Judges 16:7
And Samson said unto her, If they bind me with seven green withs that were never dried, then shall I be weak, and be as another man.
And Samson said unto her,.... In answer to her pressing solicitations:
If they bind me with seven green withs that were never dried; the word is sometimes used for nerves, and cords or ropes; but neither of these can be here meant, since these, if moistened or made wet, are the less fit to bind with, and the drier the better; but rods or branches of trees just cut off, such as faggots are bound up with, or green osiers, which are easily bent and twisted, and may bind with; Josephus {u} calls them vine branches:
then shall I be weak, and be as another man; which cannot well be excused from a lie; for Samson knew full well that being bound would not weaken his strength; but as he had fallen into one sin, it is no wonder he was drawn into another: unless this can be understood, as it is by some, as jesting with her; however, it shows that he was "compos mentis", as Josephus {w} observes, and was upon his guard with respect to the secret of his strength.
{u} Ut supra. (Antiqu. l. 5. c. 8. sect. 9.)
{w} Ibid.