And when their hearts were merry is literally “And it was when their hearts were good,” which implies that the people had been drinking and celebrating for some time. The same expression is used to describe Boaz feeling satisfied after a good meal (Ruth 3.7). The phrase their hearts refers to the Philistine people themselves, so we might say “When the people began to feel good,” “While they were in high spirits” (New International Version; similarly New American Bible, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh), or “When they were having a good time” (similarly Contemporary English Version).

They said: The pronoun they refers to the Philistines at the celebration. In this context the general verb said may be rendered “shouted” (Contemporary English Version).

Call Samson is literally “Call for Samson.” The Philistines want Samson to come before them. They want him to be brought from the prison where he was. We might say “Go get Samson,” “Bring us Samson,” or “Bring Samson here for us.” The Hebrew verb for Call occurs twice in this verse, underlining that Samson is literally at their “beck and call.” The use of this verb also foreshadows Samson’s “call” to the LORD for help in verse 16.28.

That he may make sport for us: That renders the Hebrew waw conjunction, which introduces a purpose clause here, so it may also be translated “so that” or “in order that.” Make sport is an old English expression meaning “entertain,” but here the Hebrew verb means “laugh.” Thus we might say “so we can laugh at him” or “so he can make us laugh.” New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh’s “and let him dance for us” has no textual basis. New Jerusalem Bible‘s “to amuse us” is a possible model.

So they called Samson out of the prison: So is a good rendering of the Hebrew waw conjunction. The narration here copies the dialogue, a common technique in Hebrew storytelling. The Philistines called for Samson, and so it was done. The pronoun they refers to those who were sent to get Samson. If possible, the rendering of called should match that of the verb used above. Out of the prison is literally “from the house of those who were bound” (see verse 16.21).

And he made sport before them: Samson did as he was told. He was a prisoner and had no choice. The Hebrew verb rendered made sport is different from the one used in the quote, but its meaning is very similar. The text does not say exactly how Samson entertained the Philistines, but it is likely that he used his strength in some way to entertain the crowd. New International Version says “he performed for them,” and New Jerusalem Bible has “he performed feats in front of them.” New American Bible communicates some of the humiliation that Samson experienced, saying “he played the buffoon before them.” The strong hero is now blind and reduced to performing in front of a rowdy and mocking crowd.

They made him stand between the pillars: This clause begins with the Hebrew waw conjunction, which seems to introduce the next action here. We might begin with “then” (New Jerusalem Bible) or “and” (New Living Translation). After Samson finished entertaining the people, he was placed between the pillars of Dagon’s temple. Certainly those knowing this story anticipate what will occur next. For they made him stand, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh says “they put him.” Contemporary English Version‘s “they told him to stand” says slightly more than the original text. Samson was blind, and was probably led to this place rather than told to go there. Between the pillars should be rendered with care. It is not enough to say “next to the pillars” or “near the pillars,” since it is crucial to the story that Samson be located between the columns.

The pillars were the central supports for the roof of the temple where Samson was entertaining the people (see verse 16.29). Good News Translation says “the columns,” while Contemporary English Version is more explicit with “the columns that supported the roof.” In some languages it may be necessary to say “the pillars of the building” or even “the pillars of the temple.” There is an important wordplay here, since the Hebrew verb for made … stand and the noun for pillars come from the same root. New Jerusalem Bible provides a good model here, saying “then he was put to stand between the pillars.” Revised English Bible is similar with “They then stood him between the pillars.” It would be helpful to add an illustration here showing Samson standing between the columns.

Translation models for this verse are:

• When they had celebrated for some time and were feeling good, they called for Samson to come and entertain them. So they brought him out of the prison and he performed various feats for them. Then they put him between the pillars [of the building].

• When they were feeling very happy, they said, “Bring Samson out to entertain us!” So Samson was brought from the prison and he entertained them. Then they placed him between the columns of the temple.

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 .