Samson and Delilah

Judges 16

Samson visits a harlot in Gaza and escapes by carrying off the city gates, then falls in love with Delilah, who is bribed by the Philistine lords to discover the secret of his strength. After three false answers, Samson reveals that his strength lies in his uncut hair as a sign of his Nazirite vow, and once shaven and captured, he is blinded and set to grind in a Philistine prison until he pulls down the temple of Dagon upon himself and the assembled Philistines.

About these editions

The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.

Thomson 1808Septuagint

Brenton 1851Septuagint

Greek · BrentonSeptuagint

KJV 1769Masoretic

JPS 1917Masoretic

ThomsonTHEN Sampson went to Gaza, and saw there a woman—a harlot, and went in to her.

BrentonAnd Sampson went to Gaza, and saw there a harlot, and went in to her.

GreekΚαὶ ἐπορεύθη Σαμψὼν εἰς Γάζαν, καὶ εἶδεν ἐκεῖ γυναῖκα πόρνην, καὶ εἰσῆλθε πρὸς αὐτήν.

KJVThen went Samson to Gaza, and saw there an harlot, and went in unto her.

JPSAnd Samson went to Gaza, and saw there a harlot, and went in unto her.

ThomsonAnd when the Gazites were told that Sampson was come there, they surrounded him, and lay in wait for him the whole night, at the gate of the city. They indeed kept quiet all the night, saying, When the dawn appeareth we shall kill him.

BrentonAnd it was reported to the Gazites, saying, Sampson is come hither: and they compassed him and laid wait for him all night in the gate of the city, and they were quiet all the night, saying, Let us wait till the dawn appear, and we will slay him.

GreekΚαὶ ἀνηγγέλη τοῖς Γαζαίοις, λέγοντες, ἥκει Σαμψὼν ὧδε. καὶ ἐκύκλωσαν, καὶ ἐνήδρευσαν ἐπʼ αὐτὸν ὅλην τὴν νύκτα ἐν τῇ πύλῃ τῆς πόλεως· καὶ ἐκώφευσαν ὅλην τὴν νύκτα, λέγοντες, ἕως διαφαύσῃ ὁ ὄρθρος, καὶ φονεύσωμεν αὐτόν.

KJVAnd it was told the Gazites, saying, Samson is come hither. And they compassed him in, and laid wait for him all night in the gate of the city, and were quiet all the night, saying, In the morning, when it is day, we shall kill him.

JPS[And it was told] the Gazites, saying: ‘Samson is come hither.’ And they compassed him in, and lay in wait for him all night in the gate of the city, and were quiet all the night, saying: ‘Let be till morning light, then we will kill him.’

ThomsonBut when Sampson had lain till midnight, he arose in the middle of the night, and took the doors of the city gate with the two posts, and lifted them up with the bar, and laid them on his shoulders, and went up to the top of the mountain which looked towards Chebron, and deposited them there.

BrentonAnd Sampson slept till midnight, and rose up at midnight, and took hold of the doors of the gate of the city with the two posts, and lifted them up with the bar, and laid them on his shoulders, and he went up to the top of the mountain that is before Chebron, and laid them there.

GreekΚαὶ ἐκοιμήθη Σαμψὼν ἕως μεσονυκτίου, καὶ ἀνέστη ἐν ἡμίσει τῆς νυκτὸς, καὶ ἐπελάβετο τῶν θυρῶν τῆς πύλης τῆς πόλεως σὺν τοῖς δυσὶ σταθμοῖς, καὶ ἀνεβάσταζεν αὐτὰς σὺν τῷ μοχλῷ, καὶ ἔθηκεν ἐπὶ ὤμων αὐτοῦ· καὶ ἀνέβη ἐπὶ τὴν κορυφὴν τοῦ ὄρους τοῦ ἐπὶ προσώπου τοῦ Χεβρῶν, καὶ ἔθηκεν αὐτὰ ἐκεῖ.

KJVAnd Samson lay till midnight, and arose at midnight, and took the doors of the gate of the city, and the two posts, and went away with them, bar and all, and put them upon his shoulders, and carried them up to the top of an hill that is before Hebron.

JPSAnd Samson lay till midnight, and arose at midnight, and laid hold of the doors of the gate of the city, and the two posts, and plucked them up, bar and all, and put them upon his shoulders, and carried them up to the top of the mountain that is before Hebron.

