Judges 13:4

KJV

Now therefore beware, I pray thee, and drink not wine nor strong drink, and eat not any unclean [thing]:

KJV (with Strong's)

Now therefore beware {H8104}, I pray thee, and drink {H8354} not wine {H3196} nor strong drink {H7941}, and eat {H398} not any unclean {H2931} thing:

Complete Jewish Bible

Now, therefore, be careful not to drink any wine or other intoxicating liquor, and don't eat anything unclean.

Berean Standard Bible

Now please be careful not to drink wine or strong drink, and not to eat anything unclean.

American Standard Version

Now therefore beware, I pray thee, and drink no wine nor strong drink, and eat not any unclean thing:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 13:4 conveys a direct divine injunction from the Angel of the Lord to Manoah's barren wife, detailing crucial dietary and lifestyle restrictions she must scrupulously observe throughout her miraculous pregnancy. These prohibitions—abstinence from wine, strong drink, and any unclean thing—are not merely health recommendations but sacred preparations, meticulously setting the stage for Samson's unique calling as a Nazirite consecrated to God from birth, destined to initiate Israel's deliverance from the oppressive Philistines.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 13:4 is an integral component of the annunciation narrative concerning Samson's birth, immediately following the Angel of the Lord's astonishing declaration to Manoah's wife that, despite her barrenness, she would conceive a son [Judges 13:3](/judges/13-3 "Judges 13:3 - The Angel's Announcement to Manoah's Wife"). This verse initiates the specific divine instructions regarding the mother's conduct during pregnancy, which directly impacts the child's future and pre-ordained status. The subsequent verses detail Manoah's earnest interaction with the Angel, seeking confirmation and further instruction, thereby underscoring the gravity and specificity of these divine commands. The narrative here powerfully establishes Samson's miraculous conception and his pre-ordained destiny as a deliverer, contrasting sharply with the recurring cycles of apostasy and foreign oppression described in the preceding chapters of [Judges](/judges/1 "The Book of Judges - Cycles of Disobedience and Deliverance").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of the Judges was marked by a cyclical pattern of Israelite apostasy, divine judgment often manifested through foreign oppression (in this instance, by the powerful Philistines), and God's merciful raising up of deliverers. The Philistines, a formidable maritime people, had established significant control over Israelite territories, particularly in the southern plains. The instructions in Judges 13:4, especially the prohibitions against wine and unclean things, directly parallel key elements of the Nazirite vow detailed in [Numbers 6](/numbers/6 "Numbers 6 - The Laws of the Nazirite Vow"). While typically a voluntary vow undertaken for a set period, Samson was to be a Nazirite "from the womb" [Judges 13:5](/judges/13-5 "Judges 13:5 - Samson, a Nazirite from Birth"), a unique and divinely imposed consecration. This cultural practice of setting individuals apart for God's service, often involving ascetic disciplines, was deeply understood by the Israelites as a profound sign of special devotion and divine favor, highlighting the extraordinary nature of Samson's calling.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several foundational themes within the book of Judges and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Initiative and Sovereignty**, as God orchestrates Samson's birth and calling despite human barrenness and the nation's spiritual decline, demonstrating His active involvement in history. Secondly, it emphasizes **Consecration and Separation**, establishing Samson's unique status as "set apart" for God's specific purpose, a theme central to the Nazirite vow and Israel's identity as a holy nation [Exodus 19:6](/exodus/19-6 "Exodus 19:6 - Israel as a Kingdom of Priests and a Holy Nation"). Thirdly, it underscores the theme of **Holiness and Purity**, as the mother's adherence to these strict dietary and lifestyle restrictions reflects the sanctity required for the divine mission and the preparation of a vessel for God's work. This pre-natal consecration foreshadows Samson's future role as a deliverer, even though his later life would tragically demonstrate significant personal failures.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Beware (Hebrew, _shâmar'_):** Derived from a primitive root meaning "to hedge about," this imperative verb signifies a diligent guarding or protecting. It conveys a strong command to "be circumspect" and "take heed," emphasizing the mother's crucial responsibility to observe the coming instructions with utmost care. This term underscores the sacred nature of her pregnancy, implying a conscious act of protecting herself and the child in light of God's specific purpose.
* **Strong drink (Hebrew, _shêkâr'_):** This term refers to "an intoxicant, i.e. intensely alcoholic liquor," distinct from grape wine but encompassing any other fermented beverage (e.g., from grains or dates). Its inclusion alongside "wine" signifies a comprehensive prohibition against all intoxicating substances. This complete abstinence was a defining characteristic of the Nazirite vow, indicating that the mother was to observe a Nazirite-like discipline during her pregnancy, ensuring the child's pre-natal consecration.
* **Unclean (Hebrew, _ṭâmêʼ_):** Originating from a root meaning "foul in a religious sense," this adjective denotes anything ritually "defiled" or "polluted" according to Mosaic Law. The prohibition against eating any "unclean thing" (like certain animals or contact with impurities) ensured the mother maintained a state of ceremonial purity. This stricture reflected the sanctity of her pregnancy and the child's destiny as a consecrated servant of God, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of the divine requirements.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Now therefore beware, I pray thee":** This opening phrase establishes the solemnity, urgency, and personal nature of the divine command. The imperative "beware" (from _shâmar'_) is a direct, emphatic instruction for the mother to exercise extreme caution and diligence in observing the forthcoming prohibitions. The "I pray thee" (or "please") softens the command slightly, yet reinforces its importance as a personal plea from the divine messenger, highlighting the mother's active and crucial role in the sacred preparation of her child.
* **"and drink not wine nor strong drink":** This clause specifies the first set of prohibitions, directly mirroring the Nazirite vow's abstinence from grape products and all intoxicating beverages. This stricture emphasizes purity, self-control, and separation from common indulgences, signifying a state of consecration. For the mother, this was not merely for her physical health, but primarily to ensure the child in her womb was not exposed to anything that would compromise his divinely appointed Nazirite status from conception.
* **"and eat not any unclean [thing]:"** This final clause broadens the scope of the dietary restrictions to include anything deemed ritually impure under Mosaic Law. This prohibition reinforces the overarching theme of holiness and ceremonial purity, ensuring that the mother's body, which was housing the specially consecrated child, remained undefiled. It underscores the comprehensive and meticulous nature of the divine requirements for Samson's unique calling, extending even to the mother's personal diet and lifestyle.

