Judges 13:16

KJV

And the angel of the LORD said unto Manoah, Though thou detain me, I will not eat of thy bread: and if thou wilt offer a burnt offering, thou must offer it unto the LORD. For Manoah knew not that he [was] an angel of the LORD.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the angel {H4397} of the LORD {H3068} said {H559} unto Manoah {H4495}, Though thou detain {H6113} me, I will not eat {H398} of thy bread {H3899}: and if {H518} thou wilt offer {H6213} a burnt offering {H5930}, thou must offer {H5927} it unto the LORD {H3068}. For Manoah {H4495} knew {H3045} not that he was an angel {H4397} of the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The angel of ADONAI said to Manoach, "Even if I do stay, I won't eat your food; and if you prepare a burnt offering, you must offer it to ADONAI." For Manoach did not know that he was the angel of ADONAI.

Berean Standard Bible

And the angel of the LORD replied, “Even if I stay, I will not eat your food. But if you prepare a burnt offering, offer it to the LORD.” For Manoah did not know that it was the angel of the LORD.

American Standard Version

And the angel of Jehovah said unto Manoah, Though thou detain me, I will not eat of thy bread; and if thou wilt make ready a burnt-offering, thou must offer it unto Jehovah. For Manoah knew not that he was the angel of Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 13:16 captures a pivotal moment in the narrative of Samson's birth, where the Angel of the LORD, unrecognized by Manoah, firmly declines the offer of food, redirecting any intended sacrifice solely to Yahweh. This interaction subtly but powerfully distinguishes the divine messenger from a mere human, asserting God's exclusive right to worship and revealing Manoah's initial ignorance of the Angel's true, exalted identity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within the miraculous announcement of Samson's birth to Manoah and his barren wife. Following the Angel's initial appearance to the wife ([Judges 13:2-7](/judges/13-2-7 "Judges 13:2-7 - The Angel Appears to Samson's Mother")), Manoah, desiring further instruction for raising the promised deliverer, prays for the messenger's return ([Judges 13:8](/judges/13-8 "Judges 13:8 - Manoah's Prayer")). The Angel graciously reappears ([Judges 13:9-11](/judges/13-9-11 "Judges 13:9-11 - The Angel Reappears")), and Manoah, still under the impression that he is conversing with a human prophet, offers him hospitality in the form of food and proposes a burnt offering ([Judges 13:15](/judges/13-15 "Judges 13:15 - Manoah Offers Food")). Judges 13:16 is the Angel's direct response, a crucial turning point that clarifies his divine status and the proper object of worship, setting the stage for the dramatic revelation of his identity in [Judges 13:20](/judges/13-20 "Judges 13:20 - The Angel's Ascension").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is a period of severe Philistine oppression over Israel, detailed in [Judges 13:1](/judges/13-1 "Judges 13:1 - Israel Oppressed by Philistines"). In ancient Near Eastern cultures, hospitality was a sacred duty, and offering food to a guest, especially a respected figure like a prophet, was customary. Burnt offerings (`olah`) were a central part of Israelite worship, signifying complete dedication and atonement, where the entire animal was consumed by fire on the altar, ascending to God. Manoah's offer of a kid to prepare for the messenger was a gesture of respect and gratitude, but the Angel's response reorients this cultural practice to its true theological purpose: worship directed exclusively to the LORD (Yahweh), the covenant God of Israel.

