Richter 16:4

Lutherbibel

Darnach gewann er ein Weib lieb am Bach Sorek, die hieß Delila.

Parallel Translations

Schlachter Bibel (1951)
Darnach aber gewann er ein Weib lieb am Bache Sorek, die hieß Delila.

Elberfelder Bibel (1905)
Und es geschah hernach, da liebte er ein Weib im Tale Sorek, ihr Name war Delila.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

he loved: 1 Kings 11:1, Nehemiah 13:26, Proverbs 22:14, Proverbs 23:27, Proverbs 26:11, Proverbs 27:22, 1 Corinthians 10:6

in the valley: or, by the brook

Reciprocal: Numbers 13:23 - brook 1 Kings 11:2 - Solomon Proverbs 5:4 - sharp Proverbs 23:28 - as for a prey Isaiah 5:2 - the choicest vine

Gill's Notes on the Bible

And it came to pass afterwards, that he loved a woman in the valley of Sorek,.... Which, according to Adrichomius y was but half a mile from the brook Eshcol, from whence the spies brought a bunch of grapes, as a specimen of the fruit of the land of Canaan; and this valley of Sorek seems to have been famous for the best wine, and hither Samson retired for refreshment and pleasure; but, according to Jerom z, it was on the north of Eleutheropolis, where, he says, was shown a village in his time called Capharsorech, near the village Zorah, from whence Samson was; and Bunting a makes it to be twelve miles from Hebron, and twelve from Jerusalem; where he met with a woman he loved; whether she was an Israelite, or one of the daughters of the Philistines, they now being the rulers of Israel, is not said; most likely the latter, as say Ben Gersom and Abarbinel, since the lords of the Philistines were so intimate with her, and were entertained in her house, and she showed more respect to them than to Samson. The Jews say she became a proselyte, but if she did, there is very little evidence of her being a sincere one: some have thought, that the courtship to her was a lawful conjugal love; that falling in love with her, he courted and married her; but this is not very likely, since no mention is made of his marriage to her, nor did he take her home, but dwelt in her house: it rather seems to be an impure and unlawful love he had to her, and that she was an harlot, as Josephus b; and all her conduct and behaviour confirm the same:

whose name was Delilah; the Jews say c she was so called because she weakened the heart and spirit of Samson, and weakened his strength, and weakened his works; and therefore, if this had not been her name, they say it was one very proper for her.

y Ut supra, (Theatrum Terra Sanct.) p. 24. z De loc. Heb. fol. 94. L. a Travels, p. 116, 117. b Ut supra, (Antiqu. l. 5. c. 8.) sect. 11. c T. Bab. Sotah, fol. 9. 2.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

A village to the north of Eleutheropolis, called Caphar-Sotek, was still existing in the time of Eusebius, near Zorah.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Judges 16:4. He loved a woman in the valley of Sorek — Some think Samson took this woman for his wife; others, that he had her as a concubine. It appears she was a Philistine; and however strong his love was for her, she seems to have had none for him. He always matched improperly, and he was cursed in all his matches. Where the valley or brook of Sorek was, is not easy to be ascertained. Eusebius and Jerome say it lay southward of Eleutheropolis; but where was Eleutheropolis? Ancient writers take all their measurements from this city; but as it is nowhere mentioned in the Scriptures, it is impossible to fix its situation for we know not its ancient name.