Judges 13:14 kjv
She may not eat of any thing that cometh of the vine, neither let her drink wine or strong drink, nor eat any unclean thing: all that I commanded her let her observe.
Judges 13:14 nkjv
She may not eat anything that comes from the vine, nor may she drink wine or similar drink, nor eat anything unclean. All that I commanded her let her observe."
Judges 13:14 niv
She must not eat anything that comes from the grapevine, nor drink any wine or other fermented drink nor eat anything unclean. She must do everything I have commanded her."
Judges 13:14 esv
She may not eat of anything that comes from the vine, neither let her drink wine or strong drink, or eat any unclean thing. All that I commanded her let her observe."
Judges 13:14 nlt
She must not eat grapes or raisins, drink wine or any other alcoholic drink, or eat any forbidden food."
Judges 13 14 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Num 6:1-2 | "When either a man or woman shall separate themselves to vow a vow of a Nazirite, to separate themselves unto the LORD..." | General Nazirite vow definition. |
| Num 6:3 | "...he shall separate himself from wine and strong drink..." | Prohibition of vine products for Nazirites. |
| Num 6:4 | "...all the days of his separation shall he eat nothing that is made of the vine tree, from the kernels even to the husk." | Extensive prohibition on vine products for Nazirites. |
| Lev 10:9 | "Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle..." | Priestly abstinence, showing separation for service. |
| Lev 11:4 | "...whatsoever walketh upon his paws among all manner of beasts that go on all four, those are unclean unto you..." | Example of unclean food from Mosaic Law. |
| Lev 11:44-45 | "For I am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy..." | Calls for general holiness, connects to purity. |
| Deut 14:3 | "Thou shalt not eat any abominable thing." | General dietary command against unclean foods. |
| Jdg 13:3-5 | "And the angel of the LORD appeared unto the woman... For, lo, thou shalt conceive... no razor shall come on his head..." | Angel's initial announcement and the Nazirite condition for Samson. |
| Jdg 13:7 | "...no razor shall come on his head: for the child shall be a Nazirite to God..." | Confirms Samson's pre-ordained Nazirite status. |
| Jer 35:6 | "But they said, We will drink no wine: for Jonadab the son of Rechab our father commanded us, saying, Ye shall drink no wine..." | Example of long-term abstinence for dedication. |
| Psa 119:4 | "Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently." | Emphasis on diligent observance of commands. |
| Prov 20:1 | "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise." | Wisdom literature warning against strong drink. |
| Prov 23:20-21 | "Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh: For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty..." | Warnings against excessive consumption. |
| Isa 5:11-12 | "Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them!" | Prophetic denouncement of intemperance. |
| Dan 1:8 | "But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank..." | Personal dedication and avoidance of forbidden food. |
| Luke 1:15 | "For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost..." | John the Baptist's Nazirite-like consecration. |
| Eph 5:18 | "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit..." | New Testament instruction on temperance. |
| 1 Cor 9:27 | "But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway." | Self-discipline and bodily control for spiritual purpose. |
| 1 Pet 1:15-16 | "But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy." | Echoes God's call to holiness and purity. |
| Rom 14:21 | "It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak." | Christian principles of conscience and not causing stumbling. |
Judges 13 verses
Judges 13 14 Meaning
Judges 13:14 sets out strict regulations for Samson's mother, a divine mandate intended to ensure the purity and dedication of the unborn child. She is forbidden from consuming any product of the vine (grapes, wine, or strong drink) and from eating any ritually unclean food. These prohibitions, forming a prenatal Nazirite vow, were commanded directly by the Angel of the LORD, emphasizing that her diligent obedience to all these instructions was crucial for the successful fulfillment of God's purpose for Samson.
Judges 13 14 Context
Judges 13 begins by detailing Israel's continued spiritual decline and subsequent forty-year oppression by the Philistines. Amidst this national crisis, God intervenes by sending an Angel of the LORD to a barren Israelite woman, the wife of Manoah, in Zorah. This angel announces that she will conceive a son who is destined to begin Israel's deliverance from the Philistines. The divine messenger then immediately sets forth specific instructions regarding the mother's diet and lifestyle during her pregnancy, as these regulations were crucial for the unique consecration of the child who was to be born a Nazirite. Verse 14 reaffirms and expands upon the dietary restrictions initially given in verse 4, highlighting their absolute importance for the mother, thus emphasizing the holiness required for the one who would carry and bear God's specially chosen deliverer.