* **Key Themes:** Judges 13:16 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Judges and the broader biblical narrative. It highlights the **divine identity of the Angel of the LORD**, strongly implying a pre-incarnate manifestation of God Himself, as evidenced by his refusal of human sustenance and insistence on receiving worship only for Yahweh. This encounter also underscores the theme of **proper worship and the exclusivity of God**, emphasizing that all sacrifices and devotion must be directed solely to the LORD, not to His messengers, however glorious. Furthermore, the verse explicitly states **Manoah's ignorance of the Angel's true nature**, a recurring motif in divine encounters where human perception is limited until God chooses to fully reveal Himself, as seen also in [Genesis 32:29-30](/genesis/32-29-30 "Genesis 32:29-30 - Jacob Wrestles with God") where Jacob wrestles with a divine being without full recognition.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Angel (Hebrew, _mălʼâk'_):** This term refers to a messenger, specifically, of God. It can denote an angel, but also a prophet, priest, or teacher. In this context, the actions and words of this particular `mălʼâk` signify a divine deputy, acting with the authority of God Himself, often understood as a manifestation of God.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** This is the self-existent or eternal name of God, Jehovah, the Jewish national name for God. The Angel's insistence that the offering be made "unto the LORD" (Yᵉhôvâh) reinforces the singular object of Israelite worship and the Angel's own alignment with, or indeed identity as, this very God.
* **Burnt Offering (Hebrew, _ʻôlâh'_):** This denotes a holocaust, a sacrifice entirely consumed by fire on the altar, symbolizing complete dedication and ascent to God. Unlike other offerings where portions might be eaten, the `ʻôlâh` was wholly given to the LORD. The Angel's instruction ensures that Manoah's act of gratitude is transformed into an act of pure worship directed to the rightful recipient.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the angel of the LORD said unto Manoah, Though thou detain me, I will not eat of thy bread:"**: The Angel's response immediately establishes his unique nature. By refusing to eat the `lechem` (food/bread), he signals that he is not dependent on human sustenance, unlike a human prophet or visitor. This sets him apart from ordinary beings and hints at his divine, self-sufficient character, which does not require the hospitality offered to mortals. His refusal to `ʼâkal` (eat) underscores his transcendent nature.
* **"and if thou wilt offer a burnt offering, thou must offer it unto the LORD."**: This is a direct command and redirection. Manoah had offered to prepare a kid for the Angel to eat ([Judges 13:15](/judges/13-15 "Judges 13:15 - Manoah Offers Food")). The Angel clarifies that if an offering is to be made, it must be a `ʻôlâh` (burnt offering), and critically, it must be directed exclusively "unto the LORD" (Yᵉhôvâh), not to himself. This emphasizes the sanctity of sacrifice and the sole recipient of worship, requiring Manoah to `ʻâlâh` (offer up) the sacrifice.
* **"For Manoah knew not that he [was] an angel of the LORD."**: This parenthetical clause from the narrator is crucial. It explains Manoah's misunderstanding, providing the dramatic tension and setting up the powerful reveal in [Judges 13:20](/judges/13-20 "Judges 13:20 - The Angel's Ascension"). Manoah's inability to `yâdaʻ` (know/discern) the Angel's true nature highlights the veiled nature of divine encounters and the human tendency to categorize the divine within familiar human frameworks.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Irony** is prominent, as Manoah, seeking divine instruction, interacts directly with a divine being yet remains oblivious to his true identity, treating him as a mere man. This creates a dramatic tension that is resolved later in the narrative. The Angel's actions and words—his refusal of food and redirection of worship—serve as **foreshadowing**, hinting at his extraordinary, non-human nature before his dramatic ascension confirms his divine status. The presence of "the Angel of the LORD" itself is often interpreted as a **theophany** or **Christophany**, a visible manifestation of God, specifically of the pre-incarnate Christ, underscoring the divine presence and intervention in human affairs. Finally, the **dialogue** between Manoah and the Angel is carefully crafted to reveal character, advance the plot, and convey profound theological truths about worship and divine identity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 13:16 profoundly underscores the theological truth of God's absolute sovereignty and His exclusive right to worship. The Angel's refusal to accept sustenance or sacrifice for himself, instead redirecting Manoah's devotion solely to "the LORD," establishes a clear distinction between the Creator and any created being, no matter how exalted. This moment reinforces the monotheistic core of Israelite faith, emphasizing that only Yahweh is worthy of ultimate adoration and sacrificial offering. It serves as a powerful reminder that while God may use messengers, human or angelic, the glory and worship belong to Him alone, preventing any form of idolatry or misplaced reverence.

