Samson: The Names Describe Relationships with Jesus
The meanings of Hebrew names can almost tell the whole story by themselves. They show how the allegory is assembled. For example: Samson means "the light" and Jesus is "the Light of men." His father's name is Manoah which means "peace or rest" and God provided peace between Him and us through the death of His Son. Delilah means "one who is heavily burdened" and Jesus said "Come to me all you who are weary and burdened."
As you read through the various sections on Samson, you might want to use this list of meanings to help put the story together.
| Name | Meaning | Representation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samson: | Sunlight | Jesus | |
| Manoah: | Peace or rest | God the Father | |
| Zorah: | Sting, like that of a wasp | Death | |
| Dan: | To judge or to follow a straight course | One of Jesus' functions | |
| Nazerite: | Separate or holy | Jesus is holy | |
| Philistine: | To roll in the dust | Like Satan who was to crawl | |
| Eshtaol: | Demands or requirements | The Law which demands obedience | |
| Timnah: | Allotted or predetermined place | The cross was predetermined | |
| Mahaneh: | Encampment | Where Jesus dwelled | |
| Ashkelon: | Weighing place for determining value | Judgment | |
| Etam: | Place where birds prey | Place of punishment | |
| Gaza: | Fierce (enemy) | The enemy of our souls - Satan | |
| Hebron: | Place of meeting | Where God is met | |
| Delilah: | Oppressed or heavy burdened | The broken soul | |
| Sorak: | Shame | Realization of sinfulness |
Continue reading: "Samson's Birth"
Your Identity In Christ
For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority. (Colossians 2:9-10 - NIV)