Judges 13:3

KJV

And the angel of the LORD appeared unto the woman, and said unto her, Behold now, thou [art] barren, and bearest not: but thou shalt conceive, and bear a son.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the angel {H4397} of the LORD {H3068} appeared {H7200} unto the woman {H802}, and said {H559} unto her, Behold now, thou art barren {H6135}, and bearest {H3205} not: but thou shalt conceive {H2029}, and bear {H3205} a son {H1121}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The angel of ADONAI appeared to the woman and said to her, "Listen! You are barren, you haven't had a child, but you will conceive and bear a son.

Berean Standard Bible

The angel of the LORD appeared to the woman and said to her, “It is true that you are barren and have no children; but you will conceive and give birth to a son.

American Standard Version

And the angel of Jehovah appeared unto the woman, and said unto her, Behold now, thou art barren, and bearest not; but thou shalt conceive, and bear a son.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 13:3 marks the divine initiation of Samson's story, as the Angel of the LORD appears to Manoah's previously barren wife, announcing a miraculous conception and the birth of a son. This pivotal moment underscores God's sovereign intervention in human affairs, even amidst Israel's spiritual decline and oppression under the Philistines, setting the stage for a divinely appointed deliverer to begin the salvation of His people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 13:3 is situated within the cyclical narrative of the Book of Judges, which consistently portrays Israel's pattern of apostasy, divine judgment through foreign oppression, their cry for deliverance, and God raising up a judge. Chapter 13 specifically introduces the final major judge, Samson, whose story marks the beginning of Israel's deliverance from forty years of Philistine domination, as noted in [Judges 13:1](/judges/13-1 "Judges 13:1 - Israel's Oppression by the Philistines"). This verse, therefore, serves as the divine catalyst for the entire Samson narrative, establishing his miraculous origins as a sign of God's direct involvement in His people's history, despite their persistent disobedience. It is a direct divine intervention, bypassing human expectation and initiating a new phase of God's redemptive plan.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** At the time of Judges 13, Israel had been under Philistine rule for four decades, a period characterized by significant oppression and loss of autonomy. The Philistines were a formidable maritime people, technologically advanced (especially in ironworking, giving them military superiority), and culturally distinct from the Israelites. Within this context of national subjugation, the personal state of barrenness for Manoah's wife carried immense cultural and theological weight. In ancient Israelite society, childlessness was often perceived as a sign of divine disfavor, bringing shame and sorrow to a woman and her family. The miraculous conception of a child to a barren woman, therefore, was a powerful demonstration of God's power over natural limitations and His active involvement in human lives, often preceding the birth of a figure of great significance in salvation history, as seen in other biblical narratives.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully introduces several foundational themes prevalent throughout Judges and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Sovereignty and Intervention**, demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to His covenant people, even when they are unfaithful. The appearance of the Angel of the LORD signifies God's direct initiative in raising a deliverer for Israel, despite their spiritual decline. Secondly, the motif of **Overcoming Barrenness** is central, emphasizing God's power to transcend natural limitations and bring life out of seemingly impossible situations. This theme underscores that the coming son is a divine gift, not a human achievement, setting him apart for a special purpose. This miraculous birth also foreshadows the **Promise of a Deliverer**, indicating that God's plan for salvation is unfolding, even if through unconventional means and flawed instruments, as Samson's life would later demonstrate, beginning the process of delivering Israel from the Philistines (cf. [Judges 13:5](/judges/13-5 "Judges 13:5 - The Angel's Instructions for Samson's Nazirite Vow")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Angel of the LORD (Hebrew, _malakh Yahweh'_):** This recurring and significant title in the Old Testament refers to a divine messenger, often interpreted as a theophany or a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ. The figure consistently speaks with divine authority, sometimes receives worship, and is indistinguishable from God Himself in action and speech (e.g., [Judges 6:12-14](/judges/6-12 "Judges 6:12-14 - The Angel of the LORD Appears to Gideon")). In Judges 13:3, this appearance signifies God's direct, personal, and authoritative communication, emphasizing the divine origin and importance of the message.
* **Barren (Hebrew, _'aqarah'_):** This word starkly describes Manoah's wife's natural inability to bear children. Its inclusion is crucial, as it sets the stage for a truly miraculous intervention. In the ancient Near East, barrenness was a source of great sorrow and social stigma. The divine declaration of her barrenness immediately preceding the promise of conception highlights God's power to reverse human limitations and to bring forth life where it is naturally impossible, thereby magnifying the miracle and underscoring the divine origin of the promised son.
* **Conceive (Hebrew, _harah'_):** This verb signifies the act of becoming pregnant. In the context of a woman explicitly stated to be "barren," this word points directly to a supernatural act of creation and life-giving. It is not a natural conception but a divinely initiated one, emphasizing that the son to be born is a direct gift from God, intended for a specific, holy purpose.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the angel of the LORD appeared unto the woman":** This opening clause establishes the divine initiative and the supernatural nature of the event. The "Angel of the LORD" signifies God's direct presence and communication. The recipient, "the woman" (Manoah's wife, unnamed in the text), highlights that God's choice is sovereign and not based on human prominence or merit, but on His divine plan for Israel's deliverance.
* **"and said unto her, Behold now, thou [art] barren, and bearest not":** This part of the message confirms the woman's current, desperate state. The phrase "Behold now" (or "Indeed" in some translations) emphasizes the undeniable reality of her barrenness, underscoring the natural impossibility of her conceiving. This stark declaration serves to magnify the miraculous nature of the subsequent promise, making it clear that the coming conception is entirely God's doing, not a result of human effort or change in natural circumstances.
* **"but thou shalt conceive, and bear a son":** This is the core of the divine promise, a direct reversal of her barren condition. The future tense "shalt conceive, and bear" conveys a definite, divinely ordained outcome. The specific mention of "a son" indicates the gender and purpose of the child, who will be Samson, the one destined to "begin to save Israel out of the hand of the Philistines" (cf. [Judges 13:5](/judges/13-5 "Judges 13:5 - The Angel's Instructions for Samson's Nazirite Vow")). This promise brings hope and marks the beginning of God's redemptive work through a new generation.

#### Literary Devices
Judges 13:3 employs several powerful literary devices. The most prominent is **Divine Announcement**, where a supernatural being directly communicates God's will and future plans to a human recipient. This device immediately establishes the extraordinary nature of the event and the divine origin of Samson's life and mission. There is also clear **Foreshadowing**, as the miraculous birth of a son to a barren woman immediately signals that this child will be significant, destined for a special purpose, and will play a crucial role in God's plan for Israel. Furthermore, a subtle **Irony** is present: Israel is oppressed and in a state of spiritual barrenness, yet God chooses a physically barren woman to bring forth their deliverer, highlighting God's ability to work through weakness and seemingly impossible situations. The entire scene is a form of **Theophany**, or a manifestation of God, through the Angel of the LORD, underscoring the direct and personal involvement of the Almighty in the unfolding human drama.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 13:3 is a profound testament to God's unwavering sovereignty and faithfulness, even when His people are in deep spiritual apostasy. The appearance of the Angel of the LORD to a barren woman, announcing a miraculous birth, is a recurring motif in biblical history, consistently highlighting that God's redemptive plan is initiated and sustained by His divine power, not by human ability or merit. This pattern underscores that the most significant figures in salvation history are often born through supernatural intervention, demonstrating that their lives and ministries are divinely appointed and empowered. It emphasizes that God works through the impossible to reveal His glory and to fulfill His covenant promises, bringing hope and deliverance in moments of human despair and national crisis.

* [Genesis 18:10](/genesis/18-10 "Genesis 18:10 - Sarah's Miraculous Conception")
* [1 Samuel 1:27](/1_samuel/1-27 "1 Samuel 1:27 - Hannah's Prayer and Samuel's Birth")
* [Luke 1:7](/luke/1-7 "Luke 1:7 - Elizabeth's Barrenness and John the Baptist's Birth")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Judges 13:3 offers profound encouragement and insight for contemporary believers. Just as God intervened in the naturally impossible situation of Manoah's wife, He remains sovereign over all circumstances, capable of bringing forth life and purpose from what appears to be barren or hopeless. This verse reminds us that God's timing and methods often defy human expectation, and His power transcends our limitations. It calls us to cultivate a deep trust in His divine plan, even when our personal or communal circumstances seem bleak or without a clear path forward. Moreover, the divine initiative in announcing Samson's birth reminds us that God is actively involved in raising up individuals for His purposes, often preparing them in unique and unexpected ways. We are invited to discern and align ourselves with His will, recognizing that His hand is at work even in the most challenging seasons of life, bringing forth new beginnings and fulfilling His redemptive purposes through His chosen instruments.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's intervention in seemingly impossible situations, like barrenness, encourage your faith in areas of your life that feel "barren" or hopeless?**
* **What does the divine initiative in Judges 13:3 teach us about God's faithfulness to His people, even when they are in spiritual decline?**
* **In what ways might God be preparing you or others for a specific purpose, even if the path is unconventional or unexpected?**

### FAQ

**Who was "the woman" mentioned in Judges 13:3?**

Answer: The woman mentioned in Judges 13:3 is Manoah's wife, though she remains unnamed throughout the biblical text. Her anonymity emphasizes God's sovereign choice and initiative in the miraculous conception, rather than focusing on her personal identity. Her barrenness is the key characteristic highlighted, setting the stage for God's power to be displayed.

**What is the significance of "the angel of the LORD" in this verse?**

Answer: The "Angel of the LORD" (Hebrew: _malakh Yahweh_) is a highly significant figure in the Old Testament, often understood by theologians as a theophany, or a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ. This figure consistently speaks and acts with divine authority, sometimes even receiving worship, as seen in other encounters like the one with Gideon in [Judges 6:12](/judges/6-12 "Judges 6:12 - The Angel of the LORD Appears to Gideon"). In Judges 13:3, the Angel's appearance underscores that the announcement of Samson's birth is not merely a message from a created being, but a direct, authoritative word from God Himself, initiating His divine plan for Israel's deliverance.

**Why is barrenness such a recurring theme in the Bible, especially before the birth of significant figures?**

Answer: The theme of barrenness, followed by miraculous conception, is a powerful motif throughout the Bible because it consistently highlights God's supernatural power and His ability to bring life out of impossible situations. It underscores that the child born is a divine gift, not a natural outcome, thus emphasizing God's sovereignty and the special, divinely appointed purpose of the individual. Examples include [Sarah](/genesis/18-10 "Genesis 18:10 - Sarah's Miraculous Conception") (mother of Isaac), [Hannah](/1_samuel/1-27 "1 Samuel 1:27 - Hannah's Prayer and Samuel's Birth"), and [Elizabeth](/luke/1-7 "Luke 1:7 - Elizabeth's Barrenness and John the Baptist's Birth") (mother of John the Baptist). In each case, human inability makes God's miraculous intervention and faithfulness more evident, preparing the way for a pivotal figure in salvation history.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Judges 13:3, with its announcement of a miraculous birth to a barren woman by the Angel of the LORD, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "Angel of the LORD," often understood as a pre-incarnate manifestation of Christ, foreshadows God's ultimate self-revelation and intervention in human history through His Son. Just as Samson's birth was miraculous and divinely purposed to begin Israel's deliverance from the Philistines, so too was Jesus' birth miraculous, conceived by the Holy Spirit in the virgin Mary, as announced by an angel in [Luke 1:34-35](/luke/1-34 "Luke 1:34-35 - The Annunciation to Mary"). This unparalleled birth signifies His divine origin and unique mission. While Samson's deliverance was partial and flawed, Jesus is the perfect and ultimate Deliverer, born not to save Israel from a physical enemy, but to "save his people from their sins" ([Matthew 1:21](/matthew/1-21 "Matthew 1:21 - Jesus Will Save His People from Their Sins")). He is the true "Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), conquering sin, death, and the devil ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Jesus' Victory Over Death")), thereby bringing about a complete and eternal salvation that far surpasses any temporary rescue achieved by the judges.

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

Luke 1:13

But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.

Luke 1:11

And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.

Judges 13:8

¶ Then Manoah intreated the LORD, and said, O my Lord, let the man of God which thou didst send come again unto us, and teach us what we shall do unto the child that shall be born.

Judges 2:1

¶ And an angel of the LORD came up from Gilgal to Bochim, and said, I made you to go up out of Egypt, and have brought you unto the land which I sware unto your fathers; and I said, I will never break my covenant with you.

Judges 6:11

¶ And there came an angel of the LORD, and sat under an oak which [was] in Ophrah, that [pertained] unto Joash the Abiezrite: and his son Gideon threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide [it] from the Midianites.

Judges 6:12

And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him, and said unto him, The LORD [is] with thee, thou mighty man of valour.

Genesis 18:10

And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard [it] in the tent door, which [was] behind him.