ThomsonAnd after this he loved a woman at Alsorach, whose name was Dalida;

BrentonAnd it came to pass after this that he loved a woman in Alsorech, and her name was Dalida.

GreekΚαὶ ἐγένετο μετὰ τοῦτο, καὶ ἠγάπησε γυναῖκα ἐν Ἀλσωρήχ· καὶ ὄνομα αὐτῇ Δαλιδά.

KJVAnd it came to pass afterward, that he loved a woman in the valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah.

JPSAnd it came to pass afterward, that he loved a woman in the valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah.

Thomsonand the chiefs of the Philistines went up to her and said to her, Entice him, and see wherein his great strength lieth, and how we may prevail over him, and bind him so as to humble him; and we will give thee, every one of us eleven hundred pieces of silver.

BrentonAnd the princes of the Philistines came up to her, and said to her, Beguile him, and see wherein his great strength is, and wherewith we shall prevail against him, and bind him to humble him; and we will give thee each eleven hundred pieces of silver.

GreekΚαὶ ἀνέβησαν πρὸς αὐτὴν οἱ ἄρχοντες τῶν ἀλλοφύλων, καὶ εἶπαν αὐτῇ, ἀπάτησον αὐτὸν, καὶ ἴδε ἐν τίνι ἡ ἰσχὺς αὐτοῦ ἡ μεγάλη, καὶ ἐν τίνι δυνησόμεθα αὐτῷ, καὶ δήσομεν αὐτὸν τοῦ ταπεινῶσαι αὐτόν· καὶ ἡμεῖς δώσομέν σοι ἀνὴρ χιλίους καὶ ἑκατὸν ἀργυρίου.

KJVAnd the lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and said unto her, Entice him, and see wherein his great strength lieth, and by what means we may prevail against him, that we may bind him to afflict him: and we will give thee every one of us eleven hundred pieces of silver.

JPSAnd the lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and said unto her: ‘Entice him, and see wherein his great strength lieth, and by what means we may prevail against him, that we may bind him to afflict him; and we will give thee every one of us eleven hundred pieces of silver.’

ThomsonUpon this Dalida said to Sampson, Tell me, I pray thee, wherein thy great strength lieth, and with what thou couldst be bound so as to be humbled.

BrentonAnd Dalida said to Sampson, Tell me, I pray thee, wherein is thy great strength, and wherewith thou shalt be bound that thou mayest be humbled.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Δαλιδὰ πρὸς Σαμψὼν, ἀπάγγειλον δή μοι ἐν τίνι ἡ ἰσχύς σου ἡ μεγάλη, καὶ ἐν τίνι δεθήσῃ τοῦ ταπεινωθῆναί σε.

KJVAnd Delilah said to Samson, Tell me, I pray thee, wherein thy great strength lieth, and wherewith thou mightest be bound to afflict thee.

JPSAnd Delilah said to Samson: ‘Tell me, I pray thee, wherein thy great strength lieth, and wherewith thou mightest be bound to afflict thee.’

ThomsonAnd Sampson said to her, Were they to bind me with seven thongs, wet, but not rotten, I should lose my strength, and be as other men.

BrentonAnd Sampson said to her, If they bind me with seven moist cords that have not been spoiled, then shall I be weak and be as one of ordinary men.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε πρὸς αὐτὴν Σαμψὼν, ἐὰν δήσωσί με ἐν ἑπτὰ νευραῖς ὑγραῖς μὴ διεφθαρμέναις, καὶ ἀσθενήσω καὶ ἔσομαι ὡς εἷς τῶν ἀνθρώπων.

KJVAnd Samson said unto her, If they bind me with seven green withs that were never dried, then shall I be weak, and be as another man.

JPSAnd Samson said unto her: ‘If they bind me with seven fresh bowstrings that were never dried, then shall I become weak, and be as any other man.’

ThomsonSo the chiefs of the Philistines brought her seven thongs, wet, but not rotten, and she bound him with them.

BrentonAnd the princes of the Philistines brought to her seven moist cords that had not been spoiled, and she bound him with them.

GreekΚαὶ ἀνήνεγκαν αὐτῇ οἱ ἄρχοντες τῶν ἀλλοφύλων ἑπτὰ νευρὰς ὑγρὰς μὴ διεφθαρμένας, καὶ ἔδησεν αὐτὸν ἐν αὐταῖς.

KJVThen the lords of the Philistines brought up to her seven green withs which had not been dried, and she bound him with them.

