Judges 13
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
ISRAEL SERVES THE PHILISTINES FORTY YEARS. (Jdg 13:1) the Lord delivered them into the hand of the Philistines forty years--The Israelites were represented (Jdg 10:6-7) as having fallen universally into a state of gross and confirmed idolatry, and in chastisement of this great apostasy, the Lord raised up enemies that harassed them in various quarters, especially the Ammonites and Philistines. The invasions and defeat of the former were narrated in the two chapters immediately preceding this; and now the sacred historian proceeds to describe the inroads of the latter people. The period of Philistine ascendency comprised forty years, reckoning from the time of Elon till the death of Samson.
Open source ↗And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord,.... Committed idolatry, which was the evil they were prone unto, and were frequently guilty of: and the Lord delivered them into the hands of the Philistines forty years: which according to Josephus (f) are to be reckoned from the death of the last judge, and the time of Samson's birth; or rather from some time after the death of Jephthah, particularly taking in the two last years of Ibzan, when the Ephraimites having been weakened through the slaughter of them by Jephthah, might encourage the Philistines to break in upon them; from which time to the birth of Samson were twenty years, and twenty more may be allowed before he could begin to deliver Israel out of their hands; so that the oppression lasted forty years. According to others, it began at the same time as the oppression of the Ammonites did, though it lasted longer, Jdg 10:7. (f) Ibid. (Antiqu. l. 5.) c. 8. sect. 1.
Open source ↗Birth of Samson. - Jdg 13:1. The oppression of the Israelites by the Philistines, which is briefly hinted at in Jdg 10:7, is noticed again here with the standing formula, "And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the Lord," etc. (cf. Jdg 10:6; Jdg 4:1; Jdg 3:12), as an introduction to the account of the life and acts of Samson, who began to deliver Israel from the hands of these enemies. Not only the birth of Samson, but the prediction of his birth, also fell, according to Jdg 13:5, within the period of the rule of the Philistines over Israel. Now, as their oppression lasted forty years, and Samson judged Israel for twenty years during that oppression (Jdg 15:20; Jdg 16:31), he must have commenced his judgeship at an early age, probably before the completion of his twentieth year; and with this the statement in Judg 14, that his marriage with a Philistine woman furnished the occasion for his conflicts with these enemies of his people, fully agrees. The end of the forty years of the supremacy of the Philistines is not given in this book, which closes with the death of Samson. It did not terminate till the great victory which the Israelites gained over their enemies under the command of Samuel (1 Sam 7). Twenty years before this victory the Philistines had sent back the ark which they had taken from the Israelites, after keeping it for seven months in their own land (Sa1 7:2, and Sa1 6:1). It was within these twenty years that most of the acts of Samson occurred. His first affair with the Philistines, however, namely on the occasion of his marriage, took place a year or two before this defeat of the Israelites, in which the sons of Eli were slain, the ark fell into the hands of the Philistines, and the high priest Eli fell from his seat and broke his neck…
Open source ↗The first verse gives us a short account, such as we have too often met with already, of the great distress that Israel was in, which gave occasion for the raising up of a deliverer. They did evil, as they had done, in the sight of the Lord, and then God delivered them, as he had done, into the hands of their enemies. If there had been no sin, there would have needed no Saviour; but sin was suffered to abound, that grace might much more abound. The enemies God now sold them to were the Philistines, their next neighbours, that lay among them, the first and chief of the nations which were devoted to destruction, but which God left to prove them (Jdg 3:1, Jdg 3:3), the five lords of the Philistines, an inconsiderable people in comparison with Israel (they had but five cities of any note), and yet, when God made use of them as the staff in his hand, they were very oppressive and vexatious. And this trouble lasted longer than any yet: it continued forty years, though probably not always alike violent. When Israel was in this distress Samson was born; and here we have his birth foretold by an angel. Observe, I. His extraction. He was of the tribe of Dan, Jdg 13:2. Dan signifies a judge or judgment, Gen 30:6. And probably it was with an eye to Samson that dying Jacob foretold, Dan shall judge his people, that is, "he shall produce a judge for his people, though one of the sons of the handmaids, as one, as well as any one, of the tribes of Israel," Gen 49:16. The lot of the tribe of Dan lay next to the country of the Philistines, and therefore one of that tribe was most fit to be made a bridle upon them. His parents had been long childless. Many eminent persons were born of mothers that had been kept a great while in the want of the blessing of children, as Isaac, Joseph, Samue…
