When he came to Lehi: Though in reality, some men of Judah are bringing Samson bound to the Philistine camp, the narrator presents the scene as if Samson is coming of his own free will. Lehi is where the Philistines were camped in Judah (see verse 15.8). The town’s name means “jawbone,” and now this meaning will come into special focus as it occurs eight times in verse 15.14-20. Later in this episode the narrator will explain how this town got its name. Here it is best rendered Lehi, as in verse 15.8. Since there is a change in location here, Good News Translation inserts a paragraph break. If translators follow this model, it will be helpful to use Samson’s name instead of the pronoun he, for example, “And as Samson approached Lehi.”
The Philistines came shouting to meet him is literally “and the Philistines shouted to meet him.” As the Philistines saw Samson approaching, they became agitated. Good News Translation says “the Philistines came running toward him, shouting at him,” but it is far more likely that they shouted in triumph, as their enemy was brought bound before them (compare Jer 50.15). To meet him describes the Philistines and the people of Judah moving toward each other. The Philistines were coming from their camp near Lehi, and the people of Judah were coming with Samson from the cave at Etam Rock. However, the text specifies him, since the main object of interest is Samson himself. Revised English Bible renders this clause as “the Philistines met him with shouts of triumph,” and New Jerusalem Bible has “the Philistines came running towards him with triumphant shouts.” These are good models to follow.
And the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him: This is a high point in this episode. When Samson is seemingly at his weakest, the LORD empowers him. See the comments on verse 14.6.
And the ropes which were on his arms …: This clause makes it clear that the ropes tying Samson were on his arms. The Hebrew word for arms can refer to a person’s arms, wrists, or hands. Since there were two ropes, one could have tied his wrists and the other could have encircled his upper arms and torso.
Became as flax that has caught fire: This simile says the strong new ropes became weak and ineffective. Flax is a small plant whose stalks are dried, split and combed to produce fibers that can be woven to make linen cloth. These stalks are quite inflammable, so they burn easily. That has caught fire is literally “that they have burned in the fire” (see comments on verse 12.1 for this redundant expression). The point of this comparison is that the ropes became weak or even dissolved under Samson’s mighty strength that came from the LORD’s Spirit. Translators will have to reflect on how to best present the comparison, especially if flax is unknown. A related but common term can be used. For example, Contemporary English Version says “as though they were pieces of burnt cloth.” Good News Translation is similar with “as if they were burnt thread.”
And his bonds melted off his hands: This clause continues the imagery of fire. The verb melted describes the effect of fire. The Hebrew root for melted is used elsewhere in the Bible to speak of snow melting (Psalm 147.18) and manna dissolving (Exo 16.21). Here it is used figuratively to describe the weakening or falling away of Samson’s bonds. Off his hands is literally “from on his hands.” The narrator only speaks of hands here even though Samson’s arms may have been bound also. The use of this word is very appropriate at this high point in the story. If the figurative language of this clause is not effective, translators may say “and the ties on his hands fell away [or, dropped].” Contemporary English Version‘s rendering is quite effective: “and Samson broke the ropes, as though they were pieces of burnt cloth.” However this rendering says more than the text. A better model is “and the ropes that bound his arms and hands fell away like pieces of burnt cloth.”
Translation models for this verse are:
• When Samson reached Lehi, the Philistines came out to meet him with shouts of triumph. Then Yahweh’s power suddenly took hold of him. The ropes that bound his hands fell off like pieces of cloth burned by fire.
• When the people of Judah brought Samson to Lehi, the Philistines came running, shouting with joy. But then the spirit of the LORD seized him and the ropes that bound him became like dust and fell off his hands.
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 .