JPSThen the lords of the Philistines brought up to her seven fresh bowstrings which had not been dried, and she bound him with them.

ThomsonNow she had men lying in wait in her chamber. Then she said to him, The Philistines are upon thee, Sampson. Upon which he broke the thongs, as one would break a thread of tow, when it is touched with fire. So his strength was not known.

BrentonAnd the liers in wait remained with her in the chamber; and she said to him, The Philistines are upon thee, Sampson: and he broke the cords as if any one should break a thread of tow when it has touched the fire, and his strength was not known.

GreekΚαὶ τὸ ἔνεδρον αὐτῇ ἐκάθητο ἐν τῷ ταμείῳ· καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ, ἀλλόφυλοι ἐπὶ σὲ Σαμψών· καὶ διέσπασε τὰς νευρὰς ὡς εἴ τις ἀποσπάσοι στρέμμα στυππίου ἐν τῷ ὀσφρανθῆναι αὐτὸ πυρὸς, καὶ οὐκ ἐγνώσθη ἡ ἰσχὺς αὐτοῦ.

KJVNow there were men lying in wait, abiding with her in the chamber. And she said unto him, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he brake the withs, as a thread of tow is broken when it toucheth the fire. So his strength was not known.

JPSNow she had liers-in-wait abiding in the inner chamber. And she said unto him: ‘The Philistines are upon thee, Samson.’ And he broke the bowstrings as a string of tow is broken when it toucheth the fire. So his strength was not known.

ThomsonThen Dalida said to Sampson, Behold, thou hast deceived me and told me lies. Now therefore tell me with what thou canst be bound.

BrentonAnd Dalida said to Sampson, Behold, thou hast cheated me, and told me lies; now then tell me wherewith thou shalt be bound.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Δαλιδὰ πρὸς Σαμψὼν, ἰδοὺ ἐπλάνησάς με, καὶ ἐλάλησας πρὸς μὲ ψευδῆ· νῦν οὖν ἀνάγγειλόν μοι ἐν τίνι δεθήσῃ.

KJVAnd Delilah said unto Samson, Behold, thou hast mocked me, and told me lies: now tell me, I pray thee, wherewith thou mightest be bound.

JPSAnd Delilah said unto Samson: ‘Behold, thou hast mocked me, and told me lies; now tell me, I pray thee, wherewith thou mightest be bound.’

ThomsonAnd he said to her, Were they to bind me with new ropes which have never been used, I should lose my strength, and be like other men.

BrentonAnd he said to her, If they should bind me fast with new ropes with which work has not been done, then shall I be weak, and shall be as another man.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε πρὸς αὐτὴν, ἐὰν δεσμεύοντες δήσωσί με ἐν καλωδίοις καινοῖς οἷς οὐκ ἐγένετο ἐν αὐτοῖς ἔργον, καὶ ἀσθενήσω καὶ ἔσομαι ὡς εἶς τῶν ἀνθρώπων.

KJVAnd he said unto her, If they bind me fast with new ropes that never were occupied, then shall I be weak, and be as another man.

JPSAnd he said unto her: ‘If they only bind me with new ropes wherewith no work, hath been done, then shall I become weak, and be as any other man.’

ThomsonSo Dalida took new ropes, and bound him with them, and the men in ambush came out of the chamber and she said, The Philistines are upon thee, Sampson! Whereupon he broke them from his arms like a thread.

BrentonAnd Dalida took new ropes, and bound him with them, and the liers in wait came out of the chamber, and she said, The Philistines are upon thee, Sampson: and he broke them off his arms like a thread.

GreekΚαὶ ἔλαβε Δαλιδὰ καλώδια καινὰ, καὶ ἔδησεν αὐτὸν ἐν αὐτοῖς, καὶ τὰ ἔνεδρα ἐξῆλθεν ἐκ τοῦ ταμείου· καὶ εἶπεν, ἀλλόφυλοι ἐπὶ σὲ Σαμψών· καὶ διέσπασεν αὐτὰ ἀπὸ βραχιόνων αὐτοῦ ὡσεὶ σπαρτίον.

KJVDelilah therefore took new ropes, and bound him therewith, and said unto him, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And there were liers in wait abiding in the chamber. And he brake them from off his arms like a thread.

JPSSo Delilah took new ropes, and bound him therewith, and said unto him: ‘The Philistines are upon thee, Samson.’ And the liers-in-wait were abiding in the inner chamber. And he broke them from off his arms like a thread.