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) יָסַף (yâçaph, H3254) — to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing) עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), פְּלִשְׁתִּי (Pᵉlishtîy, H6430) — a Pelishtite or inhabitant of Pelesheth אַרְבָּעִים (ʼarbâʻîym, H705) — forty שָׁנֶה (shâneh, H8141) — a year (as a revolution of time)
Open source ↗אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… צׇרְעָה (Tsorʻâh, H6881) — Tsorah, a place in Palestine מִשְׁפָּחָה (mishpâchâh, H4940) — a family, i.e. circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of… דָּנִי (Dânîy, H1839) — a Danite (often collectively) or descendants (or inhabitants) of Dan שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,… מָנוֹחַ (Mânôwach, H4495) — Manoach, an Israelite אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H802) — a woman עָקָר (ʻâqâr, H6135) — sterile (as if extirpated in the generative organs) יָלַד (yâlad, H3205) — to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show…
Open source ↗מֲלְאָךְ (mălʼâk, H4397) — a messenger; specifically, of God, i.e. an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H802) — a woman אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) עָקָר (ʻâqâr, H6135) — sterile (as if extirpated in the generative organs) יָלַד (yâlad, H3205) — to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show… הָרָה (hârâh, H2029) — to be (or become) pregnant, conceive (literally or figuratively) בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative…
Open source ↗שָׁמַר (shâmar, H8104) — properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to,… שָׁתָה (shâthâh, H8354) — to imbibe (literally or figuratively) יַיִן (yayin, H3196) — wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication שֵׁכָר (shêkâr, H7941) — an intoxicant, i.e. intensely alcoholic liquor אָכַל (ʼâkal, H398) — to eat (literally or figuratively) טָמֵא (ṭâmêʼ, H2931) — foul in a religious sense
Open source ↗הָרֶה (hâreh, H2030) — pregnant יָלַד (yâlad, H3205) — to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show… בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… מוֹרָה (môwrâh, H4177) — a razor עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of… נַעַר (naʻar, H5288) — (concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a… נָזִיר (nâzîyr, H5139) — separate, i.e. consecrated (as prince, a Nazirite); hence (figuratively from the latter)… אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… בֶּטֶן (beṭen, H990) — the belly, especially the womb; also the bosom or body of anything חָלַל (châlal, H2490) — properly, to bore, i.e. (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane… יָשַׁע (yâshaʻ, H3467) — properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e. (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),
Open source ↗אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H802) — a woman בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… מַרְאֶה (marʼeh, H4758) — a view (the act of seeing); also an appearance (the thing seen), whether (real) a shape… מֲלְאָךְ (mălʼâk, H4397) — a messenger; specifically, of God, i.e. an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher) מְאֹד (mᵉʼôd, H3966) — properly, vehemence, i.e. (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication,… יָרֵא (yârêʼ, H3372) — to fear; morally, to revere; caus. to frighten שָׁאַל (shâʼal, H7592) — to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand נָגַד (nâgad, H5046) — properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to… שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,…
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) הָרֶה (hâreh, H2030) — pregnant יָלַד (yâlad, H3205) — to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show… בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… שֵׁכָר (shêkâr, H7941) — an intoxicant, i.e. intensely alcoholic liquor יַיִן (yayin, H3196) — wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication שָׁתָה (shâthâh, H8354) — to imbibe (literally or figuratively) אָכַל (ʼâkal, H398) — to eat (literally or figuratively) טֻמְאָה (ṭumʼâh, H2932) — religious impurity נַעַר (naʻar, H5288) — (concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a… נָזִיר (nâzîyr, H5139) — separate, i.e. consecrated (as prince, a Nazirite); hence (figuratively from the latter)… אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… בֶּטֶן (beṭen, H990) — the belly, especially the womb; also the bosom or body of anything יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to…
