Catholic Dictionary

Find accurate definitions of over 5,000 Catholic terms and phrases (including abbreviations). Based on Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

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DELILAH

The mistress of Samson; she was bribed by the Philistines to betray him. His strength was so prodigious that they knew they would be unable to subdue him unless they learned the secret of his strength. After several futile attempts Delilah wheedled him into confiding that his strength lay in his hair. "If my head were shorn, then my power would leave me and I should lose my strength" (Judges 16:4-21). She divulged the news to the Philistines, who cut off his hair while he was asleep, and readily subdued him (Judges 16:17).