Judges 13:9

KJV

And God hearkened to the voice of Manoah; and the angel of God came again unto the woman as she sat in the field: but Manoah her husband [was] not with her.

KJV (with Strong's)

And God {H430} hearkened {H8085} to the voice {H6963} of Manoah {H4495}; and the angel {H4397} of God {H430} came again {H935} unto the woman {H802} as she sat {H3427} in the field {H7704}: but Manoah {H4495} her husband {H376} was not with her.

Complete Jewish Bible

God paid attention to what Manoach said, and the angel of God came again to the woman as she sat in the field, but her husband Manoach wasn't with her.

Berean Standard Bible

And God listened to the voice of Manoah, and the angel of God returned to the woman as she was sitting in the field; but her husband Manoah was not with her.

American Standard Version

And God hearkened to the voice of Manoah; and the angel of God came again unto the woman as she sat in the field: but Manoah her husband was not with her.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 13:9 records God's immediate and gracious response to Manoah's earnest prayer for further instruction regarding the raising of the promised son, Samson. This verse highlights divine attentiveness to sincere requests, demonstrating God's willingness to engage personally with His people's concerns. The angel of the Lord's reappearance, specifically to Manoah's wife while her husband was absent, underscores God's sovereign timing and methods, often working in ways that transcend human expectations to accomplish His redemptive purposes.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 13:9 is a pivotal moment following the initial divine announcement of Samson's miraculous birth in [Judges 13:3-5](/judges/13-3-5 "Judges 13:3-5 - The Angel's First Appearance"). Manoah, the barren woman's husband, upon hearing the extraordinary news and the specific instructions concerning the child's Nazarite vow, responds with a prayer for the divine messenger to return and provide more detailed guidance on how to raise the child ([Judges 13:8](/judges/13-8 "Judges 13:8 - Manoah's Prayer")). Verse 9 directly answers this prayer, showing God's immediate and direct engagement with Manoah's sincere request for wisdom. This interaction sets the stage for the angel's subsequent detailed instructions to both Manoah and his wife, reinforcing the divine origin and specific purpose of Samson's life as a deliverer for Israel. The narrative carefully builds the anticipation for Samson's birth, emphasizing the supernatural elements surrounding his conception and upbringing.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Judges chronicles a dark period in Israel's history, characterized by a cyclical pattern of apostasy, divine judgment through foreign oppression, Israel's cry for help, and God raising a deliverer. At this point, Israel was under the oppressive hand of the Philistines for forty years ([Judges 13:1](/judges/13-1 "Judges 13:1 - Israel's Oppression by the Philistines")). The Philistines were a powerful, technologically advanced people who occupied the coastal plain, posing a significant threat to Israel's security and religious purity. Within this context of national distress, the barrenness of Manoah's wife was a significant cultural sorrow, often perceived as a sign of divine disfavor. Therefore, the announcement of a miraculous birth to a barren woman, especially one destined to "begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines" ([Judges 13:5](/judges/13-5 "Judges 13:5 - Samson's Mission")), carried profound theological and national significance. Manoah's prayer for specific guidance reflects the cultural importance of proper child-rearing, particularly for a child with a divine calling, and a deep reverence for divine instruction in a time of spiritual decline.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully illustrates several key themes prevalent in the Book of Judges and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Responsiveness to Prayer**, demonstrating God's active listening and immediate action in response to the sincere pleas of His people. Manoah's prayer for clarity and guidance is met with divine presence and instruction, underscoring God's personal engagement with human concerns, even amidst national apostasy. Secondly, the passage emphasizes **Divine Sovereignty and Timing**. The angel's reappearance to the woman first, despite Manoah's specific prayer, showcases God's control over circumstances and His chosen methods, which often transcend human expectations. This subtly reinforces God's prerogative to work as He wills, using unexpected avenues to accomplish His purposes. Finally, the verse contributes to the theme of **Divine Guidance and Confirmation**. The angel's return serves not only as a confirmation of the miraculous birth announcement but also as an opportunity to provide the specific instructions Manoah sought regarding the Nazarite vow and Samson's upbringing. This underscores God's desire to equip His servants with necessary knowledge and wisdom for their divinely appointed tasks, ensuring their alignment with His overarching plan for deliverance.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hearkened (Hebrew, _shama'_):** The Hebrew verb שָׁמַע (_shama'_) is far richer than a passive "to hear." It implies an active listening that leads to understanding, obedience, and often, a responsive action. When applied to God, as here, it signifies not merely that God perceived Manoah's prayer, but that He paid close attention to it, understood its intent, and was moved to act in accordance with it. This active "hearkening" underscores God's personal engagement with His people's petitions and His faithfulness to intervene in their affairs. It conveys a sense of divine attentiveness and readiness to respond, affirming the efficacy of sincere prayer.