ThomsonThen Dalida said to Sampson, Behold, thou hast deceived me and told me lies. Tell me, I pray thee, with what thou canst be bound. And he said to her, If thou wert to weave these seven locks of my head with the woof, and fasten them into the wall with that pin, I should be as weak as other men.

BrentonAnd Dalida said to Sampson, Behold, thou hast deceived me, and told me lies; tell me, I intreat thee, wherewith thou mayest be bound: and he said to her, If thou shouldest weave the seven locks of my head with the web, and shouldest fasten them with the pin into the wall, then shall I be weak as another man.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Δαλιδὰ πρὸς Σαμψὼν, ἰδοὺ ἐπλάνησάς με, καὶ ἐλάλησας πρὸς μὲ ψευδῆ· ἀνάγγειλον δή μοι ἐν τίνι δεθήσῃ· καὶ εἶπε πρὸς αὐτὴν, ἐὰν ὑφάνῃς τὰς ἑπτὰ σειρὰς τῆς κεφαλῆς μου σὺν τῷ διάσματι, καὶ ἐγκρούσῃς τῷ πασσάλῳ εἰς τὸν τοῖχον, καὶ ἔσομαι ὡς εἷς τῶν ἀνθρώπων ἀσθενής.

KJVAnd Delilah said unto Samson, Hitherto thou hast mocked me, and told me lies: tell me wherewith thou mightest be bound. And he said unto her, If thou weavest the seven locks of my head with the web.

JPSAnd Delilah said unto Samson: ‘Hitherto thou hast mocked me, and told me lies; tell me wherewith thou mightest be bound.’ And he said unto her: ‘If thou weavest the seven locks of my head with the web.’

ThomsonSo when he went to sleep, Dalida took the seven locks of his head, and wove them with the woof, and fastened them with the pin to the wall, and said, The Philistines are upon thee Sampson! Whereupon he roused from his sleep, and pulled the pin of the web out of the wall.

BrentonAnd it came to pass when he was asleep, that Dalida took the seven locks of his head, and wove them with the web, and fastened them with the pin into the wall, and she said, The Philistines are upon thee, Sampson: and he awoke out of his sleep, and carried away the pin of the web out of the wall.

GreekΚαὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ κοιμᾶσθαι αὐτὸν, καὶ ἔλαβε Δαλιδὰ τὰς ἑπτὰ σειρὰς τῆς κεφαλῆς αὐτοῦ, καὶ ὕφανεν ἐν τῷ διάσματι, καὶ ἔπηξεν τῷ πασσάῳ εἰς τὸν τοῖχον, καὶ εἶπεν, ἀλλόφυλοι ἐπὶ σὲ Σαμψών· καὶ ἐξυπνίσθη ἀπὸ τοῦ ὕπνου αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐξῇρε τὸν πάσσαλον τοῦ ὑφάσματος ἐκ τοῦ τοίχου.

KJVAnd she fastened it with the pin, and said unto him, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awaked out of his sleep, and went away with the pin of the beam, and with the web.

JPSAnd she fastened it with the pin, and said unto him: ‘The Philistines are upon thee, Samson.’ And he awoke out of his sleep, and plucked away the pin of the beam, and the web.

ThomsonThen Dalida said to Sampson, How canst thou say, I love thee, when thy heart is not with me? These three times thou hast deceived me, and hast not told me wherein thy great strength lieth.

BrentonAnd Dalida said to Sampson, How sayest thou, I love thee, when thy heart is not with me? this third time thou hast deceived me, and hast not told me wherein is thy great strength.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε πρὸς Σαμψὼν Δαλιδὰ, πῶς λέγεις, ἠγάπηκά σε, καὶ ἡ καρδία σου οὐκ ἔστι μετʼ ἐμοῦ; τοῦτο τρίτον ἐπλάνησάς με καὶ οὐκ ἀπήγγειλάς μοι ἐν τίνι ἡ ἰσχύς σου ἡ μεγάλη.

KJVAnd she said unto him, How canst thou say, I love thee, when thine heart is not with me? thou hast mocked me these three times, and hast not told me wherein thy great strength lieth.

JPSAnd she said unto him: ‘How canst thou say: I love thee, when thy heart is not with me? thou hast mocked me these three times, and hast not told me wherein thy great strength lieth.’

Thomson—

BrentonAnd it came to pass as she pressed him sore with her words continually, and straitened him, that his spirit failed almost to death.

