Judges 13

Judges 13 is the thirteenth chapter of the Book of Judges in the Hebrew Bible. It introduces the story of Samson, one of the major judges of Israel. This chapter recounts the miraculous birth of Samson to Manoah and his wife, who had been barren. An angel of the Lord appears to the wife of Manoah and informs her that she will conceive and bear a son who will begin to deliver Israel from the Philistines. The angel instructs her to abstain from wine and strong drink and to eat nothing unclean, as her son will be a Nazirite, consecrated to God from birth.

Manoah prays that the angel will return to further instruct them. God grants his request, and the angel reappears. Manoah and his wife offer a sacrifice, and as the flame ascends to heaven, the angel ascends with it, revealing his divine nature.

The chapter concludes with the birth of Samson and his growth, noting that "the Spirit of the Lord began to move him at Mahaneh Dan, between Zorah and Eshtaol."