Judges 16:7

16:7 Samson said to her, “If they tie me up with seven fresh ¹  bowstrings ²  that have not been dried, I will become weak and be just like any other man.”

Judges 16:11

16:11 He said to her, “If they tie me tightly with brand new ropes that have never been used, ³  I will become weak and be just like any other man.”

Judges 16:17

16:17 Finally he told her his secret. ⁴  He said to her, “My hair has never been cut, ⁵  for I have been dedicated to God ⁶  from the time I was conceived. ⁷  If my head ⁸  were shaved, my strength would leave me; I would become weak, and be just like all other men.”

¹ tn Or “moist.”

² tn The word refers to a bowstring, probably made from animal tendons. See Ps 11:2; Job 30:11.

³ tn Heb “with which no work has been done.”

⁵ tn Heb “all his heart.”

⁶ tn Heb “a razor has not come upon my head.”

⁷ tn Or “set apart to God.” Traditionally the Hebrew term נָזִיר (nazir) has been translated “Nazirite.” The word is derived from the verb נָזַר (nazar, “to dedicate; to consecrate; to set apart”).

⁸ tn Heb “from the womb of my mother.”

⁹ tn Heb “I.” The referent has been made more specific in the translation (“my head”).