Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version But his wife answered, “If the LORD had meant to kill us, he would not have accepted a burnt offering and grain offering from our hands, nor shown us all these things or now told us this.” New Living Translation But his wife said, “If the LORD were going to kill us, he wouldn’t have accepted our burnt offering and grain offering. He wouldn’t have appeared to us and told us this wonderful thing and done these miracles.” English Standard Version But his wife said to him, “If the LORD had meant to kill us, he would not have accepted a burnt offering and a grain offering at our hands, or shown us all these things, or now announced to us such things as these.” Berean Standard Bible But his wife replied, “If the LORD had intended to kill us, He would not have accepted the burnt offering and the grain offering from our hands, nor would He have shown us all these things or spoken to us this way.” Berean Literal Bible And his wife said to him, “If YHWH had delighted to kill us, He would not have accepted from our hands a burnt offering and a grain offering, and He would not have shown us all these things, nor at this time would He have told us as this.” King James Bible But his wife said unto him, If the LORD were pleased to kill us, he would not have received a burnt offering and a meat offering at our hands, neither would he have shewed us all these things, nor would as at this time have told us such things as these. New King James Version But his wife said to him, “If the LORD had desired to kill us, He would not have accepted a burnt offering and a grain offering from our hands, nor would He have shown us all these things, nor would He have told us such things as these at this time.” New American Standard Bible But his wife said to him, “If the LORD had desired to kill us, He would not have accepted a burnt offering and a grain offering from our hands, nor would He have shown us all these things, nor would He have let us hear things like this at this time.” NASB 1995 But his wife said to him, “If the LORD had desired to kill us, He would not have accepted a burnt offering and a grain offering from our hands, nor would He have shown us all these things, nor would He have let us hear things like this at this time.” NASB 1977 But his wife said to him, “If the LORD had desired to kill us, He would not have accepted a burnt offering and a grain offering from our hands, nor would He have shown us all these things, nor would He have let us hear things like this at this time.” Legacy Standard Bible But his wife said to him, “If Yahweh had desired to put us to death, He would not have accepted a burnt offering and a grain offering from our hands, nor would He have shown us all these things, nor would He have let us hear things like this at this time.” Amplified Bible But his [sensible] wife said to him, “If the LORD had desired to kill us, He would not have received a burnt offering and a grain offering from our hands, nor would He have shown us all these things, nor would He have announced such things as these at this time.” Berean Annotated Bible But his wife replied, “If the LORD {YHWH} had intended to kill us, He would not have accepted the burnt offering and the grain offering from our hands, nor would He have shown us all these things or spoken to us this way. Christian Standard Bible But his wife said to him, “If the LORD had intended to kill us, he wouldn’t have accepted the burnt offering and the grain offering from us, and he would not have shown us all these things or spoken to us like this.” Holman Christian Standard Bible But his wife said to him, “If the LORD had intended to kill us, He wouldn’t have accepted the burnt offering and the grain offering from us, and He would not have shown us all these things or spoken to us now like this.” American Standard Version But his wife said unto him, If Jehovah were pleased to kill us, he would not have received a burnt-offering and a meal-offering at our hand, neither would he have showed us all these things, nor would at this time have told such things as these. Contemporary English Version "The LORD isn't going to kill us," Manoah's wife responded. "The LORD accepted our sacrifice and grain offering, and he let us see something amazing. Besides, he told us that we're going to have a son." English Revised Version But his wife said unto him, If the LORD were pleased to kill us, he would not have received a burnt offering and a meal offering at our hand, neither would he have shewed us all these things, nor would at this time have told us such things as these. GOD'S WORD® Translation But Manoah's wife replied, "If the LORD wanted to kill us, he would not have accepted our burnt offering and grain offering. He would not have let us see or hear all these things just now." Good News Translation But his wife answered, "If the LORD had wanted to kill us, he would not have accepted our offerings; he would not have shown us all this or told us such things at this time." International Standard Version But his wife replied to him, "If the LORD had intended to kill us, he wouldn't have accepted a burnt offering and a