Judges 13:13

13:13 The Lord’s messenger told ¹  Manoah, “Your wife should pay attention to everything I told her. ² 

Judges 2:3

2:3 At that time I also warned you, ³  ‘If you disobey, ⁴  I will not drive out the Canaanites ⁵  before you. They will ensnare you ⁶  and their gods will lure you away.’” ⁷ 

Judges 15:2

15:2 Her father said, “I really thought ⁸  you absolutely despised ⁹  her, so I gave her to your best man. Her younger sister is more attractive than she is. Take her instead!” ¹⁰ 

[13:13]  ¹ tn Or “said to.”

[13:13]  ² tn Heb “To everything I said to the woman she should pay attention.” The Hebrew word order emphasizes “to everything,” probably because Manoah’s wife did not tell her husband everything the angel had said to her (cf. vv. 3-5 with v. 7). If she had, Manoah probably would not have been so confused about the child’s mission.

[2:3]  ³ tn Heb “And I also said.” The use of the perfect tense here suggests that the messenger is recalling an earlier statement (see Josh 23:12-13). However, some translate, “And I also say,” understanding the following words as an announcement of judgment upon those gathered at Bokim.

[2:3]  ⁴ tn The words “If you disobey” are supplied in the translation for clarity. See Josh 23:12-13.

[2:3]  ⁵ tn Heb “them”; the referent (the Canaanites) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[2:3]  ⁶ tn The meaning of the Hebrew word צִדִּים (tsiddim) is uncertain in this context. It may be related to an Akkadian cognate meaning “snare.” If so, a more literal translation would be “they will become snares to you.” Normally the term in question means “sides,” but this makes no sense here. On the basis of Num 33:55 some suggest the word for “thorns” has been accidentally omitted. If this word is added, the text would read, “they will become [thorns] in your sides” (cf. NASB, NIV, NLT).

[2:3]  ⁷ tn Heb “their gods will become a snare to you.”

[15:2]  ⁵ tn Heb “saying, I said.” The first person form of אָמַר (’amar, “to say”) sometimes indicates self-reflection. The girl’s father uses the infinitive absolute for emphasis.

[15:2]  ⁶ tn Heb “hating, you hated.” Once again the girl’s father uses the infinitive absolute for emphasis.

[15:2]  ⁷ tn Heb “Is her younger sister not better than her? Let her [i.e., the younger sister] be yours instead of her [i.e., Samson’s ‘bride’]).”