Judges 13:10

KJV

And the woman made haste, and ran, and shewed her husband, and said unto him, Behold, the man hath appeared unto me, that came unto me the [other] day.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the woman {H802} made haste {H4116}, and ran {H7323}, and shewed {H5046} her husband {H376}, and said {H559} unto him, Behold, the man {H376} hath appeared {H7200} unto me, that came {H935} unto me the other day {H3117}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The woman hurried and ran to tell her husband, "Here! That man, the one who came to me the other day, he's come again!"

Berean Standard Bible

The woman ran quickly to tell her husband, “Behold, the man who came to me the other day has reappeared!”

American Standard Version

And the woman made haste, and ran, and told her husband, and said unto him, Behold, the man hath appeared unto me, that came unto me the other day.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 13:10 captures the immediate and urgent response of Manoah's wife upon the second appearance of the Angel of the Lord. Having just received renewed divine instruction concerning the miraculous birth and Nazirite vow of her future son, Samson, she "made haste, and ran" to inform her husband, Manoah. Her swift action underscores the profound significance of the divine visitation, confirming the extraordinary message and ensuring Manoah's direct encounter with the heavenly messenger, thereby solidifying their understanding and faith in God's unfolding plan.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 13:10 is a pivotal moment within the opening narrative of Samson's birth, serving as a direct consequence of Manoah's prayer in [Judges 13:8](/judges/13-8 "Manoah's Prayer for Instruction"). Earlier, the Angel of the Lord had appeared to Manoah's barren wife, announcing that she would conceive a son, Samson, who would be a Nazirite from birth and begin to deliver Israel from the Philistines ([Judges 13:3-5](/judges/13-3 "The First Angelic Appearance and Nazirite Vow")). Unaware of the Angel's divine identity, Manoah prayed for "the man of God" to return and provide further instruction. God answered this prayer, and in [Judges 13:9](/judges/13-9 "The Angel Reappears to the Woman"), the Angel appeared a second time to the wife while she was alone in the field. This verse captures her immediate and fervent reaction, ensuring that Manoah himself would receive the divine confirmation and instructions directly from the messenger. It sets the stage for Manoah's own encounter and the subsequent revelation of the Angel's true identity.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Judges depicts a cyclical pattern of Israel's apostasy, oppression by foreign powers, their cry to God, and God raising up a judge to deliver them. At this point, Israel was under the oppressive hand of the Philistines for forty years ([Judges 13:1](/judges/13-1 "Israel Oppressed by Philistines")). In ancient Israelite society, barrenness was often considered a great sorrow and even a reproach, as children were seen as a divine blessing and a continuation of the family line and covenant promises. Therefore, the announcement of a miraculous birth to a barren woman carried immense significance, echoing similar narratives like those of Sarah ([Genesis 18:10](/genesis/18-10 "Sarah's Promise of a Son")), Rebekah ([Genesis 25:21](/genesis/25-21 "Rebekah's Pregnancy")), and Hannah ([1_samuel/1-2](/1-samuel/1-2 "Hannah's Barrenness")). The cultural norm would necessitate the wife immediately informing her husband of such a profound and life-altering divine encounter, especially given the patriarchal structure where the husband would typically be the head of the household and responsible for understanding and implementing divine directives concerning the family.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several key themes within Judges 13 and the broader book. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Intervention and Initiative**, as God actively responds to Israel's oppression and Manoah's prayer by sending His messenger. Secondly, it underscores the theme of **Answered Prayer**, demonstrating God's attentiveness to the supplications of His people, even when their understanding of the divine messenger is incomplete. Thirdly, the **Crucial Role of the Unnamed Woman** is emphasized; despite being unnamed, she is the primary recipient of the divine message and the active agent ensuring its transmission to her husband, underscoring her faith and obedience. Finally, it sets the stage for the theme of **Preparation for a Deliverer**, as the detailed instructions concerning Samson's Nazirite vow and his future role are about to be reiterated and confirmed to both parents, initiating the process of Israel's deliverance from Philistine domination, as first stated in [Judges 13:5](/judges/13-5 "Samson's Future Role").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **haste (מיהר, _miher_):** This Hebrew verb denotes acting quickly, with urgency or speed. Its use here emphasizes the woman's immediate and unhesitating response to the Angel's reappearance. It conveys a sense of importance and eagerness to convey the momentous news.
