Bible Strands
Judges 13:25
And the Spirit of the LORD began to stir him at Mahaneh-dan, between Zorah and Eshtaol.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator records the moment following Samson's birth and initial blessing, marking the onset of his divinely appointed role. The text places this event geographically at Mahaneh-dan, situated between Zorah and Eshtaol.
The words — The Hebrew verb וַתְּחֶל (vataḥel) translates to "began," paired with לִפְעֹמוֹ (liph'omô), meaning "to stir him" or "to move him." This phrasing indicates the Spirit of Yahweh initiating Samson's prophetic empowerment rather than a permanent indwelling.
The thread — The Spirit's movement to empower a deliverer echoes Judges 3:10, while the geographic markers Zorah and Eshtaol reappear in Joshua 15:33 and Judges 18:11 as part of the tribal allotment and migration narrative.
Why it lands — The text records a specific historical and theological transition, showing that divine empowerment for deliverance starts at the boundary of the tribe's territory. A reader must note that the Spirit's stirring precedes visible action, establishing the pattern that prophetic calling originates in localized, divine initiative rather than human preparation.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And the Spirit of the Lord began to move him at times in the camp of Dan between Zorah and Eshtaol.
Cross-references
- Judges 3:10 The Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he became Israel’s judge and went out to war. And the LORD delivered Cushan-rishathaim king of Aram into the hand of Othniel, who prevailed against him.
- Joshua 15:33 These were in the foothills: Eshtaol, Zorah, Ashnah,
- Judges 18:11 So six hundred Danites departed from Zorah and Eshtaol, armed with weapons of war.
- 1 Samuel 11:6 When Saul heard their words, the Spirit of God rushed upon him, and he burned with great anger.
- Matthew 4:1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
- John 3:34 For the One whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit.
- Judges 6:34 So the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon, who blew the ram’s horn and rallied the Abiezrites behind him.
- Judges 11:29 Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jephthah, and he passed through Gilead and Manasseh, then through Mizpah of Gilead. And from there he advanced against the Ammonites.