ΣΑΜΨΩΝ (sampsvn) — Lexarithmos 1791 · Etymology, Meanings

Definition

Samson is one of the most iconic figures of the Old Testament, whose story is recorded in the Book of Judges (chapters 13-16). He was a Nazirite, consecrated to God from birth, with a vow never to cut his hair, which was the source of his supernatural strength. His life was marked by a series of heroic acts against the Philistines, the oppressors of Israel, including killing a lion with his bare hands and destroying an entire army with the jawbone of a donkey.

Despite his divine grace and incredible strength, Samson was also a figure of profound human weaknesses, primarily his susceptibility to women. His relationship with Delilah led to his betrayal, the loss of his strength, his blinding, and his capture by the Philistines. His tragic end, where he sacrificed himself to destroy the Philistine temple and kill more enemies in his death than in his life, makes him a symbol of both divine intervention and the consequences of human choice.

In Christian theology, Samson is often interpreted as a type of Christ, due to his sacrificial nature and his victory over enemies through his death. His story underscores the importance of faith and obedience to God's commands, while also highlighting the complexity of human nature and the need for repentance. His mention in the Epistle to the Hebrews (11:32) places him among the heroes of faith.

Etymology

Samson (proper noun, the word itself functions as the root of its narrative family)

Samson is a proper noun found in the Greek translation of the Old Testament (Septuagint). As such, it does not derive from a recognizable Ancient Greek root in the sense of common nouns. Instead, the word itself functions as the narrative root around which a family of concepts and persons inextricably linked to the biblical hero's story is structured. Its presence in the Greek language is a result of the transmission of sacred texts.

Due to its nature as a proper noun, the 'cognate' words related to Samson are not linguistically derived from its root in the typical sense. Rather, they are terms and names central to the narrative of his life, as recorded in the Book of Judges and in subsequent interpretative traditions. These words form a 'narrative' vocabulary that describes the context, characters, and key themes of Samson's story.

Main Meanings

The biblical judge of Israel — The primary meaning, referring to the hero of the Book of Judges, known for his supernatural strength and battles against the Philistines.
Symbol of superhuman strength — A metaphorical use to describe someone with immense, often inexplicable, physical power.
An example of heroism with a tragic end — Refers to a hero who, despite great abilities, succumbs to personal weaknesses, leading to a downfall and self-sacrifice.
A type of Christ — In patristic and Christian interpretation, Samson is seen as a prefiguration of Christ, particularly due to his sacrificial victory over enemies through his death.
Representative of human frailty — Despite his divine grace and strength, his story highlights his human side, his impulses, and the consequences of his choices.
An Old Testament figure — A general reference to one of the significant characters of the Hebrew Scriptures, integrated into the history of the people of Israel.

Word Family

Samson- (the proper name itself as a narrative root)

For proper nouns of non-Greek origin, such as Samson, the concept of a 'root' takes on a unique, narrative dimension. Here, Samson himself functions as the central 'root' around which a family of words develops. These words are not linguistically derived from the name but are inextricably linked to the story, context, and core themes of the biblical hero's life. Each member of this 'family' illuminates a different aspect of Samson's narrative, from the persons and places to the qualities and concepts that defined him.

Δαλιδά ἡ · noun · lex. 50

The name of the Philistine woman who betrayed Samson, revealing the secret of his strength. She symbolizes betrayal and human weakness in the face of temptation. Mentioned in the Book of Judges (ch. 16).

Φιλισταῖοι οἱ · noun · lex. 1141

The people who oppressed the Israelites during the period of the Judges and Samson's primary adversaries. Samson's story is filled with his conflicts against them, culminating in his final sacrifice in their temple.

Κριταί οἱ · noun · lex. 441

The leaders of Israel during the period before the monarchy, who served as military commanders and judges. Samson was one of the last and most famous Judges, as recorded in the eponymous book of the Old Testament.

δύναμις ἡ · noun · lex. 705

The supernatural strength given to Samson by God, which was his main characteristic and the source of his heroic deeds. The loss and recovery of this strength are central themes of his story.

Διαθήκη ἡ · noun · lex. 60

The concept of the 'Covenant' or 'Testament' between God and humans, central to the Old Testament, the framework within which Samson's story as a Nazirite and judge of Israel unfolds.

Ναζιραῖος ὁ · noun · lex. 449

A person consecrated to God with special vows, such as abstinence from wine and not cutting one's hair. Samson was a Nazirite from birth, and the violation of his vow led to the loss of his strength (Numbers 6).

Κόμη ἡ · noun · lex. 138

Samson's hair, which was the outward sign of his Nazirite vow and the source of his divine strength. Its loss, after Delilah's betrayal, symbolized the loss of God's grace.

Λέων ὁ · noun · lex. 885

The wild animal that Samson killed with his bare hands at the beginning of his story, an event that underscored his extraordinary strength and God's blessing upon him (Judges 14:5-6).

Philosophical Journey

Samson's presence in the Greek language is inextricably linked to the translation and interpretation of sacred texts, as well as his influence on culture.

3rd-2nd C. BCE

Septuagint Translation (LXX)

The name Samson enters the Greek language through the translation of the Old Testament into Greek, primarily in the Book of Judges (chs. 13-16).

1st C. CE

Josephus, 'Antiquities of the Jews'

The Jewish historian Josephus extensively narrates Samson's story, integrating it into the history of Israel for a Greek-speaking audience (Book V, ch. 8).

1st C. CE

New Testament

Samson is mentioned in the Epistle to the Hebrews (11:32) as one of the heroes of faith, underscoring his importance in the Judeo-Christian tradition.

