Judges13

The chapter opens with Israel's renewed sin, leading to forty years of Philistine oppression. An Angel of the LORD appears to Manoah's barren wife, announcing the miraculous birth of a son, Samson, who is to be a Nazarite from the womb and begin Israel's deliverance. Manoah seeks further instruction, and during a second encounter, the angel ascends in the flame of a sacrifice, revealing his divine nature. Samson is subsequently born, grows, and the Spirit of the LORD begins to stir him.

Israel Oppressed by the Philistines

1
The children of Israel again did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD; and the LORD delivered them into the hand of the Philistines forty years. ​
2
There was a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren, and didn’t bear. ​

The Angel Announces Samson's Birth

3
the LORD’s angel appeared to the woman, and said to her, “See now, you are barren, and don’t bear; but you shall conceive, and bear a son.
4
Now therefore please beware and drink no wine nor strong drink, and don’t eat any unclean thing: ​
5
for, behold, you shall conceive, and bear a son; and no razor shall come on his head; for the child shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb: and he shall begin to save Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.” ​
6
Then the woman came and told her husband, saying, “A man of God came to me, and his face was like the face of the angel of God, very awesome; and I didn’t ask him where he was from, neither did he tell me his name: ​
7
but he said to me, ‘Behold, you shall conceive, and bear a son; and now drink no wine nor strong drink, and eat not any unclean thing; for the child shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb to the day of his death.’”

Manoah Requests Further Instruction

8
Then Manoah entreated the LORD, and said, “Oh, Lord, please let the man of God whom you did send come again to us, and teach us what we shall do to the child who shall be born.” ​
9
God listened to the voice of Manoah; and the angel of God came again to the woman as she sat in the field: but Manoah, her husband, wasn’t with her.
10
The woman made haste, and ran, and told her husband, and said to him, “Behold, the man has appeared to me, who came to me that day.”
11
Manoah arose, and went after his wife, and came to the man, and said to him, “Are you the man who spoke to the woman?” He said, “I am.”
12
Manoah said, “Now let your words happen. What shall the child’s way of life and mission be?”
13
the LORD’s angel said to Manoah, “Of all that I said to the woman let her beware. ​
14
She may not eat of anything that comes of the vine, neither let her drink wine or strong drink, nor eat any unclean thing; all that I commanded her let her observe.”

Manoah Offers a Sacrifice

15
Manoah said to the LORD’s angel, “Please, let us detain you, that we may make a young goat ready for you.”
16
the LORD’s angel said to Manoah, “Though you detain me, I won’t eat of your bread; and if you will prepare a burnt offering, you must offer it to the LORD.” For Manoah didn’t know that he was the LORD’s angel. ​
17
Manoah said to the LORD’s angel, “What is your name, that when your words happen, we may honor you?”
18
the LORD’s angel said to him, “Why do you ask about my name, since it is wonderful?” ​
19
So Manoah took the young goat with the meal offering, and offered it on the rock to the LORD. Then the angel did a wonderful thing as Manoah and his wife looked on.
20
For when the flame went up toward the sky from off the altar, the LORD’s angel ascended in the flame of the altar: and Manoah and his wife looked on; and they fell on their faces to the ground. ​
21
But the LORD’s angel didn’t appear to Manoah or to his wife any more. Then Manoah knew that he was the LORD’s angel.
22
Manoah said to his wife, “We shall surely die, because we have seen God.” ​
23
But his wife said to him, “If the LORD were pleased to kill us, he wouldn’t have received a burnt offering and a meal offering at our hand, neither would he have shown us all these things, nor would at this time have told such things as these.” ​

The Birth of Samson

24
The woman bore a son, and named him Samson: and the child grew, and the LORD blessed him.
25
The Spirit of the LORD began to move him in Mahaneh Dan, between Zorah and Eshtaol. ​

Study Notes for Judges 13

Verse 1

This verse initiates the final period of the Judges cycle, detailing the most prolonged oppression (40 years) under the Philistines, Israel’s powerful coastal enemy.

Verse 2

The motif of the barren woman (cf. Sarah, Rebekah, Hannah) establishes that Samson’s birth is solely due to divine intervention, highlighting his unique, pre-ordained role.

Verse 4

The restrictions (no wine, strong drink, or unclean food) apply to the mother during pregnancy to ensure the child adheres to the Nazirite vow (Num 6) from conception.

Verse 5

Samson is designated a lifelong Nazirite, symbolized by the uncut hair. His mission is significant but limited: he is only 'to begin' the process of deliverance from the Philistines.

Verse 6

The woman accurately perceives the visitor as a messenger of God, describing his appearance as 'terrible' or awe-inspiring, a typical description of divine manifestation.

Verse 8

Manoah’s prayer shows piety and responsibility toward the divine command, seeking clarity on how to raise a child dedicated to God.

Verse 13

The Angel repeats the specific instructions, emphasizing that the mother’s ritual purity is paramount, as her condition directly affects the child's Nazirite status.

Verse 16

The Angel directs the offering solely to Yahweh, refusing to accept the hospitality himself. This action sets up the revelation of the messenger's true divine identity.

Verse 18

The Hebrew word translated 'secret' or 'wonderful' (*peli*) is often associated with the divine nature or action (cf. Isaiah 9:6). The refusal to give a name confirms the messenger's transcendence.

Verse 20

The ascension in the flame serves as a definitive theophany, confirming that the messenger was indeed the Angel of the LORD (a manifestation of God himself).

Verse 22

Manoah reacts with conventional terror, reflecting the ancient Israelite belief that direct contact with the divine resulted in death (Exod 33:20).

Verse 23

The wife demonstrates superior theological insight, reasoning that God would not accept their offering or reveal his gracious plan if he intended to destroy them immediately.

Verse 25

This verse marks the initial manifestation of Samson’s supernatural strength. The 'Spirit of the LORD' is the source of his power, which begins to move him in specific instances.

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