Judges 13 10

Judges 13:10 kjv

And the woman made haste, and ran, and showed her husband, and said unto him, Behold, the man hath appeared unto me, that came unto me the other day.

Judges 13:10 nkjv

Then the woman ran in haste and told her husband, and said to him, "Look, the Man who came to me the other day has just now appeared to me!"

Judges 13:10 niv

The woman hurried to tell her husband, "He's here! The man who appeared to me the other day!"

Judges 13:10 esv

So the woman ran quickly and told her husband, "Behold, the man who came to me the other day has appeared to me."

Judges 13:10 nlt

So she quickly ran and told her husband, "The man who appeared to me the other day is here again!"

Judges 13 verses

Judges 13 10 Meaning

Judges 13:10 describes Manoah's prompt and decisive action upon hearing his wife's extraordinary account of a divine messenger. Driven by a desire for direct confirmation and deeper understanding of the divine pronouncement, he swiftly follows her to meet the mysterious figure, immediately inquiring to verify his identity as the one who spoke the crucial words about their unborn son. This act reveals Manoah's piety, responsibility, and cautious yet earnest desire to validate and fully comprehend God's revelation concerning Samson's birth and Nazirite calling.

Judges 13 10 Context

Judges chapter 13 begins with Israel's familiar cycle of apostasy, leading to forty years of oppression by the Philistines. Into this bleak period, the narrative introduces Manoah and his barren wife from the tribe of Dan. The dramatic intervention occurs when the "Angel of the Lord" appears directly to Manoah's wife, announcing the miraculous conception and birth of a son, Samson, who is to be a Nazirite from birth and begin Israel's deliverance from the Philistines. The wife, overwhelmed, reports this extraordinary encounter to her husband, describing the messenger as "a man of God, very awesome." Manoah, seeking direct confirmation and possibly further instruction, prays for the man to return. God, in His grace, answers Manoah’s prayer by sending the Angel of the Lord again while his wife is in the field. Judges 13:10 then details Manoah's immediate and earnest response: alerted by his wife, he goes directly to the man to ascertain his identity and verify the spoken message, demonstrating his desire for divine validation and accurate understanding of this crucial revelation for their family and Israel's future. This verse marks the pivotal moment of direct interaction between Manoah and the divine messenger, leading to further revelation regarding Samson's upbringing and mission.

Judges 13 10 Word analysis

• Then (וַיָּקָם, vayyāqām): The verb "to arise" often indicates a decisive and immediate action in Hebrew narrative, not merely physical rising. It signifies Manoah’s prompt and earnest response upon hearing his wife's news, demonstrating his engagement and serious consideration of the miraculous event.
• Manoah (מָנוֹחַ, Manoach): His name means "rest" or "resting place." This is poignant in the turbulent period of the Judges, highlighting God's plan to bring rest to Israel through Samson, his future son. His actions here reflect a responsible head of household.
• arose and went after (וַיָּקָם וַיֵּלֶךְ אַחֲרֵי, vayyāqām vayyēlek acharey): This verbal construct emphasizes urgency and purpose. Manoah actively pursues the messenger, underscoring his spiritual earnestness and his commitment to verifying divine revelation, unlike many of the apathetic Israelites of his time.
• his wife (אִשְׁתּוֹ, ishto): Highlights the centrality of the family unit in God’s work and Manoah’s trust in his wife’s testimony. The message was initially given to her, demonstrating God’s readiness to communicate through women.
• and came to (וַיָּבֹא אֶל, vayyāvō el): Signifies Manoah's direct and personal approach to the messenger. He does not send someone else or hesitate, but confronts the situation directly.
• the man (הָאִישׁ, hā'îsh): Initially described as a "man" by the wife (Judg 13:6), later revealed to be the "Angel of the Lord." Manoah addresses him as a man, yet his previous prayer shows he suspected a divine origin. This maintains the dramatic tension leading to the Angel’s full revelation.
• and said to him (וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלָיו, vayyōmer 'ēlāv): Direct communication. Manoah initiates the conversation with a pointed question.
• Are you (הַאַתָּה, ha'attâ): An emphatic interrogative. Manoah is seeking absolute confirmation of identity before proceeding with further questions about the divine instruction. It reflects his prudence and desire for certainty.
• the man who spoke (הָאִישׁ הַמְדַבֵּר, hā'îsh hammědabbēr): Emphasizes the crucial act of verbal communication. Manoah wants to ensure that he is speaking to the very source of the extraordinary prophecy. This also highlights the authority vested in the speaker of divine messages.
• to this woman (אֶל-הָאִשָּׁה הַזֹּאת, 'el-hā'iššâ hazzōt): "This woman" is not a dismissive phrase but a specific reference to Manoah’s wife, who was the direct recipient of the initial message. It links his current inquiry directly to the account he received, reinforcing his wife’s testimony while seeking his own confirmation.

Judges 13 10 Bonus section

The appearance of the "Angel of the Lord" throughout Judges, particularly in Samson's narrative, often signals a divine theophany, suggesting a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ. This "man" is later understood to be more than a mere angel, as he performs a miracle (Judg 13:19-20) and receives worship (Judg 13:16). Manoah's urgent seeking of this messenger reflects a common desire throughout Scripture for a personal encounter with divine truth and guidance, exemplified by Abraham, Moses, and Jacob. His concern to confirm the identity of the messenger echoes the biblical principle to "test the spirits" (1 Jn 4:1), ensuring that revelations align with God's nature and established will. This specific interaction between Manoah and the Angel sets a foundation for Samson's unusual birth and lifelong Nazirite vow, highlighting God's meticulous planning and sovereignty even in preparing deliverers for His people. The account reinforces the pattern of God's redemptive work often beginning with a barren woman, emphasizing that divine power transcends human limitations and circumstances, bringing life and hope where none seems possible.

Judges 13 10 Commentary

Judges 13:10 illustrates Manoah’s earnest piety and spiritual discernment amidst a spiritually apathetic nation. Unlike many Israelites of the Judges era who disregarded divine warnings, Manoah's immediate action underscores his desire to authenticate what he heard and grasp its full implications. His straightforward question, "Are you the man who spoke to this woman?", reflects not disbelief in his wife but a responsible and cautious approach to an unprecedented divine encounter. In a period characterized by subjective religious practice where "everyone did what was right in his own eyes," Manoah sought clear, divine validation. This direct verification process is crucial; it ensures the message's divine origin and allows for responsible obedience. This initial exchange paves the way for the Angel of the Lord to reconfirm the message directly to Manoah and elaborate on the instructions, signifying God’s grace in accommodating human need for certainty and further instructing His humble servants for His purposes. It serves as an example of diligently seeking confirmation from divine sources when extraordinary claims are made.