2nd-5th C. CE

Patristic Literature

Church Fathers, such as Origen and John Chrysostom, interpret Samson's story, often as a type of Christ or as an example of moral teachings.

6th-15th C. CE

Byzantine Art and Hymnography

The figure of Samson appears in Byzantine frescoes, miniatures, and hymnographic texts, highlighting his enduring presence in Christian tradition.

17th C. CE

John Milton, 'Samson Agonistes'

Milton's drama is a seminal literary work that reinterprets Samson's story, profoundly influencing the Western reception of the hero.

In Ancient Texts

Two significant passages from ancient Greek literature referring to Samson:

«Καὶ τί ἔτι λέγω; ἐπιλείψει γάρ με διηγούμενον ὁ χρόνος περὶ Γεδεών, Βαράκ, Σαμψών, Ἰεφθάε, Δαυίδ, τε καὶ Σαμουήλ καὶ τῶν προφητῶν»

And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets.

Epistle to the Hebrews 11:32

«Σαμψὼν δὲ ὁ κριτὴς ἦν οὗτος, ὃς ἰσχύϊ τε καὶ ῥώμῃ πάντας ἀνθρώπους ὑπερέβαλλεν...»

Now Samson was this judge, who surpassed all men in strength and might...

Josephus, 'Antiquities of the Jews' V, 8, 4

Lexarithmic Analysis

The lexarithmos of the word ΣΑΜΨΩΝ is 1791, from the sum of its letter values:

Σ = 200

Sigma

Α = 1

Alpha

Μ = 40

Mu

Ψ = 700

Psi

Ω = 800

Omega

Ν = 50

Nu

= 1791

Total

200 + 1 + 40 + 700 + 800 + 50 = 1791

1791 decomposes into 1700 (hundreds) + 90 (tens) + 1 (units).

The 18 Methods

Applying the 18 traditional lexarithmic methods to the word ΣΑΜΨΩΝ:

Method	Result	Meaning
Isopsephy	1791	Base lexarithmos
Decade Numerology	9	1+7+9+1 = 18 → 1+8 = 9. The number 9 symbolizes perfection, completion, and spiritual achievement, often associated with the end of a cycle and the beginning of a new one, like Samson's sacrifice leading to liberation.
Letter Count	6	6 letters. The number 6 is associated with creation, balance, and harmony, but also with human nature and its imperfections, reflecting Samson's dual nature as a divine hero and a man with weaknesses.
Cumulative	1/90/1700	Units 1 · Tens 90 · Hundreds 1700
Odd/Even	Odd	Masculine force
Left/Right Hand	Right	Divine (≥100)
Quotient	—	Comparative method
Notarikon	Σ-Α-Μ-Ψ-Ω-Ν	Savior, True, Only, Souls, Beneficial, Mind (an interpretative approach to the name, not historically documented)
Grammatical Groups	2V · 3S · 1M	2 vowels (Α, Ω), 3 semivowels (Μ, Ν, Σ), 1 mute consonant (Ψ). This composition suggests a balanced yet dynamic nature.
Palindromes	No
Onomancy	—	Comparative
Sphere of Democritus	—	Divination with lunar day
Zodiacal Isopsephy	Saturn ♄ / Cancer ♋	1791 mod 7 = 6 · 1791 mod 12 = 3

Isopsephic Words (1791)

Words from the Liddell-Scott-Jones lexicon with the same lexarithmos (1791) as Samson, but of different roots, offering interesting conceptual connections:

ἀντιπρόσοψις

«ἀντιπρόσοψις» means 'face-to-face confrontation, opposition'. This word reflects Samson's continuous conflicts with the Philistines and his direct, often violent, confrontation of his enemies.

δυσαφαίρετος

«δυσαφαίρετος» describes something that is 'hard to take away, inalienable'. This can be linked to Samson's inherent strength, which, though temporarily lost, was part of his divine calling and ultimately restored.

ἐμπνευματόω

The verb «ἐμπνευματόω» means 'to inspire with spirit, to spiritualize'. This word highlights the spiritual source of Samson's strength, as the Spirit of the Lord came upon him to accomplish his feats.

φιλογέωργος

«φιλογέωργος» is one who 'loves agriculture, a diligent farmer'. Although seemingly unrelated, this word can serve as a contrast to Samson, who was more a warrior and judge than a cultivator, highlighting a deviation from peaceful agrarian life.

χαλκόκτυπος

«χαλκόκτυπος» means 'brazen-sounding, clanging with bronze'. This word can allude to the sound of battle, the chains with which Samson was bound, or the weapons of the Philistines, evoking the atmosphere of conflict.

προσεκταπεινόω

The verb «προσεκταπεινόω» means 'to humble oneself exceedingly'. This word can be connected to Samson's ultimate humiliation at the hands of the Philistines, his blinding and captivity, before his final act of sacrifice and redemption.

The LSJ lexicon contains a total of 43 words with lexarithmos 1791. For the full catalog and AI semantic filtering, see the interactive tool.

Sources & Bibliography

Liddell, H. G., Scott, R., Jones, H. S. — A Greek-English Lexicon, 9th ed. with revised supplement. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1996.
Bauer, W., Arndt, W. F., Gingrich, F. W., Danker, F. W. — A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature (BDAG), 3rd ed. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000.
Septuagint — Vetus Testamentum Graecum Auctoritate Academiae Scientiarum Gottingensis editum. Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 1931-.
Josephus, Flavius — Antiquities of the Jews. Translated by William Whiston.
PG (Patrologia Graeca) — J.-P. Migne, Patrologiae Cursus Completus, Series Graeca. Paris, 1857-1866.
Nestle-Aland — Novum Testamentum Graece, 28th ed. Stuttgart: Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 2012.