Judges 13:7

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

But he said {H559} unto me, Behold, thou shalt conceive {H2030}, and bear {H3205} a son {H1121}; and now drink {H7941} no wine {H3196} nor strong drink {H8354}, neither eat {H398} any unclean {H2932} thing: for the child {H5288} shall be a Nazarite {H5139} to God {H430} from the womb {H990} to the day {H3117} of his death {H4194}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But he said to me, 'Listen! You will conceive and bear a son, so now don't drink any wine or other intoxicating liquor, and don't eat anything unclean, because the child will be a nazir for God from the womb until the day he dies.'"

Berean Standard Bible

But he said to me, ‘Behold, you will conceive and give birth to a son. Now, therefore, do not drink wine or strong drink, and do not eat anything unclean, because the boy will be a Nazirite to God from the womb until the day of his death.’”

American Standard Version

but he said unto me, Behold, thou shalt 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 unto God from the womb to the day of his death.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 13:7 records the Angel of the Lord's second appearance to Manoah's barren wife, reiterating and expanding the divine decree concerning the son she is miraculously to conceive. This pivotal verse establishes the child's lifelong dedication as a Nazarite to God from birth, setting the stage for his unique role as Israel's deliverer from Philistine oppression and underscoring the mother's critical responsibility in maintaining the conditions of this divine consecration.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 13:7 is situated within the annunciation narrative of Samson's birth, following the Angel of the Lord's initial appearance to Manoah's wife in [Judges 13:3](/judges/13-3 "Judges 13:3 - Angel's First Appearance to Manoah's Wife"). The wife, having reported the encounter to her husband, prompts Manoah to pray for the divine messenger's return to provide further instruction regarding the child. This verse details the Angel's direct address to Manoah's wife upon his second appearance, confirming the miraculous conception and, crucially, expanding upon the specific, lifelong Nazarite requirements for the child. It serves as the definitive divine mandate that will shape Samson's life and mission, directly preceding Manoah's interaction with the Angel and the subsequent understanding of the divine nature of the encounter.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The narrative of Judges 13 unfolds during a period of intense Philistine domination over Israel, explicitly stated as forty years in [Judges 13:1](/judges/13-1 "Judges 13:1 - Israel Under Philistine Oppression"). In ancient Israelite society, barrenness was often perceived as a curse or a sign of divine displeasure, making the miraculous conception of Samson a profound demonstration of God's sovereign intervention. The Nazarite vow, as detailed in [Numbers 6](/numbers/6 "Numbers 6 - The Law of the Nazarite Vow"), was a temporary, voluntary vow of separation to the Lord, involving abstinence from wine, not cutting hair, and avoiding contact with the dead. Samson's vow, however, is unique: it is divinely imposed, lifelong, and begins from the womb, signifying an extraordinary level of consecration and a special divine purpose.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within the book of Judges and the broader biblical narrative. It highlights **Divine Sovereignty and Foreknowledge**, demonstrating God's active involvement in human affairs by choosing and setting apart an individual for His purposes even before birth, as also seen with figures like [Jeremiah](/jeremiah/1-5 "Jeremiah 1:5 - Jeremiah's Prophetic Call"). The theme of **Miraculous Birth** is prominent, aligning Samson's origin with other significant biblical figures born to previously barren women, such as [Isaac](/genesis/21-2 "Genesis 21:2 - The Birth of Isaac") and [Samuel](/1_samuel/1-20 "1 Samuel 1:20 - The Birth of Samuel"), foreshadowing the ultimate miraculous birth of [John the Baptist](/luke/1-13 "Luke 1:13 - Annunciation of John the Baptist's Birth") and Jesus himself. Crucially, the verse introduces the theme of **Consecration and the Nazarite Vow**, establishing Samson's unique status as one "set apart" for God, which is directly linked to his calling as a deliverer for Israel, as prophesied in [Judges 13:5](/judges/13-5 "Judges 13:5 - Prophecy of Samson's Mission"). Finally, it underscores **Parental Responsibility**, as the mother's adherence to specific dietary restrictions is essential for the child's proper consecration.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Nazarite (Hebrew, _nazir'_):** Derived from the verb _nazar_, meaning "to separate" or "to dedicate," a Nazarite is one who is set apart for a special purpose, usually through a vow of abstinence and devotion to God. While typically a temporary, self-imposed vow (Numbers 6), Samson's status as a Nazarite is unique: it is divinely ordained, lifelong ("from the womb to the day of his death"), and directly tied to his role as a deliverer. This term signifies his extraordinary consecration and special relationship with God, which is the source of his supernatural strength.
* **Unclean (Hebrew, _tame'_):** This term refers to anything ritually impure or forbidden, particularly in the context of dietary laws (e.g., [Leviticus 11](/leviticus/11 "Leviticus 11 - Clean and Unclean Foods")). For a Nazarite, purity was paramount, extending beyond typical Israelite dietary restrictions to include specific prohibitions like grape products. The instruction to the mother to "neither eat any unclean [thing]" reinforces the comprehensive nature of the child's consecration, implying that the mother's physical state and diet directly impacted the child's purity and dedication within the womb.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But he said unto me, Behold, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son":** This phrase confirms the divine message to Manoah's wife, reiterating the miraculous nature of the impending birth. The "he" refers to the Angel of the Lord, whose message is now firmly established as a direct divine pronouncement, removing any doubt about the extraordinary event. The emphasis is on God's initiative in overcoming barrenness and initiating His plan.
* **"and now drink no wine nor strong drink, neither eat any unclean [thing]":** These are the specific dietary and behavioral restrictions imposed upon the mother. They directly relate to the Nazarite vow, which prohibited consumption of grape products (wine, strong drink) and contact with anything ritually unclean. By placing these restrictions on the mother, the divine command ensures that the child is set apart and consecrated to God even before birth, emphasizing the mother's crucial role in facilitating this divine purpose.
* **"for the child shall be a Nazarite to God from the womb to the day of his death":** This is the core declaration of the verse, explaining the reason for the preceding prohibitions. It defines Samson's unique identity and destiny: he is not merely a child but a lifelong Nazarite, consecrated to God from the very beginning of his existence until his last breath. This lifelong, divinely imposed vow sets him apart as an instrument of God's deliverance, explaining the source of his extraordinary strength and the conditions under which it would operate.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several significant literary devices. It functions as an **Annunciation Narrative**, a common biblical pattern where the birth of a significant figure is announced by a divine messenger to a barren woman, often accompanied by specific instructions and a prophecy about the child's future. This narrative structure highlights divine intervention and the miraculous nature of the birth. **Foreshadowing** is evident as the declaration of Samson's lifelong Nazarite status and the accompanying dietary restrictions for his mother directly foreshadow his unique strength and the eventual tragic consequences of his failure to fully adhere to the vow. The entire verse serves as a **Divine Mandate**, a direct command from God (via His Angel) that establishes the terms of Samson's life and mission, emphasizing God's sovereign will. Finally, the **Symbolism** of the Nazarite vow itself is profound, representing separation, consecration, and dedication to God, making Samson a living symbol of Israel's potential for devotion and the consequences of its failure.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 13:7 profoundly illustrates God's sovereign election and His meticulous preparation of individuals for His redemptive purposes. It reveals a God who is not bound by human limitations, intervening miraculously to bring forth a deliverer for His people. The concept of a lifelong Nazarite, consecrated from the womb, speaks to the biblical theme of divine calling and predestination, where God's plan for an individual's life is established before their birth. This verse underscores that true strength and effectiveness in God's service flow from a life set apart and consecrated to Him, even if the individual later falters. It also highlights the profound spiritual impact of parental choices and obedience in shaping the environment for a child's divine purpose.

