Judges 13:23 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →His wife reasons that if God meant to kill them, He would not have accepted their offering or revealed His promises.
What Does Judges 13:23 Mean?
The woman answers her husband's fear with calm, clear-eyed faith. If the Lord wished to kill them, she reasons, He would not have accepted their offering, nor shown them such wonders, nor spoken such promises of a son. The very kindness of God toward them is the proof that He does not mean their harm.
Her reasoning is a small masterpiece of trust. She reads God's character from His gracious acts: the One who has given so much does not give in order to destroy. In a moment of dread, she steadies them both by remembering mercy. Hers is the faith that interprets fear in the light of God's goodness, and so finds peace where her husband found terror.
Judges 13:23 in the Original Language
minchah (מִנְחָה), 'meat offering' -- a grain offering presented to God, here a sign of His acceptance.
Frequently Asked Questions About Judges 13:23
What does Judges 13:23 mean?
His wife reasons that if God meant to kill them, He would not have accepted their offering or revealed His promises.