Judges 13:12 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And Manoah said, “Now when your words come true, what is to be the child’s manner of life, and what is his mission?”

NIV: So Manoah asked him, 'When your words are fulfilled, what is to be the rule that governs the boy's life and work?'

NASB: Then Manoah said, 'Now when your words are fulfilled, what shall be the boy’s way of life and his vocation?'

CSB: Then Manoah asked, "When your words come true, what will be the boy's responsibilities and work? "

NLT: So Manoah asked him, 'When your words come true, what kind of rules should govern the boy’s life and work?'

KJV: And Manoah said, Now let thy words come to pass. How shall we order the child, and how shall we do unto him?

NKJV: Manoah said, “Now let Your words come to pass! What will be the boy’s rule of life, and his work?”

The "angel of the LORD," best understood as the Lord Himself, is appearing in a human form to Manoah and his wife. He has returned in response to Manoah's prayer to tell them more about how to raise the son they thought they could never have (Judges 13:2–11). The Angel seems to be waiting for Manoah to ask a question. Manoah could have demanded miraculous confirmation that this prediction was truth. That's what Gideon did (Judges 6:17; 36–40). That's what Zechariah the priest would do, a thousand years later, when an angel told him that he and his childless wife would have a baby (Luke 1:18).

Manoah, though, seems convinced that what this "angel" has said will happen. Rather than expressing doubt or insecurity, he clarifies: he wants all the information he can get. He displays this trust by beginning his question by saying "when your words come true." Then he asks what the child's life and career will be. Manoah has already heard some of this from his wife, but he seems to hope for more detail.

Judges 13:8–25 explains how Manoah learned of his wife's interaction with a messenger from God. He prays for more understanding, so he can properly fulfill his obligations. The angel of the Lord appears, again, and repeats his instructions. The child is to be consecrated as a Nazirite for his entire life. Manoah prepares a sacrifice, and the angel disappears into the flames. This further confirms the truth of the message. Manoah and his wife name their child Samson, who shows signs of blessing and the influence of God's Spirit from an early age.

The Lord appoints another deliverer for Israel, this time in response to oppression under the Philistines. An impressive stranger appears to Manoah and his wife, announcing they will have a son. This child is to be set apart as a Nazarite from before birth until death. His mother must not drink wine or strong drink or eat any unclean thing. This visitor then disappears into the flames of a burnt offering. The couple realizes they have seen a manifestation of Yahweh, Himself. Samson is born and soon shows signs of God's influence.

After Jephthah's rescue (Judges 11—12) this passage begins with another generation sinning against God. As is the pattern of the book of Judges, this leads to oppression. Israel is subject to forty years of misery under the Philistines. God appears to the wife of Manoah in the territory of Dan. She is commanded to consecrate her unborn son as a Nazarite, and that this child will begin to save Israel from the Philistines. Samson is born and is blessed by God. This is as pure as Samson's life will be—the rest of his story is an awkward, scandalous example of the Lord using flawed people to accomplish His great purposes.

The Book of Judges describes Israel's history from the death of Joshua to shortly before Israel's first king, Saul. Israel fails to complete God's command to purge the wicked Canaanites from the land (Deuteronomy 7:1–5; 9:4). This results in a centuries-long cycle where Israel falls into sin and is oppressed by local enemies. After each oppression, God sends a civil-military leader, labeled using a Hebrew word loosely translated into English as "judge." These appointed rescuers would free Israel from enemy control and govern for a certain time. After each judge's death, the cycle of sin and oppression begins again. This continues until the people of Israel choose a king, during the ministry of the prophet-and-judge Samuel (1 Samuel 1—7).

Accessed 5/4/2024 1:29:26 PM