* [Numbers 6:1-21](/numbers/6 "The Law of the Nazarite Vow")
* [Jeremiah 1:5](/jeremiah/1-5 "Jeremiah's Call and Pre-Ordination")
* [Galatians 1:15](/galatians/1-15 "Paul's Divine Calling from Birth")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Judges 13:7 offers profound insights into God's intentionality and our role in His divine plan. It reminds us that God often has a purpose for our lives, even before we are aware of it, and that He actively works to prepare us for that calling. While the literal Nazarite vow is not a practice for believers today, the underlying principle of consecration—being set apart for God's purposes—remains a vital truth for all who follow Christ. This involves a deliberate choice to abstain from influences that defile or distract from God's will and to dedicate our lives, bodies, and choices to His glory. Furthermore, the instructions given to Samson's mother highlight the immense spiritual responsibility of parents. Our choices, lifestyle, and spiritual environment profoundly impact the spiritual formation and destiny of our children, even from their earliest stages. We are called to create a home that fosters consecration and obedience to God, preparing the next generation to walk in His divine purpose.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you feel God is calling you to a deeper level of consecration or "setting apart" for His purposes?**
* **How does the concept of God having a plan for someone "from the womb" influence your understanding of divine sovereignty and individual purpose?**
* **What practical steps can parents take today to create an environment that fosters their children's spiritual growth and dedication to God?**
* **Considering Samson's eventual failures despite his divine calling, what does Judges 13:7 teach us about the ongoing need for personal obedience and faithfulness even when divinely appointed?**

