In a series of three videos, Mauro Biglino explores the biblical figure of Samson, a fascinating and complex character from the Book of Judges. Biglino analyzes not only the biblical narrative, but also the historical, cultural, and religious context surrounding Samson’s life, offering new perspectives on this biblical anti-hero.
Samson: origins and miraculous birth
Samson, whose name means “son of the Sun”, is introduced in the Book of Judges as a character with an extraordinary life from conception. Samson’s mother, barren, is visited by an angel of Yahweh who announces to her the imminent birth of a son. This angel imposes dietary restrictions typical of the Nazirites: Samson must never cut his hair, must not drink wine or intoxicating beverages, and must not touch anything unclean. The figure of angels as physical messengers of Yahweh is discussed, emphasizing their human but divine nature, in contrast to the modern conception of angels as spiritual beings.
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Samson’s riddle and its implications
One of the most well-known episodes in Samson’s life is his riddle, “Out of the eater came something to eat, and out of the strong came something sweet.” This riddle, proposed to the Philistines at their wedding banquet, is explained in the context of his personal experience with a lion he had killed and in whose corpse he had found honey. Biglino elaborates on the meaning of the name Samson, linked to both the sun and the flower of the stones, and the difference between Judges and Elohim. Samson is presented as a disturbed character driven by divine impulses, which lead him to perform incredible acts of strength and challenge the Philistines with enigma, causing tension and conflict.
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Revenge and fury: Yahweh’s impact on Samson.
The narrative continues with Samson’s acts of vengeance, triggered by his father-in-law’s betrayal. Samson captures foxes and sets fire to the Philistines’ fields, triggering a series of violent actions and reactions. Samson’s superhuman strength is attributed to Yahweh’s divine intervention, with Biglino also exploring the neuroscientific theory of “hysterical force,” suggesting that Samson could access latent energy normally blocked by our inhibitory system.
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Delilah and the fall of Samson
One of the most tragic episodes in Samson’s life is his relationship with Delilah. Betrayed by Delilah, who reveals to the Philistines the secret of his strength related to the length of his hair, Samson is captured, blinded and forced to work as a slave. However, his hair grows back and with it his strength. In the temple of the god Dagon, Samson carries out his final act of revenge, tearing down the temple pillars and killing himself along with many Philistines.
Elohim and polytheism: a critical analysis.
Biglino concludes the series by exploring the concept of Elohim and the polytheistic context of the ancient Middle East. He discusses the role of the god Dagon, worshipped by the Philistines, and the presence of many deities in the religious landscape of the region. The Bible, according to Biglino, reflects a world where many deities coexisted and fought for supremacy, challenging the traditional monotheistic view.
Conclusion
Mauro Biglino’s series on Samson offers a critical and in-depth view of the biblical figure, integrating historical, etymological and neuroscientific analyses. It is a journey through the Bible, Mesopotamia and surrounding cultures, revealing new perspectives on ancient narratives. An exploration of the figure of Samson and the Elohim sheds light on the complex interactions between deities and humanity, highlighting the role of the Judges and the polysemous nature of the term Elohim.
Watch the videos to explore the full story of Samson and delve deeper into his fascinating biblical account.
