Judges 13:1-25

THE STORY OF SAMSON Except for Judges 15:20 and Judges 16:31, Samson has none of the characteristics of a Judge. His exploits against the Philistines are all solitary, and though they doubtless afforded relief to the Israelites, they left no permanent result. We learn much more of the internal organ... [ Continue Reading ]

Judges 13:2

ZORAH] in Joshua 19:41 a Danite city; it lies some 17 m. W. of Jerusalem. Later, the Danites migrated northwards (Judges 18), and Zorah was reckoned as belonging to Judah (Joshua 15:33; 2 Chronicles 11:10). FAMILY] properly, clan.... [ Continue Reading ]

Judges 13:3

ANGEL OF THE LORD] cp. Judges 2:1; Judges 6:11. 4, 5. WINE NOR STRONG DRINK] These are forbidden to the Nazirites (Numbers 6:3), and here to the mother of the future Nazirite: cp. also Amos 2:12. UNCLEAN] regarded as unfit for food: we may compare our English attitude to horseflesh. NO RAZOR] In Num... [ Continue Reading ]

Judges 13:6

MAN OF GOD] The woman, apparently like Gideon (see on Judges 6:15), does not recognise her visitor as supernatural, though she feels him to be inspired. She does not venture, like her husband, to ask the stranger's name.... [ Continue Reading ]

Judges 13:12

NOW LET THY WORDS, etc.] i.e. granted that this takes place, how shall we, etc. HOW SHALL WE] RV 'what shall be the manner of the child, and _what shall he_ his work?'... [ Continue Reading ]

Judges 13:22

Cp. Judges 6:22.; Isaiah 6:5. No man can hope to see God and live. Note the sound wisdom of the woman's answer. 24, 25. SAMSON] i.e. probably 'Sun's man': cp. the name of the Bethshemesh, 'place of the Sun,' just opposite Zorah. MOVE] a rare word, meaning to disturb or stir up: cp. Judges 14:19; Jud... [ Continue Reading ]

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