Judges 13:24 Meaning: The Name and Blessing of Samson
The woman bore a son and named him Samson. The child grew, and Yahweh blessed him.
And the woman bare a son, and called his name Samson: and the child grew, and the Lord blessed him.
And the woman bare a son, and called his name Samson: and the child grew, and Jehovah blessed him.
And the woman beareth a son, and calleth his name Samson, and the youth groweth, and Jehovah doth bless him,
And the woman bore a son, and called his name Samson. And the child grew, and Jehovah blessed him.
Meaning in one sentence
What does Judges 13:24 mean? Explore the meaning of Samson's name and Yahweh's blessing on his growth. Find pastoral application.
Context
The chapter opens with an angel appearing to a woman who had been unable to have children. He promises a son who will begin to rescue Israel from the Philistines. After the angel ascends in the flame of the altar, her husband Manoah fears they will die from seeing God. His wife gently points out that God would not have accepted their offering if He meant to harm them. Then this verse quietly records the fulfillment: a son is born, named Samson, and he grows under Yahweh's blessing. The dramatic visitation gives way to ordinary human life, birth, growth, and unseen favor.
Key Words
Two words carry deep meaning here. First, Samson (shimshon). Scholars have long debated its origin. The most common view connects it to shemesh, the sun, making it “little sun.” Others trace it to shamash, to serve, so “servant” or “minister.” Josephus thought it meant “strong.” His mother may have chosen it because of the angel’s radiant face or because her son was set apart for God’s service. The name itself is a small mystery pointing to a larger purpose.
Second, blessed (barakh). This is the same word God used when He blessed creation and Abraham. Its root means to kneel, as if God bends low to give a gift. The blessing was not merely physical strength. It covered his whole life, his growth, his calling, and God’s presence with him. It is a quiet, active favor that shapes a person from the inside out.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians across traditions have read this verse differently. Matthew Henry (Reformed) saw “little sun” as a type of Christ, the Sun of righteousness, and noted the blessing as making Samson “exceedingly fair” and strong. Keil and Delitzsch (Protestant) argued the name means “strong” or “daring,” from a root meaning to be powerful. The Cambridge Bible (Anglican) highlighted possible connections to sun worship in the region but emphasized that the blessing was God’s evident favor. The Geneva Bible simply notes the fact of the blessing. Despite differences over the name, all agree that Yahweh’s blessing was unmistakable in Samson’s growth and equipping for his task.
A common misunderstanding
A common misreading is that Samson’s name means “strong” and that God’s blessing was mainly about physical power. In fact, the derivation is uncertain, more likely “little sun” or “servant” than “strong.” And the blessing covered his entire development, not just muscle. It was God’s hand on his life from infancy, preparing him for a calling he would later struggle to fulfill.
Living This Out
This verse invites you to notice God’s quiet work in ordinary growth. Maybe you are raising a child and wonder if anything is taking root. Or you are in a season where nothing feels dramatic. The same God who blessed Samson as he grew is present in your everyday. You do not have to earn His blessing. It is already at work, like sunlight on a seedling, long before the harvest shows itself.
Main takeaway: God’s blessing often shows itself in quiet, steady growth, not in sudden flashes of power.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Samson’s parents waited a long time for him. When he was born, he grew bigger and stronger. God blessed him every day. God also blesses you as you grow.
For ages 9, 12
Samson’s name might mean “little sun” or “servant.” God blessed him long before he did anything amazing. That shows us that God’s favor is a gift, not something we earn. He is with us in the daily growing, even when no one else notices.
Questions People Ask
What does the name Samson mean?
Scholars are not certain. The most common view is that it comes from the Hebrew word for sun (shemesh), meaning “little sun.” Others trace it to a word meaning “to serve,” so “servant” or “minister.” Josephus, an ancient historian, said it meant “strong.” The name likely reflects his mother’s hope or the angel’s radiant appearance.
What kind of blessing did God give Samson?
The Hebrew word for bless (barakh) implies a gift given from a kneeling position, humble and personal. This blessing covered his growth, his physical strength, and his calling as a judge. It was not just material success; it was God’s active favor shaping his whole life.
How is this verse similar to other birth narratives in the Bible?
It echoes the pattern of Samuel (1 Samuel 3:19): “Samuel grew, and Yahweh was with him.” And of Jesus (Luke 2:52): “Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.” In each case, the child’s growth is marked by God’s blessing, showing that His hand is on the ordinary process of development.
Why is Samson’s mother not named in this verse?
The text does not give her name, though she appears throughout Judges 13. She is called “the woman” or “Manoah’s wife.” Despite being unnamed, she is a model of faith and wisdom, she recognizes God’s acceptance of their offering and reassures her husband. Her anonymity may emphasize that God works through humble, ordinary people.
Does Samson prefigure Christ in any way?
Many Christians have seen parallels. Both are born by promise after a period of barrenness. Both are consecrated to God from birth. Both begin to deliver their people. But Samson’s life is marked by moral failure, while Christ’s is perfect. So Samson is more a flawed foreshadowing than a direct type. Hebrews 11:32 includes him among the heroes of faith, pointing to the deliverance God ultimately accomplished in Jesus.
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