שֹׂרֵק (s.vo.req)
s.vo.req
(Valley of) Sorek
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The proper noun sōreq refers to a specific geographical location, most notably appearing in Judges 16:4 as part of the phrase "valley of Sorek." This wadi served as the residence of Delilah, the woman through whom the Philistines sought to compromise Samson. The name itself is descriptive, translating to "choice vines" or "vineyard," which reflects the agricultural character of the region.
As a place name, it anchors the narrative in a tangible setting where the tension between personal desire and national duty plays out. The mention of this valley highlights the contrast between the fertile, cultivated land associated with its name and the destructive path Samson is led down within it. It stands as a brief but significant marker in the biblical record of Israel’s judges.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Valley of Sorek appears only once in Scripture, tucked into Judges 16:4 as the home of Delilah. The name itself means "choice vines," pointing to a place of fertility and beauty. Yet this fertile ground became the setting for Samson’s greatest failure. It reminds us that temptation often hides in plain sight, wrapped in the allure of comfort or affection.
When we face our own valleys of Sorek, we are not alone in our struggle. The Bible does not shy away from showing how even the strongest among us can be swayed by what feels good in the moment. This place name anchors a real human story of weakness, inviting us to examine where we might be compromising our calling for temporary pleasure.
May we find strength not in our own resolve, but in God’s grace when we are tempted to stray from our path.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Sorek1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שֹׂרֵ֑ק1×
Key Verses
-
Judges 16:4
It came to pass afterward that he loved a woman in the valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah.
This verse identifies the Valley of Sorek as Delilah's home, grounding Samson's betrayal in a specific, fertile location that contrasts with his spiritual decline.