Judges 13:17

KJV

And Manoah said unto the angel of the LORD, What [is] thy name, that when thy sayings come to pass we may do thee honour?

KJV (with Strong's)

And Manoah {H4495} said {H559} unto the angel {H4397} of the LORD {H3068}, What is thy name {H8034}, that when thy sayings {H1697} come to pass {H935} we may do thee honour {H3513}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Manoach said to the angel of ADONAI, "Tell us your name, so that when your words come true we can honor you."

Berean Standard Bible

Then Manoah said to the angel of the LORD, “What is your name, so that we may honor you when your word comes to pass?”

American Standard Version

And Manoah said unto the angel of Jehovah, What is thy name, that, when thy words come to pass, we may do thee honor?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 13:17 records Manoah's earnest inquiry to the divine messenger concerning his identity, specifically his name. This pivotal moment, preceding the miraculous birth of Samson, reveals Manoah's desire to properly acknowledge and honor the source of the extraordinary prophecy. His question underscores the human longing to comprehend divine revelation, while subtly setting the stage for the Angel of the LORD to redirect ultimate worship and glory to God alone.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** The verse immediately follows the Angel of the LORD's second appearance, granted in response to Manoah's prayer for further instruction after his wife's initial encounter. Having received detailed directives concerning the Nazirite vow for their promised son, Samson, Manoah then seeks to offer hospitality, inviting the messenger to eat. However, the Angel declines, instead instructing Manoah to prepare a burnt offering to the LORD, as detailed in [Judges 13:16](/judges/13-16 "Judges 13:16 - The Angel Directs Sacrifice to the LORD"). Manoah's subsequent question about the Angel's name in [Judges 13:17](/judges/13-17 "Judges 13:17 - Manoah Asks the Angel's Name") arises from this interaction, signaling his desire to properly honor the one delivering such momentous news. The narrative tension builds as Manoah grapples with the true identity of his divine visitor.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern cultures, a name was far more than a mere label; it was believed to encapsulate a person's character, essence, authority, and destiny. To know someone's name was to gain a measure of understanding or even influence over them. Thus, Manoah's inquiry, "What is thy name?", was not a casual question but a profound request for revelation of the messenger's true nature and authority. This cultural understanding also informed the practice of hospitality, where offering food was a sign of respect and welcome, making the Angel's refusal to eat and redirection to a burnt offering to the LORD all the more significant, subtly hinting at his divine nature. The setting in the tribal lands of Dan, on the cusp of Philistine oppression, adds urgency to the divine promise of a deliverer.
* **Key Themes:** Judges 13:17 contributes significantly to several key themes within the book of Judges and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Identity and Revelation**. Manoah's persistent questioning underscores the human desire to comprehend and categorize divine encounters, yet the Angel's veiled identity hints at a nature that transcends ordinary human understanding, foreshadowing the profound mystery of God's self-disclosure. Secondly, the verse explores the **Nature of Honor and Worship**. Manoah's intention to "do thee honour" reveals a sincere desire to give credit where due, but the narrative skillfully redirects this honor towards God alone, emphasizing that true worship belongs solely to the Giver of the promise, not merely the messenger, a lesson subtly reinforced by the Angel's instruction in [Judges 13:16](/judges/13-16 "Judges 13:16 - The Angel Directs Sacrifice to the LORD"). Finally, Manoah's statement, "that when thy sayings come to pass," powerfully conveys the theme of **Anticipation of Prophecy and Divine Fulfillment**, demonstrating his faith in the Angel's word regarding the future birth of Samson, Israel's promised deliverer, as outlined in [Judges 13:5](/judges/13-5 "Judges 13:5 - The Angel's Prophecy of Samson's Birth").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Angel of the LORD (Hebrew, _mal'akh Yahweh'_):** This is a highly significant designation throughout the Old Testament, often referring to a unique divine messenger who acts with God's authority, speaks as God, and at times, is even identified with God Himself. This figure is distinct from ordinary angels and frequently appears in pivotal moments of redemptive history, such as to Hagar ([Genesis 16:7](/genesis/16-7 "Genesis 16:7 - The Angel of the LORD Appears to Hagar")), Abraham ([Genesis 22:11](/genesis/22-11 "Genesis 22:11 - The Angel of the LORD Stops Abraham")), and Moses ([Exodus 3:2](/exodus/3-2 "Exodus 3:2 - The Angel of the LORD in the Burning Bush")). Many theologians interpret these appearances as Christophanies—pre-incarnate manifestations of the second person of the Trinity, Jesus Christ.
