Who was Samson in the Bible?

Samson was a judge of Israel, chosen by God before his birth to begin delivering Israel from the Philistines. He is most famous for his supernatural physical strength, which was linked to his Nazirite vow and his uncut hair (Judges 13:5).

What are the key stories from Samson's life?

Key events include killing a lion with his bare hands, using a donkey's jawbone to defeat 1,000 Philistines, and his betrayal by Delilah, who discovered the secret of his strength. His final act was pushing apart the pillars of a Philistine temple, killing himself and many enemies (Judges 16:30).

Why is Samson important in the Bible?

Samson's story demonstrates God's power working through a flawed individual, showing that God's purposes are fulfilled despite human weakness. He is listed in the 'Hall of Faith' in Hebrews 11:32 as an example of faith, and his life points to the need for dependence on God rather than personal strength.

Samson

Both TestamentsMaleJudge

Samson was an Israelite judge known for his God-given strength, which he used to fight against the Philistines.

Samson

Biography

Samson was an Israelite judge from the tribe of Dan whose miraculous birth was announced by the angel of the LORD to his previously barren mother (Judges 13). Consecrated as a Nazirite from the womb, he was set apart for divine service and endowed with extraordinary physical strength as a manifestation of the Spirit of God. His turbulent career against the Philistines, marked by his riddle at Timnah, the slaughter of a thousand men with a donkey's jawbone, and his liaison with the Philistine woman Delilah, culminated in his betrayal, blinding, and imprisonment. In his final act of worship, Samson pulled down the temple of Dagon at Gaza, slaying more enemies in death than in life (Judges 16:30). The New Testament numbers him among the heroes of faith (Hebrews 11:32).

Significance

Samson's life embodies the paradox of divine strength operating through deeply flawed humanity. His story illustrates that God's purposes are not thwarted by human weakness or moral failure; the Spirit empowered him for deliverance even as his personal life was marked by self-indulgence and poor judgment. Theologically, Samson functions as a type of Israel itself, called, gifted, compromised by foreign entanglements, yet ultimately used by God when dependence upon Him was finally restored. His inclusion in Hebrews 11 demonstrates that saving faith, however imperfect its expression, is credited by God. His final prayer (Judges 16:28) points forward to a deliverer who would lay down his life to defeat the enemies of God's people.

Authority Records

Wikidata VIAF Library of Congress GND

FatherManoahMotherwife of Manoah

Verse Appearances (38)

Judg

Judg 13:24 Judg 14:1 Judg 14:3 Judg 14:5 Judg 14:7 Judg 14:10 Judg 14:12 Judg 14:15 Judg 14:16 Judg 14:20 Judg 15:1 Judg 15:3 Judg 15:4 Judg 15:6 Judg 15:7 Judg 15:10 Judg 15:11 Judg 15:12 Judg 15:16 Judg 16:1 Judg 16:2 Judg 16:3 Judg 16:6 Judg 16:7 Judg 16:9 Judg 16:10 Judg 16:12 Judg 16:13 Judg 16:14 Judg 16:20 Judg 16:23 Judg 16:25 Judg 16:26 Judg 16:27 Judg 16:28 Judg 16:29 Judg 16:30

Hebrews

Hebrews 11:32

References

Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

View all sources & licensing →

See our editorial standards →

Content compiled from public domain scholarship, academic sources, and verified references. Editorial standards · View all sources