Judges 13:15

KJV

¶ And Manoah said unto the angel of the LORD, I pray thee, let us detain thee, until we shall have made ready a kid for thee.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Manoah {H4495} said {H559} unto the angel {H4397} of the LORD {H3068}, I pray thee, let us detain {H6113} thee, until we shall have made ready {H6213} a kid {H1423}{H5795} for {H6440} thee.

Complete Jewish Bible

Manoach said to the angel of ADONAI, "Please stay with us a bit longer, so that we can cook a young goat for you."

Berean Standard Bible

“Please stay here,” Manoah said to the angel of the LORD, “and we will prepare a young goat for you.”

American Standard Version

And Manoah said unto the angel of Jehovah, I pray thee, let us detain thee, that we may make ready a kid for thee.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 13:15 captures Manoah's earnest, yet initially misguided, attempt to extend hospitality to the divine messenger who has just announced the miraculous birth of Samson. Unaware that he is conversing with the Angel of the LORD, Manoah offers to prepare a meal, reflecting ancient Near Eastern customs of welcoming esteemed guests and seeking further interaction with one perceived to be a man of God. This moment highlights both Manoah's reverence and his human limitations in comprehending the true identity of his visitor, setting the stage for a profound revelation of God's direct involvement in Israel's history.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated immediately after the Angel of the LORD has appeared to Manoah, confirming the extraordinary prophecy previously given to his barren wife in [Judges 13:3](/judges/13-3 "Judges 13:3 - The Angel of the LORD Appears to Manoah's Wife"). Manoah, having heard the news from his wife, prays for the messenger to return to provide further instruction regarding the child's upbringing ([Judges 13:8](/judges/13-8 "Judges 13:8 - Manoah's Prayer for Guidance")). The Angel graciously reappears, but Manoah, still processing the divine encounter, does not fully grasp the visitor's true identity. His offer of a meal in Judges 13:15 is a natural human response to an honored guest, preceding the Angel's clarification that the offering should be a sacrifice to the LORD, not a meal for Him ([Judges 13:16](/judges/13-16 "Judges 13:16 - The Angel's Instruction Regarding the Sacrifice")), which culminates in the dramatic revelation of the Angel's divine nature in [Judges 13:20-22](/judges/13-20 "Judges 13:20-22 - The Angel Ascends in the Flame").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Israelite society placed immense value on hospitality, viewing it as a sacred duty and a mark of righteousness. Offering food and shelter to travelers or respected visitors was a deeply ingrained cultural norm, often extended even to strangers, as seen in Abraham's encounter with divine visitors in [Genesis 18:1-8](/genesis/18-1 "Genesis 18:1-8 - Abraham's Hospitality to Three Men"). Manoah's offer of a "kid" (a young goat) was a significant gesture, indicating a willingness to provide a substantial and honorable meal, reflecting the economic and social customs of the time. Furthermore, the period of the Judges was characterized by spiritual apostasy and foreign oppression, particularly from the Philistines. In this tumultuous era, divine appearances (theophanies) were crucial moments of God's direct intervention, often preceding major deliverances or significant events, such as the birth of a deliverer like Samson.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Judges and the broader biblical narrative. It highlights **Divine Initiative and Intervention**, as God actively sends His messenger to prepare for Samson's birth, despite Israel's spiritual decline. The theme of **Misunderstanding or Unawareness of the Divine** is prominent, as Manoah initially treats the Angel of the LORD as a human prophet, underscoring humanity's limited perception of God's presence. Manoah's actions also exemplify the cultural importance of **Hospitality**, a virtue frequently commended in Scripture. Finally, the interaction sets the stage for the theme of **Sacrifice and Consecration**, as the intended meal is transformed into an offering to the LORD, foreshadowing Samson's Nazarite consecration and the ultimate sacrificial work of God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Angel of the LORD (Hebrew, _mal'akh Yahweh'_):** This is a highly significant and recurring figure throughout the Old Testament, often acting with divine authority, speaking as God Himself, and sometimes receiving worship without rebuke. In Judges, this figure appears to Gideon ([Judges 6:11-21](/judges/6-11 "Judges 6:11-21 - The Angel of the LORD Appears to Gideon")) and here to Manoah and his wife. The phrase denotes a special manifestation of God, distinct from ordinary angels, often interpreted as a pre-incarnate appearance of the second person of the Trinity.