GreekΚαὶ ἐγένετο ὅτε ἐξέθλιψεν αὐτὸν ἐν λόγοις αὐτῆς πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας, καὶ ἐστενοχώρησεν αὐτὸν, καὶ ὠλιγοψύχησεν ἕως τοῦ ἀποθανεῖν.

KJVAnd it came to pass, when she pressed him daily with her words, and urged him, so that his soul was vexed unto death;

JPSAnd it came to pass, when she pressed him daily with her words, and urged him, that his soul was vexed unto death.

Thomsonhe at length told her all his heart, and said to her: There hath never come a razor on my head, because I am consecrated to God from my mother’s womb. If therefore I were shaven, my strength would depart from me, and I would become weak, and be like all other men.

BrentonThen he told her all his heart, and said to her, A razor has not come upon my head, because I have been a holy one of God from my mother's womb; if then I should be shaven, my strength will depart from me, and I shall be weak, and I shall be as all other men.

GreekΚαὶ ἀνήγγειλεν αὐτῇ πᾶσαν τὴν καρδίαν αὐτοῦ, καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῇ, σίδηρος οὐκ ἀνέβη ἐπὶ τὴν κεφαλήν μου, ὅτι ἅγιος Θεοῦ ἐγώ εἰμι ἀπὸ κοιλίας μητρός μου· ἐὰν οὖν ξυρήσωμαι, ἀποστήσεται ἀπʼ ἐμοῦ ἡ ἰσχύς μου καὶ ἀσθενήσω, καὶ ἔσομαι ὡς πάντες οἱ ἄνθρωποι.

KJVThat he told her all his heart, and said unto her, There hath not come a razor upon mine head; for I have been a Nazarite unto God from my mother’s womb: if I be shaven, then my strength will go from me, and I shall become weak, and be like any other man.

JPSAnd he told her all his heart, and said unto her: ‘There hath not come a razor upon my head; for I have been a Nazirite unto God from my mother’s womb; if I be shaven, then my strength will go from me, and I shall become weak, and be like any other man.’

ThomsonWhen Dalida saw that he had told her all his heart, she sent for the chiefs of the Philistines, and said, Come up this once more, for he hath told me all his heart. So the chiefs of the Philistines went up to her, and carried the money in their hands.

BrentonAnd Dalida saw that he told her all his heart, and she sent and called the princes of the Philistines, saying, Come up yet this once; for he has told me all his heart. And the chiefs of the Philistines went up to her, and brought the money in their hands.

GreekΚαὶ εἶδε Δαλιδὰ, ὅτι ἀπήγγειλεν αὐτῇ πᾶσαν τὴν καρδίαν αὐτοῦ· καὶ ἀπέστειλε καὶ ἐκάλεσε τοὺς ἄρχοντας τῶν ἀλλοφύλων, λέγουσα, ἀνάβητε ἔτι τὸ ἅπαξ τοῦτο, ὅτι ἀπήγγειλέ μοι πᾶσαν τὴν καρδίαν αὐτοῦ· καὶ ἀνέβησαν πρὸς αὐτὴν οἱ ἄρχοντες τῶν ἀλλοφύλων, καὶ ἀνήνεγκαν τὸ ἀργύριον ἐν χερσὶν αὐτῶν.

KJVAnd when Delilah saw that he had told her all his heart, she sent and called for the lords of the Philistines, saying, Come up this once, for he hath shewed me all his heart. Then the lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and brought money in their hand.

JPSAnd when Delilah saw that he had told her all his heart, she sent and called for the lords of the Philistines, saying: ‘Come up this once, for he hath told me all his heart.’ Then the lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and brought the money in their hand.

ThomsonAnd when Dalida had lulled Sampson to sleep on her knees, she sent for a man, and he shaved off the seven locks of his head, and began to humble him; for his strength was gone from him.

BrentonAnd Dalida made Sampson sleep upon her knees; and she called a man, and he shaved the seven locks of his head, and she began to humble him, and his strength departed from him.

GreekΚαὶ ἐκοίμισε Δαλιδὰ τὸν Σαμψὼν ἐπὶ τὰ γόνατα αὐτῆς· καὶ ἐκάλεσεν ἄνδρα, καὶ ἐξύρησε τὰς ἑπτὰ σειρὰς τῆς κεφαλῆς αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἤρξατο ταπεινῶσαι αὐτὸν, καὶ ἀπέστη ἡ ἰσχὺς αὐτοῦ ἀπʼ αὐτοῦ.

