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Gaza

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Samson visits a prostitute in Gaza. The Philistines surround the city to kill him at dawn. At midnight, Samson rises, tears up the city gates with posts and bar, and carries them to a hilltop near Hebron, 40 miles away.

JDG.16.1

Then went Samson to Gaza, and saw there an harlot, and went in unto her. {harlot: Heb. a woman an harlot}

Events

Samson carries off the gatesJDG 16:3

Samson brings down the templeJDG 16:30

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Updated on August 16, 2026

Samson

Samson was a Nazirite endowed with supernatural strength. A judge of Israel, he fought the Philistines but was betrayed by Delilah. In his death, he destroyed more enemies than in his life.

Read the full story of Samson

Journey Timeline

Birth Announcedc. 1100 BC
Zorah
An angel of the Lord appears to Manoah's barren wife, announcing she will conceive a son. He must be a Nazirite from birth: no razor on his head, no wine or unclean food. He will begin to deliver Israel from the Philistines.
JDG 13:2-5
Birthc. 1100 BC
Zorah
Samson is born and dedicated to God as a Nazirite. The Spirit of the Lord begins to stir him in the camp of Dan. His supernatural strength would be connected to his uncut hair, the visible sign of his consecration.
JDG 13:24-25
Kills a Lionc. 1080 BC
Timnah
On his way to Timnah to pursue a Philistine woman, a young lion attacks Samson. The Spirit of the Lord comes upon him powerfully, and he tears the lion apart with his bare hands. Later he finds honey in its carcass.
JDG 14:5-9
Riddle at Weddingc. 1080 BC
Timnah
Samson poses a riddle at his wedding feast. When the Philistines pressure his wife to extract the answer, she betrays him. In anger, Samson kills thirty Philistines at Ashkelon to pay the wager, then abandons his wife.
JDG 14:10-19
Foxes and Torchesc. 1079 BC
Canaan
Discovering his wife has been given to another, Samson catches 300 foxes, ties torches between pairs of tails, and releases them into Philistine grain fields, vineyards, and olive groves, causing massive destruction.
JDG 15:1-5
Jawbone Victoryc. 1079 BC
Lehi
When the Philistines pursue Samson, 3,000 men of Judah bind him and hand him over. The Spirit comes upon him; the ropes become like burnt flax. With a donkey's jawbone, he strikes down 1,000 Philistines.
JDG 15:9-17
Gaza Gatesc. 1070 BC
Gaza
Samson visits a prostitute in Gaza. The Philistines surround the city to kill him at dawn. At midnight, Samson rises, tears up the city gates with posts and bar, and carries them to a hilltop near Hebron, 40 miles away.
JDG 16:1-3
Delilah's Betrayalc. 1070 BC
Valley of Sorek
Samson falls in love with Delilah. Philistine rulers bribe her to discover his strength's secret. After three lies, she wears him down with nagging. He reveals his uncut hair is the source, betraying his Nazirite vow.
JDG 16:4-17
Capturec. 1070 BC
Gaza
While Samson sleeps on Delilah's lap, she has his hair shaved. The Lord departs from him. The Philistines seize him, gouge out his eyes, and bind him with bronze shackles to grind grain in prison at Gaza.
JDG 16:18-21
Final Victoryc. 1070 BC
Gaza
At a Philistine temple celebration, Samson is brought out to entertain 3,000 people. His hair has regrown. He prays for strength one last time, pushes apart the support pillars, and brings down the temple, killing more enemies in death than in life.
JDG 16:23-30