* **Detain (Hebrew, _'atsar'_):** The verb means "to restrain," "to hold back," or "to keep." Manoah's request to "detain" the Angel indicates his desire for prolonged interaction, perhaps to gain more information, to properly honor the messenger, or to fully grasp the implications of the extraordinary news. It suggests a longing for continued divine presence and guidance.
* **Kid (Hebrew, _g'di'_):** Refers specifically to a young goat. In ancient Israel, a kid was a common and valuable animal used for food, often prepared for special guests or celebrations. Its mention here signifies a generous and appropriate offering of hospitality, demonstrating Manoah's respect and earnestness in welcoming his visitor.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Manoah said unto the angel of the LORD":** This opening clause immediately establishes the speaker and the recipient of the address. Manoah, upon the Angel's second appearance, takes the initiative to interact directly, reflecting his earnest desire for clarification and his role as the head of the household. His direct address underscores his reverence, though he still does not fully comprehend the divine identity of his interlocutor.
* **"I pray thee, let us detain thee":** Manoah's polite request, "I pray thee" (literally, "please"), conveys humility and respect. His desire to "detain" the Angel indicates a wish for more than a fleeting encounter. He seeks to prolong the presence of this remarkable messenger, perhaps to understand more about the future child or simply to honor the one who brought such incredible news. This phrase reveals Manoah's earnestness and his desire to fully engage with the divine messenger.
* **"until we shall have made ready a kid for thee":** This specifies the purpose of Manoah's desire to detain the Angel: to prepare a meal. The "kid" (young goat) signifies a substantial and honorable offering, a common gesture of hospitality in the ancient Near East. Manoah's intention is to provide sustenance and show honor to his guest, treating him as a highly esteemed human prophet or dignitary, rather than recognizing the divine nature of the Angel of the LORD. This sets up the dramatic turn in the following verses, where the Angel redirects the offering from a meal to a sacrifice to the LORD.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several significant literary devices. **Irony** is evident in Manoah's sincere hospitality, as he offers a meal to a divine being whom he perceives as a mere man. This highlights the profound gap between human understanding and divine reality, a recurring theme when the Angel of the LORD appears. There is also an element of **Foreshadowing**, as Manoah's intended meal for the Angel is transformed into a sacrifice to the LORD in subsequent verses ([Judges 13:16-20](/judges/13-16 "Judges 13:16-20 - The Angel's Instructions and Ascent")), subtly preparing the reader for the sacrificial nature of God's work and the consecrated life of Samson. The entire encounter is a **Theophany**, a visible manifestation of God, though its full impact is only realized by Manoah and his wife later, reinforcing the theme of divine presence and intervention in human affairs.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 13:15 underscores the profound biblical theme of God's proactive engagement with humanity, even when His presence is not fully recognized. Manoah's sincere, albeit mistaken, act of hospitality reveals a heart open to the divine, demonstrating that God often meets us in our limited understanding. This interaction highlights the mystery surrounding the "Angel of the LORD," a figure who embodies God's direct communication and authority, setting the stage for the miraculous birth of Samson and God's continued work of deliverance for Israel. The shift from an intended meal to a prescribed sacrifice also subtly introduces the theme of proper worship and the necessity of offering to God what is due to Him alone.

