Judges 13 11

Judges 13:11 kjv

And Manoah arose, and went after his wife, and came to the man, and said unto him, Art thou the man that spakest unto the woman? And he said, I am.

Judges 13:11 nkjv

So Manoah arose and followed his wife. When he came to the Man, he said to Him, "Are You the Man who spoke to this woman?" And He said, "I am."

Judges 13:11 niv

Manoah got up and followed his wife. When he came to the man, he said, "Are you the man who talked to my wife?" "I am," he said.

Judges 13:11 esv

And Manoah arose and went after his wife and came to the man and said to him, "Are you the man who spoke to this woman?" And he said, "I am."

Judges 13:11 nlt

Manoah ran back with his wife and asked, "Are you the man who spoke to my wife the other day?" "Yes," he replied, "I am."

Judges 13 verses

Judges 13 11 Meaning

Judges 13:11 describes Manoah's proactive response after his wife reported a second visitation from a divine messenger. He went to find the "man" his wife spoke of and directly questioned his identity, asking for confirmation that he was indeed the one who had previously spoken to her. The "man" confirmed this with a simple "I am," setting the stage for Manoah's direct encounter with the divine messenger regarding their son's birth and calling. This verse underscores the human need for verification and the directness of divine confirmation in biblical narratives.

Judges 13 11 Context

Judges Chapter 13 begins by detailing Israel's continued disobedience, leading to 40 years of Philistine oppression. Amidst this oppressive period, the Lord chooses a unique individual, Samson, to begin delivering Israel. Manoah and his barren wife, of the tribe of Dan, are introduced as the future parents of this deliverer. An Angel of the Lord appears to the wife, announcing that she will conceive a son who will be a Nazirite from birth and begin to save Israel from the Philistines. She then reports this extraordinary encounter to Manoah, who, hearing the amazing news but possibly doubting its authenticity or seeking further personal instruction, prays for the divine messenger to reappear. This specific verse, Judges 13:11, marks the fulfillment of Manoah's prayer, as the angel reappears while the wife is in the field, leading her to quickly summon Manoah. His first act upon encountering the messenger is to directly confirm his identity, setting the tone for the ensuing dialogue of instruction. Historically, this period highlights God's initiative in raising deliverers despite Israel's moral and spiritual decline, ensuring His covenant promises endure. There is an implicit contrast with pagan deities, whose communications were often ambiguous; here, the divine messenger is direct and confirms his identity to human questioning.

Judges 13 11 Word analysis

• And Manoah (וַיָּקָם מָנוֹחַ, wayyaqam Manoach):

  • wayyaqam: The Hebrew verb "קם" (qum) means "to rise," "to stand up," or "to arise." When combined with the waw consecutive (wayy), it signifies a quick, deliberate action immediately following a previous event. It conveys purpose and resolve. Manoah doesn't merely "go" but "arises," suggesting an urgency or a significant change in posture and intent after hearing his wife's second report. This signals his immediate desire for verification.

• arose (וַיָּקָם, wayyaqam): Already covered with Manoah. Emphasis on decisive movement.

• and went after (וַיֵּלֶךְ אַחֲרֵי, wayyelekh 'akharei):

  • wayyelekh: From "הָלַךְ" (halakh), "to go," also with the waw consecutive, denoting a swift follow-through.
  • 'akharei: "after" or "behind." Manoah actively pursued the direction his wife had taken, or the location she pointed out. This highlights his initiative in seeking clarification directly from the source.

• his wife (אִשְׁתּוֹ, ishto): Reinforces that it was his wife who led him to the messenger, demonstrating her immediate belief and urgency in finding her husband.

• and came to the man (וַיָּבֹא אֶל־הָאִישׁ, wayyavo 'el-ha'ish):

  • wayyavo: From "בּוֹא" (bo), "to come."
  • ha'ish: "the man." This term refers to the Angel of the Lord, appearing in human form. It is the same word his wife used in verse 10. The specific definite article "הָ" (ha) highlights that he is "the man" previously seen.

• and said to him (וַיֹּאמֶר לוֹ, wayyomer lo): Straightforward statement, direct communication.