* **Angel of God (Hebrew, _mal'akh 'Elohim'_):** The phrase מַלְאַךְ אֱלֹהִים (_mal'akh 'Elohim'_) literally means "messenger of God." In the Old Testament, this title often refers to a divine manifestation, sometimes even identified with God Himself (the "Angel of the LORD" or "Angel of Yahweh," often seen as a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ). In this context, the angel is God's direct representative, carrying His authority and speaking His words. The reappearance of this "angel of God" signifies the direct and personal involvement of the divine in Manoah's family affairs, confirming the supernatural nature of the events surrounding Samson's birth and emphasizing that the instructions given are not mere human counsel but divine decree.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And God hearkened to the voice of Manoah;":** This opening clause immediately establishes the direct and positive outcome of Manoah's prayer. The verb "hearkened" (as discussed above) denotes God's active and responsive listening. It affirms God's accessibility and willingness to engage with the specific petitions of His people. Manoah's prayer was one of genuine seeking for divine guidance, not doubt, and God's immediate response demonstrates His approval and commitment to providing clarity when His will is genuinely sought. This phrase sets a tone of divine attentiveness and faithfulness.
* **"and the angel of God came again unto the woman as she sat in the field:":** This clause details the specific manner of God's response. The "angel of God" (the same divine messenger who appeared previously) reappears, confirming the authenticity of the initial revelation. Significantly, the angel appears to the woman first, and importantly, "as she sat in the field." This detail suggests a moment of solitude or ordinary activity, highlighting that divine encounters can occur in the mundane and that God's timing and choice of recipient are sovereign. It also sets up the narrative tension, as Manoah is not present, necessitating the woman to relay the message.
* **"but Manoah her husband [was] not with her.":** This concluding clause provides a crucial piece of information that shapes the immediate narrative. Despite Manoah being the one who prayed for the angel's return, the angel appears when he is absent. This detail serves several purposes: it emphasizes God's sovereign control over the circumstances of revelation, it highlights the woman's continued role as the primary recipient of the initial divine contact, and it necessitates her active participation in bringing Manoah to the angel, thereby validating her earlier account. It also subtly reinforces that God's ways are often not man's ways, and His timing and methods are perfect, even if unexpected.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several effective literary devices. **Divine Irony** or **Narrative Juxtaposition** is evident in the angel appearing to the woman first, despite Manoah being the one who specifically prayed for the angel's return. This subtle irony underscores God's sovereign prerogative to choose His instruments and methods, often subverting human expectations. It also serves to elevate the woman's role in the narrative, confirming her initial encounter and requiring her active participation in bringing Manoah to the divine messenger. The **Repetition** of the angel's appearance (first to the woman, then again to the woman, and finally to both) serves as a powerful device for **Emphasis** and **Confirmation**, reinforcing the divine origin and certainty of the message concerning Samson's birth and mission. This repeated divine intervention highlights the extraordinary nature of the upcoming birth and the significance of Samson's role as a deliverer.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 13:9 profoundly illustrates God's active involvement in the lives of His people, particularly His responsiveness to prayer and His sovereign guidance. It underscores the truth that God is not distant but intimately concerned with the details of human life, especially when His redemptive purposes are at stake. The immediate answer to Manoah's prayer for specific instruction demonstrates God's desire to equip His servants with the necessary wisdom to fulfill their divine callings. This divine attentiveness is a consistent theme throughout Scripture, affirming that God hears and responds to the cries of His people, often in ways that confirm His presence and validate His plans. The angel's reappearance, a divine messenger, also points to the broader theme of divine revelation, where God communicates His will directly to humanity, guiding them through challenging times and preparing them for future deliverance.

