We are commanded to choose life and not death. As Numbers 6 shows, this was something an adult man or woman would have chosen to do on their own. Another interpretation of this name is that Manoah’s wife merited seeing an angel of the Lord, and an angel is called zel (literally, shadow). For example, he defiled himself with dead bodies at least twice by killing the Philistines with the jaw bone of a donkey and eating honey made on the inside of a lion's carcass (via the bees that lived there). • She needs to avoid wine and strong drink. Rabbah 10:5). 6:7). “Then the woman gave birth to a son and named him Samson; and the child grew up and the Lord blessed him” (Judg. From the uncertainties of conception to the pains of childbirth, motherhood can be a dangerous prospect. Nazirites could either be male or female and had to adhere to strict lifestyles guidelines, which included those outlined to Samson's mother (no wine, no eating anything "unclean" or cutting their hair) amongst other things (such as not touching or being around corpses). We must decide if we are ready to commit to something, can we afford it, whether the timing is right, etc. For behold, you shall conceive and bear a son. To get notified of these lessons and a FREE Study Journal click this button, Filed Under: Diligent SPIRITUAL LIFE, 31 Days of Women from Scripture Vol. Hundreds of stories abound about his Divine inspiration and the miracles that he performed. • The child would also need to avoid wine, strong drink, and unclean meats. Manoah's wife. Samson’s wonderful mother, more than most women in the Scriptures, fits the picture of the ideal wife drawn by the wiseman at the close of his book (Proverbs 31:10-31). Choices must be made. I truly believe that the Lord knew the path he, Samson, would choose. God had told Israel repeatedly not to marry among the nations around them. See Judges 13 in the Bible for the story of Samson's birth. At the end of his life, God restored Samson's strength. Something similar happened to my son that happened to Zlelponi, but thank God he's alive and my prayers are constant that he will outlive and conquer the deception that bedeviled him. Few women of history show the strength of character and “spunk” of this Hebrew wife and mother from the twelfth century B.C. 11 12 13. When the angel first arrived, she didn’t feel compelled to ask who he was or where he came from. 10:14). I would imagine Rachel and Hannah were more prepared for children than Sarah and Elizabeth were, because they were still in that season of life and the older women were not. Would love your thoughts, please comment. 13:2) resulted in a quarrel between Manoah and his wife. Rabbah, loc. And it further focuses our attention on Mrs. Manoah, who although unnamed, is one of the most positively depicted women in the Bible—so great that an angel desires her, and worthy as the mother of Samson, who saved the Israelites from the Philistines. 11 12 13. The angel leaves them via the flame from the altar – making Manoah realize that this was an angel of the Lord. Manoah inquires as to what this boy’s life is going to be like (Judg. bring up another judge to deliver the people from the Philistines. [18] … The Diligent Woman is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Web page addresses and email addresses turn into links automatically. 14:4). Manoach doesn't even interact with this mysterious man with no name until the end. She didn’t know that God was using Samson’s life in this way to destroy the Philistines (Judg. Not only is she going to have a son, she has some strict rules she needs to follow regarding her pregnancy and his upbringing. She was known for her goodness in heart and deeds. This fact will not surprise those women who share in the daily labors of farming and food gathering, showing strength and skill equal to the men. Asked by Wiki User. Even so, specially chartered planes would bring hundreds of chasidim to Antwerp for every Yom Tov and occasion. Are you ready for anything? Where are you going to put your faith? He has, however, given us a path to follow if we are His children. Beginner. Help us elevate the voices of Jewish women. Samson’s mother shows us how a faithful wife and mother can influence her family (1 Pet. The Rebbe told them that when the next child was born it should be given the name of a person from that week's Torah Reading and it would survive. They were not Nazirites for life. The cover up is shrouded in "piety" I.e. His mother would show special concern in this matter, for mothers in Israel have always been held responsible for the faith of their children. I ran into an angel. 19:41). One of those women is Eshet Manoah, the mother of one of the most fabled heroes of the pre-monarchic period in Israel’s history: Samson. 4:1–3. But HARD doesn’t mean impossible if you have faith.(Heb. She was loyal to her religious faith (14:1-3). The angel elected to reveal himself to Manoah’s wife, and not to Manoah himself. 27 February 2009. Among the visitors were often those who had come seeking salvation of one type or another.