Mano'ah is a significant figure in the Old Testament, particularly in the Book of Judges. He is best known as the father of Samson, one of the most renowned judges of Israel. Mano'ah's account is primarily found in Judges 13, where his interactions with the Angel of the LORD and his role in the birth of Samson are detailed.

Background and Family

Mano'ah was from the tribe of Dan, residing in the town of Zorah. His wife, whose name is not mentioned in the Scriptures, was barren, which was a significant social and personal challenge in ancient Israelite culture. Despite this, Mano'ah and his wife were faithful and devout, seeking God's guidance and intervention.

Divine Encounter

The narrative of Mano'ah begins with a divine visitation. Judges 13:3-5 recounts how the Angel of the LORD appeared to Mano'ah's wife, announcing that she would conceive and bear a son. The angel instructed her to abstain from wine, strong drink, and unclean food, as her son was to be a Nazirite from birth, dedicated to God. This child, Samson, was destined to begin the deliverance of Israel from the Philistines.

Upon hearing his wife's account of the angelic visitation, Mano'ah prayed for further guidance. Judges 13:8 states, "Then Mano'ah prayed to the LORD, 'Please, O Lord, let the Man of God You sent to us come again to teach us how to raise the boy who is to be born.'" God graciously answered Mano'ah's prayer, and the Angel of the LORD returned to provide further instructions.

Mano'ah's Faith and Sacrifice

Mano'ah's interaction with the Angel of the LORD is marked by reverence and a desire for understanding. He sought to honor the divine messenger with a meal, not realizing initially that he was speaking with the Angel of the LORD. When the angel declined the offer of food, Mano'ah prepared a burnt offering instead. Judges 13:19-20 describes the miraculous event: "Mano'ah took a young goat and a grain offering and offered them on a rock to the LORD, and the LORD did a marvelous thing while Mano'ah and his wife watched. As the flame blazed up from the altar toward heaven, the Angel of the LORD ascended in the flame."

This event confirmed to Mano'ah and his wife the divine nature of their visitor, and they fell on their faces in worship. Mano'ah expressed fear, believing they would die for having seen God, but his wife reassured him, pointing out that the LORD had accepted their offering and revealed His plans for them.

Legacy

Mano'ah's faith and obedience played a crucial role in the birth and upbringing of Samson, who would become a judge and a deliverer of Israel. Although Samson's life was marked by personal failings, his feats against the Philistines fulfilled the prophecy given to Mano'ah and his wife.

Mano'ah's account is a testament to the importance of faith, prayer, and obedience to God's instructions. His life exemplifies the belief that God can work through ordinary individuals to accomplish His divine purposes, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges.Mano'ah (14 Occurrences)

Judges 13:2
And there was a certain man of Zorah, of the tribe of the Danites, whose name was Mano'ah; and his wife was barren and had no children.
(DBY RSV)

Judges 13:8
Then Mano'ah entreated the LORD, and said, "O, LORD, I pray thee, let the man of God whom thou didst send come again to us, and teach us what we are to do with the boy that will be born."
(DBY RSV)

Judges 13:9
And God listened to the voice of Mano'ah, and the angel of God came again to the woman as she sat in the field; but Mano'ah her husband was not with her.
(DBY RSV)

Judges 13:11
And Mano'ah arose and went after his wife, and came to the man and said to him, "Are you the man who spoke to this woman?" And he said, "I am."
(DBY RSV)

Judges 13:12
And Mano'ah said, "Now when your words come true, what is to be the boy's manner of life, and what is he to do?"
(DBY RSV)

Judges 13:13
And the angel of the LORD said to Mano'ah, "Of all that I said to the woman let her beware.
(DBY RSV)

Judges 13:15
Mano'ah said to the angel of the LORD, "Pray, let us detain you, and prepare a kid for you."
(DBY RSV)

Judges 13:16
And the angel of the LORD said to Mano'ah, "If you detain me, I will not eat of your food; but if you make ready a burnt offering, then offer it to the LORD." (For Mano'ah did not know that he was the angel of the LORD.)
(DBY RSV)

Judges 13:17
And Mano'ah said to the angel of the LORD, "What is your name, so that, when your words come true, we may honor you?"
(DBY RSV)

Judges 13:19
So Mano'ah took the kid with the cereal offering, and offered it upon the rock to the LORD, to him who works wonders.
(DBY RSV)

Judges 13:20
And when the flame went up toward heaven from the altar, the angel of the LORD ascended in the flame of the altar while Mano'ah and his wife looked on; and they fell on their faces to the ground.
(DBY RSV)

Judges 13:21
The angel of the LORD appeared no more to Mano'ah and to his wife. Then Mano'ah knew that he was the angel of the LORD.
(DBY RSV)

Judges 13:22
And Mano'ah said to his wife, "We shall surely die, for we have seen God."
(DBY RSV)

Judges 16:31
Then his brothers and all his family came down and took him and brought him up and buried him between Zorah and Esh'ta-ol in the tomb of Mano'ah his father. He had judged Israel twenty years.
(DBY RSV)

Mano'ah (14 Occurrences)
Mano'ah. Manoah, Mano'ah. Manoah's . Multi-Version Concordance
Mano'ah (14 Occurrences). Judges 13:2 And there was a certain man ...
/m/mano'ah.htm - 10k

Manoah (14 Occurrences)

/m/manoah.htm - 13k

Esh'ta-ol (6 Occurrences)
... 31 Then his brothers and all his family came down and took him and brought him up
and buried him between Zorah and Esh'ta-ol in the tomb of Mano'ah his father. ...
/e/esh'ta-ol.htm - 8k

Manoah's (1 Occurrence)

/m/manoah's.htm - 6k

Boy's (10 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Judges 13:12 And Mano'ah said, "Now when your words come true, what is
to be the boy's manner of life, and what is he to do?" (DBY NAS RSV NIV). ...
/b/boy's.htm - 9k

Wonders (111 Occurrences)
... Judges 13:19 So Mano'ah took the kid with the cereal offering, and offered it upon
the rock to the LORD, to him who works wonders. (DBY NAS RSV). ...
/w/wonders.htm - 35k

Boy (94 Occurrences)
... Judges 13:8 Then Mano'ah entreated the LORD, and said, "O, LORD, I pray thee, let
the man of God whom thou didst send come again to us, and teach us what we ...
/b/boy.htm - 35k

Tomb (70 Occurrences)
... 31 Then his brothers and all his family came down and took him and brought him up
and buried him between Zorah and Esh'ta-ol in the tomb of Mano'ah his father. ...
/t/tomb.htm - 31k

Prepare (199 Occurrences)
... Judges 13:15 Mano'ah said to the angel of the LORD, "Pray, let us detain
you, and prepare a kid for you." (DBY YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/p/prepare.htm - 36k

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