* **Name (Hebrew, _shem'_):** In ancient Hebrew thought, a "name" was not merely an identifier but an embodiment of one's character, reputation, authority, and very essence. To ask for someone's name was to seek to know their nature, their power, and their true identity. Manoah's question, "What is thy name?", is thus a profound theological inquiry, echoing Moses's similar question to God at the burning bush in [Exodus 3:13](/exodus/3-13 "Exodus 3:13 - Moses Asks God's Name"). The Angel's response in [Judges 13:18](/judges/13-18 "Judges 13:18 - The Angel's Enigmatic Name") further underscores the divine, incomprehensible nature of this messenger.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Manoah said unto the angel of the LORD":** This opening clause establishes the direct interaction between Manoah and the divine messenger. Manoah's initiative in speaking highlights his earnestness and perhaps a degree of human presumption in seeking to fully grasp the divine. The repetition of "the angel of the LORD" emphasizes the mysterious and authoritative nature of the visitor, setting the stage for Manoah's probing question.
* **"What [is] thy name":** This is the crux of Manoah's inquiry, reflecting a deep-seated human desire to categorize, understand, and perhaps even control the divine. As discussed in the key word analysis, knowing a name in ancient culture was equivalent to knowing the essence and authority of an individual. Manoah seeks to understand the identity of this powerful being who has delivered such a momentous prophecy, believing that such knowledge is prerequisite to proper honor.
* **"that when thy sayings come to pass":** This phrase reveals Manoah's faith and anticipation. Despite the extraordinary nature of the prophecy—the birth of a son to a barren woman—Manoah fully expects the Angel's words to be fulfilled. His concern is not *if* the prophecy will come true, but *how* he might appropriately respond and honor the messenger once it does. This demonstrates a commendable trust in the divine word.
* **"we may do thee honour?":** Manoah's ultimate motivation is to render proper honor. However, the narrative subtly critiques this intention by redirecting the focus from honoring the messenger to honoring God Himself. While Manoah's desire is commendable, his understanding of whom to honor is still incomplete, as the Angel's subsequent actions will clarify that all glory is due to the LORD, not merely His servant or messenger. This sets up a crucial theological distinction between acknowledging a divine agent and worshipping God.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several significant literary devices. **Dialogue** is central, driving the narrative forward and revealing character. Manoah's persistent questioning and the Angel's enigmatic responses create a palpable tension and highlight the mystery surrounding divine encounters. There is a strong element of **Irony** in Manoah's desire to "do thee honour." While his intention is noble, the Angel's subsequent actions—refusing food and directing a sacrifice to the LORD—subtly reveal that the ultimate honor is due to God alone, not His messenger, thereby redirecting Manoah's well-meaning but misdirected piety. The Angel's identity and the prophecy itself serve as **Foreshadowing**, not only of Samson's miraculous birth and future role as a deliverer but also of the Angel's own divine nature, which becomes clearer in the subsequent verses. The very ambiguity surrounding the Angel's name and nature contributes to the **Mystery** that pervades the divine-human interaction in this narrative.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 13:17 serves as a profound theological moment, illustrating the tension between human attempts to comprehend the divine and God's sovereign self-revelation. Manoah's desire to know the Angel's name reflects a universal human impulse to categorize and control that which is beyond full human grasp. Yet, the Angel's enigmatic response in the following verse ([Judges 13:18](/judges/13-18 "Judges 13:18 - The Angel's Enigmatic Response")) underscores that God, and His direct manifestations, often remain veiled in mystery, transcending human categories. This passage also powerfully teaches about the proper object of worship and honor. While Manoah intends to honor the messenger, the divine interaction consistently redirects all glory to the LORD, emphasizing that even the most powerful divine agents are ultimately subservient to God and that all praise for miraculous works belongs exclusively to Him. This principle is foundational to biblical theology, distinguishing between the Creator and creation, even divine creation.

