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.
JUDGES 13:2KJVWhat does Judges 13:2 mean?
Judges 13:2 introduces a man named Manoah from the town of Zorah, who belonged to the tribe of Dan. The verse notes that Manoah’s wife could not have children, setting the stage for the events that follow in the chapter.
This verse is part of a narrative transition, moving the focus to Manoah’s family as the next key figures in the story of Israel’s judges. The mention of his wife’s barrenness highlights a common theme in the Bible, where God’s intervention often comes in situations that seem hopeless or impossible by human standards.
The Hebrew behind Judges 13:2
- The word for “barren” is עֲקָרָה (
aqarah), meaning unable to have children. This detail is significant because it signals an upcoming miraculous birth, a pattern seen elsewhere in the Bible. - The name “Manoah” (מָנוֹחַ, Manoach) means “rest” or “quiet.” This may hint at the kind of role Manoah or his family will play in the story.
- “Zorah” (צָרְעָה, Tzorah) is a town in the territory of Dan, grounding the story in a specific place and tribe, which matters for understanding the tribal dynamics in Judges.
Why Judges 13:2 matters
- The verse sets up the miraculous birth of Samson, one of Israel’s most famous judges, by emphasizing the impossibility of his birth apart from divine intervention.
- By naming Manoah and his tribe, the verse connects the coming story to the broader history and struggles of the tribe of Dan within Israel.
- The detail about barrenness prepares the reader for God’s direct involvement, a recurring theme in stories where God brings hope and purpose out of human limitation.