Judges 13:8 - Then Manoah entreated Yahweh, and said, “Oh, Lord, please let the man of God whom you sent come again to us, and teach us what we should do to the child who shall be born.”

Generated Verse: Judges 13:8

What does "Judges 13:8" mean?


Judges 13:8 reveals Manoah's earnest desire to properly raise the son he and his wife are promised. Let's break it down:

"Then Manoah entreated Yahweh..." This shows that Manoah, upon hearing from his wife about the angel's visit and the promised son, immediately turned to God in prayer (entreated). He recognizes the importance of the situation.

"...and said, “Oh, Lord, please let the man of God whom you sent come again to us..." Manoah specifically requests a second visit from the "man of God," likely the angel who brought the initial prophecy. He views this figure as divinely appointed, someone sent by God with a specific purpose.

"...and teach us what we should do to the child who shall be born.”" This is the crux of Manoah's prayer. He recognizes that this child, Samson, will be special and set apart (as indicated in the angel's earlier message). Therefore, he wants divine guidance on how to raise him correctly. He understands that raising this child is not simply a matter of following ordinary parenting principles. He seeks specific instructions from God.

In essence, the verse shows Manoah's:

Faith and reverence for God: He immediately prays to Yahweh upon receiving this extraordinary news.
Recognition of the child's special purpose: He understands that this child will be different.
Humility and desire to obey God's will: He acknowledges that he needs guidance to raise the child properly and is willing to submit to God's instructions.
Responsibility as a parent: he is proactive in seeking guidance to best nurture and raise the child.

Manoah's prayer reveals a genuine commitment to raising Samson in a way that honors God and prepares him for the destiny God has planned for him. It highlights the importance of seeking God's wisdom in parenting, especially when dealing with children who are called to a unique purpose. He recognizes that raising a Nazarite requires specific instruction.

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