Judges 13:5 (KJV)

What does Judges 13:5 mean?

Judges 13:5 announces that a woman will have a son who must never have his hair cut, because he will be dedicated to God as a Nazarite from before birth, and he will start to save Israel from the Philistines. This verse sets up the special role and calling of Samson, even before he is born.

In this verse, an angel speaks to Manoah’s wife, who has been unable to have children. The angel tells her that her future son will be a "Nazarite"—someone set apart for God in a special way, marked by not cutting his hair. The verse explains that Samson’s life and mission are planned by God from the very beginning, and that his purpose is to begin freeing Israel from their enemies, the Philistines.

The Hebrew behind Judges 13:5

• "Nazarite" (נָזִיר, nazir): This word means someone who is specially dedicated or set apart for God, often by a vow that includes not cutting their hair, not drinking wine, and avoiding contact with the dead. Here, it highlights Samson’s lifelong dedication, starting even before birth, which is unusual.
• "Deliver" (יָשַׁע, yasha): This word means to save or rescue. The verse says Samson will "begin to deliver" Israel, suggesting he will start the process but not complete it himself.
• "Womb" (בֶּטֶן, beten): The mention of the womb emphasizes that Samson’s dedication to God starts before he is even born, showing how special and set apart his calling is.

Why Judges 13:5 matters

• Judges 13:5 clarifies that Samson’s Nazarite status is not a personal choice but a calling given by God before his birth, which is rare in the Bible.
• The verse shows that God’s plan to rescue Israel from the Philistines is already in motion, even before Samson is born, highlighting God’s control over Israel’s history.
• The detail that Samson will "begin" to deliver Israel helps explain why, later in the story, the Philistine threat is not fully removed during his lifetime—his role is to start the process, not finish it.