Religion: ‘Samson and Delilah’—an oil painting by an unknown artist, c.1630.

In the classic tale from the Hebrew Bible, or Christian Old Testament, Samson is an Israelite of great physical strength. He confides in his lover, Delilah, that the secret of his strength is his long hair, which has never been cut since the day he was born. Delilah betrays Samson by informing his enemies.

In this famous scene, Samson is asleep in the lap of his mistress who urges an accomplice to cut Samson’s hair with the scissors she wields. He is hesitant and afraid.

Eventually, the servant cuts Samson’s hair. Samson is overpowered and arrested. But when he is taken in chains to a temple feast, Samson pushes over two great pillars causing the entire temple to fall down, killing everyone inside, including himself.

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Supplier: CPA Media Co. Ltd.

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Pictures From History