שופטים, פרק ט״ו, פסוק י״ד

A captive led into the heart of an enemy camp faces seemingly impossible odds, but a sudden moment of divine intervention can completely reverse the situation. As Samson arrives at the Philistine camp in Lehi, he walks under his own power because only his hands are bound, leaving his legs free to move [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Seeing their great enemy delivered to them in chains, the Philistines erupt in shouts of joy and triumph [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

At that exact moment, a spirit of heroism from God rests upon Samson, preparing him for the massive battle about to unfold [רש״י, רלב״ג, מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The thick ropes that the men of Judah had securely tied around his arms suddenly lose all their hold. They become like flax singed by fire, which retains the appearance of a string but crumbles because it lacks any actual strength [רד״ק, מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

There are two ways to understand exactly how these heavy bindings fail. One approach suggests that Samson's God-given strength becomes so immense that he breaks them without any noticeable effort, making the ropes feel as fragile as burnt flax. Another perspective argues that a physical miracle takes place, with God actively draining the ropes of their natural durability [רלב״ג]. Regardless of the exact method, the result is instantaneous. With a simple, light shake, the bindings detach and drop away as if they have melted right off his hands [מצודת דוד, רלב״ג, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. In a matter of seconds, Samson stands completely free, though he now faces a vast crowd of Philistine enemies entirely empty-handed [ביאור שטיינזלץ].