Judges 13 14 Word analysis
- She may not eat: This phrase translates the Hebrew lo' to'khal (לֹא תֹאכַל), emphasizing a strict, definitive prohibition. The mother is directly addressed and held responsible for these commands.
- of anything that comes of the vine: The Hebrew mikol asher yetse' migeffen (מִכֹּל אֲשֶׁר יֵצֵא מִגֶּפֶן) is very broad. Geffen refers to the vine itself. This prohibition includes all parts and products of the grapevine, not just the fermented fruit. It means grapes (fresh or dried), grape juice, vinegar made from wine, or any substance derived from the vine. This mirrors the extensive restrictions for Nazirites in Num 6:3-4, underlining Samson's lifelong dedication to God from birth.
- neither let her drink wine: Yayin (וְיַיִן) is the standard Hebrew term for fermented grape juice. This prohibition targets its intoxicating effects and aligns with the Nazirite vow.
- or strong drink: Shekhar (וְשֵׁכָר) refers to any intoxicating beverage not made from grapes. This could include fermented drinks from grains (like beer), dates, or other fruits. Its inclusion ensures a complete abstinence from all intoxicants, indicating a call to sobriety and a clear mind dedicated to divine purpose.
- nor eat any unclean thing: V'khol-tumah lo' tokhal (וְכָל-טֻמְאָה לֹא תֹאכַל) refers to ritually unclean items, primarily foods prohibited under Mosaic Law (Leviticus 11, Deuteronomy 14). Tumah signifies impurity. This command extends beyond the Nazirite vow itself, mandating a general state of ritual purity for the mother. It implies a total commitment to ceremonial cleanness as a vessel for a divinely designated person, distinguishing her and her child from common living.
- all that I commanded her let her observe: The phrase kol asher tsivvitiha tishma'ar (כֹּל אֲשֶׁר צִוִּיתִיהָ תִּשְׁמֹר) emphasizes divine authority and the expectation of absolute, diligent obedience. Tsivvitiha ("I commanded her") highlights the divine origin of these specific rules from the Angel of the LORD. Tishma'ar ("let her observe/keep/guard") means active, careful adherence, signifying that the responsibility for fulfilling God's purpose for Samson rested initially on the mother's scrupulous obedience to these specific stipulations. These restrictions served to physically set apart the child as consecrated to God.
Judges 13 14 Bonus section
The prenatal Nazirite vow of Samson is unique, being imposed by divine decree upon the mother and the unborn child, rather than voluntarily assumed. This points to Samson's divine calling and the special providential care surrounding his birth and mission. The restrictions on the mother parallel those for the Nazirite (Numbers 6), ensuring the child would begin life without the defilements forbidden by the vow. This meticulous divine guidance for Samson's upbringing underscores God's sovereignty over the very nature and course of a person destined for His purposes. The mother's obedience directly influenced the purity and consecration of the vessel God would use.
Judges 13 14 Commentary
Judges 13:14 delivers a powerful and direct command from God's messenger concerning the necessary conditions for Samson's prenatal dedication. These instructions, while seemingly stringent, were pivotal in establishing Samson's lifelong Nazirite vow, which set him apart for divine service from conception. The prohibitions on vine products and strong drink underscore a call to temperance and separation, emphasizing a life free from artificial stimulants, aligning with a complete dependence on God for strength and wisdom. The avoidance of "unclean things" further illustrates a requirement for ritual purity, reflecting the sacred nature of Samson's role as a deliverer and the holiness demanded from those dedicated to God. This passage showcases the seriousness with which God initiates His plans, requiring meticulous obedience and self-discipline, not just from the individual dedicated to Him, but even from those who are to bring them forth. It reminds us that divine appointments often come with specific stipulations, highlighting the importance of personal purity and adherence to God's revealed will in preparation for significant works of God.