Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Judges 13:12
And Manoah said, Now let thy words come to pass. How shall we order the child, and [how] shall we do unto him?
12. Now let thy words come to pass ] The marg. is to be preferred; for a conditional clause without the conditional particle in Hebrew cf. Num 12:14, and see Driver, Tenses, 155. To relieve the obscurity, it is proposed to read ‘eth for ‘attah, ‘at the time when’ (Knig, Syntax, 385 k), but this is a rather poetical and late construction, Deu 32:35, Job 6:17 etc.
the manner ] i.e. what description of child shall he be? cf. 2Ki 1:7. By his work is meant business, occupation, cf. Gen 46:33, 1Sa 25:2 RVm. Cf. St. Luk 1:66.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Translate, What shall be the manner (or ordering) of the child, and what shall be his work (or exploits). The original message of the Angel had given information on these two points:
(1) how the child was to be brought up, namely, as a Nazarite;
(2) what he should do, namely, begin to deliver Israel.
Manoah desires to have the information repeated (compare 1Sa 17:26-27, 1Sa 17:30). Accordingly, in Jdg 13:13 the Angel refers to, and enlarges upon, his former injunctions.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Let thy words come to pass; or, thy words shall come to pass; I firmly believe that thy promises shall be fulfilled.
How shall we order the child? what rules shall we observe about his education?
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And Manoah said, now let thy words come to pass,…. Which was not only a wish that they might, but a prayer of faith that they would come pass:
how shall we order the child? and how shall we do unto him? he believed a child would be born, and as he was to be a Nazarite, he knew what were the rules and orders to be observed concerning one in common; but as he was to be an extraordinary one, he was desirous of knowing what particular laws and rules were to be observed with respect to him, or what more was to be done to him than to another: the words may be rendered, as in the margin of our Bibles, “what shall be the judgment of the child, and his work?” and seems to relate not to what should be done to it, but what that should do; for being an extraordinary Nazarite, he supposed that some extraordinary work would be done by him, and he was curious to know it; and so Abarbinel interprets it of his request to know things future and wonderful, that should be done after the child was grown up; but this the angel chose not to inform him of, since it might have been prejudicial to them, should the Philistines get knowledge that this child would be a judge and saviour of Israel, and do such and such things to them as he did, they would have sought to have slain his wife while she bare him, or the child when born; and it may be observed, that though the angel told the woman at first, that he should “begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines”, Jud 13:5, yet she said nothing of it to her husband, nor did the angel repeat it.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(12) How shall we order the child . . .?The literal rendering is given in the margin, What shall be the ordering (mishpat; LXX., krima) of the child, and his work?
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
12. Manoah said Manoah’s words are not correctly rendered in our English version, but should read, Now thy words shall come to pass; what shall be the manner of the child and his work? The former sentence has the relation of a protasis to the following, as, When thy words come to pass, what shall be, etc.? By the manner and work of the child, Manoah meant both their manner and work towards their son, as expressed in the English version, and also his manner and work towards them and Israel. The Angel answers so far as their work is concerned, but leaves it for the future to tell the rest.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘ And Manoah said, “Now let your words come about. What will be the ordering of this child, and what will be his work?” ’
Manoah submitted humbly to Yahweh’s will and sought further guidance on the bringing up of the child. How were they to bring him up? What was his future work to be?
“The ordering”. The word is mishpat usually meaning ‘judgment’. It may here mean ‘what is to be his mode of life’ or ‘how should we bring him up’.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Jdg 13:12. And Manoah said, Now let thy words come to pass, &c. Houbigant renders this, And Manoah said, when that shall come to pass which thou hast spoken, what shall be the method of educating the child? words plainly alluding to those in the 8th verse.
