Now therefore beware, I pray thee, and drink not wine nor strong drink, and eat not any unclean thing:

JUDGES 13:4KJV
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Judges 13:4 (KJV)

What does Judges 13:4 mean?

Judges 13:4 is a warning given to Samson’s mother before his birth, telling her not to drink wine or strong drink and not to eat anything unclean. This instruction sets her apart for a special purpose, as her son Samson will also be set apart from birth.

The angel of the LORD is speaking directly to Samson’s mother, who had been unable to have children. The command is part of a larger message that her son will be dedicated to God as a Nazirite, which involves special rules about food and drink. The verse emphasizes careful obedience to these rules even before Samson is born, highlighting the seriousness of his calling.

The Hebrew behind Judges 13:4

  • "Beware" (שָׁמַר, shamar): This word means to keep, guard, or pay close attention. Here, it stresses the importance of being vigilant and careful about following the instructions.
  • "Drink" (שָׁתָה, shatah): This verb simply means to drink, but paired with "wine" (יַיִן, yayin) and "strong drink" (שֵׁכָר, shekar), it makes clear that all forms of alcoholic beverages are included in the prohibition.
  • "Unclean" (טָמֵא, tame): This word refers to things that are ritually impure according to Israelite law. The instruction not to eat anything "unclean" means avoiding foods that would make her ritually impure, underlining the special holiness required.

Why Judges 13:4 matters

  • Judges 13:4 clarifies that the Nazirite vow’s requirements could begin even before birth, affecting the mother during pregnancy, not just the child after birth.
  • The verse shows that God’s instructions for those set apart can include detailed lifestyle changes, even in private matters like diet and drink.
  • This command connects to the wider story of Samson, explaining why his life was marked by special restrictions and why his mother’s actions mattered for his future role.

Where else these words appear

“drink” Hebrew H7941 · used in 20 verses

  • Leviticus 10:9 Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations:
  • Judges 13:14 She may not eat of any thing that cometh of the vine, neither let her drink wine or strong drink, nor eat any unclean thing: all that I commanded her let her observe.
  • Isaiah 5:11 Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them!

“unclean” Hebrew H2931 · used in 78 verses

  • Leviticus 5:2 Or if a soul touch any unclean thing, whether it be a carcase of an unclean beast, or a carcase of unclean cattle, or the carcase of unclean creeping things, and if it be hidden from him; he also shall be unclean, and guilty.
  • Leviticus 14:40 Then the priest shall command that they take away the stones in which the plague is, and they shall cast them into an unclean place without the city:
  • Deuteronomy 14:7 Nevertheless these ye shall not eat of them that chew the cud, or of them that divide the cloven hoof; as the camel, and the hare, and the coney: for they chew the cud, but divide not the hoof; therefore they are unclean unto you.

“wine” Hebrew H3196 · used in 134 verses

  • Genesis 9:21 And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent.
  • 2 Chronicles 2:15 Now therefore the wheat, and the barley, the oil, and the wine, which my lord hath spoken of, let him send unto his servants:
  • Isaiah 24:9 They shall not drink wine with a song; strong drink shall be bitter to them that drink it.