And Samson said to the lad who held him by the hand: Now the narrator makes clear how Samson, who was blind, got to the place between the columns. He was led there by a boy. We can imagine Samson bending over to whisper to the young person who was leading him. And renders the Hebrew waw conjunction, which may be omitted (Good News Translation, New International Version) or translated “Then.” The lad who held him by the hand provides new information, presented by Contemporary English Version in reverse order: “A young man was leading Samson by the hand, and Samson said to him.”

Lad renders a Hebrew word (naʿar) meaning “young man” or “male servant” (see verse 7.10). It can refer to a bearer of arms, as in verse 9.54. Here it more likely refers to an attendant or prison guard. Though Good News Translation says “boy,” it is probably better to speak of a “servant” (New International Version) or “young man” (Contemporary English Version).

Who held him by the hand is literally “who seized him by the hand.” The Hebrew verb here comes from a root meaning “be strong.” This verb also reappears in verse 16.28, where it is translated “strengthen.” Here it might imply that Samson was handcuffed or bound to the person leading him. The word hand comes to the forefront once again and will play a crucial role in Samson’s victory. Translators should use terms that are appropriate for a blind person being led. We might say “who was leading him by the hand” (Good News Translation) or “who held him tightly by the hand.”

Let me feel the pillars on which the house rests: Samson surely has a plan and is directing the young person to position him where it is most strategic. In Hebrew this clause begins with two verbs, literally “Cause me to rest and let me touch….” Revised Standard Version seems to omit the first verb. Models that keep it are “Position me so I can touch…” ( NET Bible) and “Put me where I can feel…” (New International Version). The Hebrew verb for feel is an unusual one. It is also found in the story of Jacob and Esau, when Isaac asks to touch Jacob (Gen 27.21). Certainly, in his last act Samson is still mocking his adversaries, as he all but announces what his plan is.

The pillars on which the house rests refers to the many columns holding up Dagon’s temple. For pillars see verse 16.25. The house may also be rendered “the temple” (New International Version, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh). Rests renders a Hebrew verb meaning “set up” or “establish,” so we might say “the pillars on which the temple is built on” or “the columns supporting [or, holding up] the roof of the temple.”

That I may lean against them: Though Samson is already planning how he will bring about his final victory, here he is pretending to be weak and in need of support. But in reality he wants to be well placed to be able to carry out his plan. By stationing himself between the main pillars of Dagon’s temple, Samson knows that he can bring the structure down. He falsely claims he wants to lean on the pillars for support. Contemporary English Version communicates Samson’s ruse well by saying “I need to lean against something. Take me over to the columns that hold up the roof.” Translators may use indirect speech here, but the drama is heightened by keeping the direct quote.

Translation models for this verse are:

• Samson then said to the young man who had him by the hand, “Put me next to the pillars holding up the building so I can feel them and lean against them.”

• Samson asked the young guard who was leading him, “Position me next to the pillars supporting the roof so I can touch them and use them for support.”

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 .