Judges 13:18

KJV

And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Why askest thou thus after my name, seeing it [is] secret?

KJV (with Strong's)

And the angel {H4397} of the LORD {H3068} said {H559} unto him, Why askest {H7592} thou thus after my name {H8034}, seeing it is secret {H6383}{H6383}?

Complete Jewish Bible

The angel of ADONAI answered him, "Why are you asking about my name? It is wonderful."

Berean Standard Bible

“Why do you ask my name,” said the angel of the LORD, “since it is beyond comprehension?”

American Standard Version

And the angel of Jehovah said unto him, Wherefore askest thou after my name, seeing it is wonderful?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 13:18 records the Angel of the LORD's enigmatic response to Manoah's request for his name, declaring it "secret" or "wonderful." This pivotal moment underscores the divine, incomprehensible nature of the messenger, setting a tone of awe and reverence for the miraculous birth of Samson and the extraordinary divine intervention about to unfold in Israel's history. The verse serves as a profound theological statement on God's transcendence and His self-revelation on His own terms, rather than according to human inquiry.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within the opening narrative of the Samson cycle in [Judges 13](/judges/13 "Judges 13 - The Birth of Samson Announced"). The chapter begins by establishing Israel's continued apostasy and subsequent oppression by the Philistines. Into this bleak spiritual landscape, the Angel of the LORD appears to Manoah's barren wife, announcing the miraculous conception of a son who would be a Nazirite from birth and "begin to deliver Israel from the hand of the Philistines" ([Judges 13:5](/judges/13-5 "Judges 13:5 - Samson's Nazirite Vow")). Manoah, upon hearing his wife's account, prays for the divine messenger to return to provide further instruction regarding the child. The Angel graciously reappears, reiterating the instructions. It is in [Judges 13:17](/judges/13-17 "Judges 13:17 - Manoah Asks for the Angel's Name") that Manoah, seeking to honor the messenger when his words come true, asks for his name, leading directly to the profound response in verse 18. This interaction builds suspense and highlights the extraordinary nature of the divine encounter before the actual birth of Samson.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern cultures, a name was not merely an identifier but often conveyed essence, character, and authority. To know someone's name was to gain a measure of understanding, and sometimes even influence, over them. Asking for a name was a common practice for establishing identity and trust, especially when dealing with a powerful or divine figure. Furthermore, the concept of a "secret" or "hidden" name for a deity was not entirely alien, emphasizing the god's transcendence and ineffability. The setting is Israel during the period of the Judges, a time of spiritual decline and political instability, marked by cycles of sin, oppression, and deliverance. The Philistines were a formidable, technologically advanced (iron-working) people who posed a significant threat to Israel's existence. The appearance of the Angel of the LORD in such a time signifies God's direct intervention in human affairs, even when His people are unfaithful, demonstrating His covenant faithfulness and sovereign plan for deliverance.

