Samson’s riddle can be paraphrased in this way: “If you can figure out my riddle within the seven days of the feast, I will give you thirty linen garments and thirty changes of clothes. But if you can’t figure it out, you have to give me thirty linen garments and thirty changes of clothes.” One party will have to give the other thirty new sets of underwear and thirty brand-new suits. Whatever way things go, the result will be costly, for it is a chunk of money lost for each of the companions if Samson wins, and if he loses, he is probably going to be bankrupt.
12 Samson leur dit: Je vais vous proposer une énigme. Si vous me l'expliquez pendant les sept jours du festin, et si vous la découvrez, je vous donnerai trente chemises et trente vêtements de rechange.