* [Exodus 3:2-6](/exodus/3-2-6 "Exodus 3:2-6 - The Angel of the LORD at the Burning Bush")
* [Revelation 19:10](/revelation/19-10 "Revelation 19:10 - Angel Refuses Worship")
* [Deuteronomy 6:4](/deuteronomy/6-4 "Deuteronomy 6:4 - The Shema: Hear, O Israel")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This passage offers profound lessons for contemporary believers regarding the nature of worship and our perception of God's presence. Manoah's initial misunderstanding serves as a poignant reminder that God often works in ways we may not immediately recognize or fully comprehend. We are called to cultivate spiritual discernment, to look beyond the immediate circumstances or the human instruments God uses, and to perceive His hand at work. More critically, the Angel's firm redirection of Manoah's offering to "the LORD" challenges us to examine the ultimate object of our own devotion. Are our sacrifices—our time, talents, resources, and affections—truly directed to God alone, or are we inadvertently offering them to lesser things, to human acclaim, or even to our own desires? True worship is not merely an act but an orientation of the heart, acknowledging God's singular worthiness and surrendering all to Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Manoah's initial misunderstanding challenge our own assumptions about how God might reveal Himself or work in our lives today?**
* **In what ways might we inadvertently direct our worship or ultimate devotion to things or people other than God?**
* **What does the Angel's refusal to eat teach us about the nature of divine beings compared to humans, and how does this inform our reverence for God?**

### FAQ
**Why did Manoah not recognize the Angel of the LORD immediately?**

Answer: Manoah, like his wife, initially perceived the Angel as a "man of God" or a prophet, a common and respected title for divine messengers in the Old Testament. The Angel appeared in human form, which was typical for such encounters. It was only through the Angel's extraordinary actions—his refusal of human sustenance, his insistence that the offering be made solely to the LORD, and especially his dramatic ascension in the flame of the altar in [Judges 13:20](/judges/13-20 "Judges 13:20 - The Angel's Ascension")—that Manoah and his wife fully grasped his divine, non-human identity. This highlights the veiled nature of divine encounters and the need for spiritual discernment, as God often reveals Himself progressively.

**What is the significance of the Angel refusing to eat?**

Answer: The Angel's refusal to eat is highly significant. Firstly, it immediately distinguishes him from a mere human, who would require sustenance. This underscores his divine, self-sufficient nature; he is not dependent on human provisions. Secondly, it differentiates him from pagan deities who were often thought to "eat" or consume offerings. By refusing the food and redirecting the sacrifice to Yahweh, the Angel emphasizes that his purpose is not to receive nourishment or personal homage, but to deliver a divine message and ensure that all worship and offerings are directed to the one true God, the LORD. This act reinforces the unique and transcendent nature of the God of Israel.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The Angel of the LORD in Judges 13:16, often understood as a pre-incarnate manifestation of Jesus Christ, offers a profound Christ-centered fulfillment. His refusal to eat and insistence that sacrifice be offered solely to "the LORD" (Yᵉhôvâh) powerfully foreshadows Christ's own divine nature and His ultimate mission. Just as the Angel of the LORD is distinct from humanity yet intimately involved in God's redemptive plan, so too is Jesus both fully God and fully man. His rejection of human sustenance here points to His self-sufficiency as God, echoing the truth that [no one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known](/john/1-18 "John 1:18 - John 1:18 - No One Has Seen God"). Furthermore, the Angel's redirection of worship to Yahweh perfectly aligns with Jesus's own teaching that [true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth](/john/4-23 "John 4:23-24 - Worship in Spirit and Truth"). Yet, uniquely, Christ, unlike any angel, would ultimately accept worship, not as a messenger, but as the very God to whom all worship is due. His humility in taking on human flesh, as described in [Philippians 2:6-7](/philippians/2-6-7 "Philippians 2:6-7 - Christ's Humility"), allowed Him to become the ultimate burnt offering, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, fulfilling the very sacrificial system He here directs Manoah to honor. Thus, this encounter points to the divine identity of the Son, who is the ultimate revelation of God, through whom [God has spoken to us by his Son](/hebrews/1-1 "Hebrews 1:1-3 - God Speaks Through His Son").

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 6:26

And build an altar unto the LORD thy God upon the top of this rock, in the ordered place, and take the second bullock, and offer a burnt sacrifice with the wood of the grove which thou shalt cut down.

Judges 6:20

And the angel of God said unto him, Take the flesh and the unleavened cakes, and lay [them] upon this rock, and pour out the broth. And he did so.

Judges 13:23

But his wife said unto him, If the LORD were pleased to kill us, he would not have received a burnt offering and a meat offering at our hands, neither would he have shewed us all these [things], nor would as at this time have told us [such things] as these.