King James Version

What Does Judges 13:4 Mean?

Judges 13:4 in the King James Version says “Now therefore beware, I pray thee, and drink not wine nor strong drink, and eat not any unclean thing:” — study this verse from Judges chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Now therefore beware, I pray thee, and drink not wine nor strong drink, and eat not any unclean thing:”

Judges 13:4 · KJV

Prayer

Context

2

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.

3

And the angel of the LORD appeared unto the woman, and said unto her, Behold now, thou art barren, and bearest not: but thou shalt conceive, and bear a son.

4

Now therefore beware, I pray thee, and drink not wine nor strong drink, and eat not any unclean thing:

5

For, lo, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and no razor shall come on his head: for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb: and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.

6

Then the woman came and told her husband, saying, A man of God came unto me, and his countenance was like the countenance of an angel of God, very terrible: but I asked him not whence he was, neither told he me his name:

Read Judges 13 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Now therefore beware, I pray thee, and drink not wine nor strong drink, and eat not any unclean thing:

This verse belongs to the Samson cycle addressing Samson's birth and Nazirite calling. Samson represents both the heights of God-empowered strength and the depths of human weakness through moral compromise. His Nazirite vow (Numbers 6:1-21) set him apart as holy to God, yet his persistent violations of this vow—contact with dead animals (14:8-9), seven-day feast (likely involving wine, 14:10), and finally revealing his hair's secret (16:17)—demonstrate progressive spiritual decline.

Theologically, Samson illustrates how spiritual gifts don't guarantee spiritual maturity. The Spirit of the LORD came upon Samson repeatedly, giving superhuman strength, yet this empowerment didn't produce corresponding moral transformation. His attraction to Philistine women (14:1-3, 16:1, 16:4) directly violated God's command against intermarriage with Canaanites (Deuteronomy 7:3-4). This demonstrates that God can use flawed instruments for His purposes, but this never excuses or endorses sin.

Samson's final prayer—"O Lord God, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me" (16:28)—shows genuine repentance and renewed faith. His death accomplished more than his life (16:30), suggesting that even spectacular failure can be redeemed when we return to God. However, the tragedy is that Samson's potential was largely wasted through moral compromise. His story warns believers that consistent holy living, not merely spectacular spiritual experiences, characterizes faithful discipleship.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Historical Setting: The Book of Judges spans approximately 350-400 years (c. 1375-1050 BCE) during the Late Bronze Age collapse and early Iron Age. This period saw the disintegration of major empires (Hittites, Mycenaeans) and weakening of Egyptian control over Canaan, creating a power vacuum filled by emerging peoples including Philistines (Sea Peoples), Aramaeans, and regional kingdoms. The decentralized tribal structure left Israel vulnerable to external oppression and internal chaos.

Cultural Context: This passage relates to Samson's birth and Nazirite calling. Canaanite religion dominated the region, centered on Baal (storm/fertility god), Asherah (mother goddess), and Anat (war goddess). Archaeological discoveries at Ugarit (Ras Shamra) have provided extensive information about Canaanite mythology and religious practices. Baal worship involved ritual prostitution, child sacrifice, and fertility rites tied to agricultural seasons. Israel's persistent attraction to these gods demonstrates the strong cultural pressure to conform to surrounding nations' religious practices.

The material culture of this period shows gradual Israelite settlement in the Canaanite hill country, with simpler pottery and architecture than coastal Canaanite cities. Iron technology was beginning to spread, giving military advantage to peoples who mastered it (note the Philistines' iron monopoly, 1 Samuel 13:19-22). The absence of centralized government during the judges period stands in stark contrast to the bureaucratic city-states of Canaan and the imperial administration of Egypt and Mesopotamia. This political structure reflected Israel's theocratic ideal—God as king—yet the repeated cycles of apostasy showed this ideal required more than political structures; it demanded heart transformation.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage about Samson's birth and Nazirite calling reveal God's character in dealing with persistent human rebellion and incomplete obedience?
  2. What patterns of spiritual compromise or incomplete obedience in your own life mirror Israel's failures during the judges period?
  3. How does understanding the cyclical nature of sin and deliverance in Judges help you appreciate Christ's perfect and final deliverance from sin's power?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
וְעַתָּה֙1 of 11
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

הִשָּׁ֣מְרִי2 of 11

“Now therefore beware”

H8104

properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc

נָ֔א3 of 11
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

וְאַל4 of 11
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תִּשְׁתִּ֖י5 of 11

“I pray thee and drink”

H8354

to imbibe (literally or figuratively)

יַ֣יִן6 of 11

“not wine”

H3196

wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication

וְשֵׁכָ֑ר7 of 11

“nor strong drink”

H7941

an intoxicant, i.e., intensely alcoholic liquor

וְאַל8 of 11
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תֹּֽאכְלִ֖י9 of 11

“and eat”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

כָּל10 of 11
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

טָמֵֽא׃11 of 11

“not any unclean”

H2931

foul in a religious sense

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Judges. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Judges 13:4 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Judges 13:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Luke 1:15Judges 13:14Numbers 6:2-3Judges 13:7Leviticus 11:47Leviticus 11:27

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