Here is the first recorded remark of Samson. In Hebrew the word for “woman” (ʾishshah) is the first and last word of his demand, which is literally “A woman I saw in Timnah from the daughters of the Philistines, and now take her for me as a woman/wife.” This statement reveals Samson’s forthright character and his somewhat disrespectful attitude toward his parents. It also underlines one of his major weaknesses: women!

Then he came up: Samson went back to his parents’ home. Came up reverses the action of “went down” in verse 14.1, but can be rendered “went back home” (Good News Translation) here. Revised English Bible and New American Bible say “On his return,” and New International Version has “When he returned.”

And told his father and mother: The subject of the verb told is Samson. Told is a key verb in this subsection. Here it co-occurs with the more common Hebrew verb of speaking, since this clause is literally “and he told his father and his mother and he said.” In most languages it will is not be necessary to use two verbs. Translators should use a quote frame that is natural in their language. Revised Standard Version attaches the pronoun his only to the father, but it is attached to both parents in Hebrew. Translators should use natural forms in their language with regard to this pronoun. Father and mother is a word pair that is used repeatedly throughout this subsection. In some languages the order of this word pair will be reversed for naturalness. Contemporary English Version says simply “parents.”

I saw one of the daughters of the Philistines at Timnah: See verse 14.1. Samson’s tone is abrupt here and the Hebrew word order puts emphasis on the woman Samson saw. The Hebrew is literally “A woman I saw in Timnah from the daughters of the Philistines.”

Now get her for me as my wife: The forthrightness and stubbornness of Samson is made evident here. In the Israelite culture it was traditional for parents to arrange for their children’s marriages. Here Samson indicates his independence by making his own decision about his bride and then ordering his parents to arrange the marriage. Now is literally “and now,” which shows that Samson is demanding immediate action. The Hebrew politeness particle naʾ, which earlier characterizes the angel’s speech in verse 13.3-4, is not present here. Get her for me as my wife is literally “take her for me as a woman/wife.” The Hebrew verb rendered get (laqach) is normally used in a marriage context (see verse 3.6, where it is translated “took”), but also when people are taking spoils in war (Gen 14.11; Jdg 5.19). The Hebrew word for wife can also mean “woman.” Here it has the sense of wife. This clause may be rendered “Get her for me. I want to marry her.”

Revised English Bible uses indirect speech here, saying “On his return he told his father and mother that he had seen this Philistine woman in Timnah and asked them to get her for him as his wife.” This is a possible model, but it does little to convey Samson’s real personality. If at all possible, it is better to keep the direct quote. Other models for this verse are:

• Then he went back home and told his parents that he had seen an attractive Philistine girl. He said, “Get her for me and arrange our marriage right away.”

• Then Samson returned home and said to his mother and father, “Down in Timnah, I noticed a certain Philistine woman. I want to marry her. Get her for me now!”

Quoted with permission from Zogbo, Lynell and Ogden, Graham S. A Handbook on Judges. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2019. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .