CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Judges 13:4 Now please be careful not to drink wine or strong drink, and not to eat anything unclean.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/judges/13-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/07_Jdg_13_04.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Judges 13:4 - The Birth of Samson" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Now please be careful not to drink wine or strong drink, and not to eat anything unclean." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/judges/13-4.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/judges/13-4.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/judges/">Judges</a> > <a href="/judges/13.htm">Chapter 13</a> > Verse 4</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad4.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/judges/13-3.htm" title="Judges 13:3">◄</a> Judges 13:4 <a href="/judges/13-5.htm" title="Judges 13:5">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/judges/13.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/judges/13.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Now see to it that you drink no wine or other fermented drink and that you do not eat anything unclean.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/judges/13.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />So be careful; you must not drink wine or any other alcoholic drink nor eat any forbidden food.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/judges/13.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Therefore be careful and drink no wine or strong drink, and eat nothing unclean,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/judges/13.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now please be careful not to drink wine or strong drink, and not to eat anything unclean.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/judges/13.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Now therefore beware, I pray thee, and drink not wine nor strong drink, and eat not any unclean <i>thing</i>:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/judges/13.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Now therefore, please be careful not to drink wine or <i>similar</i> drink, and not to eat anything unclean.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/judges/13.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And now, be careful not to drink wine or strong drink, nor eat any unclean thing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/judges/13.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Now therefore, be careful not to drink wine or strong drink, nor eat any unclean thing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/judges/13.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Now therefore, be careful not to drink wine or strong drink, nor eat any unclean thing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/judges/13.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />So now, be careful not to drink wine or strong drink, nor eat any unclean thing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/judges/13.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Therefore, be careful not to drink wine or [any other] intoxicating drink, and do not eat anything [ceremonially] unclean.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/judges/13.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now please be careful not to drink wine or beer, or to eat anything unclean;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/judges/13.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now please be careful not to drink wine or beer, or to eat anything unclean;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/judges/13.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Now therefore beware, I pray thee, and drink no wine nor strong drink, and eat not any unclean thing:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/judges/13.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Now therefore beware, I pray thee, and drink no wine nor strong drink, and eat not any unclean thing:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/judges/13.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Now you must be careful. Don't drink any wine or liquor or eat any unclean food. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/judges/13.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Be sure not to drink any wine or beer, or eat any forbidden food; <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/judges/13.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />So be sure that you don't drink wine or anything intoxicating, and don't eat anything unclean <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/judges/13.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now please be careful not to drink wine or strong drink, and not to eat anything unclean.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/judges/13.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Now be careful! Do not drink wine or beer, and do not eat any food that will make you ritually unclean.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/judges/13.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Now therefore please be careful and drink no wine nor strong drink, and do not eat any unclean thing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/judges/13.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Now therefore beware, I pray thee, and drink not wine, nor strong drink, and eat not any unclean thing:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/judges/13.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Now therefore please beware and drink no wine nor strong drink, and don’t eat any unclean thing; <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/judges/13.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And now, please take heed and do not drink wine and strong drink, and do not eat any unclean thing,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/judges/13.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And, now, take heed, I pray thee, and do not drink wine, and strong drink, and do not eat any unclean thing,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/judges/13.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And now, watch now, and drink not wine and strong drink, and thou shalt not eat any thing unclean:<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/judges/13.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Now therefore beware and drink no wine nor strong drink, and eat not any unclean thing. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/judges/13.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Therefore, take care that you do not drink wine or strong drink. Neither shall you eat anything unclean.