who uprooted the doors of Gaza, and whose eyes were put out by the Philistines, was perhaps the most famous nazirite ever (see Judges 13). One who uses one of these aspects of Samson’s life to vow a nazirite vow is a nazirite like Samson.

English Explanation of Mishnah Nazir 1:2:3

Samson's Divine Journey

TALMUD

Samson's life was divinely ordained from birth, with specific instructions given to his parents about his role in saving Israel. The Talmudic tractate Sotah recounts the divine announcement to Samson's parents, emphasizing his unique mission to begin delivering Israel from the Philistines.

Samson’s parents were told: “For behold, you shall conceive, and bear a son; and no razor shall come upon his head; for the child shall be a nazirite unto God from the womb; and he shall begin to save Israel out of the hand of the Philistines” (Judges 13:5). Rabbi Ḥama, son of Rabbi Ḥanina, says: Samson’s parents were being told that the oath of Abimelech, king of the Philistines, was negated, as it is written that Abimelech said to our forefather Abraham: “Now therefore swear unto me here by God that you will not deal falsely with me, nor with my son…

Sotah 9b:24-10a:1

Walking in Samson's Footsteps

COMMENTARY

Explore the geographical and physical journey through the land associated with Samson, including visiting specific locations such as Zorah and Park Eshtaol, and identifying marked tombs believed to be those of Samson and his father, Manoah. Tamar Weissman’s work offers a unique blend of historical analysis and modern-day tour itineraries, focusing on the tribe of Dan and its most famous member, Samson.

To first seek Dan, one should visit the tribe’s God-given stomping grounds, taking Dan’s most famous son as our muse and trying to get a better reading of the tribe through a journey in the footsteps of Samson. We begin at the summit of Zorah (Tel Sor’a), reached through a serpentine drive up through the sculpture forest in Park Eshtaol. There are two marked tombs, most likely those of Arab sheikhs, but they serve our purposes as the graves of Samson and his father, Manoah (that is indeed how they are marked).

Tribal Lands, Chapter 8; Dan 75

Samson's Final Resting Place

COMMENTARY

Samson's final moments and burial highlight the deep familial bonds and the respect for his legacy. Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz’s modern translation and commentary on the Hebrew Bible provides a clear and engaging account of Samson’s life and death.

His brothers and the entire household of his father went down, picked him up, and brought him up; they buried him between Tzora and Eshtaol, where he had begun his heroic activities, in the grave of Mano’ah his father, who was no longer alive. Many years had passed since Samson’s birth, and his father was not a young man when he was born. He, Samson, judged Israel twenty years.

Steinsaltz on Judges 16:31

Miniature of Samson rending the lion. Image taken from f. 35v of Haggadah for Passover (the 'Hispano-Moresque Haggadah'), 1300. Written in Hebrew. British Library, London