Keraia
Judges 13

Judges 13:25

The Birth of Samson · Judges 13:1–25
Read Judges 13

Translations

Modern
And the Spirit of the LORD began to stir him at Mahaneh-dan, between Zorah and Eshtaol.
Traditional
And the Spirit of the Lord began to move him at times in the camp of Dan between Zorah and Eshtaol.
Literal
And the Spirit of YHWH began to move upon him at Mahaneh-dan, between Zorah and between Eshtaol.
Latin
Cœpitque spiritus Domini esse cum eo in castris Dan inter Saraa et Esthaol.

Original

Hebrew
English
And the Spirit of the LORD began to stir him at Mahaneh-dan, between Zorah and Eshtaol.

Notes

Judges 13:25

  • Inspired leaders are filled with the divine spirit. Despite Samson’s obvious failures, the spirit worked powerfully in him.

  • Mahaneh-dan (literally "camp of Dan") is mentioned again in Judges 18:12. The phrase might describe a temporary settlement rather than a fixed location.

  • Zorah (Judges 13:2) and Eshtaol were in the valley of Sorek, about fifteen miles west of Jerusalem at the pass leading down to Philistine territory.

Theme notes and profiles

Samson The Philistines Spirit Empowerment

Parallels

Numbers 6:1–21

Places

Eshtaol: City allotted to Judah and Dan; associated with Samson Mahaneh-dan: A place between Zorah and Eshtaol; Samson's birthplace Zorah: A town in the Shephelah, home of Samson

Glossary

Eshtaol Judges, Book of Mahaneh-Dan Manoah Philistia, Philistines Samson Tribe of Dan

Topics

Eshtaol: Samson Moved by the Spirit of the Lord Near Extraordinary Judges: Names of Samson Holy Spirit: Inspiration of Samson Mahaneh-Dan: An Encampment of the Danites Prophets: Inspiration of Samson: A Danite, Son of Manoah The Inspiration of the Holy Spirit: Modes of by Secret Impulse the Tribe of Dan: Samson Was of Zorah: The City of Samson