Judges 13:2
There was a certain man of Zorah, of the tribe of the Danites, whose name was Manoah. And his wife was barren and had no children.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The text repeats "barren and had no children," which isn't just for emphasis, but highlights that this inability to bear children wasn't a minor inconvenience; it was a deeply felt lack, a state of being defined by incompleteness that God was about to radically redefine. This detail sets the stage for divine intervention, showing that the extraordinary is often born from the seemingly impossible.
This passage introduces Manoah, a man from the tribe of Dan living in the town of Zorah, and his wife, who had been unable to have children. The story is set during the time of the Judges, when Israel was oppressed by the Philistines, highlighting the family's personal struggle amidst national turmoil, which sets the stage for a miraculous divine intervention.
The Bible often grounds its most significant stories in specific places and people. Where does Manoah live, and what does that location suggest about his circumstances?
The story of Samson begins by introducing us to Manoah, a man from Zorah, a town associated with the tribe of Dan.
A Borderland Existence
While Zorah is listed as part of the tribe of Dan, it also bordered Judah. This strategic location, near the Philistine territories, placed Manoah and his community in a challenging environment. The tribe of Dan itself faced difficulties, eventually migrating northward to establish a new settlement.
Dan's Unique Situation
Scholars note that the tribe of Dan was relatively small, sometimes referred to interchangeably as a 'family' or 'tribe.' This suggests a close-knit community, perhaps one with a unique history of struggle and adaptation.
Living in a border region, amidst a tribe facing its own pressures, sets the stage for the extraordinary intervention that is about to unfold.
In ancient cultures, barrenness carried a heavy social and emotional weight. What does this verse reveal about Manoah's wife and the significance of her situation?
The verse pointedly states, 'his wife was barren and had no children.' This isn't just a neutral fact; it's a profound detail that echoes through Scripture.
A Common Theme of Promise
Across the Old and New Testaments, God frequently chooses to bless individuals and nations through women who initially experienced barrenness. Think of Sarah, Rebekah, Hannah, and later, Elizabeth.
More Than Just Childless
Barrenness in this context often signifies more than just the absence of children. It can represent a perceived lack of fulfillment, a vulnerability, and a situation that only divine intervention can resolve. The emphatic repetition—'barren, and bare not'—underscores the depth of this struggle.
Understand the original words
aqar · Hebrew Adjective
A condition often seen in the Bible as a state of social disgrace or sorrow, yet frequently used by God to display His power through miraculous intervention in birth.
The specific mention of Zorah's location and the Danite tribe's history highlights the precarious position of this community, caught between Israelite territory and Philistine influence, making Samson's birth and mission all the more critical.
c. 1160 BC
Danites Migrate North
The tribe of Dan, pressured by Amorites in their southern territory, migrated north to settle in the city of Laish (later renamed Dan). Some families likely remained in the south.
c. 1150 BC
Zorah Fortified by Rehoboam
The city of Zorah, located in the Shephelah region and close to the Philistine border, was fortified by King Rehoboam. This suggests ongoing regional instability and conflict.
c. 1100 BC— this verse
Birth of Samson Foretold
An angel of the Lord appears to Manoah's wife, announcing that despite her barrenness, she will conceive and bear a son who will begin to save Israel from the Philistines.
This passage mirrors the barrenness of Manoah's wife, setting a pattern where God intervenes to bring forth a promised child despite impossible circumstances.
1 Samuel 1:2Similar to Manoah's wife, Hannah's deep longing for a child and her eventual miraculous conception of Samuel highlight God's favor towards those who wait on Him.
Luke 1:7This verse introduces Zechariah and Elizabeth, who are also described as righteous but barren, showing a New Testament parallel to the theme of God choosing to bring forth significant figures through miraculous births.
Genesis 25:21The barrenness of Rebekah and Isaac's subsequent prayer for a child echoes the situation of Manoah's wife, emphasizing the divine initiative in overcoming infertility for a purpose.
clarkeJudges 13:2: "And there was a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren, and bare not."
A certain man of Zorah - A town in the tribe of Judah, but afterwards given to Dan.
bensonJudges 13:2: "And there was a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren, and bare not."
Jdg 13:2-3 . Of the family of the Danites — That is, of that tribe or people. His wife was barren, and bare not — An emphatical repetition of the same thing in other words, which is a usual elegance both in Scripture and other authors. The angel — The Son of God, yet distinguished from the Lord, because he appeared here in the form of a servant, as a m…
The text repeats "barren and had no children," which isn't just for emphasis, but highlights that this inability to bear children wasn't a minor inconvenience; it was a deeply felt lack, a state of being defined by incompleteness that God was about to radically redefine. This detail sets the stage for divine intervention, showing that the extraordinary is often born from the seemingly impossible.
This passage introduces Manoah, a man from the tribe of Dan living in the town of Zorah, and his wife, who had been unable to have children. The story is set during the time of the Judges, when Israel was oppressed by the Philistines, highlighting the family's personal struggle amidst national turmoil, which sets the stage for a miraculous divine intervention.
This passage introduces Manoah, a man from the tribe of Dan living in the town of Zorah, and his wife, who had been unable to have children. The story is set during the time of the Judges, when Israel was oppressed by the Philistines, highlighting the family's personal struggle amidst national turmoil, which sets the stage for a miraculous divine intervention.
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This situation magnifies the miraculous nature of the child God would eventually give them and highlights that his purposes often work through the seemingly impossible.
"There was a certain man of Zorah, of the tribe of the Danites, whose name was Manoah. And his wife was barren and had no children." — The text repeats "barren and had no children," which isn't just for emphasis, but highlights that this inability to bear children wasn't a minor inconvenience; it was a deeply felt lack, a state of b…
