Foundation Text

Judges 13:25

Hebrew Key Terms

• H7307 רוּחַ (rûaḥ) - "Spirit" - the Spirit of the LORD
• H2490 חָלַל (ḥālal) - "begin" - began to stir him
• H6470 פָּעַם (pāʿam) - "stir/impel/trouble" - to stir him

Context: After noting Samson's birth and growth ("the boy grew, and the LORD blessed him," 13:24), the narrative records the first manifestation of the Spirit: "The Spirit of the LORD began to stir him (וַתָּחֶל רוּחַ יְהוָה לְפַעֲמוֹ) at Mahaneh-dan, between Zorah and Eshtaol." The verb פָּעַם means "to thrust, impel, disturb"—suggesting inner restlessness, divine prompting that would lead to action. This initial stirring preceded the more dramatic Spirit-empowerments.

OT-to-OT Development

• The Spirit's role with judges: Othniel (3:10), Gideon (6:34), Jephthah (11:29)
• The verb "began" (חָלַל) echoes 13:5—Samson will "begin" to deliver; the Spirit "begins" to stir
• The Spirit's moving anticipates the messianic promise of Isaiah 11:2

Connections

• TO:
  • Judges 3:10 - "Spirit of the LORD came upon Othniel"
  • Judges 6:34 - "Spirit clothed Gideon"
• FROM OT:
  • Isaiah 11:2 - "Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him"
  • Isaiah 61:1 - "Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me"
• FROM NT:
  • Luke 2:40 - Jesus "filled with wisdom"
  • Luke 3:22 - Spirit descends at baptism

Christological Connection: The Spirit's initial stirring in Samson finds an analogy in the Spirit's presence in Jesus' early years. Luke records that the Child "grew and became strong. He was filled with wisdom" (2:40), and at age twelve displayed supernatural understanding (2:46-47). The stirring of the Spirit prepared both Samson and Jesus for public ministry. Yet the differences are significant: Samson's Spirit-empowerment was episodic and eventually forfeited; Jesus was conceived by the Spirit (Luke 1:35), given the Spirit "without limit" (John 3:34), and never lost divine presence. The Spirit's stirring in Samson is an episodic beginning, and it stands in contrast to the Spirit's permanent, unlimited rest upon Christ.

Connection Method(s): Longitudinal Theme (primary) — the Spirit's first stirring of Samson is an inaugural, episodic stage of the canon-wide Spirit-empowered-deliverer theme, which culminates in Christ's Spirit-anointing (Isaiah 61; Luke 4). Analogy (secondary) — as the Spirit prepared Samson for his task, so the Spirit rested on Jesus for his mission. Contrast (tertiary) — Samson's episodic, forfeitable empowerment contrasts with Christ's permanent, unlimited anointing. Typology is not claimed.

Trajectory Table: 137 - Samson (Spirit-Empowered Deliverer)