### FAQ
**What was a Nazarite vow, and how was Samson's different?**

Answer: A Nazarite vow (from the Hebrew _nazir_, meaning "separated" or "consecrated") was a voluntary vow taken by an Israelite, typically for a limited period, to dedicate themselves specially to the Lord. As outlined in [Numbers 6](/numbers/6 "Numbers 6 - The Law of the Nazarite Vow"), it involved three main prohibitions: abstaining from all grape products (wine, vinegar, grapes, raisins), not cutting one's hair, and avoiding contact with dead bodies. Samson's Nazarite vow was unique in two significant ways: first, it was not self-imposed but divinely ordained by the Angel of the Lord; second, it was a lifelong vow, beginning "from the womb to the day of his death," setting him apart for God's special purpose from conception.

**Why were the dietary restrictions placed on Samson's mother?**

Answer: The dietary restrictions placed on Samson's mother—"drink no wine nor strong drink, neither eat any unclean [thing]"—were directly tied to the Nazarite vow that the child would undertake from birth. Since the child was to be a lifelong Nazarite, consecrated to God even in the womb, the mother's diet and lifestyle were crucial in maintaining the conditions of this consecration. Her physical purity and adherence to the Nazarite prohibitions ensured that the child, through her, would be set apart for God even before his birth, emphasizing the sacredness of the divine mandate and the importance of the mother's role in the child's spiritual preparation.

**How does Samson's story relate to other miraculous births in the Bible?**

Answer: Samson's birth, announced by an angel to a previously barren woman, aligns with a significant pattern of miraculous births in the Bible that precede the lives of key figures in God's redemptive plan. Similar accounts include the birth of [Isaac to Sarah](/genesis/21-2 "Genesis 21:2 - The Birth of Isaac"), [Samuel to Hannah](/1_samuel/1-20 "1 Samuel 1:20 - The Birth of Samuel"), and later, [John the Baptist to Elizabeth](/luke/1-13 "Luke 1:13 - Annunciation of John the Baptist's Birth"). These narratives underscore God's sovereignty over life, His ability to overcome human limitations, and His intentionality in raising up chosen individuals for specific divine purposes, often as deliverers or prophets, paving the way for His ultimate plan of salvation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Judges 13:7, with its declaration of a divinely chosen, consecrated deliverer set apart from the womb, powerfully foreshadows the person and work of Jesus Christ. While Samson was a Nazarite by divine decree, consecrated to begin Israel's deliverance, Jesus is the ultimate, eternally consecrated Son of God, set apart not merely from the womb but from eternity to accomplish the ultimate deliverance. Just as Samson's birth was miraculous, Jesus's conception was uniquely divine, announced by an angel, and brought forth by the Holy Spirit, as recorded in [Luke 1:31-35](/luke/1-31 "Luke 1:31-35 - The Annunciation to Mary"). Where Samson's Nazarite vow involved external prohibitions and was ultimately broken, Jesus embodied perfect consecration and obedience, living a life entirely set apart for God's will, fulfilling all righteousness ([Matthew 3:15](/matthew/3-15 "Matthew 3:15 - Jesus's Baptism and Fulfillment of Righteousness")). He is the true and greater Nazarite, the one truly "separated" and "holy" ([Hebrews 7:26](/hebrews/7-26 "Hebrews 7:26 - Jesus, the Holy High Priest")), whose life, death, and resurrection perfectly accomplish the deliverance from sin and death that Samson could only begin. Through His perfect sacrifice, Jesus not only delivers us but also consecrates us, setting us apart for God as His holy people ([Hebrews 10:10](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10 - Sanctification Through Christ's Sacrifice")), fulfilling the deepest meaning of being "set apart to God."

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

Judges 13:4

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