grain offering from us, he wouldn't have shown us all these things, and he wouldn't have permitted us to hear things like this, now would he?" NET Bible But his wife said to him, "If the LORD wanted to kill us, he would not have accepted the burnt offering and the grain offering from us. He would not have shown us all these things, or have spoken to us like this just now." New Heart English Bible But his wife said to him, "If the LORD meant to kill us, he wouldn't have received a burnt offering and a grain offering from us, neither would he have shown us all these things, nor would he have spoken to us now like this." Webster's Bible Translation But his wife said to him, If the LORD were pleased to kill us, he would not have received a burnt-offering and a meat-offering at our hands, neither would he have showed us all these things, nor would, as at this time, have told us such things as these. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleBut his wife replied, “If the LORD had intended to kill us, He would not have accepted the burnt offering and the grain offering from our hands, nor would He have shown us all these things or spoken to us this way.” World English Bible But his wife said to him, “If Yahweh were pleased to kill us, he wouldn’t have received a burnt offering and a meal offering at our hand, and he wouldn’t have shown us all these things, nor would he have told us such things as these at this time.” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd his wife says to him, “If YHWH were desirous to put us to death, He had not received burnt-offering and present from our hands, nor showed us all these things, nor caused us to hear [anything] like this as [at this] time.” Berean Literal Bible And his wife said to him, “If YHWH had delighted to kill us, He would not have accepted from our hands a burnt offering and a grain offering, and He would not have shown us all these things, nor at this time would He have told us as this.” Young's Literal Translation And his wife saith to him, 'If Jehovah were desirous to put us to death, He had not received from our hands burnt-offering and present, nor shewed us all these things, nor as at this time caused us to hear anything like this.' Smith's Literal Translation And his wife will say to him, If Jehovah were inclined to put us to death, he took not from our hand a burnt-offering and gift, and he shewed us not all these, and as now caused us not to hear such as this. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd his wife answered him: If the Lord had a mind to kill us, he would not have received a holocaust and libations at our hands, neither would he have shewed us all these things, nor have told us the things that are to come. Catholic Public Domain Version And his wife answered him, “If the Lord wished to kill us, he would not have accepted the holocaust and the libations from our hands. He would not have revealed all these things to us, nor would he have told us the things that are in the future.” New American Bible But his wife said to him, “If the LORD had meant to kill us, he would not have accepted a burnt offering and grain offering from our hands! Nor would he have let us see all this, or hear what we have heard.” New Revised Standard Version But his wife said to him, “If the LORD had meant to kill us, he would not have accepted a burnt offering and a grain offering at our hands, or shown us all these things, or now announced to us such things as these.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleBut his wife said to him, If God were pleased to kill us, he would not have received a burnt offering and a meal offering from us, neither would he have showed us all these things at this time, nor would he have told such things as these. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And his wife said to him, “If God had desired to kill us, he would not have accepted a burnt offering and fine wheat flour from us, and he would not have shown us all these things at this time, and he would not have told us these things” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917But his wife said unto him: 'If the LORD were pleased to kill us, He would not have received a burnt-offering and a meal-offering at our hand, neither would He have shown us all these things, nor would at this time have told such things as these.' Brenton Septuagint Translation But his wife said to him, If the Lord were pleased to slay us, he would not have received of our hand a whole-burnt-offering and a meat-offering; and he would not have shewn us all these things, neither would he have caused us to hear all these things as at this time. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Birth of Samson…22“We are going to die,” he said to his wife, “for we have seen God!” 23But his wife replied, “If the LORD had intended to kill us, He would not have accepted the burnt offering and the grain offering from our hands, nor would He have shown us all these things or spoken to us this way.” 24So the woman gave birth to a son and named him Samson. The boy grew, and the LORD blessed him.