The verb פִּתָּה (the Piel stem of פָּתָה, “to be simple”) is a key word in this account. It appears in the Lord’s initial question (v. 20), the spirit’s proposal (v. 21), and the Lord’s commission (v. 22). Elsewhere the Piel form of this verb appears in a variety of contexts and carries various nuances, including “to deceive, entice, seduce, allure, trick, persuade.” In the human realm it is used of a woman enticing a man (Samson in both cases) to divulge a secret (Judg. 14:15; 16:5), of sinners