Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version A certain man of Zorah, named Manoah, from the clan of the Danites, had a wife who was childless, unable to give birth. New Living Translation In those days a man named Manoah from the tribe of Dan lived in the town of Zorah. His wife was unable to become pregnant, and they had no children. English Standard Version There was a certain man of Zorah, of the tribe of the Danites, whose name was Manoah. And his wife was barren and had no children. Berean Standard Bible Now there was a man from Zorah named Manoah, from the clan of the Danites, whose wife was barren and had no children. Berean Literal Bible And there was a certain man from Zorah of the family of the Danite, and his name was Manoah. And his wife was barren and she had not given birth. King James Bible And there was a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren, and bare not. New King James Version Now there was a certain man from Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren and had no children. New American Standard Bible And there was a man of Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah; and his wife was infertile and had not given birth to any children. NASB 1995 There was a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren and had borne no children. NASB 1977 And there was a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren and had borne no children. Legacy Standard Bible And there was a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren and had borne no children. Amplified Bible And there was a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah; and his wife was infertile and had no children. Berean Annotated Bible Now there was a man from Zorah (hornet) named Manoah (rest), from the clan of the Danites (He has judged), whose wife was barren and had no children. Christian Standard Bible There was a certain man from Zorah, from the family of Dan, whose name was Manoah; his wife was unable to conceive and had no children. Holman Christian Standard Bible There was a certain man from Zorah, from the family of Dan, whose name was Manoah; his wife was unable to conceive and had no children. American Standard Version And there was a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren, and bare not. Contemporary English Version Manoah from the tribe of Dan lived in the town of Zorah. His wife was not able to have children, English Revised Version And there was a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren, and bare not. GOD'S WORD® Translation There was a man from Zorah named Manoah. Manoah was from the family of Dan. His wife was not able to have children. Good News Translation At that time there was a man named Manoah from the town of Zorah. He was a member of the tribe of Dan. His wife had never been able to have children. International Standard Version There was one man from Zorah, from the family of the descendants of Dan, whose name was Manoah. Since his wife was infertile, she hadn't borne children. NET Bible There was a man named Manoah from Zorah, from the Danite tribe. His wife was infertile and childless. New Heart English Bible There was a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren, and did not bear. Webster's Bible Translation And there was a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren, and bore not. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleNow there was a man from Zorah named Manoah, from the clan of the Danites, whose wife was barren and had no children. World English Bible There was a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren, and childless. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd there is a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danite, and his name [is] Manoah, his wife [is] barren, and has not borne; Berean Literal Bible And there was a certain man from Zorah of the family of the Danite, and his name was Manoah. And his wife was barren and she had not given birth. Young's Literal Translation And there is a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danite, and his name is Manoah, his wife is barren, and hath not borne; Smith's Literal Translation And there will be one man from Zorah from the families of the Danites, and his name Manoah; and his wife sterile, and she bare not. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleNow there was a certain man of Saraa, and of the race of Dan, whose name was Manue, and his wife was barren. Catholic Public Domain Version Now there was a certain man from Zorah, and of the stock of Dan, whose name was Manoah, having a barren wife. New American Bible There was a certain man from Zorah, of the clan of the Danites, whose name was Manoah. His wife was barren and had borne no children. New Revised Standard Version There was a certain man of Zorah, of the tribe of the Danites, whose name was Manoah. His wife was barren, having borne no children. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd there was a certain man of Zedah, of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren, and never had children. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And there was one man from Tsada, from the tribe of Dan, and his name was MeNoah, and his wife was a barren woman and had not borne a child OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And there was a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren, and bore not. Brenton Septuagint Translation And there was a man of Saraa, of the family of the kindred of Dan, and his name was Manoe, and his wife was barren, and bore not. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Birth of Samson1Again the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD, so He delivered them into the hand of the Philistines for forty years. 2Now there was a man from Zorah named Manoah, from the clan of the Danites, whose wife was barren and had no children. 3The angel of the LORD appeared to the woman and said to her, “It is true that you are barren and have no children; but you will conceive and give birth to a son.… Cross References Now there was a man from Zorah Joshua 19:41 The territory of their inheritance included Zorah, Eshtaol, Ir-shemesh, Joshua 15:33 These were in the foothills: Eshtaol, Zorah, Ashnah, 1 Chronicles 2:53 and the clans of Kiriath-jearim—the Ithrites, Puthites, Shumathites, and Mishraites. From these descended the Zorathites and Eshtaolites. named Manoah, Judges 16:31 Then Samson’s brothers and his father’s family came down, carried him back, and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the tomb of his father Manoah. And he had judged Israel twenty years. 1 Samuel 1:1-2 Now there was a man named Elkanah who was from Ramathaim-zophim in the hill country of Ephraim. He was the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite. / He had two wives, one named Hannah and the other Peninnah. And Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none. Luke 1:13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John. from the clan of the Danites Numbers 1:38-39 From the sons of Dan, according to the records of their clans and families, counting the names of all those twenty years of age or older who could serve in the army, / those registered to the tribe of Dan numbered 62,700. Numbers 26:42-43 These were the descendants of Dan by their clans: The Shuhamite clan from Shuham. These were the clans of Dan. / All of them were Shuhamite clans, and their registration numbered 64,400. Joshua 19:40-48 The seventh lot came out for the clans of the tribe of Dan: / The territory of their inheritance included Zorah, Eshtaol, Ir-shemesh, / Shaalabbin, Aijalon, Ithlah, … whose wife was barren and had no children. Genesis 11:30 But Sarai was barren; she had no children. Genesis 25:21 Later, Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was barren. And the LORD heard his prayer, and his wife Rebekah conceived. 1 Samuel 1:5-6 But to Hannah he would give a double portion, for he loved her even though the LORD had closed her womb. / Because the LORD had closed Hannah’s womb, her rival would provoke her viciously to taunt her. Genesis 18:11-14 And Abraham and Sarah were already old and well along in years; Sarah had passed the age of childbearing. / So she laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?” / And the LORD asked Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Can I really bear a child when I am old?’ … 1 Samuel 1:2-20 He had two wives, one named Hannah and the other Peninnah. And Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none. / Year after year Elkanah would go up from his city to worship and sacrifice to the LORD of Hosts at Shiloh, where Eli’s two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests to the LORD. / And whenever the day came for Elkanah to present his sacrifice, he would give portions to his wife Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters. … Luke 1:7-13 But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well along in years. / One day while Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, / he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. … Genesis 30:1-2 When Rachel saw that she was not bearing any children for Jacob, she envied her sister. “Give me children, or I will die!” she said to Jacob. / Jacob became angry with Rachel and said, “Am I in the place of God, who has withheld children from you?” Treasury of Scripture And there was a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren, and