Philistines

The term that is transliterated as “Philistines” in English means “(from) the land of wanderers,” “(from the) land of strangers” (same as “Palestinian”). (Source: Cornwall / Smith 1997 )

It is translated in American Sign Language with a sign that signifies the helmet the Philistine warriors wore was decorated with feather-like objects. (Source: Ruth Anna Spooner, Ron Lawer)


“Philistines” in American Sign Language, source: Deaf Harbor

Click or tap here to see a short video clip about Philistines (source: Bible Lands 2012)

complete verse (Judges 16:8)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Judges 16:8:

  • Kupsabiny: “Then those Philistine leaders brought seven fresh tendons to Delilah. Delilah tied Samson with those tendons.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “So the Philistine rulers brought seven new skin ropes that had not been dried to her. Delilah tied him up with them.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “When the leaders/[lit. heads] of the Filistinhon learned this, they gave Delila seven new bowstrings and she tied-up Samson.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “So after Delilah told that to the Philistine leaders, they brought seven new bowstrings to Delilah.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Judges 16:8

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 .

SIL Translator’s Notes on Judges 16:8

16:8a So the lords of the Philistines brought her seven fresh bowstrings that had not been dried,

The rulers of Philistia brought her seven new bowstrings that were not yet dry.
-or-
The rulers of the Philistia people gave Delilah the seven (7) new strings for a bow. They had not been dried.

16:8b and she tied him up with them.

She tied Samson with the bowstrings.
-or-
She tied Samson with them ⌊while he was asleep⌋ .

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