Samson in rabbinic literature x. 13), was a member of that clan (comp. I Chronicles iv. 3). The name "Samson" is derived from "shemesh" ("sun"), so that Samson bore the name of God, who is also "a sun and shield" (Psalm lxxxiv. 12 [A. V. 11]); and as God protected Israel, so did Samson watch over it in his generation, judging the people even as did God. Samson's strength was divinely derived (Sotah 10a); and he further resembled God in requiring neither aid nor help (Genesis Rabba xcviii. 18). In the blessings which Jacob pronounced on the tribe of Dan (Genesis xlix. 16-17) he
Samson (opera) to set." The failure of "Samson" did not end the collaboration between Rameau and Voltaire. In 1740 Voltaire proposed setting his libretto "Pandore". This came to nothing, but the composer and playwright eventually collaborated on three works which did make it to the stage in 1745: "Le temple de la gloire", "La princesse de Navarre" and "Les fêtes de Ramire". Camille Saint-Saëns took some inspiration from Voltaire's "Samson" when working on the first draught of his opera "Samson et Dalila". La Volupté (Sensual Pleasure) celebrates her long reign over the people of Paris. Hercules and Bacchus admit that love has