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/judges/13.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Now, then, be careful to drink no wine or beer and to eat nothing unclean,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/judges/13.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Now be careful not to drink wine or strong drink, or to eat anything unclean,<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/judges/13.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Now therefore beware, lest you drink wine or strong drink; and you shall not eat anything unclean.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/judges/13.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Beware that you shall not drink wine or liquor and you shall not eat anything that is defiled<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/judges/13.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Now therefore beware, I pray thee, and drink no wine nor strong drink, and eat not any unclean thing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/judges/13.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And now be very cautious, and drink no wine nor strong drink, and eat no unclean thing;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/judges/13-4.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AjzBiIYY2Dc?start=3968" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/judges/13.htm">The Birth of Samson</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">3</span>The angel of the LORD appeared to the woman and said to her, “It is true that you are barren and have no children; but you will conceive and give birth to a son. <span class="reftext">4</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/6258.htm" title="6258: wə·‘at·tāh (Conj-w:: Adv) -- Now. From eth; at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive.">Now</a> <a href="/hebrew/4994.htm" title="4994: nā (Interjection) -- I (we) pray, now. ">please</a> <a href="/hebrew/8104.htm" title="8104: hiš·šā·mə·rî (V-Nifal-Imp-fs) -- To keep, watch, preserve. A primitive root; properly, to hedge about, i.e. Guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.">be careful</a> <a href="/hebrew/408.htm" title="408: wə·’al- (Conj-w:: Adv) -- Not (a subjective neg.). A negative particle; not; once as a noun, nothing.">not</a> <a href="/hebrew/8354.htm" title="8354: tiš·tî (V-Qal-Imperf-2fs) -- To drink. A primitive root; to imbibe.">to drink</a> <a href="/hebrew/3196.htm" title="3196: ya·yin (N-ms) -- Wine. From an unused root meaning to effervesce; wine; by implication, intoxication.">wine</a> <a href="/hebrew/7941.htm" title="7941: wə·šê·ḵār (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- Intoxicating drink, strong drink. From shakar; an intoxicant, i.e. Intensely alcoholic liquor.">or strong drink,</a> <a href="/hebrew/408.htm" title="408: wə·’al- (Conj-w:: Adv) -- Not (a subjective neg.). A negative particle; not; once as a noun, nothing.">and not</a> <a href="/hebrew/398.htm" title="398: tō·ḵə·lî (V-Qal-Imperf-2fs) -- To eat. A primitive root; to eat.">to eat</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kāl- (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">anything</a> <a href="/hebrew/2931.htm" title="2931: ṭā·mê (Adj-ms) -- Unclean. From tame'; foul in a relig. Sense.">unclean.</a> </span><span class="reftext">5</span>For behold, you will conceive and give birth to a son. And no razor shall come over his head, because the boy will be a Nazirite to God from the womb, and he will begin the deliverance of Israel from the hand of the Philistines.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/6-2.htm">Numbers 6:2-4</a></span><br />“Speak to the Israelites and tell them that if a man or woman makes a special vow, the vow of a Nazirite, to separate himself to the LORD, / he is to abstain from wine and strong drink. He must not drink vinegar made from wine or strong drink, and he must not drink any grape juice or eat fresh grapes or raisins. / All the days of his separation, he is not to eat anything that comes from the grapevine, not even the seeds or skins.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/11-1.htm">Leviticus 11:1-8</a></span><br />The LORD spoke again to Moses and Aaron, telling them, / “Say to the Israelites, ‘Of all the beasts of the earth, these ones you may eat: / You may eat any animal that has a split hoof completely divided and that chews the cud. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/1-15.htm">Luke 1:15</a></span><br />for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He shall never take wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/1-11.htm">1 Samuel 1:11</a></span><br />And she made a vow, saying, “O LORD of Hosts, if only You will look upon the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, not forgetting Your maidservant but giving her a son, then I will dedicate him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall ever touch his head.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/2-11.htm">Amos 2:11-12</a></span><br />I raised up prophets from your sons and Nazirites from your young men. Is this not true, O children of Israel?” declares the LORD. / “But you made the Nazirites drink wine and commanded the prophets not to prophesy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/3-4.htm">Matthew 3:4</a></span><br />John wore a garment of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/18-18.htm">Acts 18:18</a></span><br />Paul remained in Corinth for quite some time before saying goodbye to the brothers. He had his head shaved in Cenchrea to keep a vow he had made, and then he sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/6-19.htm">1 Corinthians 6:19-20</a></span><br />Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; / you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/12-1.htm">Romans 12:1</a></span><br />Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/1-15.htm">1 Peter 1:15-16</a></span><br />But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, / for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/9-4.htm">Genesis 9:4</a></span><br />But you must not eat meat with its lifeblood still in it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/14-3.htm">Deuteronomy 14:3-21</a></span><br />You must not eat any detestable thing. / These are the animals that you may eat: The ox, the sheep, the goat, / the deer, the gazelle, the roe deer, the wild goat, the ibex, the antelope, and the mountain sheep. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/4-9.htm">2 Kings 4:9-10</a></span><br />Then the woman said to her husband, “Behold, now I know that the one who often comes our way is a holy man of God. / Please let us make a small room upstairs and put in it a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp for him. Then when he comes to us, he can stay there.