If one takes another read, a rationalist read by cleaning out all of the angel talk, of Manoash's wife you might have to conclude that the encounters with the other man were simply an adulterous relationship that was well covered up. And it's easy for her because he's such a clueless man. Manoach doesn't even interact with this mysterious man with no name until the end. The cover up is shrouded in "piety" I.e. being a nazir, a total unnecessary ritual that is often said to be a bad thing. In essence Manoah's wife takes the Bulls by the horn because she has no child and being that she suspects it's her husbands fault. It's a clever moment for women in Tanach. What's so amazing is that Religion has become so mystical that cannot see these nuances. Everything is so literal. I ran into an angel. Imagine someone's wife saying she had run into an angel today and was told she would have a child within the year. Who would believe that? And because it's in the book of the prophets we have ascribed the classic magic.
If one takes another read, a rationalist read by cleaning out all of the angel talk, of Manoash's wife you might have to conclude that the encounters with the other man were simply an adulterous relationship that was well covered up. And it's easy for her because he's such a clueless man. Manoach doesn't even interact with this mysterious man with no name until the end. The cover up is shrouded in "piety" I.e. being a nazir, a total unnecessary ritual that is often said to be a bad thing. In essence Manoah's wife takes the Bulls by the horn because she has no child and being that she suspects it's her husbands fault. It's a clever moment for women in Tanach. What's so amazing is that Religion has become so mystical that cannot see these nuances. Everything is so literal. I ran into an angel. Imagine someone's wife saying she had run into an angel today and was told she would have a child within the year. Who would believe that? And because it's in the book of the prophets we have ascribed the classic magic.