The wife of Manoach is one of the most fascinating examples of an unnamed woman, due to her obvious prominence in the story foretelling Shimshon’s birth. Why would such a central character not be named? With the assitance of midrashic texts (especially Bamidbar Rabbah 10:5) and a variety of commentators, we will examine Judges Chapter 13 to develop a deeper understanding of her, her husband, and the significance of their names or lack thereof.
