Judges 13:5
*“For behold, you shall conceive and give birth to a son, and no razor shall come upon his head, for the boy shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb; and he shall begin to deliver Israel from the hands of the Philistines.”* (Judges 13:5)
In this verse, the Angel of the LORD addresses the wife of Manoah in the region of Zorah, located in the tribal territory of Dan on Israel’s western edge. This time period, likely in the 12th or 11th century BC, found God’s people under Philistine oppression. By declaring *“no razor shall come upon his head”* (Judges 13:5), the Angel provides clear instructions that the child, Samson, would be set apart under a lifelong Nazirite vow, a vow that included abstaining from shaving his head or consuming wine and other grape products (Numbers 6). This vow symbolized complete devotion and consecration to God, reflecting God’s chosen role for Samson: *“he shall begin to deliver Israel from the hands of the Philistines”* (Judges 13:5), indicating a decisive plan of salvation through Samson’s special calling.
Samson’s future impact shows God’s faithfulness in raising deliverers during the era of the Judges, a period marked by cycles of disobedience and deliverance. While many Nazirites took vows for limited periods, Samson’s dedication started *“from the womb”* (Judges 13:5) and continued through his adult life, underscoring the unique purpose God assigned to him. According to later passages, he would confront the Philistines; though often flawed in his judgments, Samson’s feats ultimately foreshadow God’s enduring mercy to save His people (Judges 15–16). His story also provides a reminder that spiritual consecration goes beyond external symbols: when Samson trusted God’s Spirit, his strength prevailed, much like God empowered other leaders (Hebrews 11:32).
Samson’s pre-birth consecration reveals the importance God placed on holiness and obedience, with the Nazirite vow signifying a call to moral and spiritual purity. His successes and failures would illustrate Israel’s own struggle with sin and dependence on God. In the same way that God called Samson to oppose the Philistines, He continues to raise up individuals committed to holiness, pointing ultimately to the ultimate Deliverer, Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:21), who delivers all who place their trust in Him.
Samson was to be an extraordinary figure from before his birth, dedicated by God to rescue Israel through an everlasting sign of consecration on his head.
This quick synopsis was AI autogenerated utilizing existing TheBibleSays commentaries as the primary source material. To read a related commentary that has been fully developed, see the list below. If there is an issue with this summary please let us know by emailing:[email protected]
Other Relevant Commentaries:
- Judges 2:1-5 meaning. The angel of the Lord delivers a message of rebuke to the Israelites at Bochim, reminding them of God’s faithfulness and their disobedience. The angel warns of the consequences of their actions, leading the people to weep and offer sacrifices to the Lord.
- Judges 5:1-5 meaning. The song of Deborah and Barak is a victory hymn celebrating God’s deliverance of Israel from the oppression of the Canaanite king Jabin and his commander Sisera. This song praises the leadership of Israel’s volunteers, glorifies the Lord’s mighty acts in battle, and recalls God’s past interventions in Israel’s history, worshiping His sovereignty and power over creation.
- Judges 5:6-8 meaning. The second segment of the song to the Lord in Judges 5 reflects the turmoil and oppression that Israel faced before the victory led by Deborah and Barak. The people had been living in fear and desolation. Yet, through Deborah’s faithfulness, God began to restore Israel, leading to the defeat of their enemies.