* [Judges 13:18](/judges/13-18 "Judges 13:18 - The Angel's Enigmatic Response")
* [Genesis 32:29](/genesis/32-29 "Genesis 32:29 - Jacob's Encounter and Question")
* [Exodus 3:13](/exodus/3-13 "Exodus 3:13-14 - Moses' Inquiry of God's Name")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Judges 13:17 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. Manoah's earnest desire to honor the divine messenger, though initially misdirected, reminds us of the importance of acknowledging God's hand in our lives and giving Him due credit for His works. In a world that often seeks to glorify human instruments or even self, this passage calls us to redirect all praise and worship to the ultimate Giver of every good and perfect gift ([James 1:17](/james/1-17 "James 1:17 - Every Good and Perfect Gift")). Furthermore, Manoah's faith that the Angel's "sayings come to pass" encourages us to cultivate a similar unwavering trust in God's promises, even when the means or the full scope of His plan remains mysterious. We are called to live in anticipation of God's faithfulness, knowing that His word will always be fulfilled, regardless of our complete comprehension of His ways or His messengers. Our focus should be on obedience and worship, rather than exhaustive understanding.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Manoah's desire to "do thee honour" challenge or affirm your own understanding of worship and recognition of God's work?**
* **In what areas of your life are you tempted to focus on the messenger or the means, rather than the ultimate source of blessing and power?**
* **What "sayings" or promises of God are you currently waiting to "come to pass," and how can Manoah's faith encourage your own trust?**

### FAQ
**Why was Manoah so insistent on knowing the Angel's name?**

Answer: Manoah's insistence stemmed from the ancient cultural understanding that a name revealed the essence, character, and authority of an individual. He desired to know the true identity of this powerful messenger who had delivered such a momentous prophecy about his son, Samson. This knowledge was seen as crucial for properly honoring the messenger and acknowledging the source of the divine word. It echoes Moses's question to God in [Exodus 3:13](/exodus/3-13 "Exodus 3:13 - Moses Asks God's Name"), where knowing God's name was essential for understanding His nature and power.

**Does the Angel's refusal to give his name imply something about his identity?**

Answer: Absolutely. The Angel's enigmatic response in [Judges 13:18](/judges/13-18 "Judges 13:18 - The Angel's Enigmatic Response"), "Why askest thou thus after my name, seeing it is secret?" (or "wonderful" in some translations), strongly implies a divine identity that transcends human categorization. It suggests a nature that is beyond full human comprehension, belonging to God alone. Many biblical scholars interpret the "Angel of the LORD" in these Old Testament appearances as a Christophany—a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ—whose name and nature are indeed "wonderful" ([Isaiah 9:6](/isaiah/9-6 "Isaiah 9:6 - Wonderful Counselor")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Judges 13:17, with Manoah's earnest inquiry into the Angel's name, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "Angel of the LORD," often understood as a pre-incarnate manifestation of Christ, subtly points to the one whose name is indeed "Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" ([Isaiah 9:6](/isaiah/9-6 "Isaiah 9:6 - Prophecy of Christ's Names")). While Manoah sought to honor the messenger, Jesus Himself is not merely a messenger but the very Word of God made flesh ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), the ultimate revelation of God's character and name. He is the one to whom all honor and glory are truly due, for He is "the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being" ([Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - Christ, the Radiance of God's Glory")). Unlike the veiled identity of the Angel, Jesus explicitly reveals the Father's name and nature, declaring, "I have made your name known to them, and will continue to make it known" ([John 17:26](/john/17-26 "John 17:26 - Jesus Reveals God's Name")). Thus, Manoah's desire to honor the one whose "sayings come to pass" is fully realized in Christ, through whom all of God's promises are "Yes" and "Amen" ([2_corinthians/1-20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - God's Promises are Yes in Christ")), and to whom every knee will one day bow ([Philippians 2:10](/philippians/2-10 "Philippians 2:10 - Every Knee Will Bow to Jesus")).

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

Genesis 32:29

And Jacob asked [him], and said, Tell [me], I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore [is] it [that] thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there.