Judges 13:23
New International Version
But his wife answered, “If the LORD had meant to kill us, he would not have accepted a burnt offering and grain offering from our hands, nor shown us all these things or now told us this.”

New Living Translation
But his wife said, “If the LORD were going to kill us, he wouldn’t have accepted our burnt offering and grain offering. He wouldn’t have appeared to us and told us this wonderful thing and done these miracles.”

English Standard Version
But his wife said to him, “If the LORD had meant to kill us, he would not have accepted a burnt offering and a grain offering at our hands, or shown us all these things, or now announced to us such things as these.”

Berean Standard Bible
But his wife replied, “If the LORD had intended to kill us, He would not have accepted the burnt offering and the grain offering from our hands, nor would He have shown us all these things or spoken to us this way.”

King James Bible
But his wife said unto him, If the LORD were pleased to kill us, he would not have received a burnt offering and a meat offering at our hands, neither would he have shewed us all these things, nor would as at this time have told us such things as these.

New King James Version
But his wife said to him, “If the LORD had desired to kill us, He would not have accepted a burnt offering and a grain offering from our hands, nor would He have shown us all these things, nor would He have told us such things as these at this time.”

New American Standard Bible
But his wife said to him, “If the LORD had desired to kill us, He would not have accepted a burnt offering and a grain offering from our hands, nor would He have shown us all these things, nor would He have let us hear things like this at this time.”

NASB 1995
But his wife said to him, “If the LORD had desired to kill us, He would not have accepted a burnt offering and a grain offering from our hands, nor would He have shown us all these things, nor would He have let us hear things like this at this time.”

NASB 1977
But his wife said to him, “If the LORD had desired to kill us, He would not have accepted a burnt offering and a grain offering from our hands, nor would He have shown us all these things, nor would He have let us hear things like this at this time.”

Legacy Standard Bible
But his wife said to him, “If Yahweh had desired to put us to death, He would not have accepted a burnt offering and a grain offering from our hands, nor would He have shown us all these things, nor would He have let us hear things like this at this time.”

Amplified Bible
But his [sensible] wife said to him, “If the LORD had desired to kill us, He would not have received a burnt offering and a grain offering from our hands, nor would He have shown us all these things, nor would He have announced such things as these at this time.”

Christian Standard Bible
But his wife said to him, “If the LORD had intended to kill us, he wouldn’t have accepted the burnt offering and the grain offering from us, and he would not have shown us all these things or spoken to us like this.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But his wife said to him, “If the LORD had intended to kill us, He wouldn’t have accepted the burnt offering and the grain offering from us, and He would not have shown us all these things or spoken to us now like this.”

American Standard Version
But his wife said unto him, If Jehovah were pleased to kill us, he would not have received a burnt-offering and a meal-offering at our hand, neither would he have showed us all these things, nor would at this time have told such things as these.

Contemporary English Version
"The LORD isn't going to kill us," Manoah's wife responded. "The LORD accepted our sacrifice and grain offering, and he let us see something amazing. Besides, he told us that we're going to have a son."

English Revised Version
But his wife said unto him, If the LORD were pleased to kill us, he would not have received a burnt offering and a meal offering at our hand, neither would he have shewed us all these things, nor would at this time have told us such things as these.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
But Manoah's wife replied, "If the LORD wanted to kill us, he would not have accepted our burnt offering and grain offering. He would not have let us see or hear all these things just now."

Good News Translation
But his wife answered, "If the LORD had wanted to kill us, he would not have accepted our offerings; he would not have shown us all this or told us such things at this time."

International Standard Version
But his wife replied to him, "If the LORD had intended to kill us, he wouldn't have accepted a burnt offering and a grain offering from us, he wouldn't have shown us all these things, and he wouldn't have permitted us to hear things like this, now would he?"

Majority Standard Bible
But his wife replied, ?If the LORD had intended to kill us, He would not have accepted the burnt offering and the grain offering from our hands, nor would He have shown us all these things or spoken to us this way.?

NET Bible
But his wife said to him, "If the LORD wanted to kill us, he would not have accepted the burnt offering and the grain offering from us. He would not have shown us all these things, or have spoken to us like this just now."

New Heart English Bible
But his wife said to him, "If the LORD meant to kill us, he wouldn't have received a burnt offering and a grain offering from us, neither would he have shown us all these things, nor would he have spoken to us now like this."

Webster's Bible Translation
But his wife said to him, If the LORD were pleased to kill us, he would not have received a burnt-offering and a meat-offering at our hands, neither would he have showed us all these things, nor would, as at this time, have told us such things as these.

World English Bible
But his wife said to him, “If Yahweh were pleased to kill us, he wouldn’t have received a burnt offering and a meal offering at our hand, and he wouldn’t have shown us all these things, nor would he have told us such things as these at this time.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And his wife says to him, “If YHWH were desirous to put us to death, He had not received burnt-offering and present from our hands, nor showed us all these things, nor caused us to hear [anything] like this as [at this] time.”

Young's Literal Translation
And his wife saith to him, 'If Jehovah were desirous to put us to death, He had not received from our hands burnt-offering and present, nor shewed us all these things, nor as at this time caused us to hear anything like this.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And his wife will say to him, If Jehovah were inclined to put us to death, he took not from our hand a burnt-offering and gift, and he shewed us not all these, and as now caused us not to hear such as this.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And his wife answered him: If the Lord had a mind to kill us, he would not have received a holocaust and libations at our hands, neither would he have shewed us all these things, nor have told us the things that are to come.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And his wife answered him, “If the Lord wished to kill us, he would not have accepted the holocaust and the libations from our hands. He would not have revealed all these things to us, nor would he have told us the things that are in the future.”

New American Bible
But his wife said to him, “If the LORD had meant to kill us, he would not have accepted a burnt offering and grain offering from our hands! Nor would he have let us see all this, or hear what we have heard.”

New Revised Standard Version
But his wife said to him, “If the LORD had meant to kill us, he would not have accepted a burnt offering and a grain offering at our hands, or shown us all these things, or now announced to us such things as these.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But his wife said to him, If God were pleased to kill us, he would not have received a burnt offering and a meal offering from us, neither would he have showed us all these things at this time, nor would he have told such things as these.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And his wife said to him, “If God had desired to kill us, he would not have accepted a burnt offering and fine wheat flour from us, and he would not have shown us all these things at this time, and he would not have told us these things”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
But his wife said unto him: 'If the LORD were pleased to kill us, He would not have received a burnt-offering and a meal-offering at our hand, neither would He have shown us all these things, nor would at this time have told such things as these.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
But his wife said to him, If the Lord were pleased to slay us, he would not have received of our hand a whole-burnt-offering and a meat-offering; and he would not have shewn us all these things, neither would he have caused us to hear all these things as at this time.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Birth of Samson
22“We are going to die,” he said to his wife, “for we have seen God!” 23But his wife replied, “If the LORD had intended to kill us, He would not have accepted the burnt offering and the grain offering from our hands, nor would He have shown us all these things or spoken to us this way.” 24So the woman gave birth to a son and named him Samson. The boy grew, and the LORD blessed him.…

Cross References
Genesis 18:23-33
Abraham stepped forward and said, “Will You really sweep away the righteous with the wicked? / What if there are fifty righteous ones in the city? Will You really sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous ones who are there? / Far be it from You to do such a thing—to kill the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Will not the Judge of all the earth do what is right?” ...

Genesis 32:30
So Jacob named the place Peniel, saying, “Indeed, I have seen God face to face, and yet my life was spared.”

Exodus 33:20
But He added, “You cannot see My face, for no one can see Me and live.”

Numbers 23:19
God is not a man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?

Deuteronomy 5:24
and you said, “Behold, the LORD our God has shown us His glory and greatness, and we have heard His voice out of the fire. Today we have seen that a man can live even if God speaks with him.

1 Samuel 12:22
Indeed, for the sake of His great name, the LORD will not abandon His people, because He was pleased to make you His own.

2 Samuel 14:14
For we will surely die and be like water poured out on the ground, which cannot be recovered. Yet God does not take away a life, but He devises ways that the banished one may not be cast out from Him.

2 Kings 6:17
Then Elisha prayed, “O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see.” And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw that the hills were full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

Psalm 34:7
The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, and he delivers them.

Psalm 91:11
For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.

Isaiah 6:5
Then I said: “Woe is me, for I am ruined, because I am a man of unclean lips dwelling among a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of Hosts.”

Isaiah 55:11
so My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it.

Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope.

Daniel 3:25-27
“Look!” he exclaimed. “I see four men, unbound and unharmed, walking around in the fire—and the fourth looks like a son of the gods!” / Then Nebuchadnezzar approached the door of the blazing fiery furnace and called out, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out!” So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out of the fire, / and when the satraps, prefects, governors, and royal advisers had gathered around, they saw that the fire had no effect on the bodies of these men. Not a hair of their heads was singed, their robes were unaffected, and there was no smell of fire on them.

Matthew 1:20-21
But after he had pondered these things, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to embrace Mary as your wife, for the One conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. / She will give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.”


Treasury of Scripture

But his wife said to him, If the LORD were pleased to kill us, he would not have received a burnt offering and a meat offering at our hands, neither would he have showed us all these things, nor would as at this time have told us such things as these.

his wife

Ecclesiastes 4:9,10
Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour…

1 Corinthians 12:21
And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

he would not

Genesis 4:4,5
And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: …

Psalm 86:17
Shew me a token for good; that they which hate me may see it, and be ashamed: because thou, LORD, hast holpen me, and comforted me.

he have shewed

Psalm 25:14
The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.

