2007-03-15 13:56:05 · 22 answers · asked by Giggly Giraffe 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Samson (no "p") was a Nazrite; he was under a special oath to God, and had been so all his life. This was a special relationship, like being a monk, and had certain restrictions: 1) he could not defile himself by going near a dead body, 2) he could not come into contact with, nor eat, anything made from grapes (grapes, vines, grapeskins, juice, wine, raisins) 3) he could never cut his hair.
Samson violated all three of the provisions of his Nazrite vows, one at a time. The restriction on cutting his hair was the last straw. It meant an end to the relationship he had enjoyed (and the amazing strength he had used) up to that point.
Some could argue that Samson didn't willingly cut his own hair; Delilah had a barber do it while he was asleep. While that is true, Samson had already fended off three attacks from Philistine soldiers while "keeping company" with Delilah. Each time she had nagged him about the "secret to his great strength", he gave her some lame-o answer, and she used THAT ANSWER to try and subdue him for the soldiers. This happened at least 4 times before she brought in a barber!
Samson told Delilah exactly how to break his own vow, and she did it. He lost his relationship with God, his eyesight, his freedom, and eventually his life.
Why Samson is one of the "great heros" of the Bible, I don't know.
2007-03-15 14:06:41 · answer #1 · answered by MamaBear 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
In the bible it is very clear in the story of Sampson that the secret of his physical strength was in his hair. It was a secret than and I think it still is. I am thinking that maybe because God or the prohpets had told him that his hair was a. blessing to him. It's not clear to me if his strength was psycological or it was something about his hair that provided iron to his body. Than again it could have been a spiritual thing. Just between Sampson and God. Its possible that his secret went to his grave with him. This is a good question. Now I am going to have to do some research.
2007-03-15 21:20:40 · answer #2 · answered by Silent One 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sampson's hair was a symbol of his life being dedicated to God. As long as he kept his hair uncut God honored the dedication by giving Sampson great strength. When his hair was cut it was a symbol of the loss of connection to God so Sampson no longer had strength. When it grew back, so did God's gift.
We can see the connection to our lives today. While you remain dedicated to God you have the strength to face the problems and tribulations of the world. If you let your dedication to God be cut off or removed you are losing the source of real strength in your life.
2007-03-15 21:03:32 · answer #3 · answered by kaehya2003 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Samson was a Nazirite. According to Numbers 6:1-21, there were certain guidelines for a Nazirite to live by to be in good standing with God.Samson was well aware that if he stepped outside of these parameters, he would not be able to operate in the God-given gift of his strength.Does that help at all?
2007-03-15 21:12:54 · answer #4 · answered by zionsdaughter 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually, it was part of the nazarite vow. He was dedicated to God from birth and part of this vow his parents committed him to included not cutting his hair, as well as not touching any dead body and staying celibate.
God chose Samson as a judge of Isreal for that time and continued to use him even though he had broken most of the vows of the Nazarene. Because of the wars Isreal was having with the Phillistines God also granted Samson incredible strength. His story is a testament to how patient and longsuffering God is to someone who keeps messing up. Finally, Samson's pride got way too big to the point that he wasn't even obeying God or fulfilling his duties properly. God humbled him by taking away all the blessings that came with that vow. Even then God gave him his strength back long enough to defeat his enemies one last time ... because they were God's enemies as well and their pride against God was even greater than Samson's.
The stength didn't come from his hair, it came from God.
2007-03-15 21:17:44 · answer #5 · answered by jb 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because while Sampson's hair was long, he was extremely (super human) strong. When he cut it, the pact with God was broken and he was no longer strong and able to be captured.
2007-03-15 21:01:29 · answer #6 · answered by Jessica 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It was a symbol of faith and obedience. As a Nazarite, he took a vow not to cut it. But by giving his secret carelessly away to Delilah, he showed disrespect for the things of God, and so God removed his strength. Notice that although his hair grew back, his strength did not return until he PRAYED for the strength to destroy the temple.
2007-03-15 21:07:28 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
God made Sampson like this and it was his special strength and when he cut it he lost his strength
2007-03-15 21:04:09 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Gods covenant to Sampson, if his hair was not cut. God would be with him.
2007-03-15 21:03:30 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It was an issue of obedience because he had taken a vow (I think Nazarite vow) that said that he would not cut his hair. His strength left because of disobedience which was symbolized in his hair cutting.
2007-03-15 21:00:49 · answer #10 · answered by Kevin 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