• "Are you (הַאַתָּה, ha'atta) the man (הָאִישׁ, ha'ish) who spoke (דִּבַּרְתָּ, dibarta) to this woman (אֶל־הָאִשָּׁה הַזֹּאת, 'el-ha'isha hazzot)?":

  • ha'atta: Interrogative particle "הַ" (ha) affixed to "אַתָּה" ('atta, "you"), forming a direct question seeking confirmation of identity. It emphasizes Manoah's doubt or desire for personal assurance.
  • dibarta: From "דָּבַר" (dabar), "to speak." Past tense, referring to the prior encounter.
  • hazzot: "this." Pointing to his wife, who was physically present with him. This grounded the divine visitation in their shared reality.
  • This full question reveals Manoah's intent: not just asking if the angel spoke, but if he was the specific one who did. This underscores the need for authentication in encounters perceived as divine.

• And he said (וַיֹּאמֶר, wayyomer): Introduces the response.

• "I am." (אָנֹכִי, 'anokhi):

  • 'anokhi: The first-person singular pronoun, "I." In this context, it is a concise, affirmative answer. It’s not the profound divine self-revelation "I AM" (Ex 3:14), but a simple and direct confirmation of identity: "Yes, I am the one you are asking about." Its brevity and directness lend authority and clarity to the divine messenger's identity, dispelling any lingering doubt Manoah might have had about the legitimacy of the earlier message.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "Manoah arose and went after his wife and came to the man": This sequence of verbs (wayyaqam, wayyelekh, wayyavo) shows Manoah's urgent and purposeful action. He isn't passive but takes initiative to meet the divine messenger, demonstrating his concern for the truth and his patriarchal responsibility to confirm such an extraordinary claim made by his wife. It indicates his desire for a personal encounter and confirmation of the divine message.
  • "Are you the man who spoke to this woman?": This loaded question reflects Manoah's prudent, yet potentially skeptical, approach. He is seeking authentication and certainty about the source of such a momentous prophecy (a miraculously conceived Nazirite deliverer). It shows his need for personal, direct verification before accepting the revelation fully, which is a common human response to the extraordinary.
  • "And he said, 'I am.'": The simple, unambiguous reply, "I am" ('anokhi), serves as immediate and complete affirmation. There is no elaborate declaration, just a straightforward confirmation of his identity. This simple divine assent carries authority, confirming the messenger's bona fides and legitimizing his prior and subsequent communications. It indicates that the messenger did not shy away from direct interrogation but readily confirmed his true presence.

Judges 13 11 Bonus section

The dialogue initiated by Manoah's question highlights the importance of the male head of the household in ancient Israelite culture concerning spiritual revelations. While the initial message came to the wife, Manoah's direct engagement signifies the need for the father to receive and uphold the covenant instructions, particularly those concerning their child. Manoah’s action of seeking confirmation reveals a blend of natural human caution and genuine spiritual seeking, preparing him to responsibly receive further divine directives about Samson's unique Nazirite calling and future role. This second direct interaction solidifies the divine authority behind the promise, removing all ambiguity. The Angel of the Lord's repeated appearances, and His willingness to engage in direct dialogue, further underscores the personalized nature of God's interaction with His people during times of need, guiding them toward the fulfillment of His salvific purposes. Many scholars interpret the "Angel of the Lord" (Malakh Yahweh) as a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ, making this personal verification encounter even more significant.

Judges 13 11 Commentary

Judges 13:11 is a pivotal verse bridging Manoah's initial faith in his wife's report (enough to pray for validation) with his direct encounter with the Angel of the Lord. Manoah's swift "arising and going" signals his earnestness and a proper concern for confirming what he heard was from God, rather than dismiss it. His direct question, "Are you the man who spoke to this woman?", is not one of disbelief in God's power but a practical human need to authenticate the extraordinary claim and ensure that he is speaking with the same divine messenger who visited his wife. This pursuit of verification is commendable, echoing moments when patriarchs and prophets sought divine signs or direct communication to validate a message (e.g., Gideon's fleece, Abraham's query about an heir). The Angel's succinct "I am" demonstrates immediate, unambiguous affirmation. It conveys authority and establishes trust, clearing any lingering doubts and paving the way for Manoah to fully engage with the divine instructions concerning their promised son, Samson. This sets a precedent for direct, understandable communication between God's messenger and humanity, crucial for carrying out the divine plan.