KJVAnd she made him sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head; and she began to afflict him, and his strength went from him.

JPSAnd she made him sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and had the seven locks of his head shaven off; and she began to afflict him, and his strength went from him.

ThomsonAnd when Dalida said, The Philistines are upon thee Sampson! He awoke from his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times heretofore, and rouse myself. He indeed did not know that the Lord had departed from him.

BrentonAnd Dalida said, The Philistines are upon thee, Sampson: and he awoke out of his sleep and said, I will go out as at former times, and shake myself; and he knew not that the Lord was departed from him.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Δαλιδά, ἀλλόφυλοι ἐπὶ σὲ Σαμψών. καὶ ἐξυπνίσθη ἐκ τοῦ ὕπνου αὐτοῦ, καὶ εἶπεν, ἐξελεύσομαι ὡς ἅπαξ καὶ ἅπαξ, καὶ ἐκτιναχθήσομαι· καὶ αὐτὸς οὐκ ἔγνω ὅτι ὁ Κύριος ἀπέστη ἀπάνωθεν αὐτοῦ.

KJVAnd she said, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the LORD was departed from him.

JPSAnd she said: ‘The Philistines are upon thee, Samson.’ And he awoke out of his sleep, and said: ‘I will go out as at other times, and shake myself.’ But he knew not that the LORD was departed from him.

ThomsonThen the Philistines seized him and put out his eyes, and carried him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass, and he was kept grinding in the prison house.

BrentonAnd the Philistines took him, and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass; and he ground in the prison-house.

GreekΚαὶ ἐκράτησαν αὐτὸν οἱ ἀλλόφυλοι, καὶ ἐξέκοψαν τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς αὐτοῦ, καὶ κατήνεγκαν αὐτὸν εἰς Γάζαν, καὶ ἐπέδησαν αὐτὸν ἐν πέδαις χαλκείαις· καὶ ἦν ἀλήθων ἐν οἴκῳ τοῦ δεσμωτηρίου.

KJVBut the Philistines took him, and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass; and he did grind in the prison house.

JPSAnd the Philistines laid hold on him, and put out his eyes; and they brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass; and he did grind in the prison-house.

ThomsonNow when the hairs of his head began to grow as when he was shaven,

BrentonAnd the hair of his head began to grow as before it was shaven.

GreekΚαὶ ἤρξατο θρὶξ τῆς κεφαλῆς αὐτοῦ βλαστάνειν καθὼς ἐξυρήσατο.

KJVHowbeit the hair of his head began to grow again after he was shaven.

JPSHowbeit the hair of his head began to grow again after he was shaven.

Thomsonthe chiefs of the Philistines assembled to offer a great sacrifice to their god Dagon, and to rejoice. And they said; God hath delivered Sampson, our great enemy into our hand.

BrentonAnd the chiefs of the Philistines met to offer a great sacrifice to their god Dagon, and to make merry; and they said, God has given into our hand our enemy Sampson.

GreekΚαὶ οἱ ἄρχοντες τῶν ἀλλοφύλων συνήχθησαν θυσαιάσαι θυσίασμα μέγα τῷ Δαγὼν θεῷ αὐτῶν, καὶ εὐφρανθῆναι, καὶ εἶπαν, ἔδωκεν ὁ θεὸς ἐν χειρὶ ἡμῶν τὸν Σαμψὼν τὸν ἐχθρὸν ἡμῶν.

KJVThen the lords of the Philistines gathered them together for to offer a great sacrifice unto Dagon their god, and to rejoice: for they said, Our god hath delivered Samson our enemy into our hand.

JPSAnd the lords of the Philistines gathered them together to offer a great sacrifice unto Dagon their god, and to rejoice; for they said: ‘Our god hath delivered Samson our enemy into our hand.’

ThomsonAnd when the people saw him, they sang praises to their god, saying, Our god hath delivered our enemy into our hands—him who wasted our land, and multiplied the number of our slain. Now when their heart was elated with joy, they said, Call Sampson from the prison, and let him make sport for us;

BrentonAnd the people saw him, and sang praises to their god; for our god, said they, has delivered into our hand our enemy, who wasted our land, and who multiplied our slain.

