Samson could not cut his hair because he was a Nazarite from birth, set apart to God under a specific vow that included abstaining from wine, avoiding contact with the dead, and not cutting his hair. His uncut hair was a visible sign of his consecration and separation unto the Lord.
“For behold, you shall conceive and bear a son. And no razor shall come upon his head, for the child shall be a Nazarite to God from the womb; and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.”
(Judges 13:5)
The Nazarite vow was a voluntary commitment described in Numbers 6, but in Samson’s case, it was commanded by God from before his birth. The angel of the Lord appeared to his mother and made the terms of his lifelong dedication clear:
“Now therefore, please be careful not to drink wine or similar drink, and not to eat anything unclean. For behold, you shall conceive and bear a son. And no razor shall come upon his head…”
(Judges 13:4–5)
Samson’s strength was not in his hair itself, but in his relationship with God, symbolized through the Nazarite vow. As long as he kept the vow, God’s Spirit remained upon him and empowered him to carry out supernatural feats against Israel’s enemies.
When Delilah betrayed him and had his hair cut while he slept, the breaking of the vow was complete:
“Then she called for a man and had him shave off the seven locks of his head… But he did not know that the Lord had departed from him.”
(Judges 16:19–20)
The cutting of his hair marked his disobedience and defilement of the vow. As a result, the Lord’s strength departed from him. His power had always come from God, not his hair, but the hair represented his consecration. By violating that symbol, Samson showed contempt for his calling.
Yet, even in judgment, there was mercy. In prison, blind and humiliated, Samson repented. His hair began to grow again, and with it came a renewed dedication. In his final act, God restored his strength:
“Then Samson called to the Lord, saying, ‘O Lord God, remember me, I pray! Strengthen me, I pray, just this once…’”
(Judges 16:28)
Samson’s uncut hair was not about superstition but about covenant. It reminded Israel, and us, that when God sets someone apart, obedience is not optional. The strength to fulfill God’s purpose always depends on faithfulness to His Word.
