Withs are mentioned in the Bible in the context of the account of Samson, a judge of Israel, known for his extraordinary strength. The term "withs" refers to fresh, green cords or tendrils, often made from plants like willow or vine, used for binding. In the narrative of Samson, withs are used as a test of his strength and a means to bind him.

Biblical Reference:

The primary reference to withs is found in the Book of Judges, specifically in the account of Samson and Delilah. Delilah, a Philistine woman whom Samson loved, was approached by the lords of the Philistines to discover the secret of his great strength. They offered her a substantial reward to betray Samson. Delilah's attempts to uncover the source of Samson's strength led to a series of deceptive interactions between them.

In Judges 16:6-7 , Delilah asks Samson, "Please tell me the source of your great strength and how you might be tied up and subdued." Samson responds, "If they tie me up with seven fresh bowstrings that have not been dried, I will become as weak as any other man." The term "bowstrings" in this context is synonymous with withs, indicating fresh, pliable cords.

Delilah follows Samson's suggestion, and in Judges 16:8-9 , it is recorded: "So the lords of the Philistines brought her seven fresh bowstrings that had not been dried, and she tied him up with them. With men hidden in the room, she called out to him, 'Samson, the Philistines are upon you!' But he snapped the bowstrings as a strand of yarn snaps when it touches a flame. So the source of his strength remained unknown."

Symbolism and Interpretation:

In this narrative, withs symbolize the futile attempts of human strength and cunning to overcome the divinely endowed power of Samson. Despite being bound with fresh withs, which would typically be strong and difficult to break, Samson's God-given strength allows him to easily snap them. This demonstrates the theme of divine empowerment and the futility of human efforts against God's purposes.

The account of Samson and the withs also serves as a moral lesson on the dangers of temptation and betrayal. Delilah's persistent questioning and Samson's eventual disclosure of his secret highlight the consequences of yielding to temptation and the importance of faithfulness to God's calling.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In ancient times, withs were commonly used for binding due to their flexibility and strength when fresh. They were often employed in various domestic and agricultural tasks, such as tying bundles of grain or securing loads. The use of withs in the Samson narrative reflects the everyday life and practices of the period, providing a relatable context for the original audience.

The account of Samson and the withs is a vivid illustration of the interplay between human weakness and divine strength, a recurring theme throughout the Scriptures. It underscores the belief that true strength and deliverance come from reliance on God rather than human means.WITHES, WITHS, GREEN

withs, (yetharim lachim, margin "new bowstrings," the King James Version margin "new (moist) cords" (Judges 16:7); Septuagint neura hugra): The material with which Samson was bound by Delilah (Judges 16:8) was probably some moist "gut" such as was used for bowstrings. Compare metharim, "bowstrings" (Psalm 21:12; yether, Job 30:11 Psalm 11:2); lahim, translated "green," means "fresh," "sappy" or "moist."

Concerning the Fortitude of Samson, and what Mischiefs He Brought ...
... Samson, in order to delude Delilah, for he had not yet lost his senses, replied,
that if he were bound with seven such green withs of a vine as might still be ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 8 concerning the fortitude.htm

The Omnipotent Summons.
... his own territory! The sleeper has awoke a moral Samson, snapping the withs
with which the King of Terrors had bound him. The star ...
/.../macduff/memories of bethany/xvi the omnipotent summons.htm

Scriptural Poems; Being Several Portions of Scripture Digested ...
... And he replied, If they with seven green withs that ne'er were dried, Shall bind
me hand and foot, I shall be then As weak and impotent as other men. ...
/.../scriptural poems being several portions.htm

The Comforter Given
... From thenceforward we have a Spirit that not only stands by our sides and holds
fellowship with us (for the two 'withs' of our text are two different words ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/the comforter given.htm

The Hostile Verdict of Biblical Critics Shewn to be Quite of ...
... or exaggerations, and that the slender residuum of fact is about as powerless to
achieve the purpose of the critics as were the seven green withs of the ...
/.../chapter ii the hostile verdict.htm

The Hostile Verdict of Biblical Critics Shewn to be Quite of ...
... or exaggerations, and that the slender residuum of fact is about as powerless to
achieve the purpose of the critics as were the seven green withs of the ...
/.../chapter ii the hostile verdict.htm

Withs (3 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia WITHES, WITHS, GREEN. withs, (yetharim ... moist.".
Multi-Version Concordance Withs (3 Occurrences). Judges ...
/w/withs.htm - 8k

Green (72 Occurrences)
... (n.) Any substance or pigment of a green color. 13. (vt) To make green. 14. (vi)
To become or grow green. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. WITHES, WITHS, GREEN ...
/g/green.htm - 31k

Withes (3 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia WITHES, WITHS, GREEN. withs, (yetharim lachim,
margin "new bowstrings," the King James Version margin ...
/w/withes.htm - 8k

Withstand (22 Occurrences)

/w/withstand.htm - 13k

Without (4556 Occurrences)

/w/without.htm - 7k

Bindeth (25 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Judges 16:8 And the princes of the Philistines bring up to her seven green
withs which have not been dried, and she bindeth him with them. (YLT). ...
/b/bindeth.htm - 13k

Breaketh (49 Occurrences)
... 16:9 And the ambush is abiding with her in an inner chamber, and she saith unto
him, 'Philistines 'are' upon thee, Samson;' and he breaketh the withs as a ...
/b/breaketh.htm - 21k

Smelling (8 Occurrences)
... 16:9 And the ambush is abiding with her in an inner chamber, and she saith unto
him, 'Philistines 'are' upon thee, Samson;' and he breaketh the withs as a ...
/s/smelling.htm - 9k

Race (36 Occurrences)
... Judges 16:7 And Samson saith unto her, 'If they bind me with seven green withs which
have not been dried, then I have been weak, and have been as one of the ...
/r/race.htm - 19k

Princes (324 Occurrences)
... Judges 16:8 And the princes of the Philistines bring up to her seven green withs
which have not been dried, and she bindeth him with them. (YLT). ...
/p/princes.htm - 40k

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