* **ran (רוץ, _ruts_):** This verb signifies running, often with purpose or intensity. Paired with "made haste," it vividly portrays the physical exertion and determination of the woman to reach her husband without delay. It highlights her fervent desire to share the divine confirmation.
* **the man (האיש, _ha'ish_):** This refers to the Angel of the Lord, whom the woman and Manoah initially perceive as a human messenger or prophet, as seen in [Judges 13:6](/judges/13-6 "The Woman's Description of the Man of God"). Their understanding of his true divine identity only develops later in the narrative, culminating in the Angel's miraculous ascension in the flame ([Judges 13:20-21](/judges/13-20 "The Angel Ascends")). The use of "the man" here underscores their initial human perception of a divine being.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the woman made haste, and ran, and shewed her husband":** This opening clause vividly portrays the woman's immediate and urgent reaction to the Angel's second appearance. Her actions—making haste and running—demonstrate the profound impact of the divine encounter and her recognition of its critical importance. She does not delay but prioritizes sharing this momentous news with her husband, Manoah, who had specifically prayed for the "man of God" to return. This highlights her obedience and her understanding of the need for both parents to be fully informed and aligned in this divine matter.
* **"and said unto him, Behold, the man hath appeared unto me":** Upon reaching Manoah, the woman immediately declares the purpose of her urgent journey. The exclamation "Behold!" (הנה, _hinneh_) serves to draw Manoah's full attention to the extraordinary event she is about to describe. Her direct statement confirms that the very messenger Manoah had prayed for has indeed returned, validating his prayer and God's faithfulness. This direct address sets the stage for Manoah's own encounter and the subsequent confirmation of the divine message.
* **"that came unto me the [other] day":** This concluding phrase explicitly connects the current visitation to the initial appearance of the Angel. By identifying the messenger as the same individual who came "the other day" ([Judges 13:3](/judges/13-3 "The First Angelic Visit")), the woman establishes the continuity and consistency of the divine message. This linkage is crucial for Manoah's understanding and belief, ensuring that he recognizes the divine hand at work and prepares him to receive further instruction from the same heavenly messenger.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs several **Literary Devices** to convey its message. The use of **Action Verbs** such as "made haste," "ran," and "shewed" creates a sense of urgency and immediacy, vividly portraying the woman's fervent response to the divine encounter. This rapid sequence of actions emphasizes the profound impact of the Angel's reappearance and her recognition of its critical importance. Furthermore, there is an element of **Repetition** in the Angel's appearance, which serves to confirm and underscore the divine message. The second visitation, prompted by Manoah's prayer, reinforces the authenticity and significance of the promise concerning Samson's birth. The narrative also employs **Foreshadowing**, as the woman's urgent report and the Angel's return set the stage for Manoah's direct encounter and the subsequent, more detailed revelation of the Nazirite vow and Samson's future role as a deliverer, building anticipation for the unfolding divine plan.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 13:10 powerfully illustrates God's faithfulness in responding to the prayers of His people and His meticulous preparation for His redemptive purposes. The woman's immediate and obedient response to the divine messenger serves as a model of how believers should receive and act upon God's word, recognizing its urgency and importance. This verse also highlights the often-overlooked yet crucial role of individuals, even those unnamed, in God's grand narrative. Her swift action ensures that the divine message is fully conveyed and confirmed to both parents, laying the foundational understanding for Samson's unique calling. It underscores that God's plans are often unfolded incrementally, requiring attentiveness and active participation from His chosen instruments.