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/35-6.htm">Jeremiah 35:6-7</a></span><br />“We do not drink wine,” they replied, “for our forefather Jonadab son of Rechab commanded us, ‘Neither you nor your descendants are ever to drink wine. / Nor are you ever to build a house or sow seed or plant a vineyard. Those things are not for you. Instead, you must live in tents all your lives, so that you may live a long time in the land where you wander.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/21-23.htm">Acts 21:23-24</a></span><br />Therefore do what we advise you. There are four men with us who have taken a vow. / Take these men, purify yourself along with them, and pay their expenses so they can have their heads shaved. Then everyone will know that there is no truth to these rumors about you, but that you also live in obedience to the law.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Now therefore beware, I pray you, and drink not wine nor strong drink, and eat not any unclean thing:</p><p class="hdg">drink not</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/13-14.htm">Judges 13:14</a></b></br> She may not eat of any <i>thing</i> that cometh of the vine, neither let her drink wine or strong drink, nor eat any unclean <i>thing</i>: all that I commanded her let her observe.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/6-2.htm">Numbers 6:2,3</a></b></br> Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When either man or woman shall separate <i>themselves</i> to vow a vow of a Nazarite, to separate <i>themselves</i> unto the LORD: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/1-15.htm">Luke 1:15</a></b></br> For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.</p><p class="hdg">eat not</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/11-27.htm">Leviticus 11:27,47</a></b></br> And whatsoever goeth upon his paws, among all manner of beasts that go on <i>all</i> four, those <i>are</i> unclean unto you: whoso toucheth their carcase shall be unclean until the even… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/acts/10-14.htm">Acts 10:14</a></b></br> But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/deuteronomy/15-9.htm">Beware</a> <a href="/judges/6-29.htm">Care</a> <a href="/joshua/23-11.htm">Careful</a> <a href="/judges/9-27.htm">Drink</a> <a href="/judges/9-27.htm">Eat</a> <a href="/judges/11-28.htm">Heed</a> <a href="/judges/11-19.htm">Please</a> <a href="/judges/9-51.htm">Strong</a> <a href="/joshua/22-19.htm">Unclean</a> <a href="/judges/9-13.htm">Wine</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/judges/13-13.htm">Beware</a> <a href="/judges/13-14.htm">Care</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-13.htm">Careful</a> <a href="/judges/13-7.htm">Drink</a> <a href="/judges/13-7.htm">Eat</a> <a href="/judges/13-13.htm">Heed</a> <a href="/judges/13-8.htm">Please</a> <a href="/judges/13-7.htm">Strong</a> <a href="/judges/13-7.htm">Unclean</a> <a href="/judges/13-7.htm">Wine</a><div class="vheading2">Judges 13</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/13-1.htm">Israel is delivered into the hands of Philistines</a></span><br><span class="reftext">2. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/13-2.htm">An angel appears to Manoah's wife</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/13-8.htm">The angel appears to Manoah</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/13-15.htm">Manoah's sacrifices, whereby the angel is discovered.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">24. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/13-24.htm">Samson is born</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/judges/13.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/judges/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/judges/13.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Now please be careful</b><br>This phrase indicates a divine instruction given with urgency and importance. It reflects the seriousness of the message delivered by the angel of the Lord to Manoah's wife. The carefulness required suggests a need for vigilance and obedience, highlighting the sanctity of the vow that is to be undertaken.<p><b>not to drink wine or strong drink</b><br>This prohibition is part of the Nazirite vow, a special commitment to God described in <a href="/numbers/6.htm">Numbers 6:1-21</a>. Wine and strong drink were common in ancient Israelite culture, often used in celebrations and religious rituals. Abstaining from them was a sign of dedication and separation unto God. This restriction foreshadows the life of Samson, who was to be set apart from birth for God's purposes.<p><b>and not to eat anything unclean</b><br>The dietary laws in <a href="/leviticus/11.htm">Leviticus 11</a> outline what is considered clean and unclean for the Israelites. This command emphasizes the importance of ritual purity and obedience to God's law. It also underscores the distinctiveness of Samson's calling, as he was to be consecrated from the womb. This mirrors the call to holiness seen in other biblical figures, such as John the Baptist, who also lived under a Nazirite-like vow.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/m/manoah's_wife.htm">Manoah's Wife</a></b><br>The unnamed wife of Manoah, who receives the angelic message about the birth of Samson. She is instructed to follow specific guidelines during her pregnancy.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/a/angel_of_the_lord.htm">Angel of the LORD</a></b><br>A divine messenger who appears to Manoah's wife, delivering God's instructions and foretelling the birth of Samson, who will begin to deliver Israel from the Philistines.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/s/samson.htm">Samson</a></b><br>The future son of Manoah and his wife, who is to be a Nazirite from birth, dedicated to God with specific lifestyle restrictions.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/n/nazirite_vow.htm">Nazirite Vow</a></b><br>A special vow of consecration to God, which includes abstaining from wine, strong drink, and unclean foods, as well as not cutting one's hair.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/p/philistines.htm">Philistines</a></b><br>The oppressive rulers of Israel during this period, from whom Samson is destined to begin delivering Israel.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/h/holiness_and_separation.htm">Holiness and Separation</a></b><br>The call to abstain from wine, strong drink, and unclean foods signifies a life set apart for God. Believers are encouraged to live distinctively, avoiding influences that can hinder their spiritual walk.