What Does Judges 13:13 Mean in the King James?

And the angel of the LORD said unto Manoah, Of all that I said unto the woman let her beware.

Judges 13:13 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

The word translated “beware” shares its root with “keep”: the messenger’s words become a watch the woman carries over the life taking shape within her.

THE MEANING

The verse presents a word as something still active after it is heard: the woman keeps watch over all that has been spoken. For you, the message is not reduced to its headline; every part remains within the care it names.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

It dissolves the idea that only the promise matters while its details can fall away: “of all” places the whole message within her keeping.

THE ROOT

תִּשָּׁמֵר

tishamer

GROWS FROM

שמר

To keep watch, guard, or preserve.

The verb behind “beware” carries the sense of actively keeping something entrusted, not merely feeling cautious. The whole message becomes a charge held under watch, which is why “of all” matters.

ALSO GROWS

shomer: Keeper, guardian.

שֹׁמֵר

This branch makes guarding an active role: the woman is keeping watch over what has been entrusted to her.

mishmeret: Charge, watch, or duty entrusted.

מִשְׁמֶרֶת

A charge is something placed under care, revealing that the words spoken to her are a whole responsibility to keep.

THE PATTERN

What is entrusted for life is sustained through attentive keeping.

And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.

Genesis 2:15 · KJVThe garden is entrusted to human care, and keeping it is part of tending the life within it.

Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

Proverbs 4:23 · KJVThe heart is guarded as the source from which life flows, making keeping a protection of what gives life.

That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.

2 Timothy 1:14 · KJVWhat is committed to a person is kept through an indwelling presence.

THE THREAD

And in all things that I have said unto you be circumspect: and make no mention of the name of other gods, neither let it be heard out of thy mouth.

Exodus 23:13 · KJV

Judges uses shamar for the woman’s charge, and Exodus uses the same root in “in all things that I have said unto you.” In both, all the words spoken are held together with the act of keeping.

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