* [Genesis 18:1-15](/genesis/18-1 "Abraham and Sarah's Angelic Visit")
* [Luke 1:11-20](/luke/1-11 "Zacharias and Gabriel")
* [Hebrews 1:14](/hebrews/1-14 "Angels as Ministering Spirits")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The woman's response in Judges 13:10 offers a profound lesson for contemporary believers: the importance of immediate and decisive action when God speaks or acts in our lives. Her "haste" and "running" are not merely physical acts but reflections of a heart that recognizes the weight and wonder of a divine encounter. In a world often characterized by delay, doubt, or distraction, her example calls us to cultivate a spiritual attentiveness that prompts swift obedience. Furthermore, her eagerness to share this profound spiritual experience with her husband underscores the value of communal faith and mutual encouragement within the family or body of Christ. Significant spiritual encounters are not meant to be hoarded but shared, strengthening the faith of others and confirming God's active presence. This verse also serves as a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness in answering prayer, even in unexpected ways or through unexpected messengers, inviting us to trust in His timing and His perfect plan for our lives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the woman's immediate response challenge our own tendency to delay or doubt when God seems to be speaking or acting in our lives?**
* **In what ways can we better share our significant spiritual encounters and divine confirmations with those around us, strengthening collective faith and providing mutual encouragement?**
* **What does this account teach us about God's faithfulness in answering prayer, even when the answer comes in unexpected ways or through seemingly ordinary messengers?**

### FAQ

**Why is the woman unnamed in this significant narrative?**

Answer: While the woman plays a central and active role in the narrative of Samson's birth, her being unnamed is common in biblical accounts where the focus is less on individual renown and more on the fulfillment of God's purposes through a lineage or a specific role. In this case, she is identified primarily as "Manoah's wife," emphasizing her connection to the family line through which the promised deliverer, Samson, will come. Her actions—her faith, her immediate obedience, and her role as the primary recipient and conveyor of the divine message—are highlighted more than her personal identity. This approach often serves to magnify God's initiative and faithfulness, demonstrating that He can use anyone, named or unnamed, to accomplish His sovereign will.

**What is the significance of the Angel of the Lord appearing twice to Manoah's wife?**

Answer: The Angel of the Lord's dual appearances carry significant theological weight. The first appearance ([Judges 13:3](/judges/13-3 "The First Angelic Appearance")) delivers the initial, astonishing news of Samson's impending birth and Nazirite vow. The second appearance, directly prompted by Manoah's prayer for further instruction ([Judges 13:8](/judges/13-8 "Manoah's Prayer")), serves as a divine confirmation and reassurance. It demonstrates God's attentiveness to His people's prayers and His patience in providing clarity and certainty. This repetition underscores the extraordinary nature of the message and the importance of the Nazirite vow. It also ensures that both parents receive the instructions directly from the divine messenger, solidifying their understanding and faith in the miraculous birth and Samson's unique calling to begin Israel's deliverance from the Philistines.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Judges 13:10, with its focus on a divine announcement of a miraculous birth for a specific redemptive purpose, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "Angel of the Lord" who appears to Manoah's wife is often understood by scholars to be a pre-incarnate manifestation of Christ Himself, a visible appearance of the second person of the Trinity, foreshadowing His eventual coming in human flesh. Just as Samson's birth was announced by a divine messenger to a barren woman, signifying God's direct intervention in human history to raise up a deliverer, so too was the birth of Jesus announced by the angel Gabriel to the virgin Mary ([Luke 1:26-35](/luke/1-26 "The Annunciation to Mary")) and to Joseph ([Matthew 1:20-21](/matthew/1-20 "The Angel's Announcement to Joseph")), signaling the ultimate divine intervention. While Samson was a flawed deliverer who *began* to save Israel, he ultimately points to Jesus, the perfect and ultimate Deliverer, who came not merely to deliver Israel from a physical oppressor but to deliver all humanity from the bondage of sin and death ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "Jesus, the Lamb of God")). The miraculous nature of Samson's conception and birth, initiated by divine power, prefigures the unique virgin birth of Christ, who is truly God incarnate ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "The Word Became Flesh")). Thus, Judges 13:10, with its emphasis on divine communication and the preparation for a divinely appointed deliverer, serves as a shadow pointing to the glorious reality of God's ultimate self-revelation and redemptive work in Jesus Christ, the true "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" ([Isaiah 9:6](/isaiah/9-6 "A Child is Born")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

John 1:41

He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.

John 1:42

And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.

John 4:28

The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men,

John 4:29

Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?