GreekΚαὶ εἶδον αὐτὸν ὁ λαὸς, καὶ ὕμνησαν τὸν θεὸν αὐτῶν, ὅτι παρέδωκεν ὁ θεὸς ἡμῶν τὸν ἐχθρὸν ἡμῶν ἐν χειρὶ ἡμῶν, τὸν ἐρημοῦντα τὴν γῆν ἡμῶν, καὶ ὃς ἐπλήθυνε τοὺς τραυματίας ἡμῶν.

KJVAnd when the people saw him, they praised their god: for they said, Our god hath delivered into our hands our enemy, and the destroyer of our country, which slew many of us.

JPSAnd when the people saw him, they praised their god; for they said: ‘Our god hath delivered into our hand our enemy, and the destroyer of our country, who hath slain many of us.’

Thomsonso they called Sampson from the prison, and he made sport for them; and when they had beaten him with rods, they set him between the pillars.

BrentonAnd when their heart was merry, then they said, Call Sampson out of the prison-house, and let him play before us: and they called Sampson out of the prison-house, and he played before them; and they smote him with the palms of their hands, and set him between the pillars.

GreekΚαὶ ὅτε ἠγαθύνθη ἡ καρδία αὐτῶν, καὶ εἶπαν, καλέσατε τὸν Σαμψὼν ἐξ οἴκου φυλακῆς, καὶ παιξάτω ἐνώπιον ἡμῶν· καὶ ἐκάλεσαν τὸν Σαμψὼν ἐξ οἴκου δεσμωτηρίου, καὶ ἔπαιζεν ἐνώπιον αὐτῶν· καὶ ἐῤῥάπιζον αὐτὸν, καὶ ἔστησαν αὐτὸν ἀναμέσον τῶν κιόνων.

KJVAnd it came to pass, when their hearts were merry, that they said, Call for Samson, that he may make us sport. And they called for Samson out of the prison house; and he made them sport: and they set him between the pillars.

JPSAnd it came to pass, when their hearts were merry, that they said: ‘Call for Samson, that he may make us sport.’ And they called for Samson out of the prison-house; and he made sport before them; and they set him between the pillars.

ThomsonThen Sampson said to the young man who had hold of his hand, Let go, that I may feel the pillars on which the house resteth, and lean upon them.

BrentonAnd Sampson said to the young man that held his hand, Suffer me to feel the pillars on which the house rests, and I will stay myself upon them.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Σαμψὼν πρὸς τὸν νεανίαν τὸν κρατοῦντα τὴν χεῖρα αὐτοῦ, ἄφες με, καὶ ψηλαφήσω τοὺς κίονας ἐφʼ οἷς ὁ οἶκος ἐπʼ αὐτοὺς, καὶ ἐπιστηριχθήσομαι ἐπʼ αὐτούς.

KJVAnd Samson said unto the lad that held him by the hand, Suffer me that I may feel the pillars whereupon the house standeth, that I may lean upon them.

JPSAnd Samson said unto the lad that held him by the hand: ‘Suffer me that I may feel the pillars whereupon the house resteth, that I may lean upon them.’

ThomsonNow the house was full of men and women; and all the chiefs of the Philistines were there; and on the top of the house there were about three thousand men and women looking at Sampson’s sports.

BrentonAnd the house was full of men and women, and there were all the chiefs of the Philistines, and on the roof were about three thousand men and women looking at the sports of Sampson.

GreekΚαὶ ὁ οἶκος πλήρης τῶν ἀνδρῶν καὶ τῶν γυναικῶν, καὶ ἐκεῖ πάντες οἱ ἄρχοντες τῶν ἀλλοφύλων, καὶ ἐπὶ τὸ δῶμα ὡσεὶ τρισχίλιοι ἄνδρες καὶ γυναῖκες οἱ θεωροῦντες ἐν παιγνίαις Σαμψών.

KJVNow the house was full of men and women; and all the lords of the Philistines were there; and there were upon the roof about three thousand men and women, that beheld while Samson made sport.

JPSNow the house was full of men and women; and all the lords of the Philistines were there; and there were upon the roof about three thousand men and women, that beheld while Samson made sport.

ThomsonThen Sampson wept before the Lord, and said, O Adonai, Lord, remember me, I beseech Thee, and strengthen me yet this once more, O my God, that I may take vengeance on the Philistines for my two eyes.

BrentonAnd Sampson wept before the Lord, and said, O Lord, my Lord, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, O God, yet this once, and I will requite one recompense to the Philistines for my two eyes.