… Cross References But his wife replied, 1 Samuel 25:23-31 When Abigail saw David, she quickly got off the donkey, fell facedown, and bowed before him. / She fell at his feet and said, “My lord, may the blame be on me alone, but please let your servant speak to you; hear the words of your servant. / My lord should pay no attention to this scoundrel Nabal, for he lives up to his name: His name means Fool, and folly accompanies him. I, your servant, did not see my lord’s young men whom you sent. … 2 Kings 4:23-26 “Why would you go to him today?” he replied. “It is not a New Moon or a Sabbath.” “Everything is all right,” she said. / Then she saddled the donkey and told her servant, “Drive onward; do not slow the pace for me unless I tell you.” / So she set out and went to the man of God at Mount Carmel. When the man of God saw her at a distance, he said to his servant Gehazi, “Look, there is the Shunammite woman. … Proverbs 31:26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. “If the LORD had intended to kill us, Judges 6:22-23 When Gideon realized that it was the angel of the LORD, he said, “Oh no, Lord GOD! I have seen the angel of the LORD face to face!” / But the LORD said to him, “Peace be with you. Do not be afraid, for you will not die.” Genesis 32:30 So Jacob named the place Peniel, saying, “Indeed, I have seen God face to face, and yet my life was spared.” Exodus 33:20 But He added, “You cannot see My face, for no one can see Me and live.” He would not have accepted the burnt offering and the grain offering from our hands, Genesis 4:4-5 while Abel brought the best portions of the firstborn of his flock. And the LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering, / but He had no regard for Cain and his offering. So Cain became very angry, and his countenance fell. Leviticus 9:23-24 Moses and Aaron then entered the Tent of Meeting. When they came out, they blessed the people, and the glory of the LORD appeared to all the people. / Fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed the burnt offering and the fat portions on the altar. And when all the people saw it, they shouted for joy and fell facedown. 1 Kings 18:36-39 At the time of the evening sacrifice, Elijah the prophet approached the altar and said, “O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that You are God in Israel and that I am Your servant and have done all these things at Your command. / Answer me, O LORD! Answer me, so that this people will know that You, the LORD, are God, and that You have turned their hearts back again.” / Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the sacrifice, the wood, the stones, and the dust, and it licked up the water in the trench. … nor would He have shown us all these things Deuteronomy 4:34-35 Or has any god tried to take as his own a nation out of another nation—by trials, signs, wonders, and war, by a strong hand and an outstretched arm, and by great terrors—as the LORD your God did for you in Egypt, before your eyes? / You were shown these things so that you would know that the LORD is God; there is no other besides Him. Deuteronomy 29:2-4 Moses summoned all Israel and proclaimed to them, “You have seen with your own eyes everything the LORD did in Egypt to Pharaoh, to all his officials, and to all his land. / You saw with your own eyes the great trials, and those miraculous signs and wonders. / Yet to this day the LORD has not given you a mind to understand, eyes to see, or ears to hear. 2 Kings 20:8-11 Now Hezekiah had asked Isaiah, “What will be the sign that the LORD will heal me and that I will go up to the house of the LORD on the third day?” / And Isaiah had replied, “This will be a sign to you from the LORD that He will do what He has promised: Would you like the shadow to go forward ten steps, or back ten steps?” / “It is easy for the shadow to lengthen ten steps,” answered Hezekiah, “but not for it to go back ten steps.” … or spoken to us this way.” Deuteronomy 5:24-27 and you said, “Behold, the LORD our God has shown us His glory and greatness, and we have heard His voice out of the fire. Today we have seen that a man can live even if God speaks with him. / But now, why should we die? For this great fire will consume us, and we will die, if we hear the voice of the LORD our God any longer. / For who of all flesh has heard the voice of the living God speaking out of the fire, as we have, and survived? … Numbers 12:6-8 He said, “Hear now My words: If there is a prophet among you, I, the LORD, will reveal Myself to him in a vision; I will speak to him in a dream. / But this is not so with My servant Moses; he is faithful in all My house. / I speak with him face to face, clearly and not in riddles; he sees the form of the LORD. Why then were you unafraid to speak against My servant Moses?” 