Topical Bible: Wine: Samson's Mother Forbidden to Drink

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In the biblical narrative, the account of Samson's mother being forbidden to drink wine is a significant event that underscores the Nazirite vow and its implications. This event is recorded in the Book of Judges, specifically in Judges 13. The account begins with the Israelites once again doing evil in the sight of the Lord, resulting in their subjugation to the Philistines for forty years (Judges 13:1).

Samson's mother, who is unnamed in the text but traditionally known as the wife of Manoah, is visited by the Angel of the Lord. This divine messenger appears to her with a profound announcement and set of instructions. The Angel declares that she will conceive and bear a son, despite her previous barrenness. This child is to be dedicated to God from the womb as a Nazirite, a person set apart for special service to the Lord (Judges 13:3-5).

The Nazirite vow, as outlined in Numbers 6, includes several prohibitions, one of which is the abstention from wine and other fermented drinks. The Angel of the Lord instructs Samson's mother with specific guidelines: "Now please be careful not to drink wine or strong drink, and do not eat anything unclean" (Judges 13:4). This command is reiterated later when Manoah, Samson's father, seeks further guidance from the Angel, who confirms, "She must not eat anything that comes from the vine, nor drink wine or strong drink, nor eat anything unclean" (Judges 13:14).

The prohibition against wine for Samson's mother is not merely a personal restriction but is deeply connected to the consecration of her son as a Nazirite. The abstention from wine symbolizes a life of holiness and separation unto God, reflecting the purity and dedication required of those who are set apart for His purposes. This vow is a lifelong commitment for Samson, beginning even before his birth, and his mother's adherence to these instructions is crucial for the fulfillment of God's plan for Samson's life.

The narrative of Samson's mother being forbidden to drink wine highlights the importance of obedience to divine instructions and the role of parental responsibility in the spiritual formation of a child. It serves as a reminder of the sacredness of vows made to God and the necessity of maintaining a lifestyle that honors such commitments. Through this account, the Bible emphasizes the significance of living a life consecrated to God, free from the influences that could detract from one's divine calling.

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Judges 13:4,5
Now therefore beware, I pray you, and drink not wine nor strong drink, and eat not any unclean thing:
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The Story of Samson, the Strong Man
... some work for God, he was forbidden to drink wine, and as ... When Samson became a young
man he went down to ... His father and mother were not pleased that he should ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of samson the.htm

Of Antichrist, and his Ruin: and of the Slaying the Witnesses.
... be made among these cities when God has forbidden it: Wherefore ... to give unto her
the cup of the wine of the ... Why, I take it to be the mother, the metropolitan ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/of antichrist and his ruin .htm

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ...
... forth food out of the earth; and wine that maketh ... than while he kept himself from
eating forbidden fruit; in ... a man leave his father and his mother, and shall ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/an exposition on the first.htm