Judges 13:7

But he said to me, ‘Behold, you will conceive and give birth to a son. Now, therefore, do not drink wine or strong drink, and do not eat anything unclean, because the boy will be a Nazirite to God from the womb until the day of his death.’”

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — The unnamed woman relays the angel’s message to her husband Manoah immediately after his initial appearance. She reports the divine instruction regarding her future pregnancy and the child’s lifelong consecration.

The words — הָרָה (ha.Rah) literally denotes being pregnant, while תִּשְׁתִּי (tish.Ti) commands against drinking. These terms ground the angel’s announcement in immediate physical reality and specify the exact dietary restriction.

The thread — The prohibition against wine, strong drink, and unclean food repeats the earlier command in Judges 13:4. The designation of the boy as a Nazirite to God from the womb until death establishes a permanent boundary of separation.

Why it lands — The text demands recognition that divine calling precedes human conception and requires strict adherence to prescribed boundaries. Readers must accept that holiness involves concrete, ongoing obedience rather than abstract devotion.

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

But he said unto me, Behold, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and now drink no wine nor strong drink, neither eat any unclean thing: for the child shall be a Nazarite to God from the womb to the day of his death.

Cross-references

Judges 13:4 Now please be careful not to drink wine or strong drink, and not to eat anything unclean.