Judges 13:5

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis

כִּי֩

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

הִנָּ֨ךְ

H2009

lo!

הָרָ֜ה

H2029

to be (or become) pregnant, conceive (literally or figuratively)

וְיֹלַ֣דְתְּ

H3205

and bear

to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage

בֵּ֗ן

H1121

a son

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

וּמוֹרָה֙

H4177

and no razor

a razor

לֹֽא

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יַעֲלֶ֣ה

H5927

shall come

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

עַל

H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

#10

רֹאשׁ֔וֹ

H7218

on his head

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

#11

כִּֽי

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

#12

נְזִ֧יר

H5139

shall be a Nazarite

separate, i.e., consecrated (as prince, a nazirite); hence (figuratively from the latter) an unpruned vine (like an unshorn nazirite)

#13

אֱלֹהִ֛ים

H430

unto God

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

#14

יִֽהְיֶ֥ה

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

#15

הַנַּ֖עַר

H5288

for the child

(concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latit

#16

מִן

H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

#17

הַבָּ֑טֶן

H990

from the womb

the belly, especially the womb; also the bosom or body of anything

#18

וְה֗וּא

H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

#19

יָחֵ֛ל

H2490

and he shall begin

properly, to bore, i.e., (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), to begin

#20

לְהוֹשִׁ֥יעַ

H3467

to deliver

properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e., (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or succor

#21

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#22

יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל

H3478

Israel

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

#23

מִיַּ֥ד

H3027

out of the hand

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

#24

פְּלִשְׁתִּֽים׃

H6430

of the Philistines

a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?
In what ways does understanding divine sovereignty in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
What practical applications emerge from understanding salvation as presented in this verse, particularly in light of addressing questions of religious pluralism and the exclusivity of Christ?

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