1 Samuel 3:19-21 And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and He let none of Samuel’s words fall to the ground. / So all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel was confirmed as a prophet of the LORD. / And the LORD continued to appear at Shiloh, because there He revealed Himself to Samuel by His word. Genesis 18:23-33 Abraham stepped forward and said, “Will You really sweep away the righteous with the wicked? / What if there are fifty righteous ones in the city? Will You really sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous ones who are there? / Far be it from You to do such a thing—to kill the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Will not the Judge of all the earth do what is right?” … Treasury of Scripture But his wife said to him, If the LORD were pleased to kill us, he would not have received a burnt offering and a meat offering at our hands, neither would he have showed us all these things, nor would as at this time have told us such things as these. his wife Ecclesiastes 4:9,10 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour… 1 Corinthians 12:21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. he would not Genesis 4:4,5 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: … Psalm 86:17 Shew me a token for good; that they which hate me may see it, and be ashamed: because thou, LORD, hast holpen me, and comforted me. he have shewed Psalm 25:14 The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant. Psalm 27:13 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Proverbs 3:32 For the froward is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous. Jump to Previous Accepted Burnt Burnt-Offering Desired Hand Hands Hear Kill Meal Meal-Offering Meat Meat-Offering Offering Pleased Received Showed Shown Time Wife Wouldn'tJump to Next Accepted Burnt Burnt-Offering Desired Hand Hands Hear Kill Meal Meal-Offering Meat Meat-Offering Offering Pleased Received Showed Shown Time Wife Wouldn'tJudges 13 1. Israel is delivered into the hands of Philistines2. An angel appears to Manoah's wife 8. The angel appears to Manoah 15. Manoah's sacrifices, whereby the angel is discovered. 24. Samson is born But his wife replied, Manoah's wife, though unnamed in the text, plays a crucial role in the narrative. Her response demonstrates wisdom and faith, qualities often highlighted in biblical women. Her insight contrasts with Manoah's fear, showcasing her understanding of God's character and intentions. “If the LORD had intended to kill us, He would not have accepted the burnt offering and the grain offering from our hands, nor would He have shown us all these things or spoken to us this way.” Persons / Places / Events 1. ManoahThe father of Samson, a Danite, who is initially fearful after encountering the Angel of the LORD. 2. Manoah's Wife Unnamed in the text, she demonstrates faith and understanding of God's intentions, providing reassurance to her husband. 3. The Angel of the LORD A divine messenger who appears to Manoah and his wife, announcing the birth of Samson. 4. Zorah The town in the territory of Dan where Manoah and his wife lived. 5. Burnt Offering and Grain Offering Sacrifices made to God, symbolizing worship and dedication. Teaching Points Faith in God's PromisesManoah's wife exemplifies faith by trusting in God's promise despite her husband's fear. Believers are encouraged to trust God's plans even when circumstances seem daunting. Understanding God's Character Her response reflects an understanding of God's character—He does not act capriciously. This teaches us to interpret our circumstances in light of God's nature and promises. Reassurance in Times of Fear Just as Manoah's wife reassures her husband, believers can find comfort in God's past faithfulness and His revealed word during times of fear and uncertainty. The Role of Sacrifices The acceptance of their offerings signifies God's favor and presence. This points to the importance of sincere worship and dedication in our relationship with God. Divine Encounters The appearance of the Angel of the LORD signifies God's direct involvement in His people's lives, reminding us of His ongoing presence and guidance. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Judges 13:23?2. How does Judges 13:23 demonstrate God's mercy and patience with His people? 3. What can we learn about faith from Manoah's wife's response in Judges 13:23? 4. How does Judges 13:23 connect to God's promises in Genesis 18:14? 5. How can we apply the trust shown in Judges 13:23 to our lives? 6. What does Judges 13:23 teach about recognizing God's presence in difficult situations? 7. How does Judges 13:23 demonstrate God's intentions for humanity's future despite current suffering? 8. What does Judges 13:23 reveal about God's character and His relationship with humanity? 9. How does Judges 13:23 challenge the belief in divine punishment versus divine grace? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Judges 13? 11. 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? 12. In Judges 13:19-20, how can an angel ascend in a flame without contradicting basic scientific principles? 13. In Judges 13:2-3, how could a barren woman conceive after one angelic encounter without any natural explanation? 