bore not. Zorah. Joshua 15:33 And in the valley, Eshtaol, and Zoreah, and Ashnah, Joshua 19:41 And the coast of their inheritance was Zorah, and Eshtaol, and Irshemesh, barren Genesis 16:1 Now Sarai Abram's wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar. Genesis 25:21 And Isaac intreated the LORD for his wife, because she was barren: and the LORD was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived. 1 Samuel 1:2-6 And he had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah: and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children… Jump to Previous Bare Barren Bear Birth Bore Borne Child Childless Children Clan Danite Danites Manoah Mano'ah Sterile Tribe Wife ZorahJump to Next Bare Barren Bear Birth Bore Borne Child Childless Children Clan Danite Danites Manoah Mano'ah Sterile Tribe Wife ZorahJudges 13 1. Israel is delivered into the hands of Philistines2. An angel appears to Manoah's wife 8. The angel appears to Manoah 15. Manoah's sacrifices, whereby the angel is discovered. 24. Samson is born Now there was a man from Zorah Zorah was a town located in the territory of the tribe of Dan, near the border of Judah. It is situated in the Shephelah, a region of low hills in Israel. This geographical location is significant as it places the narrative within the context of the tribal allotments described in Joshua 19:40-48. Zorah's proximity to Philistine territory is also relevant, as the Philistines were oppressors of Israel during this period (Judges 13:1). named Manoah from the clan of the Danites whose wife was barren and had no children Persons / Places / Events 1. ManoahA man from the tribe of Dan, living in Zorah. He is the father of Samson, a significant figure in Israel's history. 2. Zorah A town in the territory of Dan, located in the Shephelah region of ancient Israel. It is significant as the birthplace of Samson. 3. The Danites One of the twelve tribes of Israel, descended from Dan, the son of Jacob and Bilhah. The tribe is known for its struggles to secure a permanent inheritance in the Promised Land. 4. Manoah's Wife Although unnamed in the text, she plays a crucial role as the mother of Samson. Her barrenness is a central theme, highlighting God's intervention. 5. Barrenness A condition of being unable to bear children, often seen in the Bible as a significant challenge that God can overcome to fulfill His purposes. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty in Human WeaknessGod often chooses to work through human weakness and limitations, such as barrenness, to demonstrate His power and fulfill His purposes. Faith in God's Promises The account encourages believers to trust in God's promises, even when circumstances seem impossible, as God is faithful to fulfill His word. The Role of Prayer and Patience The accounts of barren women in the Bible often involve prayer and waiting on God, teaching us the importance of persistent prayer and patience in our spiritual journey. God's Purpose in Our Lives Just as God had a specific purpose for Samson, He has a unique plan for each of us, which may involve unexpected paths and challenges. Community and Support The account highlights the importance of community and support within the family of faith, as seen in the shared struggles and triumphs of biblical families. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Judges 13:2?2. How does Judges 13:2 demonstrate God's plan despite human limitations or barrenness? 3. What can we learn about faith from Manoah's wife's situation in Judges 13:2? 4. How does Judges 13:2 connect to other biblical stories of miraculous births? 5. How can we trust God's timing in our own lives, like Manoah's wife? 6. What role does patience play in waiting for God's promises, as seen in Judges 13:2? 7. Why was Manoah's wife chosen to bear Samson despite her initial barrenness in Judges 13:2? 8. How does Judges 13:2 reflect God's intervention in human infertility? 9. What is the significance of Manoah's wife's barrenness in the context of biblical narratives? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Judges 13? 11. In Judges 13:2–3, how could a barren woman conceive after one angelic encounter without any natural explanation? 12. What role did the Tribe of Dan play biblically? 13. In Judges 13:19–20, how can an angel ascend in a flame without contradicting basic scientific principles? 