REFLECTIONS.1. Manoah rejoices at the news, and staggers not at the promise; but, confidently depending on its fulfilment, prays for direction how to manage this child, when he should be born, agreeably to God’s will; and for this purpose begs that God would send the same messenger, to give them farther information. Note; (1.) To improve God’s blessings to his glory, is the prayer and labour of every gracious soul. (2.) When we have met with a refreshing visit from God, we cannot but cry, Return, O God of hosts, return. (3.) They who wish a messenger from God, a preacher of his word, to be sent among them, would do well to make it the matter of their fervent prayer.
2. God refused not his request. The same day probably, not another day, as our translation seems to make it, the angel of the covenant returns a second time to Manoah’s wife, when alone, either in her business, or retired for converse with God. She entreats permission to call her husband: this granted, she runs to inform him; he gladly attends her, to wait on their celestial visitant, and there solicitously inquires about the management of the child, which, in faith, he believed should be given them. Note; (1.) They who seek God will find him to their comfort. (2.) When we are alone with God, he will manifest himself to us as he does not unto the world. (3.) They who have experienced the blessing of God’s presence and love, would fain call those who are near and dear to them, to taste and see with them how good the Lord is. (4.) When we are called to approach God, our hearts should never be backward to the gracious invitation. (5.) The care of children is a great concern, and parents had need beg often of God, to direct them how to manage them so, as to bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
3. The angel repeats the same instructions. Note; (1.) It is good to have line upon line, and precept on precept. (2.) When our treacherous memories would forget, or treacherous hearts neglect God’s commands, it is good to have near us a loving and careful remembrancer. (3.) They who would be holy to the Lord, must watch with jealousy against the defilement of sin.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
“Handfuls of Purpose”
For All Gleaners
“How shall we order the child, and how shall we do unto him?” Jdg 13:12 .
The supreme question which parents should ask. A question which God permits to be pat to himself. God alone can know the true way of training a human life. It is in vain to ask God’s guidance after the foundations of the life have been laid and its policy has been determined upon. The child is to be trained up from its earliest moment. There is a sense in which there is no time of unconsciousness to the child: we are making impressions even when those impressions are not accompanied by acts of intelligence. Surely blessed is that child who has never seen anything in father or mother that is not true, beautiful, and good. It would seem the easiest thing in the world to train a child; in reality it is the most difficult. Every child has its own peculiar psychology. Every child has its own peculiar motive, impulse, vision of things, and purpose. The very wisdom of God is required in the right training of children. But the child cannot be trained aright until the parent has a correct conception of life itself. If life is a question of this world, of immediate health, wealth, and enjoyment, then the policy of child-training is easy and simple enough; but if life here is but the beginning of real life, if the present state of existence is but a gate opening upon true destinies and illimitable spheres of action, then light from above is needed, and guidance and comfort from the Father of all men. Let parents be encouraged to consult God about child-training. Let every child be the subject of special prayer. Let the parent be able to say, should occasion arise, to each child, “I have prayed for thee,” as Christ said to Simon Peter.
Fuente: The People’s Bible by Joseph Parker
Jdg 13:12 And Manoah said, Now let thy words come to pass. How shall we order the child, and [how] shall we do unto him?
Ver. 12. How shall we order the child? ] Or, What shall be his office and his work? This their solicitude about the child was very commendable. Let it be parents’ care, that
“ Ipsa Deo blandos fundant cunabula flores. ” – Virg.
Careless parents are a kind of parricides, peremptores potius quam parentes, saith Bernard.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
How shall we order the child, and how shall we do unto him? Hebrew “What shall be the rule of (Genitive of relation = concerning) the boy, and what shall be his work? “
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
How shall we order the child: Heb. what shall be the manner of the child, Gen 18:19, Pro 4:4, Pro 22:6, Eph 6:4
how shall we do unto him: or, what shall he do, Heb. what shall be his work
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Jdg 13:12. Now let thy words come to pass Or, thy words shall come to pass. I firmly believe thy promises shall be fulfilled. How shall we order the child? Houbigant renders this, What shall be the method of educating the child? What rules shall we observe in bringing him up? How shall we do unto him? What profession shall we prepare him for, or how shall we instruct him, so as to make him fit to be the deliverer of Israel?