And the woman bare a son, and called his name Samson: and the child grew, and the LORD blessed him.

JUDGES 13:24KJV
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Judges 13:24 (KJV)

What does Judges 13:24 mean?

Judges 13:24 marks the birth and early growth of Samson, the son promised to Manoah and his wife. The narrator presents Samson’s birth as the arrival of the child whose future had already been announced, and says that the LORD blessed him as he grew.

The woman gives the child his name. The verse then moves quickly from his birth to his childhood, preparing the reader for the next stage of his story.

The Hebrew behind Judges 13:24

  • “Samson” — שִׁמְשׁוֹן (Shimshon): The name is often connected with the Hebrew word for “sun.” The name gives the reader a possible association with sunlight, though the verse itself does not explain the choice.
  • “blessed” — בָּרַךְ (barakh): This word can mean to bless or to show favor. Here, the statement places the LORD’s favor over Samson’s childhood rather than describing a single event.

Why Judges 13:24 matters

  • Samson’s arrival fulfills the promise given to his mother. Earlier, the LORD’s messenger told her that she would have a son, although she had been unable to have children (Judges 13:3).
  • The verse places Samson’s story within his parents’ lives before turning to his own actions. His mother names him, and the next verse begins to describe the LORD’s Spirit stirring him (Judges 13:25).

Where else these words appear

“Samson” Hebrew H8123 · used in 37 verses

  • Judges 14:1 And Samson went down to Timnath, and saw a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines.
  • Judges 15:6 Then the Philistines said, Who hath done this? And they answered, Samson, the son in law of the Timnite, because he had taken his wife, and given her to his companion. And the Philistines came up, and burnt her and her father with fire.
  • Judges 16:10 And Delilah said unto Samson, Behold, thou hast mocked me, and told me lies: now tell me, I pray thee, wherewith thou mightest be bound.

“grew” Hebrew H1431 · used in 112 verses

  • Genesis 12:2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
  • 1 Chronicles 22:5 And David said, Solomon my son is young and tender, and the house that is to be builded for the LORD must be exceeding magnifical, of fame and of glory throughout all countries: I will therefore now make preparation for it. So David prepared abundantly before his death.
  • Isaiah 23:4 Be thou ashamed, O Zidon: for the sea hath spoken, even the strength of the sea, saying, I travail not, nor bring forth children, neither do I nourish up young men, nor bring up virgins.