Judges 13:9
And God hearkened to the voice of Manoah; and the angel of God came again unto the woman as she sat in the field: but Manoah her husband was not with her.
Judges 13:9 · King James Version
Meaning
In this verse from the book of Judges, we see Manoah, a man chosen by God to be the father of Samson, praying for guidance and assurance from God. Manoah's earnest prayer is heard by God, who sends an angel to his wife, although Manoah himself is not present. The presence of the angel signifies God's response to Manoah's prayers and his involvement in the lives of his faithful followers. It demonstrates the faithfulness of God to listen and respond to the cries of his people, even when they might not be physically present. The verse highlights the importance of prayer and faith in seeking divine guidance and assurance. It also serves as a reminder that God is always present and ready to hear the voices of his children, even in times of uncertainty and doubt.
Theological Overview
The theological interpretation of this verse from the book of Judges highlights the theme of divine intervention in the lives of human beings. In this passage, we see Manoah and his wife being visited by an angel of God in response to their prayers. This demonstrates the idea of God's attentiveness to the pleas of his people and his willingness to interact with them on a personal level. The fact that the angel returns to the woman while she is alone in the field emphasizes the angelic messenger's specific mission to deliver a message to her. Additionally, the absence of Manoah during this encounter could symbolize the individual nature of one's relationship with God and the unique ways in which he chooses to communicate with each person. Through this verse, we are reminded of the importance of prayer, faith, and being open to God's presence in our lives.
Judges 13:9 in other translations
American Standard Version
And God hearkened to the voice of Manoah; and the angel of God came again unto the woman as she sat in the field: but Manoah her husband was not with her.
World English Bible
God listened to the voice of Manoah; and the angel of God came again to the woman as she sat in the field: but Manoah, her husband, wasn’t with her.
Douay-Rheims
And the Lord heard the prayer of Manue, and the angel of the Lord appeared again to his wife, as she was sitting in the field. But Manue her husband was not with her. And when she saw the angel,
Geneva Bible (1599)
And God heard the voyce of Manoah, and the Angel of God came againe vnto the wife, as she sate in the fielde, but Manoah her husband was not with her.