* **Key Themes:** [Judges 13:18](/judges/13-18 "Judges 13:18 - The Angel's Mysterious Name") contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Judges and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it powerfully underscores **God's Incomprehensibility and Transcendence**. The Angel's refusal to reveal his name, stating it is "secret" (or "wonderful"), emphasizes that God's nature and essence are beyond full human grasp or categorization. He reveals Himself on His own terms, maintaining His divine mystery. Secondly, this verse reinforces the **Divine Identity of the Angel of the LORD**. The language used, particularly the Hebrew word `pele'i`, strongly suggests a divine being, often interpreted as a Christophany—a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ. This highlights God's active presence and involvement in the lives of His people, even before the incarnation. Thirdly, it cultivates **Reverence and Awe** in Manoah and the reader. The Angel's response is not a mere dismissal but an invitation to stand in awe before the divine, preparing Manoah for the miraculous birth of Samson and the extraordinary divine work God was about to accomplish through this family, despite Israel's spiritual failings.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **secret (Hebrew, _pele'i'_):** The King James Version's translation "secret" for the Hebrew word `פֶּלִאי` (_pele'i_) is a permissible, though somewhat limited, rendering. The root `פלא` (_pala'_) primarily conveys the idea of "to be wonderful," "to be marvelous," or "to be extraordinary/incomprehensible." It denotes something that is beyond human capacity or understanding, something miraculous or astonishing. This same root is famously used in [Isaiah 9:6](/isaiah/9-6 "Isaiah 9:6 - Prophecy of the Wonderful Counselor"), where one of the names of the Messiah is "Wonderful Counselor" (`פֶּלֶא יוֹעֵץ`, _Pele Yo'etz_). Therefore, the Angel's statement is not merely that his name is unknown or hidden, but that his very essence, his name, is **wonderful, incomprehensible, and utterly divine**. It signifies a nature that transcends human definition and demands awe rather than mere identification.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the angel of the LORD said unto him":** This introductory clause establishes the speaker's authority and identity. The "Angel of the LORD" (`מַלְאַךְ יְהוָה`, _mal'akh YHWH_) is a recurring figure in the Old Testament, often appearing as a divine manifestation of God Himself. The fact that the Angel speaks directly to Manoah, after having previously spoken to his wife, underscores the direct and personal nature of this divine encounter, emphasizing God's active engagement with His chosen instruments.
* **"Why askest thou thus after my name":** This rhetorical question from the Angel challenges Manoah's premise. Manoah's request for a name was rooted in a desire to honor the messenger and perhaps to understand him better, a common human inclination. However, the Angel's question implies that his identity cannot be contained or understood by a simple name, particularly one sought for human purposes of honor or categorization. It redirects Manoah's focus from the messenger's identity to the message and the miraculous work of God.
* **"seeing it [is] secret?":** This concluding phrase is the heart of the verse. As discussed in "Key Word Analysis," the Hebrew `pele'i` means "wonderful," "marvelous," or "incomprehensible." Thus, the Angel is declaring that his name, his very being, is not merely unknown but is **beyond human comprehension, wondrous, and set apart**. It is a divine name, reflective of a divine nature that cannot be fully grasped by human intellect or assigned a conventional label. This statement serves to elevate the Angel's status beyond that of a mere created being, pointing to his unique, divine essence.

#### Literary Devices
Judges 13:18 employs several powerful literary devices. The most prominent is **Mystery**, as the Angel's refusal to disclose his name, stating it is "secret" or "wonderful," shrouds his identity in divine enigma. This creates a sense of awe and reverence, emphasizing the transcendence of the divine messenger. There is also an element of **Irony**: Manoah seeks a name to honor the messenger, but the name revealed (or rather, *not* revealed in a conventional sense) points to an honor far beyond human capacity to bestow, highlighting the Angel's inherent divinity. The Angel's rhetorical question, "Why askest thou thus after my name," functions as a **Chiasm** or **Inversion** of expectation, turning Manoah's human desire for categorization into a revelation of divine incomprehensibility. Finally, the use of the word `pele'i` acts as **Foreshadowing** of the miraculous events to come, particularly the birth of Samson, a child whose very existence is a "wonder" from God, and ultimately, a broader **Theophany** (or Christophany) that points to the unique, wonderful nature of God Himself.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 13:18 is a profound theological statement on the nature of God, echoing themes of divine transcendence and the limits of human understanding. The Angel's declaration that his name is "wonderful" or "incomprehensible" aligns with the biblical portrayal of God as utterly unique, beyond human categorization, and sovereign in His self-revelation. It teaches that God is not to be confined by human names or definitions, but rather to be approached with humility and awe. This encounter serves as a reminder that true knowledge of God comes through His gracious self-disclosure, not through human inquiry or attempts to control the divine. It sets the stage for recognizing the extraordinary nature of God's work through Samson, a work that, like the Angel's name, is truly marvelous and beyond ordinary explanation.