#### Literary Devices
Judges 13:4 employs several significant literary devices to convey its profound message. **Divine Command** is central, as the Angel of the Lord issues direct, authoritative instructions, underscoring God's active involvement in human affairs and His meticulous planning for Samson's life. The subtle use of **Repetition** (implied through the subsequent questions from Manoah and the Angel's reiteration of the instructions in [Judges 13:14](/judges/13-14 "Judges 13:14 - The Angel's Reiteration of Instructions")) emphasizes the critical importance and non-negotiable nature of these specific prohibitions. The verse also functions as **Foreshadowing**, as the Nazirite-like restrictions placed on the mother directly prefigure Samson's own Nazirite status from birth, setting up the expectations for his life of separation and divine power, which will later be dramatically challenged by his personal choices and failures. Furthermore, the detailed dietary restrictions serve as **Symbolism**, representing a broader call to holiness, purity, and complete devotion to God, not just for Samson but for the entire nation of Israel.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 13:4 is deeply interwoven with the biblical themes of divine election, covenantal faithfulness, and the nature of holiness. The specific instructions given to Samson's mother underscore God's sovereign choice and meticulous preparation of individuals for His purposes, even before their birth. This pre-natal consecration, mirroring the Nazirite vow, serves as a powerful symbol of being "set apart" for God, a concept central to Israel's identity as a holy nation called to reflect God's character to the world. It highlights that true holiness involves not just internal piety but also external practices that distinguish God's people from the surrounding cultures, demonstrating a comprehensive commitment. The mother's obedience to these strictures becomes an act of faith and participation in God's redemptive plan, demonstrating that human cooperation, even in seemingly small acts of discipline, can have profound spiritual implications for future generations and the unfolding of divine purposes.

* [Numbers 6:1-8](/numbers/6-1-8 "Numbers 6:1-8 - The Laws of the Nazirite Vow")
* [Leviticus 11:44-47](/leviticus/11-44-47 "Leviticus 11:44-47 - Be Holy, for I Am Holy")
* [Jeremiah 1:5](/jeremiah/1-5 "Jeremiah 1:5 - Jeremiah Called from the Womb")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Judges 13:4 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers, extending beyond the specific context of a Nazirite vow. It challenges us to consider the intentionality and disciplined choices required for a life consecrated to God. Just as Samson's mother was called to a specific lifestyle to prepare for a divine purpose, we are invited to examine our own choices—what we consume, what influences we allow into our lives, and how we steward our bodies—as acts of worship and preparation for God's work in and through us. This verse reminds us that holiness is not merely an abstract theological concept but a practical, daily commitment that impacts our physical and spiritual well-being, and potentially, the spiritual legacy we leave for others. It encourages a proactive approach to purity and self-control, recognizing that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and that our lives are meant to glorify God in every aspect, reflecting His character in a world that desperately needs to see it.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might God be calling me to a greater degree of "separation" or "consecration" for His specific purposes?**
* **How do my daily choices, particularly regarding what I "consume" (physically, mentally, spiritually), contribute to or detract from my walk of holiness and my availability for God's work?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a more disciplined and intentional life that honors God, even in seemingly small details of my daily routine?**
* **How does the concept of parental influence and spiritual stewardship in this verse challenge or encourage my role in shaping the spiritual well-being of future generations, whether my own children or others I influence?**

### FAQ

**Why were these specific dietary restrictions so important for Samson's mother?**

Answer: These specific dietary restrictions were crucial because they mirrored the core elements of the Nazirite vow, a special commitment of devotion to the Lord outlined in [Numbers 6](/numbers/6 "Numbers 6 - The Laws of the Nazirite Vow"). While typically a voluntary vow undertaken for a set period, Samson was to be a Nazirite from birth [Judges 13:5](/judges/13-5 "Judges 13:5 - Samson, a Nazirite from Birth"), divinely set apart for God's special purpose as a deliverer of Israel. The mother's adherence to these prohibitions (abstinence from wine and strong drink, and from unclean foods) ensured that the child in her womb was consecrated and remained ritually pure from conception, reflecting his unique, divinely appointed status and destiny. It underscored the sanctity of his calling and God's meticulous preparation for His chosen vessel, emphasizing that the mother's physical state directly impacted the child's spiritual consecration.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Judges 13:4, with its profound emphasis on consecration, purity, and a life set apart, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While Samson was a Nazirite by divine decree, pointing to Israel's desperate need for a deliverer, he ultimately fell short of the vow's full implications due to his own personal failures and disobedience. Jesus, however, is the perfect and eternal Nazirite, the one truly "set apart" and consecrated to God from the womb, not by external dietary restrictions, but by His inherent sinlessness, perfect obedience, and divine nature. He is the ultimate [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), perfectly fulfilling all righteousness and offering Himself as the spotless sacrifice for humanity's sin. Through His atoning work, believers are now made holy and consecrated in Him [Hebrews 10:10](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10 - Sanctified Through Christ's Sacrifice"). We are called not to a legalistic observance of Old Testament dietary laws, but to a spiritual separation from the world's defilements, living lives of purity and devotion empowered by the Holy Spirit [2 Corinthians 6:17-18](/2_corinthians/6-17-18 "2 Corinthians 6:17-18 - Come Out From Among Them"). Christ is our true holiness and the very source of our ability to live a life pleasing to God, making us a "royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession" [1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Chosen Race, a Royal Priesthood").

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 1:15

For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.

Judges 13:14

She may not eat of any [thing] that cometh of the vine, neither let her drink wine or strong drink, nor eat any unclean [thing]: all that I commanded her let her observe.

Numbers 6:2

Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When either man or woman shall separate [themselves] to vow a vow of a Nazarite, to separate [themselves] unto the LORD:

Numbers 6:3

He shall separate [himself] from wine and strong drink, and shall drink no vinegar of wine, or vinegar of strong drink, neither shall he drink any liquor of grapes, nor eat moist grapes, or dried.

Judges 13:7

But he said unto me, Behold, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and now drink no wine nor strong drink, neither eat any unclean [thing]: for the child shall be a Nazarite to God from the womb to the day of his death.

Leviticus 11:47

To make a difference between the unclean and the clean, and between the beast that may be eaten and the beast that may not be eaten.

Acts 10:14

But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.