And Samson said to her: And renders well the Hebrew waw conjunction here, but in some languages it can be omitted (Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version). If necessary, the general verb said may be rendered “answered” (Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version) or “responded.”

If they bind me with seven fresh bowstrings …: On each occasion Samson responds to Delilah’s request with a conditional statement beginning with the conjunction If (see also verse 16.11, 13). The pronoun they could refer to the Philistines, or it could be an impersonal they, as in “If anyone binds me….” For bind see verse 15.10. Here and throughout this episode, we see Samson suggesting means of capturing him which would involve him breaking his Nazirite vow. Seven fresh bowstrings refers to the cords attached to an arc, from which arrows were strung and flung. In all likelihood, these cords were made from some animal products with fresh blood on them. They were flexible and tough and not easily broken. The number seven represents completeness. Some scholars think these seven strings were woven together into one rope that would be used to tie Samson down, while others see the seven strings being used to tie up various places on his body. Most likely the first interpretation is correct, but this should have no bearing on the translation. Though the Hebrew word rendered fresh is often used to describe fruit and trees, here it probably refers to the intestines or sinews of an animal, which were not yet dried. Good News Translation and Contemporary English Version use the word “new,” but it might be better to speak of “wet” bowstrings.

Which have not been dried: This qualifying clause repeats the same idea that the bowstrings must be fresh. It is possible that such new strings would be stronger than older dried-out ones, but the main point here is that Samson is inadvertently talking once again about violating his Nazirite vow. If the sinews of an animal were fresh and not dried, they would have fresh blood on them. For Samson’s skin to contact them would be the same as touching a dead body. Samson is obviously lying here and probably making fun of the Philistines who would actually believe that undried bowstrings could really hold him down.

Then I shall become weak, and be like any other man: These two clauses give the consequence of the condition. They occur again in verse 16.11. Become weak renders a Hebrew verb meaning “be sick” or “be weak,” often used to describe animals that are lame or unacceptable for sacrifice. In this context it means Samson will lose his strength. I shall become weak may be rendered “my strength will leave me” or “I will no longer have any strength.”

And be like any other man is literally “and I will be like one man.” If Samson loses his special strength from God, then he will be as weak as any ordinary man. Man renders the generic Hebrew word for a human being, ʾadam. We might say “and I will have the same strength as any normal human being.”

Translation models for this verse are:

• Samson told her, “If someone takes seven new cords for a bow, ones that have not been dried, and ties me up with them, then I will become weak and be just like any other person.”

• Samson replied, “If anyone uses a rope made of seven freshly prepared bowstrings—not old dry ones—to bind me, I will lose my strength and only be as strong as other human beings.”

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 .