Then the lords of the Philistines brought her …: There is a gap in the story here, since Delilah obviously went to the Philistine leaders and revealed Samson’s secret. The Philistines then brought her the needed materials. Then renders the Hebrew waw conjunction, but in many languages it will be more natural to add the implicit information: “After Delilah told the Philistine leaders what Samson had said….” For the lords of the Philistines, see verse 3.3. Brought renders a causative form of the Hebrew verb ʿalah meaning “go up,” which creates a link to many other judges’ stories (see verse 1.1). Even though it does not carry a military meaning here, it may evoke conflict or a threat to the Israelite hero.

Seven fresh bowstrings which had not been dried: See verse 16.7. In many languages this phrase will seem repetitive, but it remains a crucial part of the story. These details emphasize the fact that Samson is once again violating his Nazirite vow. The story can be understood without most of this phrase, but repeating it will help readers understand the emphasis here.

And she bound him with them: No details are given here, but it seems that Samson willingly let Delilah bind him. The text does not say where on his body she tied the bowstrings. For bound see verse 15.10. The phrase with them suggests that there were several separate cords rather than one rope made up of seven strands.

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 .