Psalm 27:13
I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.

Proverbs 3:32
For the froward is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous.

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Accepted Burnt Burnt-Offering Desired Hand Hands Hear Kill Meal Meal-Offering Meat Meat-Offering Offering Pleased Received Showed Shown Time Wife Wouldn't
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Accepted Burnt Burnt-Offering Desired Hand Hands Hear Kill Meal Meal-Offering Meat Meat-Offering Offering Pleased Received Showed Shown Time Wife Wouldn't
Judges 13
1. Israel is delivered into the hands of Philistines
2. 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














But his wife replied
This phrase introduces the wisdom and faith of Manoah's wife, who remains unnamed in the text. Her response is a testament to her spiritual insight and understanding of God's character. In the Hebrew context, women often played pivotal roles in the narrative, and here, her discernment is crucial. Her reply is a reminder of the importance of faith and trust in God's promises, even when circumstances seem dire.

If the LORD had meant to kill us
The use of "LORD" here, translated from the Hebrew "YHWH," emphasizes the covenantal name of God, highlighting His faithfulness and mercy. Manoah's wife recognizes that God's intentions are not to harm but to fulfill His promises. This reflects a deep understanding of God's nature, as one who is just and merciful, and it encourages believers to trust in God's plans, even when they are not fully understood.

He would not have accepted a burnt offering and a grain offering from our hands
The mention of "burnt offering" and "grain offering" refers to the sacrificial system established in the Mosaic Law, which was a means of worship and atonement. The acceptance of these offerings by God signifies His favor and presence. In the historical context, offerings were a way to maintain a relationship with God, and their acceptance was a sign of divine approval. This phrase reassures believers that God is with them and that their acts of worship are meaningful and significant.

nor shown us all these things
The phrase "shown us all these things" indicates the divine revelation and the miraculous signs that Manoah and his wife had witnessed. In the biblical narrative, God often reveals His plans through signs and wonders, which serve to strengthen faith and provide assurance. This highlights the importance of being attentive to God's revelations in our lives and trusting in His guidance.

or told us this
The word "told" underscores the communication from God, which in this context, was through the angel of the LORD. This divine message was a promise of the birth of Samson, who would begin to deliver Israel from the Philistines. The historical and scriptural context emphasizes the importance of listening to God's word and trusting in His promises. It serves as an encouragement to believers to hold fast to God's word, knowing that He is faithful to fulfill what He has spoken.

Verse 23. - But his wife said, etc. The woman's faith saw more clearly than the man's fear. With the acceptance of the sacrifice the conscience was cleared from guilt. The ascent of the angel in the flame of the altar was to her the same evidence of an accepted sacrifice as the resurrection and ascension of the Lord Jesus are to us.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
But his wife
אִשְׁתּ֗וֹ (’iš·tōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female

replied,
וַתֹּ֧אמֶר (wat·tō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“If
לוּ֩ (lū)
Preposition
Strong's 3863: If, would that!

the LORD
יְהוָ֤ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

had intended
חָפֵ֨ץ (ḥā·p̄êṣ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2654: To incline to, to bend, to be pleased with, desire

to kill us,
לַהֲמִיתֵ֙נוּ֙ (la·hă·mî·ṯê·nū)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct | first person common plural
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill

He would not
לֹֽא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

have accepted
לָקַ֤ח (lā·qaḥ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3947: To take

the burnt offering
עֹלָ֣ה (‘ō·lāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5930: Whole burnt offering

and the grain offering
וּמִנְחָ֔ה (ū·min·ḥāh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4503: A donation, tribute, a sacrificial offering

from our hands,
מִיָּדֵ֙נוּ֙ (mî·yā·ḏê·nū)
Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common plural
Strong's 3027: A hand

nor would He
וְלֹ֥א (wə·lō)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

have shown
הֶרְאָ֖נוּ (her·’ā·nū)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular | first person common plural
Strong's 7200: To see

us all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

these things
אֵ֑לֶּה (’êl·leh)
Pronoun - common plural
Strong's 428: These, those

or spoken
הִשְׁמִיעָ֖נוּ (hiš·mî·‘ā·nū)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular | first person common plural
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

to us
וְכָעֵ֕ת (wə·ḵā·‘êṯ)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-k, Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 6256: Time, now, when

this way.”
כָּזֹֽאת׃ (kā·zōṯ)
Preposition-k | Pronoun - feminine singular
Strong's 2063: Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that,


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OT History: Judges 13:23 But his wife said to him If (Jd Judg. Jdg)
Judges 13:22
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