Judges 13:2

And there was a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name [was] Manoah; and his wife [was] barren, and bare not.

And there was a certain {H259} man {H376} of Zorah {H6881}, of the family {H4940} of the Danites {H1839}, whose name {H8034} was Manoah {H4495}; and his wife {H802} was barren {H6135}, and bare {H3205} not.

There was a man from Tzor'ah from the family of Dan, whose name was Manoach; his wife was barren, childless.

Now there was a man from Zorah named Manoah, from the clan of the Danites, whose wife was barren and had no children.

And there was a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren, and bare not.

Commentary

Judges 13:2 introduces the parents of one of Israel's most famous, yet complex, judges: Samson. This seemingly simple verse sets the stage for a miraculous intervention by God, highlighting His sovereignty even in times of national decline.

Context

This verse opens the narrative of Samson, placing it within the tumultuous period of the Judges, a time characterized by cycles of apostasy, oppression, and deliverance. Manoah, a man from Zorah, a town in the territory of the tribe of Danites, is introduced. The detail that his wife "was barren, and bare not" is crucial. In ancient Israelite society, barrenness was often a source of great sorrow and social stigma, and it frequently served as a biblical motif to emphasize a future divine intervention and miraculous birth, underscoring that the child's existence was purely a gift from God, not a natural outcome.

Key Themes

  • Divine Intervention and Providence: The barrenness of Manoah's wife immediately signals that the birth of their son will be an act of God's direct will, not a natural occurrence. This pattern is consistent with other significant births in biblical history, preparing the reader for a child with a unique destiny.
  • Hope in Despair: The state of barrenness represents a human impossibility, yet it becomes the very ground upon which God demonstrates His power and faithfulness. It foreshadows the hope that God brings into seemingly hopeless situations, both for individuals and for the nation of Israel under Philistine oppression.
  • Preparation for a Special Purpose: By detailing the parents and their marital status, the narrative prepares the audience for the arrival of a Nazirite, a figure consecrated to God from birth, whose life would be dedicated to God's specific plan for Israel's deliverance.

Linguistic Insights

The name Manoah (Hebrew: מָנוֹחַ, Manoach) means "rest" or "resting place." This is somewhat ironic, given the restless and often chaotic life of his son, Samson. The Hebrew word for barren (עֲקָרָה, 'aqarah) is used consistently throughout the Old Testament to describe women who are unable to conceive, setting the stage for divine intervention.

Related Scriptures

The theme of a barren woman giving birth to a divinely appointed child is a recurring motif in Scripture, underscoring God's power to work supernaturally. This echoes the stories of:

These narratives consistently highlight God's ability to bring life and purpose out of human limitation.

Practical Application

Judges 13:2 serves as a powerful reminder that God's plans are not contingent on human abilities or natural circumstances. Even in situations that appear hopeless or impossible, God can intervene miraculously to accomplish His purposes. For believers today, this verse offers encouragement that personal or societal barrenness – whether literal, spiritual, or circumstantial – can be the very point where God chooses to display His greatest power and bring forth something new and significant. It calls us to trust in God's sovereignty and timing, even when our circumstances seem to defy hope.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Joshua 19:41 (8 votes)

    And the coast of their inheritance was Zorah, and Eshtaol, and Irshemesh,

  • Genesis 25:21 (7 votes)

    And Isaac intreated the LORD for his wife, because she [was] barren: and the LORD was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.

  • Luke 1:7 (7 votes)

    And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were [now] well stricken in years.

  • Joshua 15:33 (7 votes)

    [And] in the valley, Eshtaol, and Zoreah, and Ashnah,

  • Genesis 16:1 (5 votes)

    ¶ Now Sarai Abram's wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name [was] Hagar.

  • 1 Samuel 1:2 (5 votes)

    And he had two wives; the name of the one [was] Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah: and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.

  • 1 Samuel 1:6 (5 votes)

    And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb.