Because of the shift of focus to the Philistines, many versions begin a new paragraph here (Contemporary English Version, New International Version). Without divine power, Samson is easily captured. A series of four verbs follows in quick succession expressing the speed with which the Philistines deal with their prisoner: seized, gouged out, brought … down, and bound. The verse ends with the sad picture of Samson: blind, in chains, and forced to do humiliating work. The situation is drastic.

And the Philistines seized him: And, which renders the Hebrew waw conjunction, may be translated “So” (New Revised Standard Version), “Then” (New International Version, Revised English Bible), or even “Suddenly.” Translators should choose a connector to carry the story forward and to emphasize the change in Samson, from confident hope to painful powerlessness. For the Hebrew verb rendered seized, see verse 1.6, where it is translated “caught.” Here it may be rendered “grabbed” (Contemporary English Version), “took hold of,” or “captured.” Obviously, the Philistines are not ready to lose Samson again.

And gouged out his eyes: This very cruel way of treating prisoners was meant to inflict pain, as well as to humiliate the enemy and render him helpless (see also verse 2 Kgs 25.7). The Hebrew verb rendered gouged out is not used often. It describes digging out something forcefully. Many languages will have a special expression for this kind of torture, for example, “poked out his eyes” (Contemporary English Version) or “put his eyes out” (Good News Translation). Just saying they “blinded him” might not be sufficient here.

And brought him down to Gaza: Brought … down renders a causative form of the Hebrew verb yarad meaning “go down” (see verse 14.1). There may be actual downward movement here, since the road from Delilah’s house to Gaza on the Mediterranean coast was actually downhill. For Gaza see verse 1.18. New International Version says they “took him down to Gaza.” Contemporary English Version‘s “They took him to the prison in Gaza” anticipates the end of the verse.

And bound him with bronze fetters: Bound is a keyword in this chapter (see verse 16.5-8, 10-13; and comments on verse 15.10). It may be rendered “tied [him] up.” The Hebrew word for bronze fetters refers to bronze chains used to bind a criminal or enemy. Bronze is a very strong metal, so translators should try to communicate this important feature. New Jerusalem Bible says “a double chain of bronze,” which renders the Hebrew dual form here. This dual form could also refer to two shackles, one for the feet and one for the hands. If bronze is not known, translators may say “strong/heavy metal chains.” Though these chains were very heavy, they did not keep Samson from walking and moving around, as the next clause shows.

And he ground at the mill in the prison: This clause could be the beginning of a new paragraph. Along with the next verse, it constitutes a kind of turning point in the story. We understand it as a concluding remark for this incident. The Hebrew waw conjunction rendered And may be translated “At that time.” He ground is literally “he was one grinding.” The Hebrew construction here indicates ongoing action. The Hebrew verb for ground refers to grinding grain into flour. The phrase at the mill does not occur in Hebrew but designates the place where grain is ground into flour. He ground at the mill may be rendered “he became a grinder at the mill.” Though the text is not explicit, many illustrations show a blind but strong Samson walking in a circle pushing a millstone, as an ox would normally do. In the prison is literally “in the house of those who were bound,” with the same the Hebrew verb that appears earlier in this verse. We might say “At that time Samson was held in a prison, where he was forced to grind grain.”

Translation models for this verse are:

• Then the Philistines captured Samson, put his eyes out, and took him down to the town of Gaza. There they bound him with strong metal chains and forced him to work, grinding grain in the prison.

• So the Philistines grabbed hold of Samson and gouged out his eyes. Then they took him down to Gaza, where they tied him up with [two] bronze chains. In the prison there, he was forced to grind grain into flour.

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 .