Breakdown of Judges 13:5

"for behold, you shall conceive and bear a son. No razor shall come upon his head, for the child shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb, and he shall begin to save Israel from the hand of the Philistines.”" — This verse reveals that Samson wasn't just a mighty warrior; he was a "Nazirite to God from the womb," meaning his entire life was consecrated to God from birth. This special dedication, marked by hi…

Judges 13:5 Meaning Explained

All verses

Judges 13:5

for behold, you shall conceive and bear a son. No razor shall come upon his head, for the child shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb, and he shall begin to save Israel from the hand of the Philistines.”

English Standard Version (ESV)

This verse reveals that Samson wasn't just a mighty warrior; he was a "Nazirite to God from the womb," meaning his entire life was consecrated to God from birth. This special dedication, marked by his unshorn hair, was intended to empower him to begin saving Israel, emphasizing that his role was the start of a longer process of deliverance.

What Judges 13:5 means

The angel of the Lord has just appeared to Manoah’s barren wife, revealing that she will miraculously conceive and bear a son. This child, Samson, is destined to be a lifelong Nazirite, set apart to God from before birth, and his special calling is to initiate Israel's deliverance from the oppressive Philistines.

A Life Set Apart from Birth

Samson's birth was no accident; it was divinely orchestrated. But what did being a 'Nazirite from the womb' truly mean for him and Israel?

The angel's announcement in Judges 13:5 reveals that Samson was not just a strong Israelite, but a 'Nazirite to God from the womb.' This wasn't a vow he chose later in life, like some temporary Nazarites, but a lifelong consecration set from conception.

Divine Calling: Unlike others who took a Nazarite vow for a set period, Samson's calling was inherent. This set him apart uniquely for God's service from the very beginning.
Symbol of Separation: The most visible sign of this lifelong consecration was his uncut hair. This physical marker symbolized his spiritual separation and dedication to God's unique purpose.
Foundation for Freedom: This unique calling was directly linked to his mission: to 'begin to save Israel from the hand of the Philistines.' His entire life was meant to be a tool for liberation.

The Beginning of Deliverance, Not the End

Samson was prophesied to 'begin to save Israel.' But why 'begin'? What does this tell us about God's plan and Samson's role?

The angel's words, 'he shall begin to deliver Israel from the hand of the Philistines,' are crucial. They reveal that Samson was a pivotal, yet incomplete, part of a larger, ongoing divine rescue mission.

A Stepping Stone: Samson's victories, though mighty, were not the final act of liberation. He initiated the process, challenging Philistine dominance and giving Israel hope.
God's Gradual Plan: This phrasing shows God's method of working through different individuals across generations. One leader lays groundwork, another builds upon it, and a final deliverer brings completion.
Samson's Limitations: While filled with immense power, Samson's personal struggles and flaws meant he couldn't achieve the complete salvation God intended. His story underscores that even chosen instruments have limitations.

Understand the original words

Original language

Naziriteנָזִיר

nazir · Hebrew Noun

A person who made a special vow to be set apart exclusively for God's service. This vow involved abstaining from wine, contact with the dead, and the cutting of hair as a sign of consecration.

saveיָשַׁע

yasha' · Hebrew Verb

To rescue, deliver, or grant victory. In Scripture, it is the act of God or His appointed instrument saving His people from bondage, oppression, or ultimate judgment.

Historical context

Written: Likely composed between 1000 and 700 BC, during the period of the Judges or shortly thereafter.
Author: Traditionally understood as Samuel, though some scholars suggest multiple authors or editors over time.
Location: Written likely from the territory of Israel, possibly near the region of Zorah in the territory of the tribe of Dan.
Genre: Narrative, featuring a divine encounter and prophecy, with a strong emphasis on the theme of God's chosen deliverer.

Historical background

The birth of Samson, prophesied as a Nazirite to begin Israel's deliverance from the Philistines, occurs during a dark period of oppression. His life, though marked by personal struggles and incomplete victories, foreshadows a longer, more complete salvation to come.

c. 1170 BC
Israelite Oppression by Philistines
Following the decline of Egyptian power in Canaan, the Philistines rose to prominence, often dominating Israelite territories. This period of subjugation created a deep need for deliverance.
c. 1165 BC— this verse
Birth of Samson Foretold
An angelic messenger appears to Manoah's wife, announcing she will miraculously conceive and bear a son. This child is designated as a Nazirite from birth, set apart for God's service.
c. 1145 BC
Samson's Early Exploits
Samson begins his ministry of harassing the Philistines through feats of strength, though these are often personal acts of vengeance rather than coordinated national liberation.
c. 1105 BC
Samson's Capture and Death
After years of conflict, Samson is betrayed by Delilah, captured by the Philistines, and ultimately dies in the destruction of a Philistine temple, killing more of his enemies in death than in life.

Key themes

01God's chosen deliverer
02Life-long divine consecration
03Beginning of Israel's rescue

Cross-references

Numbers 6:1-21

This passage lays out the specific laws and requirements for being a Nazirite, directly informing the unique calling and restrictions placed upon Samson from birth.

1 Samuel 1:11

Hannah dedicates her son Samuel as a lifelong Nazirite before his birth, echoing the special consecration of Samson and showing a similar pattern of God calling individuals for His purposes.

Jeremiah 1:5

God tells Jeremiah, 'Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations,' highlighting the concept of divine selection and calling from conception, similar to Samson's Nazirite vow.

Isaiah 63:5

This passage speaks of the Lord's own 'arm' bringing salvation, which scholars connect to Samson's solitary acts of deliverance against the Philistines, contrasting with typical military leadership and pointing toward a divine power at work.

Luke 1:15

The angel foretells John the Baptist's birth and his being 'great before the Lord,' stating he will 'drink no wine or strong drink,' which parallels Samson's Nazirite restrictions and divinely appointed mission.

Scholarly commentary

Judges 13:5: "For, lo, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and no rasor shall come on his head: for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb: and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines."

For, lo, thou shalt conceive and bear a son,.... Which is not only repeated for the confirmation of it, but that she might take notice that he was to be a Nazarite, and therefore must conform to everything agreeable to the law of the Nazarites, and take care that it was…
gill

Judges 13:5: "For, lo, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and no rasor shall come on his head: for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb: and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines."

Jdg 13:5 . The child shall be a Nazarite — Consecrated to God’s service in a peculiar manner. He shall begin to deliver Israel — He did not complete the deliverance of the Israelites from the servile yoke of the Philistines; but the work was carried on and perfected by…
benson

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What Judges 13:5 means

Original language

Naziriteנָזִיר

nazir · Hebrew Noun

A person who made a special vow to be set apart exclusively for God's service. This vow involved abstaining from wine, contact with the dead, and the cutting of hair as a sign of consecration.

saveיָשַׁע

yasha' · Hebrew Verb

To rescue, deliver, or grant victory. In Scripture, it is the act of God or His appointed instrument saving His people from bondage, oppression, or ultimate judgment.

Historical context

Written: Likely composed between 1000 and 700 BC, during the period of the Judges or shortly thereafter.
Author: Traditionally understood as Samuel, though some scholars suggest multiple authors or editors over time.
Location: Written likely from the territory of Israel, possibly near the region of Zorah in the territory of the tribe of Dan.
Genre: Narrative, featuring a divine encounter and prophecy, with a strong emphasis on the theme of God's chosen deliverer.

Historical background

c. 1170 BC

Israelite Oppression by Philistines

Following the decline of Egyptian power in Canaan, the Philistines rose to prominence, often dominating Israelite territories. This period of subjugation created a deep need for deliverance.

c. 1165 BC— this verse

Birth of Samson Foretold

An angelic messenger appears to Manoah's wife, announcing she will miraculously conceive and bear a son. This child is designated as a Nazirite from birth, set apart for God's service.

c. 1145 BC

Samson's Early Exploits

Samson begins his ministry of harassing the Philistines through feats of strength, though these are often personal acts of vengeance rather than coordinated national liberation.

c. 1105 BC

Samson's Capture and Death

After years of conflict, Samson is betrayed by Delilah, captured by the Philistines, and ultimately dies in the destruction of a Philistine temple, killing more of his enemies in death than in life.