Judges 13 8

Judges 13:8 kjv

Then Manoah intreated the LORD, and said, O my Lord, let the man of God which thou didst send come again unto us, and teach us what we shall do unto the child that shall be born.

Judges 13:8 nkjv

Then Manoah prayed to the LORD, and said, "O my Lord, please let the Man of God whom You sent come to us again and teach us what we shall do for the child who will be born."

Judges 13:8 niv

Then Manoah prayed to the LORD: "Pardon your servant, Lord. I beg you to let the man of God you sent to us come again to teach us how to bring up the boy who is to be born."

Judges 13:8 esv

Then Manoah prayed to the LORD and said, "O Lord, please let the man of God whom you sent come again to us and teach us what we are to do with the child who will be born."

Judges 13:8 nlt

Then Manoah prayed to the LORD, saying, "Lord, please let the man of God come back to us again and give us more instructions about this son who is to be born."

Judges 13 verses

Judges 13 8 Meaning

Judges 13:8 details Manoah's earnest plea to the Lord after his wife reported an encounter with a divine messenger. His primary request is for the "man of God" to return and provide explicit, detailed instructions on "what we shall do" concerning the highly anticipated child. This demonstrates Manoah's reverence, his desire for personal confirmation, and his profound concern for rightly raising a child uniquely consecrated to the Lord and designated for a crucial role in Israel's deliverance.

Judges 13 8 Context

Judges 13:8 occurs within a period of severe Philistine oppression over Israel, lasting 40 years, highlighting the nation's spiritual decline and need for a deliverer. The verse immediately follows the Angel of the LORD's initial appearance to Manoah's barren wife, announcing the miraculous conception of a son, Samson, who would be consecrated as a Nazirite from birth and begin Israel's deliverance. Upon hearing his wife's account, Manoah, reflecting both faith and prudence, seeks a direct encounter with the divine messenger. His prayer is an earnest appeal for clear and specific instructions, particularly regarding the special rearing of this promised child, underscoring the deep significance of Samson's role and the parents' commitment to steward God's gift faithfully according to His will. This prayer is pivotal, demonstrating Manoah's earnest desire for divine confirmation and practical guidance for a responsibility far beyond ordinary parenthood.

Judges 13 8 Word analysis

• Then (וַיָּהַל, vayyal from vayehi and hithallekh meaning "it was, and he walked" or "Then, and he began"): This temporal connector immediately positions Manoah's prayer as a direct response to his wife's extraordinary report, emphasizing his prompt and earnest action.
• Manoah (מָנוֹחַ, Manoach): Derived from a root meaning "rest" or "a resting place." This name is ironically juxtaposed against the backdrop of intense Philistine oppression and the tumultuous life of his son, Samson, who was far from a source of rest for his adversaries. He is a specific individual from the tribe of Dan.
• entreated (וַיְחַל, vay-yal from חלה, ḥalah): "To make sick, weak"; in a Hithpael stem often implies "to beg earnestly," "to plead desperately," or "to soften God's face." It conveys an intense, humble, and heartfelt prayer, showing deep dependence and urgency in seeking divine favor and clarity.
• the LORD (יהוה, YHWH, Yahweh): The tetragrammaton, the personal covenantal name of the God of Israel. Manoah directs his appeal to the supreme, authoritative God of his people, acknowledging His sovereign power to send messengers and provide guidance.
• and said: Introduces direct speech, allowing Manoah's sincere request to be conveyed without intermediaries.
• O my Lord (אֲדֹנָי, Adonai): A title signifying "my Master" or "my Lord," used here as a respectful form of address to God. It indicates Manoah's humble reverence and submission before the Almighty, a customary address in fervent prayer.
• let the man of God (איש האלהים, ish ha-elohim): A technical term in the Old Testament designating a prophet, a person specifically chosen and sent by God with a divine message or task. This title instantly conferred divine authority and recognition to the messenger, distinguishing him from an ordinary man.
• which thou didst send: This phrase underscores Manoah's firm belief in the divine origin of the messenger. It confirms that Manoah, having heard his wife's account, accepted the messenger's authenticity as a direct envoy from Yahweh.
• come again unto us: A specific, urgent request for a second visitation. Manoah desired a personal encounter, perhaps to verify the message himself or to receive further instructions directly from the divine source, demonstrating prudence and a desire for clarity.
• and teach us (וְיוֹרֵנוּ, v'yoranu from ירה, yarah): "To instruct," "to show," "to direct," "to guide." This verb carries the connotation of authoritative and specific teaching, implying that Manoah sought actionable directions and principles, not just general information.
• what we shall do: Highlights the practical nature of Manoah's concern. He is not merely seeking information but definite, implementable steps regarding their responsibilities. It speaks to a desire for faithful obedience to God's specific commands.
• unto the child that shall be born: Specifies the subject of their concern – the promised son, Samson. The use of "that shall be born" emphasizes the anticipation and the unique circumstances surrounding this child's advent, already consecrated for a divine purpose.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "Manoah entreated the LORD": This phrase highlights a pious man engaged in fervent prayer to the personal God of Israel. It portrays a deep spiritual yearning and dependence on divine counsel in a significant life moment, reflecting a recognition of God's sovereignty over even seemingly impossible circumstances.
• "O my Lord, let the man of God... come again": This respectful address coupled with a clear request for a specific person's re-appearance shows Manoah's desire for confirmed, firsthand divine communication. He recognizes the messenger's authority and God's capacity to send him again, revealing an expectation of God's direct intervention.
• "whom thou didst send... teach us": Emphasizes Manoah's acceptance of the messenger's divine origin and purpose. The core plea "teach us" underlines a humble readiness to receive and abide by divine instruction, showcasing a commitment to faithful obedience regarding the immense responsibility bestowed upon them.
• "what we shall do unto the child that shall be born": This statement precisely articulates the parents' practical and moral concern for the future of their consecrated son. It signifies a proactive and responsible stewardship over a unique gift from God, seeking divine wisdom for child-rearing methods far beyond ordinary custom due to the child's destiny.

Judges 13 8 Bonus section

• Manoah's concern underscores the Nazirite vow's gravity (outlined in Numbers 6), which entailed strict dietary, hair, and purity regulations. He genuinely desired to understand and uphold these divine stipulations for Samson's life and role.
• While his wife initially encountered the messenger, Manoah, as the patriarchal head of the household, took the lead in seeking direct divine confirmation and further instruction. This demonstrates his spiritual leadership and commitment.
• The re-appearance of the Angel of the LORD in response to Manoah's prayer (Judges 13:9-10) affirms God's graciousness in answering earnest pleas for wisdom and clarifying His will for those who seek Him sincerely. It highlights that God values genuine inquiry rooted in faithful stewardship.
• Manoah's proactiveness stands in stark contrast to the later general spiritual apathy of Israel and even some of Samson's own actions, suggesting that parental guidance, even if divinely inspired, cannot override personal choices later in life.

Judges 13 8 Commentary

Judges 13:8 provides a beautiful glimpse into a parent's desire for divine guidance concerning their child, especially one with a unique purpose like Samson. Manoah's prayer is not one of doubt concerning the angel's message but one of genuine humility and an earnest craving for clarity and practical instruction. He understood that a child consecrated as a Nazirite from birth would require specific, perhaps unprecedented, forms of upbringing. His question "what we shall do" encapsulates the core challenge of parenting: not just acknowledging God's gifts, but actively and faithfully stewarding them according to His revealed will. This verse thus serves as a model of seeking precise divine direction in significant life roles, reflecting faith and responsible obedience.