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/o/obedience_to_god's_instructions.htm">Obedience to God's Instructions</a></b><br>Manoah's wife's adherence to the angel's instructions demonstrates the importance of obedience in fulfilling God's purposes. Christians are reminded to follow God's guidance even when it requires personal sacrifice.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/preparation_for_god's_work.htm">Preparation for God's Work</a></b><br>The restrictions placed on Manoah's wife were not just for her benefit but for the preparation of Samson's future role. Believers are called to prepare themselves and their families for God's work through disciplined living.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_in_god's_promises.htm">Faith in God's Promises</a></b><br>The angel's message required faith in God's promise of a son who would deliver Israel. Christians are encouraged to trust in God's promises, even when the fulfillment seems distant or impossible.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/i/impact_of_parental_faithfulness.htm">Impact of Parental Faithfulness</a></b><br>The faithfulness of Manoah's wife in following God's instructions had a direct impact on Samson's life and mission. Parents are reminded of their role in shaping their children's spiritual destinies through obedience and faith.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_judges_13.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Judges 13</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/samson's_strength_source.htm">What was the source of Samson's strength?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_god_use_flawed_samson.htm">In Judges 16, why would God continue to work through Samson despite his moral failings?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_view_on_alcohol.htm">What does the Bible say about alcohol consumption?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_didn't_manoah's_wife_seek_clarity.htm">In Judges 13:6-7, why didn't Manoah's wife seek more proof or clarity from the angel if his words were so extraordinary?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/judges/13.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(4) <span class= "bld">Drink not wine.</span>--The mother is to share for a time in part of the Nazarite vow.<p><span class= "bld">Strong drink.</span>--<span class= "ital">Sheekar </span>(LXX., <span class= "ital">Sikera</span>) means <span class= "ital">intoxicating liquor not made from grapes </span>(<a href="/luke/1-15.htm" title="For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.">Luke 1:15</a>).<p><span class= "bld">Eat not any unclean thing.</span>--Leviticus 11. The law applied to all Israelites, but is to be specially observed by the wife of Manoah, to impress on her and on the nation the separated character of her son.<p><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/judges/13-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Now</span><br /><span class="heb">וְעַתָּה֙</span> <span class="translit">(wə·‘at·tāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6258.htm">Strong's 6258: </a> </span><span class="str2">At this time</span><br /><br /><span class="word">please</span><br /><span class="heb">נָ֔א</span> <span class="translit">(nā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interjection<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4994.htm">Strong's 4994: </a> </span><span class="str2">I pray', 'now', 'then'</span><br /><br /><span class="word">be careful</span><br /><span class="heb">הִשָּׁ֣מְרִי</span> <span class="translit">(hiš·šā·mə·rî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Imperative - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8104.htm">Strong's 8104: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">not</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאַל־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_408.htm">Strong's 408: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to drink</span><br /><span class="heb">תִּשְׁתִּ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(tiš·tî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8354.htm">Strong's 8354: </a> </span><span class="str2">To imbibe</span><br /><br /><span class="word">wine</span><br /><span class="heb">יַ֣יִן</span> <span class="translit">(ya·yin)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3196.htm">Strong's 3196: </a> </span><span class="str2">Wine, intoxication</span><br /><br /><span class="word">or strong drink,</span><br /><span class="heb">וְשֵׁכָ֑ר</span> <span class="translit">(wə·šê·ḵār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7941.htm">Strong's 7941: </a> </span><span class="str2">An intoxicant, intensely alcoholic liquor</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and not</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאַל־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_408.htm">Strong's 408: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to eat</span><br /><span class="heb">תֹּאכְלִ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(tō·ḵə·lî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_398.htm">Strong's 398: </a> </span><span class="str2">To eat</span><br /><br /><span class="word">anything</span><br /><span class="heb">כָּל־</span> <span class="translit">(kāl-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">unclean.</span><br /><span class="heb">טָמֵֽא׃</span> <span class="translit">(ṭā·mê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2931.htm">Strong's 2931: </a> </span><span class="str2">Unclean</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/judges/13-4.htm">Judges 13:4 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/judges/13-4.htm">Judges 13:4 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/judges/13-4.htm">Judges 13:4 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/judges/13-4.htm">Judges 13:4 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/judges/13-4.htm">Judges 13:4 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/judges/13-4.htm">Judges 13:4 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/judges/13-4.htm">Judges 13:4 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/judges/13-4.htm">Judges 13:4 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/judges/13-4.htm">Judges 13:4 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/judges/13-4.htm">Judges 13:4 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/judges/13-4.htm">OT History: Judges 13:4 Now therefore please beware and drink no (Jd Judg. Jdg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/judges/13-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Judges 13:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Judges 13:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/judges/13-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Judges 13:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Judges 13:5" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>