Why samson cut his hair

We now come to the well-known incident referred to in your question. The Philistines, who were frustrated and angered that they were unable to counteract Samson's strength, decide to utilize the services of a harlot named Delilah. Five Philistine leaders agree to pay her a hefty sum of money to find out how they could take down this mighty warrior Judges And he Samson told her Delilah all his heart, and said to her, "A razor has not come upon my hair, for I am a Nazarite to God from my mother's womb.

If I am shaven, then my strength will go from me. And she made him sleep upon her knees. And she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head. Judges , 19, HBFV. After Delilah arranged for Samson to receive the only haircut he would ever have, he became as weak as other men were.

While it certainly seems that he got his strength strictly from his hair, further study reveals this is not the case. With his locks gone, the Philistines quickly rushed in to seize Samson. When he woke, he assumed he could, as he had done so many times in the past, use his power to save himself.

The assembly clamored to see Samson, and so he was brought out and tied between two pillars. All rights reserved. Culture People in the Bible. National Geographic explores notable biblical figures in our ongoing series People in the Bible, as part of our coverage of the history of the Bible and the search for sacred texts. Share Tweet Email. Read This Next Wild parakeets have taken a liking to London. Animals Wild Cities Wild parakeets have taken a liking to London Love them or hate them, there's no denying their growing numbers have added an explosion of color to the city's streets.

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But will they invade your privacy? The sixth chapter of the book of Numbers describes the vow of the Nazarite at length. The text abounds in details regarding the circumstances under which a Nazirite can or must cut his hair. It reads as follows:. They must not drink grape juice or eat grapes or raisins […] During the entire period of their Nazirite vow, no razor may be used on their head. They must be holy until the period of their dedication to the Lord is over; they must let their hair grow long.

Throughout the period of their dedication to the Lord, the Nazirite must not go near a dead body. Even if their own father or mother or brother or sister dies, they must not make themselves ceremonially unclean on account of them, because the symbol of their dedication to God is on their head. Throughout the period of their dedication, they are consecrated to the Lord.

They are to take the hair and put it in the fire that is under the sacrifice of the fellowship offering. After the Nazirite has shaved off the hair that symbolizes their dedication, the priest is to place in their hands a boiled shoulder of the ram, and one thick loaf and one thin loaf from the basket, both made without yeast.

This is the law of the Nazirite who vows offerings to the Lord in accordance with their dedication, in addition to whatever else they can afford. They must fulfill the vows they have made, according to the law of the Nazirite. If one thing is clear from these prescriptions it is that hair plays an important role in the vow of the Nazirite. This is all the more grave considering he himself was a judge.

Samson first broke his religious obligation by feasting with a woman from the neighboring town of Timnah. She was a Philistine — like Delilah. In fact, he even threw a great wedding feast, which ended in a violent fight — and the woman being married to someone else Cf. BCC Global Sites.

Canadian Biblical Counseling Coalition. Brazilian Association of Biblical Counselors. Network of Biblical Soulcare Germany. Growth Counselling Institute. Share on facebook. Share on twitter. Share on linkedin. Share on email. Share on print. By: Rob Green. June 10, How can we possibly understand that? What about Us? Join the Conversation How are you learning to value, appreciate, and treasure the sure promises of God in your life?

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