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I've heard it claimed that the expression "Shimshon HaGibor" (Samson the Mighty) [as a descriptive of Shimshon in Tanach] was invented by the Zionists, to promote their "strong Jew" narrative. Is this true?

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Where do you see this expression in use? – Isaac Moses Aug 17 '11 at 3:13
@IsaacMoses, common use. – msh210♦ Aug 17 '11 at 4:29
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@Isaac - Are 185,000 results enough? google.com/… – Dave Aug 17 '11 at 5:05
When you say 'zionists' which ones do you mean? I don't know about the 'strong Jew' narrative pre 1920s, but I do know that 'Shimshon Hagibor' was used in an 1890 yiddish play. – avi Aug 17 '11 at 5:57
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1890s is not technically before 'modern zionism'.. The 'first Aliya' was in 1880s. Thus my question :) – avi Aug 18 '11 at 8:36
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up vote 7 down vote

The rumor is false. The earliest I can find the phrase 'Shimshon HaGibur' goes back to 1831, long before modern zionism or Hertzl.

It can be found in the book צמח דוד

Google books also shows other phrases such as Shimshon our Hero from books in 1801, but those are in English and not the exact phrase. I would not be surprised to find it occurring even earlier than that.

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