GreekΚαὶ ἔκλαυσε Σαμψὼν πρὸς Κύριον, καὶ εἶπεν, ἀδωναϊὲ Κύριε μνήσθητι δή μου, καὶ ἐνίσχυσόν με ἔτι τὸ ἅπαξ τοῦτο Θεὲ, καὶ ἀνταποδώσω ἀνταπόδοσιν μίαν περὶ τῶν δύο ὀφθαλμῶν μου τοῖς ἀλλοφύλοις.

KJVAnd Samson called unto the LORD, and said, O Lord God, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes.

JPSAnd Samson called unto the LORD, and said: ‘O Lord GOD, remember me, I pray Thee, and strengthen me, I pray Thee, only this once, O God, that I may be this once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes.’

ThomsonThen Sampson took hold of the two pillars, on which the house rested, and by which it was supported. And having taken hold of one with his right hand, and of the other with his left,

BrentonAnd Sampson took hold of the two pillars of the house on which the house stood, and leaned on them, and laid hold of one with his right hand, and the other with his left.

GreekΚαὶ περιέλαβε Σαμψὼν τοὺς δύο κίονας τοῦ οἴκου ἐφʼ οὓς ὁ οἶκος εἱστήκει, καὶ ἐπεστηρίχθη ἐπʼ αὐτοὺς, καὶ ἐκράτησεν ἕνα τῇ δεξιᾷ αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἕνα τῇ ἀριστερᾷ αὐτοῦ.

KJVAnd Samson took hold of the two middle pillars upon which the house stood, and on which it was borne up, of the one with his right hand, and of the other with his left.

JPSAnd Samson took fast hold of the two middle pillars upon which the house rested, and leaned upon them, the one with his right hand, and the other with his left.

Thomsonhe said, Let me die with the Philistines, and strained with all his might, and the house fell upon the chiefs and on all the people in it. So that those whom Sampson slew at his death were more than those whom he had slain during his life.

BrentonAnd Sampson said, Let my life perish with the Philistines: and he bowed himself mightily; and the house fell upon the princes, and upon all the people that were in it: and the dead whom Sampson slew in his death were more than those whom he slew in his life.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Σαμψὼν, ἀποθανέτω ψυχή μου μετὰ τῶν ἀλλοφύλων· καὶ ἐβάσταξεν ἐν ἰσχύϊ· καὶ ἔπεσεν ὁ οἶκος ἐπὶ τοὺς ἄρχοντας, καὶ ἐπὶ πάντα τὸν λαὸν τὸν ἐν αὐτῷ· καὶ ἦσαν οἱ τεθνηκότες οὓς ἐθανάτωσε Σαμψὼν ἐν τῷ θανάτῳ αὐτοῦ, πλείους ἢ οὓς ἐθανάτωσεν ἐν τῇ ζωῇ αὐτοῦ.

KJVAnd Samson said, Let me die with the Philistines. And he bowed himself with all his might; and the house fell upon the lords, and upon all the people that were therein. So the dead which he slew at his death were more than they which he slew in his life.

JPSAnd Samson said: ‘Let me die with the Philistines.’ And he bent with all his might; and the house fell upon the lords, and upon all the people that were therein. So the dead that he slew at his death were more than they that he slew in his life.

ThomsonAnd his brethren, and the house of his father, went down, and took him, and came up and buried him between Saraa and Esthaol in the tomb of his father Manoe. Now he had judged Israel twenty years.

BrentonAnd his brethren and his father's house went down, and they took him; and they went up and buried him between Saraa and Esthaol in the sepulchre of his father Manoë; and he judged Israel twenty years.

GreekΚαὶ κατέβησαν οἱ ἀδελφοὶ αὐτοῦ, καὶ ὁ οἶκος τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἔλαβον αὐτόν· καὶ ἀνέβησαν καὶ ἔθαψαν αὐτὸν ἀναμέσον Σαραὰ καὶ ἀναμέσον Ἐσθαὸλ ἐν τῷ τάφῳ Μανωὲ τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ· καὶ αὐτὸς ἔκρινε τὸν Ἰσραὴλ εἴκοσι ἔτη.

KJVThen his brethren and all the house of his father came down, and took him, and brought him up, and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the buryingplace of Manoah his father. And he judged Israel twenty years.

JPSThen his brethren and all the house of his father came down, and took him, and brought him up, and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the burying-place of Manoah his father. And he judged Israel twenty years.