As a result of Delilah’s constant nagging, Samson finally gives in to her and tells her the truth about his strength.
And he told her all his mind is literally “And he told her all his heart.” In this context the Hebrew waw conjunction rendered And may be translated “So” (New Revised Standard Version, New International Version). Since this verse is a key point in the story, Contemporary English Version uses “Finally,” and New Jerusalem Bible has “At last.” Told renders a key Hebrew verb (nagad) in the Samson story (see verse 14.2). Mind translates the same Hebrew word rendered “heart” in verse 16.15, where it refers to Samson’s thoughts and general attitude. Here it refers more specifically to the secret concerning his source of strength. Thus we might say “So he told her his secret,” “Finally, Samson told her the truth” (Contemporary English Version), “So he told her everything” (New International Version), or “and he confided everything to her” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh).
And said to her: Some languages may prefer to omit this typical quote frame because of the previous clause (Contemporary English Version), or they may use another form such as “saying.”
A razor has never come upon my head is the secret Samson reveals. Indeed because of his Nazirite vow, Samson has never had his hair cut. See verse 13.5. The Hebrew verb ʿalah rendered come upon may be part of a play on words, since the same verb is used when Delilah later asks the Philistines to “Come up” to capture Samson (verse 16.18). We might say “A razor has never touched my head” (New Jerusalem Bible), “My hair has never been cut” (Good News Translation, New Living Translation), or “Nobody has ever cut my hair.”
For I have been a Nazirite to God from my mother’s womb: This is a very emphatic statement in Hebrew, literally “for Nazirite to God I [am] from womb of my mother.” The Hebrew particle ki rendered for may introduce the reason Samson has never cut his hair or mark this statement as emphatic. For Nazirite see verse 13.5. I have been a Nazirite to God means he has been “set apart,” “dedicated,” or “consecrated” to God. From my mother’s womb is a figurative expression that can mean “from the time I was born” (Good News Translation) or “from the time I was conceived” ( NET Bible; see comments on verse 13.5). In some languages expressions similar to from my mother’s womb may exist and be used here, while in other languages a reference to the womb may be totally unacceptable. Translators should be sensitive to local culture and find a natural way of expressing this idea. In some languages this explanatory clause may need to be placed before the result clause, for example, “I have been set apart for God since before I was born, so my hair has never been cut.”
If I be shaved, then my strength will leave me: This is the fourth time Samson uses a conditional statement, but before, when he spoke, he was lying (verse 16.7, 11, 13). This time he is telling the truth. The Hebrew verb rendered be shaved really means “be bald,” but in its present context it refers to being shaved. Indeed, Nazirites did not cut their beards either, so we might rather say “If my hair were shaved off” or “If my hair were cut” (Good News Translation). This clause expresses an unreal condition, referring to something which did not happen. In English and many other languages special verb forms are used to express such conditions.
Then my strength will leave me is literally “and my strength will turn aside from me.” Samson clearly perceives his hair as a symbol of his special relationship with Yahweh. Cutting his hair was equivalent to cutting himself off from God, the source of his strength (see Num 6.5). Then renders well the Hebrew waw conjunction here. For strength see verse 16.5. The Hebrew verb rendered leave (literally “turn aside”) is a keyword in this incident (verse 16.19-20), as well as throughout this book, including the appendices (verse 18.3, 15; verse 19.11-12, 15). It is used in situations of danger, foreshadowing some tragedy. Also the Hebrew verb for leave (sur) sounds like the verb for “bind” (ʾasar), so there may be a play on words here.
And I shall become weak, and be like any other man: See verse 16.7.
Translation models for this verse are:
• Finally, Samson told her the truth, saying, “I have been a Nazirite, consecrated to God since I was born. Nobody has ever shaved my hair. If someone were to shave me, then I would lose my strength and be just like anyone else.”
• Samson then told her what his secret was. He said, “I have never cut my hair. Even before I was born, I have been dedicated to God as a Nazirite. If I were to have my hair cut, I would become as weak as anyone else.”
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 .