Hakim-hakim 16:7-9

16:7 Samson said to her, “If they tie me up with seven fresh ¹  bowstrings ²  that have not been dried, I will become weak and be just like any other man.” 16:8 So the rulers of the Philistines brought her seven fresh bowstrings which had not been dried and they tied him up with them. 16:9 They hid ³  in the bedroom and then she said to him, “The Philistines are here, ⁴  Samson!” He snapped the bowstrings as easily as a thread of yarn snaps when it is put close to fire. ⁵  The secret of his strength was not discovered. ⁶ 

[16:7]  ¹ tn Or “moist.”

[16:7]  ² tn The word refers to a bowstring, probably made from animal tendons. See Ps 11:2; Job 30:11.

[16:9]  ³ tn Heb “And the ones lying in wait were sitting for her.” The grammatically singular form וְהָאֹרֵב (vÿha’orev) is collective here, referring to the rulers as a group (so also in v. 16).

[16:9]  ⁴ tn Heb “are upon you.”

[16:9]  ⁵ tn Heb “when it smells fire.”

[16:9]  ⁶ tn Heb “His strength was not known.”