* [Psalm 65:2](/psalm/65-2 "Psalm 65:2 - God Hears Prayer")
* [Jeremiah 33:3](/jeremiah/33-3 "Jeremiah 33:3 - Call to Me and I Will Answer")
* [James 1:5](/james/1-5 "James 1:5 - God Gives Wisdom Generously")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Judges 13:9 offers profound encouragement for believers today, reminding us of God's compassionate and active involvement in our lives. Just as God "hearkened" to Manoah, He listens to our prayers, not passively, but with an attentive ear that leads to responsive action. This assurance should embolden us to approach Him with confidence, knowing that He is deeply concerned with our concerns and desires for guidance, especially when we are seeking to understand His will and purpose for our lives, our families, or our ministries. Manoah's specific prayer for how to raise the promised child teaches us the value of clarity and intentionality in our petitions. God delights in providing specific wisdom and clarity when we genuinely seek it, even if His methods or timing don't always align with our expectations. We are called to trust His sovereign process, even when we don't fully comprehend it, knowing that His ways are perfect and always designed to accomplish His good and redemptive purposes. This verse beautifully portrays a God who is personally engaged, faithfully guiding, and actively preparing the way for His chosen instruments of deliverance.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life are you currently seeking specific divine guidance, and how does Manoah's prayer encourage you to be more direct and trusting in your petitions?**
* **How does God's immediate response to Manoah's prayer, even when Manoah was not present at the angel's reappearance, challenge your expectations about how God answers prayer?**
* **What does God's attentiveness to Manoah's individual prayer, amidst the broader national crisis, teach you about His personal care for you?**
* **How can you cultivate a deeper trust in God's sovereign timing and methods, even when they differ from your own desires or understanding?**

### FAQ
**Why did the angel appear to the woman again, and not directly to Manoah, who had prayed for the angel's return?**

Answer: The narrative detail that the angel appeared to the woman first, even though Manoah was the one who prayed for the angel's return, highlights God's sovereign control over the circumstances of revelation and His chosen methods. It emphasizes that God's ways are often not man's ways, and His timing and approach are always perfect for His sovereign plan ([Isaiah 55:8-9](/isaiah/55-8-9 "Isaiah 55:8-9 - God's Thoughts and Ways are Higher")). This choice also serves to validate the woman's initial encounter and her credibility in Manoah's eyes, as she is now instrumental in bringing Manoah to the angel. It underscores her significant role in the unfolding divine plan, demonstrating that God can use anyone, at any time, to accomplish His purposes. It also teaches us to trust God's process, even when it doesn't align with our expectations.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Judges 13:9, with its depiction of God's direct response to prayer through the "angel of God" and the miraculous preparation for a deliverer, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The "angel of God" is often understood by scholars as a pre-incarnate manifestation of the Son of God, the second person of the Trinity. Thus, in a very real sense, it was Christ Himself who "hearkened" to Manoah's voice, demonstrating His eternal nature as the One who actively engages with humanity. Just as Samson was set apart from birth by a Nazarite vow to begin Israel's deliverance from the Philistines, Jesus Christ was uniquely set apart, conceived by the Holy Spirit, to be the ultimate Deliverer, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). The divine attentiveness to Manoah's prayer foreshadows Christ's own teaching on prayer, assuring us that our Heavenly Father hears and answers those who [ask, seek, and knock](/matthew/7-7 "Matthew 7:7 - Ask, Seek, Knock"). Ultimately, the entire narrative of God raising up deliverers culminates in Jesus, the true and final Judge and Savior, who not only began but fully accomplished our deliverance from sin and death, establishing an eternal kingdom, far surpassing any temporary rescue provided by human judges like Samson. Through Christ, we have direct access to the Father, and He is our [great High Priest who intercedes for us](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrew 7:25 - Christ Our Intercessor"), ensuring that God always "hearkens" to the voice of His people.

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

Psalms 65:2

O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come.

Matthew 7:7

¶ Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

Matthew 7:11

If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?