The Hebrew that is transliterated as “Samson” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language with the signs for “headband” referring to his long hair and likely use of a headband. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Judges 16:10:
Kupsabiny: “Then, Delilah said to Samson, ‘Why are you joking with me like that? Please, tell me how it is possible for you to be tied?’” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
Newari: “Then Delilah said to Samson — "You have deceived me by speaking falsehoods to me. Come now tell me how I can tie you?"” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “Delila said to Samson, ‘You (sing.) just tricked me; you (sing.) lied to me. Come-on now, tell me how you (sing.) would-be-tied-up.’” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
English: “Then Delilah said to Samson, ‘You have deceived me and lied to me! Now tell me the truth, how someone can tie you up securely.’” (Source: Translation for Translators)
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Like a number of other East Asian languages, Japanese uses a complex system of honorifics, i.e. a system where a number of different levels of politeness are expressed in language via words, word forms or grammatical constructs. These can range from addressing someone or referring to someone with contempt (very informal) to expressing the highest level of reference (as used in addressing or referring to God) or any number of levels in-between.
One way Japanese shows different degree of politeness is through the choice of a benefactive construction as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017. Here, oshiete (教えて) or “inform” is used in combination with kudasaru (くださる), a respectful form of the benefactive kureru (くれる). A benefactive reflects the good will of the giver or the gratitude of a recipient of the favor. To convey this connotation, English translation needs to employ a phrase such as “for me (my sake)” or “for you (your sake).”
And Delilah said to Samson: Though this clause is linked to what precedes by the Hebrew waw conjunction (And), it is possible that there is a significant time lapse here. Samson has escaped from the Philistines but is once again back with Delilah. Thus we might say “Then” (New Revised Standard Version, New International Version) or perhaps, “Later.” The reintroduction of the two names Delilah and Samson shows that a new incident is beginning, and most versions begin a new paragraph here (Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version).
Behold …: Delilah begins complaining to Samson with the attention-getting Hebrew word hinneh, which is rendered Behold. It is omitted in some versions (New Revised Standard Version, Contemporary English Version), but translators should find a word or expression that fits this context, for example, “Look” (Good News Translation, NET Bible) or “Look here.”
You have mocked me: The Hebrew verb here (talal) means “deceive” ( NET Bible, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh). It appears each time Delilah complains to Samson (verse 16.13, 15). Jacob used this verb to describe how Laban “cheated” him (Gen 31.7). The verb mocked seems rather weak, so we might rather say “misled” or “fooled.”
And told me lies is literally “and spoke/said lies to me.” Besides deceiving Delilah, Samson has lied to her. Translators can use a generic word or an idiomatic expression to express this notion of lying. We might say “Look, you’ve made a fool of me and you’ve lied to me.”
Please tell me how you might be bound: See verse 16.6. Though Delilah realizes she has been tricked, she is still after his secret. So she uses very polite language here, which is literally “now tell me please in/by what you will be bound.” Please renders the Hebrew politeness particle naʾ. The Hebrew verb rendered tell (nagad) is used often in the Samson story. In some languages the passive construction how you might be bound may be made active by saying “how they/one might bind you.”
A translation model for this verse is:
• Later Delilah said to Samson, “Look, you’re just playing with me and lying. Now, please tell me [really] how you can be bound.”
Quoted with permission from Zogbo, Lynell and Ogden, Graham S. A Handbook on Judges. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2019. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .
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