Judges 13 12

Judges 13:12 kjv

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

Judges 13:12 nkjv

Manoah said, "Now let Your words come to pass! What will be the boy's rule of life, and his work?"

Judges 13:12 niv

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

Judges 13:12 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?"

Judges 13:12 nlt

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

Judges 13 verses

Judges 13 12 Meaning

Judges 13:12 conveys Manoah's faithful acceptance of the divine announcement regarding his barren wife's miraculous conception and the special destiny of their promised son, Samson. It is a dual inquiry, seeking clarification on two distinct aspects: the specific manner of life (disciplines and restrictions) by which the child should be raised, especially concerning his Nazirite consecration, and the precise mission or deeds the child is destined to accomplish as God's instrument for Israel's deliverance.

Judges 13 12 Context

Judges chapter 13 serves as the introduction to the story of Samson, the last of the major judges before Samuel. For forty years, the Israelites had again fallen into apostasy, and as a consequence, God had given them into the hands of the Philistines. The divine initiative to raise a deliverer is central to this chapter, especially notable given that Samson's mother was barren, emphasizing the miraculous nature of his birth and God's sovereign hand in appointing him. Manoah, a man from Zorah, initially receives the news of his impending fatherhood from his wife, who encountered the Angel of the Lord. Unsure or perhaps seeking personal confirmation and further guidance on such a profound and unique promise, Manoah prays for the Angel to return and provide instruction on how to raise the child, specifically concerning his Nazirite dedication and future mission. Verse 12 follows the Angel's reappearance and re-stating of the initial instructions, marking Manoah's transition from apprehension to acceptance, now seeking detailed clarity on his parental responsibilities and the child's destiny.

Judges 13 12 Word analysis

• And Manoah said (וַיֹּאמֶר מָנוֹחַ, vayyo’mer Manoakh): The conjunction "And" connects Manoah's response to the Angel's reiteration. Manoah, as the household head, takes a leading role in spiritual inquiry.
• Now let your words come to pass (יָבוֹא נָא דְבָרֶיךָ, yavo na devareykha):
  • Yavo (יָבוֹא): "May it come" or "Let it come," a jussive form expressing a wish or command that is often translated as a petition, "Please let it happen."
  • Na (נָא): A particle of entreaty or request, akin to "please" or "now." It indicates the speaker's earnest desire.
  • Devareykha (דְבָרֶיךָ): "Your words." Refers directly to the message from the Angel concerning the child's birth and Nazirite status. Manoah expresses his full acceptance and belief in the divine prophecy.
• What will be the boy’s manner of life? (מַה יִּהְיֶה מִשְׁפַּט הַנַּעַר, mah yihyeh mishpat hanna’ar):
  • Mah (מַה): "What?" An interrogative pronoun seeking specific information.
  • Yihyeh (יִּהְיֶה): "Shall be," "will be." Future tense indicating a request about future state or conduct.
  • Mishpat (מִשְׁפַּט): This key term, meaning "judgment," "custom," "ordinance," "rule," or "manner." Manoah is not merely asking about the boy's personality but the prescribed regimen or legal principle governing his life due to his divine dedication. This pertains to the practical implications of his lifelong Nazirite vow.
  • Hanna'ar (הַנַּעַר): "The boy" or "the youth." Refers to the expected child.
• And what will he do? (וּמַה מַּעֲשֵׂהוּ, u-mah ma‘asehu):
  • U-mah (וּמַה): "And what?" Conjunction linking the second inquiry.
  • Ma‘asehu (מַעֲשֵׂהוּ): "His deed," "his work," "his doing," "his performance." This query seeks clarity on the specific actions, responsibilities, or mission God intends for Samson in his role as a deliverer, beyond simply adhering to Nazirite requirements.

Words-group analysis:

• "Now let your words come to pass": This phrase marks Manoah's shift from seeking confirmation (Judges 13:8) to confident affirmation of God's revealed plan. It's an expression of faith and submission, desiring the fulfillment of divine promise.
• "What will be the boy’s manner of life, and what will he do?": These two questions encapsulate parental responsibility combined with spiritual discernment. Manoah acknowledges the uniqueness of his child's divine calling and seeks practical, actionable instructions for his upbringing (Nazirite rules) and specific future purpose (deliverer role), demonstrating a desire to align fully with God's will.

Judges 13 12 Bonus section

• The Angel of the Lord's reiteration of instructions, even after Manoah's prayer for His return, initially mirrors the message already given to the wife. This might emphasize the importance of the mother's initial divine encounter or confirm that the message remained consistent despite the change in audience, thereby solidifying Manoah's faith.
• The emphasis on Manoah's practical questions underscores the biblical principle that while God reveals His will, humanity is expected to inquire about the details of obedience and practical implementation. This aligns with many Old Testament instances where individuals like Moses (Exodus 3-4) or Gideon (Judges 6) seek clarification on their divine commissions.
• The narrative serves as a model for parents receiving children as gifts from God, encouraging them to seek divine wisdom not just for the child's upbringing generally but for their unique, God-given purpose, if revealed.

Judges 13 12 Commentary

Manoah's inquiries in Judges 13:12 reflect a profound blend of faith, wisdom, and parental diligence. Having previously prayed for the Angel's return to instruct them on the rearing of the promised child, Manoah's words here affirm his belief in the divine word while immediately pressing for concrete guidance. His first question regarding the child's "manner of life" (מִשְׁפַּט, mishpat) is crucial; it seeks to understand the prescriptive requirements—the how-to—of Samson's Nazirite consecration from birth, indicating Manoah's awareness that this was not merely a unique event but a lifelong calling with specific, divine mandates (e.g., abstinence from wine, not cutting hair). The second question, "and what will he do?" (מַעֲשֵׂהוּ, ma‘asehu), reveals Manoah's desire to understand Samson's operational mission as a divinely appointed deliverer. Together, these questions highlight the necessary partnership between human obedience and divine initiative. Manoah exemplifies a conscientious steward, eager to align parental discipline and practical upbringing with God's overarching redemptive plan for Israel, understanding that the fulfillment of divine promise often necessitates careful human adherence to divine instructions. His concern transcends mere personal curiosity, extending to the comprehensive nurturing of God's appointed instrument.