Judges 13 24

Judges 13:24 kjv

And the woman bare a son, and called his name Samson: and the child grew, and the LORD blessed him.

Judges 13:24 nkjv

So the woman bore a son and called his name Samson; and the child grew, and the LORD blessed him.

Judges 13:24 niv

The woman gave birth to a boy and named him Samson. He grew and the LORD blessed him,

Judges 13:24 esv

And the woman bore a son and called his name Samson. And the young man grew, and the LORD blessed him.

Judges 13:24 nlt

When her son was born, she named him Samson. And the LORD blessed him as he grew up.

Judges 13 verses

Judges 13 24 Meaning

Judges 13:24 details the fulfillment of the angel's prophecy regarding the birth of Samson. It states that Manoah's wife gave birth to a son, and he was named Samson. The verse further emphasizes God's active involvement in his life from infancy, noting that the child grew and was specifically blessed by the LORD. This blessing signified divine favor, enablement, and preparation for his divinely appointed role as a deliverer for Israel.

Judges 13 24 Context

Judges 13 provides the background for Samson's miraculous birth, setting the stage for his unique role as a judge of Israel. The chapter begins by detailing Israel's fourth period of oppression, suffering under Philistine dominion for forty years, a consequence of their persistent sin. In response to their dire situation, though not explicitly stated as crying out, the LORD initiated a move of deliverance. An angel of the LORD appeared to a barren woman, Manoah's wife, prophesying that she would conceive and bear a son. This son was to be a Nazirite from birth and would "begin to deliver Israel from the hand of the Philistines" (Judges 13:5). The narrative continues with Manoah's interaction with the angel, confirming the instructions. Verse 24 marks the fulfillment of this divine promise, the birth and early growth of the prophesied deliverer. Historically, this period reflects the chaotic state of Israel during the time of the Judges, characterized by a cyclical pattern of disobedience, oppression, repentance, and deliverance through God-appointed judges. Samson's birth serves as a pivotal moment, marking the divine initiative to confront the Philistine threat.

Judges 13 24 Word analysis

• And the woman bare a son: This signifies the literal fulfillment of the angel's prophecy given to Manoah's wife in Judges 13:3.

  • Woman: Referring to Manoah's previously barren wife (Judg 13:2). Her barrenness highlights the miraculous nature of Samson's birth, echoing other significant births in biblical history like Isaac and Samuel, underscoring divine intervention.
  • Bare (Hebrew: yalad, ילד): To give birth. Emphasizes the biological reality of the birth.
  • A son: Crucial for a patrilineal society and especially important for the fulfillment of the Nazirite vow and his role as a deliverer, as male leaders typically led in Israel.

• and called his name Samson: The act of naming the child is significant, indicating acceptance and identity. While the angel instructed his name earlier (Judg 13:5), this verse explicitly states the mother performed the naming.

  • Samson (Hebrew: Shimshon, שִׁמְשׁוֹן): Derived from shemesh (שֶׁמֶשׁ), meaning "sun." Possible interpretations include "sun-like," "of the sun," or "little sun." This name could allude to his bright or radiant destiny as a deliverer, his unique character that was destined to be seen and known, or potentially, it stood as a subtle polemic or distinction from the idolatrous sun-worship practices of surrounding cultures, proclaiming that true light and power came from the LORD. It does not literally mean "strong" in Hebrew, although his strength became his defining characteristic through God's power.

• and the child grew: This marks a natural period of development common to all humans but is specifically highlighted in biblical narratives for individuals with significant roles.

  • Grew (Hebrew: gadal, גָדַל): To become great, large, to grow. This is physical growth, but in biblical narratives, it often foreshadows spiritual or influential growth, indicating God's hand preparing an individual for future service. This parallel to the early life of Samuel (1 Sam 2:21, 26) and Jesus (Lk 2:40, 52) emphasizes a unique, divinely guided upbringing.

• and the LORD blessed him: This is the most profound aspect of the verse, indicating divine favor and empowerment directly from the covenant God of Israel.

  • LORD (Hebrew: YHWH, יְהוָה): The personal, covenant name of God, emphasizing His faithful and active presence in Israel's history.
  • Blessed (Hebrew: barak, בָּרַךְ): To bestow favor, enable, prosper. This is not a mere good wish but an active imparting of divine power or influence. For Samson, this blessing manifests most explicitly as his supernatural strength (Judg 13:25; 14:6, 19; 15:14). It was God’s enabling hand on him for the purpose He had designed, despite Samson's future human flaws.

Judges 13 24 Bonus section

The choice of "Samson," related to "sun," contrasts subtly with the primary source of true light and strength, YHWH. This could serve as an implicit reminder to Israel that despite the name’s connotations or even potential pagan associations, Samson's actual power came from the covenant God, not from any created thing. It also sets him apart as a singularly prominent figure in Israel, much like the sun's prominence in the sky. The blessing of the LORD on Samson in his youth implicitly sets the stage for the powerful manifestation of the Spirit that begins to stir him, as described in the very next verse, Judg 13:25. This close connection emphasizes that his extraordinary strength was not an inherent trait but a direct gift and operation of God's power through him, underscoring God’s sovereign control over even a flawed instrument for His purposes.

Judges 13 24 Commentary

Judges 13:24 serves as a pivotal summary, fulfilling the divine prophecy regarding Samson's birth and immediately highlighting God's active involvement in his early life. The birth of Samson, whose very name, Shimshon ("sun-like"), potentially spoke to his intended radiance or singular significance, underscores that his existence was entirely a divine initiative to address Israel's deep-seated problem of Philistine oppression. His mother, hitherto barren, demonstrates God's power to create life and purpose where there was none. The assertion that "the child grew" suggests a natural progression, yet within the biblical narrative, such a phrase, particularly when combined with "the LORD blessed him," transcends mere biological development. It signals divine oversight and preparation. This divine blessing, stemming directly from YHWH, the covenant God, signifies far more than general good fortune; it's a specific endowment of spiritual and physical favor necessary for his unique calling as a Nazirite deliverer. This blessing directly relates to the manifestation of the Spirit of the LORD moving upon him (Judg 13:25), equipping him for acts of supernatural strength, laying the foundation for his entire career as a judge who would begin to save Israel. Thus, the verse frames Samson's entire life not as an accidental event but as a deliberate act of divine providence for His people.