14. Judges 11:30-31: How can a just God permit Jephthah's vow, which appears to condone human sacrifice? What Does Judges 13:23 Mean But his wife repliedManoah had just declared, “We will surely die, for we have seen God!” (Judges 13:22). • His wife answers with calm, reasoned faith, modeling the “gentle and quiet spirit” praised in 1 Peter 3:4. • She steps into leadership when her husband falters, much like Abigail who intervened wisely in 1 Samuel 25:32–33. • Proverbs 31:26 notes, “She opens her mouth with wisdom,” a fitting description here. If the LORD had intended to kill us, She begins with God’s intent, interpreting their experience through His character. • Genesis 18:25 reminds, “Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?” • Psalm 30:5 declares, “His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for a lifetime,” anchoring her assurance that God’s visitation was gracious, not lethal. He would not have accepted the burnt offering The burnt offering symbolized total consecration; acceptance signified divine favor (Leviticus 1:9). • Abel’s accepted offering (Genesis 4:4) and fire falling on Elijah’s sacrifice (1 Kings 18:38) both signaled God’s approval. • If the LORD had taken pleasure in destroying them, He would have rejected, not received, their act of worship. and the grain offering from our hands, The grain (or “meal”) offering expressed gratitude for daily provision (Leviticus 2:1–3). • Malachi 1:10–11 shows God refuses offerings when hearts are wrong; acceptance therefore reveals relationship, not wrath. • Philippians 4:18 uses the same imagery—a fragrant offering—underscoring that God delights in sincere gifts, not in slaying the givers. nor would He have shown us all these things Revelation is a privilege granted to friends, not foes. • Genesis 18:17: “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do?” • John 15:15: “I have called you friends, for everything I have learned from My Father I have made known to you.” Being shown “all these things” (the coming birth of Samson and God’s purposes) is evidence of covenant favor. or spoken to us this way. God’s word gives life, not destruction. • Deuteronomy 5:24–26 acknowledges that hearing God’s voice and yet living is extraordinary grace. • Isaiah 55:11 promises His word works salvation, not arbitrary death. If God speaks peace and promise, the listeners can rest assured of His benevolent intent. summary Manoah’s wife reasons from experience: accepted sacrifices, gracious revelations, and living words all prove God’s purpose is to bless, not to kill. Her faith-filled logic calms fear, affirms God’s goodness, and sets the stage for Samson’s miraculous birth—a reminder that when God receives our worship and reveals His plans, we can trust His intent is always life and redemption. Verse 23. - But his wife said, etc. The woman's faith saw more clearly than the man's fear. With the acceptance of the sacrifice the conscience was cleared from guilt. The ascent of the angel in the flame of the altar was to her the same evidence of an accepted sacrifice as the resurrection and ascension of the Lord Jesus are to us.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew But his wifeאִשְׁתּ֗וֹ (’iš·tōw) Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female replied, וַתֹּ֧אמֶר (wat·tō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say “If לוּ֩ (lū) Preposition Strong's 3863: If, would that! the LORD יְהוָ֤ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel had intended חָפֵ֨ץ (ḥā·p̄êṣ) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 2654: To incline to, to bend, to be pleased with, desire to kill us, לַהֲמִיתֵ֙נוּ֙ (la·hă·mî·ṯê·nū) Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct | first person common plural Strong's 4191: To die, to kill He would not לֹֽא־ (lō-) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no have accepted לָקַ֤ח (lā·qaḥ) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 3947: To take the burnt offering עֹלָ֣ה (‘ō·lāh) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 5930: Whole burnt offering and the grain offering וּמִנְחָ֔ה (ū·min·ḥāh) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 4503: A donation, tribute, a sacrificial offering from our hands, מִיָּדֵ֙נוּ֙ (mî·yā·ḏê·nū) Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common plural Strong's 3027: A hand nor would He וְלֹ֥א (wə·lō) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no have shown הֶרְאָ֖נוּ (her·’ā·nū) Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular | first person common plural Strong's 7200: To see us all כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every these things אֵ֑לֶּה (’êl·leh) Pronoun - common plural Strong's 428: These, those or spoken הִשְׁמִיעָ֖נוּ (hiš·mî·‘ā·nū) Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular | first person common plural Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently to us וְכָעֵ֕ת (wə·ḵā·‘êṯ) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-k, Article | Noun - common singular Strong's 6256: Time, now, when this way.” כָּזֹֽאת׃ (kā·zōṯ) Preposition-k | Pronoun - feminine singular Strong's 2063: Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that, Links Judges 13:23 NIVJudges 13:23 NLT Judges 13:23 ESV Judges 13:23 NASB Judges 13:23 KJV Judges 13:23 BibleApps.com Judges 13:23 Biblia Paralela Judges 13:23 Chinese Bible Judges 13:23 French Bible Judges 13:23 Catholic Bible OT History: Judges 13:23 But his wife said to him If (Jd Judg. 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