14. What are the genealogies and reigns of Israel's leaders? What Does Judges 13:2 Mean Now there was a man from Zorah• Zorah lay on the border between Judah and Dan (Joshua 15:33; 19:41), a physical reminder that God often works on the fringes. • God’s choice of an obscure town underscores His pattern of exalting humble places and people (Micah 5:2; John 1:46). named Manoah • Manoah’s name means “rest,” hinting at the deliverance God is about to supply through his son, Samson (Judges 13:24–25). • Though Manoah himself never becomes a national hero, his obedience shapes Israel’s future, echoing how ordinary believers can have extraordinary impact (1 Corinthians 1:26–29). from the clan of the Danites • Dan had struggled to claim its allotted territory (Judges 1:34; 18:1–2). God raises deliverance from within a tribe feeling hemmed in, showing He has not forgotten any part of His people (Genesis 49:16–17). • Samson’s future clashes with the Philistines will begin liberating Dan’s inheritance (Judges 13:5; 15:20). whose wife was barren • Barrenness regularly precedes miraculous births: Sarah (Genesis 11:30), Rebekah (Genesis 25:21), Rachel (Genesis 30:22), Hannah (1 Samuel 1:5–20), Elizabeth (Luke 1:7). Each instance magnifies God’s power over life itself. • The Bible never treats barrenness lightly; it conveys deep pain (Proverbs 30:15–16). God’s intervention here assures the suffering that He sees and answers (Psalm 113:9). and had no children • The double statement intensifies the impossibility, eliminating any natural explanation once Samson is conceived (Romans 4:19–21). • Israel’s cycle of oppression and deliverance (Judges 2:16–19) intersects with a couple’s personal heartbreak, proving God works in national crises and family struggles simultaneously. summary Judges 13:2 introduces a humble couple in an overlooked town within a struggling tribe—and reminds us that God delights to begin great deliverances in small, impossible places. Manoah and his barren wife stand as living testimony that when circumstances rule out human solutions, the Lord steps in so His glory cannot be missed. (2) There was a certain man. . . .--The narrative of the birth of Samuel (1Samuel 1:1) is similarly introduced.Zoran.--The name means "place of hornets." In Joshua 15:33 it is mentioned with Eshtaol among the towns north-east of the Shephelah, and it belonged to Dan (Joshua 19:41). Robinson identifies it with Surah, fourteen miles from Jerusalem, seven miles south of Yalo, west of Kirjath-jearim. It is mentioned again in 1Chronicles 11:10; Nehemiah 11:29. Its conical hill and abundant fountain made it a strong and convenient place. . . . Verse 2. - Zorah. Enumerated among the cities in the tribe of Dan in Joshua 19:41, but ascribed to Judah, ibid. 15:33 (there transliterated Zoreah) and in 2 Chronicles 11:10. Probably the boundary passed through the city, as that of Judah and Benjamin did through Jerusalem. In Nehemiah 11:29 it is transliterated Zareah, and also ascribed to Judah. It is almost always coupled with Eshtaol, as in ver. 25 of this chapter. It was situated in the Shephelah, or plain country, and was fortified by Rehoboam (2 Chronicles 11:10). It is supposed to be represented by the modern Surah, at the entrance of the Wady Ghurab. The family of the Danites. It appears from Numbers 26:42, 43 that there was only one family in the tribe of Dan, so that in this case tribe and family were co-extensive.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Now there wasוַיְהִי֩ (way·hî) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be a אֶחָ֧ד (’e·ḥāḏ) Number - masculine singular Strong's 259: United, one, first man אִ֨ישׁ (’îš) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person from Zorah מִצָּרְעָ֛ה (miṣ·ṣā·rə·‘āh) Preposition-m | Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 6881: Zorah -- a city exchanged by Judah and Dan named וּשְׁמ֣וֹ (ū·šə·mōw) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 8034: A name Manoah, מָנ֑וֹחַ (mā·nō·w·aḥ) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 4495: Manoah -- father of Samson from the clan מִמִּשְׁפַּ֥חַת (mim·miš·pa·ḥaṯ) Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 4940: A family, circle of relatives, a class, a species, sort, a tribe, people of the Danites, הַדָּנִ֖י (had·dā·nî) Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 1839: Danites -- descendant of Dan whose wife [was] וְאִשְׁתּ֥וֹ (wə·’iš·tōw) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female barren עֲקָרָ֖ה (‘ă·qā·rāh) Adjective - feminine singular Strong's 6135: Sterile and had no וְלֹ֥א (wə·lō) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no children. יָלָֽדָה׃ (yā·lā·ḏāh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 3205: To bear young, to beget, medically, to act as midwife, to show lineage Links Judges 13:2 NIVJudges 13:2 NLT Judges 13:2 ESV Judges 13:2 NASB Judges 13:2 KJV Judges 13:2 BibleApps.com Judges 13:2 Biblia Paralela Judges 13:2 Chinese Bible Judges 13:2 French Bible Judges 13:2 Catholic Bible OT History: Judges 13:2 There was a certain man of Zorah (Jd Judg. 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