Greek Key Terms:
Context: Hebrews includes Samson among faith heroes: "Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the raging fire, and escaped the edge of the sword; who gained strength from weakness (ἐδυναμώθησαν ἀπὸ ἀσθενείας), became mighty in battle (ἐγενήθησαν ἰσχυροὶ ἐν πολέμῳ), and put foreign armies to flight."
OT-to-OT Development:
Connections:
Christological Connection: Hebrews' commendation of Samson prepares for the climax: "looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:2). Jesus is the ultimate faith hero. Where Samson's faith was mixed with failure, Jesus' faith was perfect. Where Samson "gained strength from weakness" through final prayer, Jesus "learned obedience through what he suffered" (5:8) and "became the source of eternal salvation" (5:9). Samson's faith-driven final victory shadows Christ's faith-driven cross-victory. Every faith hero in Hebrews 11—including Samson—pointed forward to the one whose faith would accomplish what all others together could not: complete, eternal salvation.
Connection Method(s): Redemptive-Historical Progression — Hebrews commends Samson's faith as part of the cloud of witnesses pointing to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of faith, whose cross-victory accomplishes what all faith heroes together could not.
Trajectory Table: 137 - Samson (Spirit-Empowered Deliverer)