* [Exodus 3:13-14](/exodus/3-13 "God Reveals His Name to Moses")
* [Genesis 32:29](/genesis/32-29 "Jacob Wrestles with God")
* [Psalm 139:6](/psalms/139-6 "God's Knowledge is Too Wonderful")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Judges 13:18 challenges our modern inclination to categorize, understand, and even control everything. In an age of information, we often seek to reduce the divine to manageable concepts. However, this verse calls us to embrace the profound mystery of God. It reminds us that God's nature is infinitely greater than our capacity to fully grasp or define Him. Our posture before Him should be one of humility, recognizing our limited understanding in the face of His infinite wisdom and power. This humility fosters deeper trust, as we learn to rely on His good and wonderful character even when His plans or ways seem "secret" or incomprehensible to us. Ultimately, the "wonderfulness" of God's name should inspire profound worship and adoration, acknowledging that He is truly set apart, sovereign, and worthy of all praise, not because we fully comprehend Him, but precisely because He transcends all comprehension.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the Angel's response in Judges 13:18 challenge your assumptions about knowing God?**
* **In what areas of your life do you struggle to trust God because His ways seem "secret" or incomprehensible?**
* **How can embracing the "wonderfulness" of God's nature deepen your worship and reverence for Him?**
* **What does this verse teach us about the limits of human inquiry when it comes to divine matters?**

### FAQ

**Who is the "Angel of the LORD" in Judges 13:18?**

Answer: The "Angel of the LORD" (`מַלְאַךְ יְהוָה`, _mal'akh YHWH_) is a unique and significant figure in the Old Testament. While often translated as "angel," the Hebrew term `mal'akh` simply means "messenger." In many instances, including this one, the actions, words, and responses of this "messenger" strongly suggest a divine identity, often indistinguishable from God Himself. The Angel accepts worship ([Judges 13:20](/judges/13-20 "Judges 13:20 - The Angel Ascends in the Flame")), speaks with divine authority (e.g., [Exodus 3:2-6](/exodus/3-2 "Exodus 3:2-6 - The Burning Bush")), and is often identified by the human characters as "God" or "the LORD" (e.g., [Judges 13:22](/judges/13-22 "Judges 13:22 - Manoah Realizes He Has Seen God")). Many theologians interpret these appearances as **Christophanies**, pre-incarnate manifestations of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who is the ultimate revelation of the Father ([John 1:18](/john/1-18 "John 1:18 - No One Has Seen God")). His refusal to give a conventional name, stating it is "wonderful" or "incomprehensible," further supports His divine nature, aligning with the "Wonderful Counselor" prophecy of the Messiah in [Isaiah 9:6](/isaiah/9-6 "Isaiah 9:6 - Prophecy of the Wonderful Counselor").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Judges 13:18, with the Angel of the LORD declaring his name `pele'i` ("wonderful" or "incomprehensible"), profoundly foreshadows the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "Angel of the LORD" is widely understood as a Christophany, a pre-incarnate appearance of the Son of God. Just as the Angel's name is beyond human comprehension, so too is the full mystery of Christ's divine-human nature. He is the "Wonderful Counselor" prophesied in [Isaiah 9:6](/isaiah/9-6 "Isaiah 9:6 - Prophecy of the Wonderful Counselor"), whose very being and wisdom transcend all human understanding. In the New Testament, Jesus Himself asks His disciples, "Who do you say that I am?" ([Matthew 16:15](/matthew/16-15 "Matthew 16:15 - Jesus Asks About His Identity")), and Peter's confession of Him as "the Christ, the Son of the living God" ([Matthew 16:16](/matthew/16-16 "Matthew 16:16 - Peter's Confession")) is divinely revealed, not humanly derived. Jesus's name, "Jesus" (meaning "Yahweh saves"), is indeed "wonderful" and holds ultimate authority, for "at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth" ([Philippians 2:10](/philippians/2-10 "Philippians 2:10 - Every Knee Shall Bow to Jesus")). He is the ultimate revelation of God, the One through whom God has spoken most fully ([Hebrews 1:1-3](/hebrews/1-1 "Hebrews 1:1-3 - God Has Spoken Through His Son")), yet His divine essence remains a profound and worship-inducing mystery, truly `pele'i`.

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.

Isaiah 9:6

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Judges 13:6

Then the woman came and told her husband, saying, A man of God came unto me, and his countenance [was] like the countenance of an angel of God, very terrible: but I asked him not whence he [was], neither told he me his name: