Discovery BoxJudges 16:7 
Context16:7 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
Context16:11 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
Context16:17 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.”
4 tn Heb “all his heart.”
5 tn Heb “a razor has not come upon my head.”
6 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”).
7 tn Heb “from the womb of my mother.”
8 tn Heb “I.” The referent has been made more specific in the translation (“my head”).
