Samson

Samson’s Birth and Blessing

Mauro Biglino begins by discussing a topic he claims to have never addressed before, at least not in any of his conferences: the story of Samson.

He notes that Samson, whose name means "son of the sun," is a unique figure in the Bible, and his story is equally peculiar because it is narrated in full in the Book of Judges.

Biglino emphasizes that Samson is a significant figure with much to convey, particularly regarding the way the Bible was written, the understanding of the term "Elohim," and the relationships with angels and other divine beings.

He begins to explore Samson's story by reading from chapter 13 of the Book of Judges, where it states, "The Israelites again did what was evil in the eyes of the Lord, that is, Yahweh, and Yahweh delivered them into the hands of the Philistines for 40 years."

Biglino notes that the prophecy that Samson would begin to save Israel from the Philistines is an example of "post eventum" prophecy, meaning it was written after the events had already occurred.

He clarifies that Samson's story takes place long before the reign of David and Solomon, and the biblical texts were likely written or rewritten centuries later, around the 6th or 5th century BCE.

Finally, Biglino recounts the birth of Samson, noting that the Bible says Yahweh "blessed" Samson, which in the biblical context always implies the bestowal of specific material tools or powers, not just spiritual blessings.

In Samson's case, this blessing was tied to his status as a Nazirite, which endowed him with his extraordinary strength.

Biglino concludes by noting that the story of Samson provides many insights, particularly regarding the interchangeable nature of "malakh" (angel) and "ish" (man), the miraculous conceptions following encounters with divine beings, and the non-consumption of human food by angels.

He hints at further discussions to come, particularly about the humor with which the Bible treats the Philistines and the riddle Samson posed to them, which is often subject to various interpretations but is clearly explained in the Bible.

The Riddle of Samson

Mauro Biglino begins by revisiting the story of Samson.

He suggests that Samson is worth continued discussion due to the complexity and significance of his character in the Bible.

Biglino highlights the riddle Samson posed to the Philistines: "Out of the eater came something to eat, and out of the strong came something sweet." He notes that various interpretations have been developed for this riddle and promises to explore what the Bible says about it.

However, before delving into the riddle, Biglino steps back to provide some context regarding the Judges, as Samson is part of the Book of Judges.

Samson is somewhat erroneously included among the Major Judges, according to Biglino, because he did not fully deliver Israel from the Philistines; he only began the process of liberation.

Biglino discusses the meaning of Samson's name, which is often translated as "son of the sun" or "little sun." However, he clarifies that the name "Shimshon," which also exists in ancient Assyrian as "Shamshanu," refers to a flower known as the helianthemum or rockrose.

Thus, Samson's name is more accurately linked to a flower than to a solar deity.

Biglino then returns to the story of Samson, specifically the riddle he posed to the Philistines.

He contextualizes this by referencing the events in Judges 14, where Samson sees a Philistine woman in Timnah and demands her as his wife, despite his parents' objections.

Biglino points out that Yahweh's commandment was not to marry outside the tribe of Israel, yet Samson, a Nazirite consecrated to Yahweh, violates this commandment.

Biglino describes how the "spirit of Yahweh" came upon Samson, allowing him to tear apart a lion with his bare hands.

The Hebrew verb used here, "irrupe," suggests a deep penetration of Samson's mind by Yahweh, indicating a form of divine intervention that influences human actions.

Samson later poses the riddle to the Philistines during his wedding feast, promising them thirty linen garments and thirty sets of clothes if they can solve it.

The Philistines, unable to solve the riddle, coerce Samson's wife into extracting the answer from him.

Samson, under pressure from his wife, reveals the solution, which the Philistines then use to win the wager.

Enraged by their deceit, Samson kills thirty men in Ashkelon to pay his debt.

He emphasizes that Samson created the riddle based on his previous actions, intending to mock the Philistines.

Biglino concludes by noting that the figure of Samson is not that of a balanced man but rather of someone who is occasionally disturbed, behaving in ways that seem illogical or inconsistent.

Biglino hints that as the story of Samson continues, another deity, Dagon, will be introduced as an Elohim, promising to explore this further in future discussions.

Samson’s Role in Delivering Israel

Significance: The name "Shimshon" (Samson) is suggested to be derived from a flower associated with the sun, possibly related to the Hebrew word "shemesh" (sun).

Source: The Bible, Judges 13:24: "And the woman bore a son and called his name Samson.

Significance: Samson is included in the Book of Judges because he began the deliverance of the Israelites from the Philistines.

Significance: Samson's tumultuous relationship with his Philistine wife leads to a series of retaliatory actions that escalate into greater conflict.

Source: The Bible, Judges 14:20 - 15:6: Samson's wife was given to his companion, leading to his burning of the Philistine crops using foxes with torches tied to their tails.

Significance: Samson's use of foxes to destroy Philistine crops as revenge for losing his wife illustrates his unique and often violent methods of retaliation.

Source: The Bible, Judges 15:4-5: "So Samson went and caught three hundred foxes; and he took torches, turned the foxes tail to tail, and put a torch between each pair of tails.

Significance: The Philistines' response to Samson's actions is to burn his wife and her father, escalating the cycle of violence.

Source: The Bible, Judges 15:6: "Then the Philistines said, 'Who has done this?' And they answered, 'Samson, the son-in-law of the Timnite, because he has taken his wife and given her to his companion.' So the Philistines came up and burned her and her father with fire."

Significance: Samson kills many Philistines in a series of personal vendettas, including using the jawbone of a donkey as a weapon.

Significance: After being betrayed by Delilah and captured, Samson's final act of strength brings down the Philistine temple, killing himself and many others.

Source: The Bible, Judges 16:28-30: "Then Samson called to the Lord and said, 'O Lord God, please remember me and please strengthen me only this once, O God, that I may be avenged on the Philistines for my two eyes.' And Samson grasped the two middle pillars on which the house rested, and he leaned his weight against them, his right hand on the one and his left hand on the other.

And Samson said, 'Let me die with the Philistines.' Then he bowed with all his strength, and the house fell upon the lords and upon all the people who were in it."

Significance: The Philistine god Dagon, worshipped in the temple that Samson destroyed, is mentioned multiple times in the Bible, emphasizing the cultural and religious conflict between the Israelites and the Philistines.

And they said, 'Our god has given Samson our enemy into our hand.'"