Today's Scripture Reading (January 16, 2025): Numbers 6
Her name was Hazzelelponi, maybe. Hazzelelponi is listed as the sister of Jezreel, Ishma, and Idbash. Together they are remembered as the children of Etam, and form one of the clans of Judah. But the truth is that this is all we know of Hazzelelponi; one verse that lists Hazzelelponi as the sister of three brothers with no other information given. Women listed in the genealogies are a relatively rare occurrence, and when they are included, it is usually because they accomplished something important or maybe infamous.
And yet, we know nothing of Hazzelelponi except that she is included in the family of Etam, which begs the question: why is she, above many other women, included in this genealogy? The honest answer is that we don't know, but rabbinic literature gives us a possible connection of Hazzelelponi with the history of the people of Israel. The supposed connection is that Hazzelelponi might be Samson's mother. According to the story of Samson, the mother of Samson and the wife of Manoah, Samson's dad, is unnamed. But, according to Rabbinic literature, she is Hazzelelponi, the daughter of Etam.
We argue a lot over the role of women in the church. The truth is that both sides of the argument pick up on various biblical comments and understandings to build our theology. Both sides of the argument believe that they are right. I wish that on this issue, and many others, we could offer each other the grace God has lavished on all of us. But that seems difficult for us to do.
On my side of the argument, I believe there is a radical equality in Christian theology between the sexes. I have often commented that there are women I know who are better theologians and pastors than I am. It is what I believe.
One of the reasons for my belief is based on this verse. When it came to taking a Nazirite vow, that privilege was not just reserved for men, but women were to be included. However, according to the biblical record, primarily men are listed as the people who have taken the vow. These men include Samson, Samuel, John the Baptist, and Paul. However, there is one woman the Bible says is commanded to take the Nazirite vow.
A certain man of Zorah, named Manoah, from the clan of the Danites, had a wife who was childless, unable to give birth. The angel of the LORD appeared to her and said, "You are barren and childless, but you are going to become pregnant and give birth to a son. Now see to it that you drink no wine or other fermented drink and that you do not eat anything unclean. You will become pregnant and have a son whose head is never to be touched by a razor because the boy is to be a Nazirite, dedicated to God from the womb. He will take the lead in delivering Israel from the hands of the Philistines" (Judges 13:2-5).
Not only would her son be a Nazirite, but she would also live out her pregnancy as a Nazirite. Her son's name would be Samson, but her name is not given; she is just the wife of Manoah.
But maybe we can guess her name. Maybe her name was Hazzelelponi, the daughter of Etam.
Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: Numbers 7
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