Samson’s parents received the divine message with reverent fear and obedience.
The verse says, “Now the angel of the LORD did not appear to Manoah or his wife again. Then Manoah knew that he was the angel of the LORD.” (Judges 13:21) This moment occurs in the time of the Israelite Judges, roughly somewhere between the late 14th century BC and the early 11th century BC, a period of recurring cycles of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance for the nation of Israel. Manoah is the father of Samson, called by God to be a Nazarite and a deliverer for Israel. Samson’s story unfolds in the Book of Judges, showcasing God’s desire to rescue His people despite their failings. The location where Manoah and his wife receive the angelic visitation is near Zorah, a region west of Jerusalem, close to the land of the Philistines.
When the text reports that “the angel of the LORD did not appear to Manoah or his wife again” (v.21), it emphasizes the finality and seriousness of God’s message. There was no further clarification from the angel beyond the initial visit and the instructions given about raising the child who would be Samson. In the ancient near-eastern setting, receiving any form of divine announcement was significant, so the sudden end to these mystical appearances served to show the couple that God had given them all they needed for the mission at hand. Just as the angel’s mission was complete and he departed, the rising role of Samson was set in motion, illustrating God’s pattern of moving from revelation to action among His people.
At the end of the verse, we see that “Then Manoah knew that he was the angel of the LORD” (v.21), meaning Manoah fully realized the divine nature of their visitor. This recognition likely brought both awe and a weighty understanding of the task before them—raising Samson under special guidance for God’s plans. In many ways, Manoah’s acknowledgment parallels the moments when others in Scripture recognized the presence of God’s emissary, foreshadowing how people in the New Testament recognized Jesus as God’s ultimate revelation (Matthew 16:16). A deeper trust emerges in the heart of one who perceives the hand of God, and Manoah’s response highlights that trust in the face of a mysterious and extraordinary calling.
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Judges 13:21 meaning
The verse says, “Now the angel of the LORD did not appear to Manoah or his wife again. Then Manoah knew that he was the angel of the LORD.” (Judges 13:21) This moment occurs in the time of the Israelite Judges, roughly somewhere between the late 14th century BC and the early 11th century BC, a period of recurring cycles of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance for the nation of Israel. Manoah is the father of Samson, called by God to be a Nazarite and a deliverer for Israel. Samson’s story unfolds in the Book of Judges, showcasing God’s desire to rescue His people despite their failings. The location where Manoah and his wife receive the angelic visitation is near Zorah, a region west of Jerusalem, close to the land of the Philistines.
When the text reports that “the angel of the LORD did not appear to Manoah or his wife again” (v.21), it emphasizes the finality and seriousness of God’s message. There was no further clarification from the angel beyond the initial visit and the instructions given about raising the child who would be Samson. In the ancient near-eastern setting, receiving any form of divine announcement was significant, so the sudden end to these mystical appearances served to show the couple that God had given them all they needed for the mission at hand. Just as the angel’s mission was complete and he departed, the rising role of Samson was set in motion, illustrating God’s pattern of moving from revelation to action among His people.
At the end of the verse, we see that “Then Manoah knew that he was the angel of the LORD” (v.21), meaning Manoah fully realized the divine nature of their visitor. This recognition likely brought both awe and a weighty understanding of the task before them—raising Samson under special guidance for God’s plans. In many ways, Manoah’s acknowledgment parallels the moments when others in Scripture recognized the presence of God’s emissary, foreshadowing how people in the New Testament recognized Jesus as God’s ultimate revelation (Matthew 16:16). A deeper trust emerges in the heart of one who perceives the hand of God, and Manoah’s response highlights that trust in the face of a mysterious and extraordinary calling.