Samson and Delilah
Strength through hair
Samson and Delilah are biblical figures whose story has become shorthand for betrayal through seduction.
Samson was an Israelite warrior whose strength lay in his uncut hair; Delilah, his lover, extracted this secret and cut his hair while he slept, delivering him to his enemies.
The phrase evokes a woman who uses intimacy to destroy a powerful man: She played Delilah to his Samson.
- operaTheatrical art combining song
- ancient IsraelBiblical Hebrew civilization
- PhilistinesAncient Canaanite coastal tribe
- betrayalBreaking of trust
- femme fataleTreacherous enchantress
temptation · Gaza · strength · divine justice · repentance · sacrifice · downfall · Judges · haircut · deception · forgiveness · film adaptations · painting · weakness · tragic hero · divine power · Rubens · loyalty
- Biblical ReferencesAdam and Eve, ark, forbidden fruit, Garden of Eden, Ten Commandments
- Bible StoriesAdam and Eve, David and Goliath, Noah's Ark, Jonah and the whale, nativity
- famous pairsBatman and Robin, Holmes and Watson, Bonnie and Clyde, Tom and Jerry, Mickey and Minnie
- Biblical Marriagemarriage covenant, bride, husband and wife, bridegroom, groom
- Religious FilmsBen-Hur, The Ten Commandments, Jesus of Nazareth, The Chosen, Risen
- sacred storiescreation myth, creation story, Noah's Ark, flood myth, flood story
Samson and Delilahhappily ever after
Traditional story's final promise
love conquers all · Romeo and Juliet · fairy tale romance · true love · Beauty and the Beast