* [Genesis 18:1-8](/genesis/18-1 "Abraham's Hospitality to the Lord and Two Angels")
* [Hebrews 13:2](/hebrews/13-2 "Do Not Neglect to Show Hospitality to Strangers")
* [Judges 6:18-21](/judges/6-18 "Gideon's Offering to the Angel of the LORD")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Manoah's encounter serves as a powerful reminder that God often works in ways we do not immediately comprehend, and His messengers may appear in unexpected forms. Manoah's earnest desire to show hospitality, even without full knowledge of his guest's identity, encourages us to cultivate a spirit of openness and generosity. In our own lives, we are called to be attentive to the seemingly ordinary moments and interactions where God might be present or at work. Our willingness to extend kindness, offer resources, and engage with others, even strangers, can become an act of worship and an opportunity for divine encounter. It challenges us to consider how we might be entertaining God's presence in our daily lives, and whether we are prepared to respond with reverence, obedience, and a willingness to have our perceptions transformed.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Manoah's initial misunderstanding of the Angel's identity challenge our own assumptions about how God reveals Himself?**
* **In what ways can our acts of hospitality, even those extended to strangers, be seen as an offering to God?**
* **What might it mean for us to "detain" God's presence in our lives, seeking deeper engagement rather than fleeting encounters?**
* **How can we cultivate a heart that is open to God's unexpected interventions and revelations?**

### FAQ

**Who was the "Angel of the LORD" that Manoah encountered?**

Answer: The "Angel of the LORD" (Hebrew: _mal'akh Yahweh_) is a unique figure in the Old Testament, distinct from ordinary angels. This figure often speaks with divine authority, receives worship without rebuke, and is sometimes identified with God Himself. Theologically, many scholars interpret these appearances as theophanies or Christophanies—pre-incarnate manifestations of Jesus Christ, the second person of the Trinity. Manoah's interaction, particularly the Angel's subsequent ascent in the flame of the altar in [Judges 13:20](/judges/13-20 "Judges 13:20 - The Angel Ascends in the Flame"), strongly suggests a divine, rather than merely angelic, presence.

**Why did Manoah offer a "kid" to the Angel, and why did the Angel refuse it as a meal?**

Answer: Manoah offered a "kid" (a young goat) as a customary act of hospitality in the ancient Near East. It was a significant gesture to honor a respected guest or messenger. However, the Angel of the LORD refused to eat it as a meal, instructing Manoah instead to offer it as a burnt offering to the LORD ([Judges 13:16](/judges/13-16 "Judges 13:16 - The Angel's Instruction to Sacrifice")). This refusal and redirection highlighted the Angel's divine nature: He was not merely a human guest to be fed, but God Himself, who was to be worshipped through sacrifice. This act transformed Manoah's human hospitality into an act of divine worship.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Manoah's offering of a "kid" to the Angel of the LORD, intended as a meal but redirected as a sacrifice, profoundly foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The Angel of the LORD, often understood as a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ, does not consume the offering because He is not merely a recipient of human provision, but the very One to whom all true sacrifice is directed. In this sense, Christ is both the divine recipient of worship and, ultimately, the perfect sacrifice Himself. Just as the Angel's presence announced the birth of Samson, a deliverer for Israel, so the Incarnation of Christ, born of a virgin ([Matthew 1:23](/matthew/1-23 "Matthew 1:23 - Immanuel, God With Us")), announced the arrival of the ultimate Deliverer for all humanity. Manoah's hospitality, though initially misdirected, points to the greater truth that in Christ, God Himself became the host, inviting us to His table ([Revelation 3:20](/revelation/3-20 "Revelation 3:20 - Jesus Stands at the Door and Knocks")) and providing the ultimate feast through His body and blood, the sacrifice that takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). The "kid" offered by Manoah finds its perfect fulfillment in the Lamb of God, whose one perfect sacrifice truly detains God's presence among us forever.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Judges 6:18

Depart not hence, I pray thee, until I come unto thee, and bring forth my present, and set [it] before thee. And he said, I will tarry until thou come again.

Judges 6:19

And Gideon went in, and made ready a kid, and unleavened cakes of an ephah of flour: the flesh he put in a basket, and he put the broth in a pot, and brought [it] out unto him under the oak, and presented [it].

Judges 13:3

And the angel of the LORD appeared unto the woman, and said unto her, Behold now, thou [art] barren, and bearest not: but thou shalt conceive, and bear a son.

Genesis 18:3

And said, My Lord, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant:

Genesis 18:5

And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts; after that ye shall pass on: for therefore are ye come to your servant. And they said, So do, as thou hast said.