Open source ↗מָנוֹחַ (Mânôwach, H4495) — Manoach, an Israelite עָתַר (ʻâthar, H6279) — to burn incense in worship, i.e. intercede (reciprocally, listen to prayer) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) בִּי (bîy, H994) — oh that!; with leave, or if it please אֲדֹנָי (ʼĂdônây, H136) — the Lord (used as a proper name of God only) נָא (nâʼ, H4994) — 'I pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the Imperative or Future), or to… אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) יָרָה (yârâh, H3384) — properly, to flow as water (i.e. to rain); transitively, to lay or throw (especially an… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application נַעַר (naʻar, H5288) — (concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a…
Open source ↗אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… קוֹל (qôwl, H6963) — a voice or sound מָנוֹחַ (Mânôwach, H4495) — Manoach, an Israelite מֲלְאָךְ (mălʼâk, H4397) — a messenger; specifically, of God, i.e. an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher) בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H802) — a woman יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… שָׂדֶה (sâdeh, H7704) — a field (as flat) אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term…
Open source ↗אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H802) — a woman מָהַר (mâhar, H4116) — properly, to be liquid or flow easily, i.e. (by implication); to hurry (in a good or a… רוּץ (rûwts, H7323) — to run (for whatever reason, especially to rush) נָגַד (nâgad, H5046) — properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to… אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to…
Open source ↗מָנוֹחַ (Mânôwach, H4495) — Manoach, an Israelite קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) אַחַר (ʼachar, H310) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various… אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H802) — a woman בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a…
Open source ↗מָנוֹחַ (Mânôwach, H4495) — Manoach, an Israelite אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) מִשְׁפָּט (mishpâṭ, H4941) — properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a… נַעַר (naʻar, H5288) — (concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a… מַעֲשֶׂה (maʻăseh, H4639) — an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication,…
Open source ↗מֲלְאָךְ (mălʼâk, H4397) — a messenger; specifically, of God, i.e. an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) מָנוֹחַ (Mânôwach, H4495) — Manoach, an Israelite אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H802) — a woman שָׁמַר (shâmar, H8104) — properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to,…
Open source ↗אָכַל (ʼâkal, H398) — to eat (literally or figuratively) יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… גֶּפֶן (gephen, H1612) — a vine (as twining), especially the grape שָׁתָה (shâthâh, H8354) — to imbibe (literally or figuratively) יַיִן (yayin, H3196) — wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication שֵׁכָר (shêkâr, H7941) — an intoxicant, i.e. intensely alcoholic liquor טֻמְאָה (ṭumʼâh, H2932) — religious impurity צָוָה (tsâvâh, H6680) — (intensively) to constitute, enjoin שָׁמַר (shâmar, H8104) — properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to,…
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
But they forgot the LORD their God, and He sold them into the hand of Sisera the commander of the army of Hazor, and into the hands of the Philistines and the king of Moab, who fought against them.
Again the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD; so He delivered them into the hand of Midian for seven years,
God “will repay each one according to his deeds.”
And the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD and served the Baals.
So the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD; they forgot the LORD their God and served the Baals and the Asherahs.
And again the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD. They served the Baals, the Ashtoreths, the gods of Aram, Sidon, and Moab, and the gods of the Ammonites and Philistines. Thus they forsook the LORD and did not serve Him.
After Ehud died, the Israelites again did evil in the sight of the LORD.
Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? Neither are you able to do good— you who are accustomed to doing evil.