Hakim-hakim 14:10-12

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.

[14:10]  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]  ⁵ tn Heb “If you really can tell it to me [during] the seven days of the feast and you find [its answer].”

[14:12]  ⁶ tn Heb “changes.”