Judges 14:10-14

14:10 Then Samson’s father accompanied him to Timnah for the marriage. ¹  Samson hosted a party ²  there, for this was customary for bridegrooms ³  to do. 14:11 When the Philistines saw he had no attendants, they gave him thirty groomsmen who kept him company. ⁴  14:12 Samson said to them, “I will give you a riddle. If you really can solve it during the seven days the party lasts, ⁵  I will give you thirty linen robes and thirty sets ⁶  of clothes. 14:13 But if you cannot solve it, ⁷  you will give me thirty linen robes and thirty sets of clothes.” They said to him, “Let us hear your riddle.” ⁸  14:14 He said to them,

“Out of the one who eats came something to eat;

out of the strong one came something sweet.”

They could not solve the riddle for three days.

[14:10]  ¹ tn Heb “And his father went down to the woman.”

[14:10]  ² tn Or “[wedding] feast.”

[14:10]  ³ tn Heb “the young men.”

[14:11]  ⁴ tn Heb “When they saw him, they gave him thirty companions and they were with him.” Instead of כִּרְאוֹתָם (kir’otam, “when they saw”) some ancient witnesses (e.g., some mss of the LXX) assume the reading בְּיִרְאָתָם (bÿyir’atam, “because they feared”).

[14:12]  ⁷ tn Heb “If you really can tell it to me [during] the seven days of the feast and you find [its answer].”

[14:12]  ⁸ tn Heb “changes.”

[14:13]  ¹⁰ tn Heb “you are unable to tell me.”

[14:13]  ¹¹ tn Heb “Give your riddle so we can hear it.”