And there was a certain man of Zorah …: The story of Samson begins with the introduction of his father and then his mother. In many languages the more important a character is, the more elaborate his introduction will be. This verse begins with the Hebrew word wayehi, which is rendered And there was. Translators should look for appropriate introductory phrases, such as “Once there was” or “At that time there was” (Good News Translation). A certain man is literally “one man” (compare verse 9.53). Most languages will introduce a new participant in a story by using a similar expression. Good News Translation says simply “a man.” Of Zorah is literally “from Zorah.” Zorah was a town in the territory given to the tribe of Dan, close by the border with Judah (verse 19.41.

Of the tribe of the Danites gives the family origin of this man. The Hebrew word rendered tribe (mishpachah) is not the usual one, as occurs in verse 18.1 and elsewhere. This word can refer to a clan (see verse 9.1), so New American Bible says “of the clan of the Danites.” New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh has “of the stock of Dan.” Translators should find an appropriate term in their language. For the Danites, see verse 1.34.

Whose name was Manoah: This clause is an independent one in Hebrew, which is “and his name [was] Manoah.” The name Manoah comes from the same Hebrew root as “Noah” and means “rest.”

And his wife was barren and had no children: This sentence consists of two clauses, each expressing much the same idea. Both make it clear that Manoah’s wife was childless. In Old Testament tradition and still in many parts of the world today, childlessness is generally regarded as the fault of the woman and as a curse from God. The Hebrew waw conjunction rendered and at the beginning of this sentence may be translated “But” or omitted (Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version). Normally when a man is introduced, the number of his children is listed, but here unexpectedly his wife is barren. His wife is literally “his woman.” As in many languages, in Hebrew the same word (ʾishshah) is used for both wife and “woman.” If a language makes a distinction, as in English, wife can be used here in relation to her husband. Much has been made of the fact that this woman remains nameless throughout the entire story. Some see this as proof of sexism in the biblical writings. However, a careful reading of the story shows that she had more sense and more faith than her husband. Barren renders a Hebrew adjective describing a woman who is unable to have children. And had no children expresses the result of being barren (compare Gen 11.30). Good News Translation combines these two clauses, saying “His wife had never been able to have children” (similarly Contemporary English Version). Parole de Vie keeps both clauses by saying “His wife had no children, and she could not have any.” It will be good to maintain this emphasis if possible.

Translation models for this verse are:

• At that time there was a man from Zorah, a member of the Danite clan, and his name was Manoah, but his wife could not have children because she was sterile.

• There was a man called Manoah from the tribe of Dan who lived in the town of Zorah. His wife had no children and she was unable to have any.

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 .