Judges 13:22

KJV

And Manoah said unto his wife, We shall surely die, because we have seen God.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Manoah {H4495} said {H559} unto his wife {H802}, We shall surely {H4191} die {H4191}, because we have seen {H7200} God {H430}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Manoach said to his wife, "We will surely die, because we have seen God!"

Berean Standard Bible

“We are going to die,” he said to his wife, “for we have seen God!”

American Standard Version

And Manoah said unto his wife, We shall surely die, because we have seen God.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 13:22 captures Manoah's profound fear and immediate conviction that he and his wife would die because they had "seen God." This exclamation follows a dramatic encounter with a divine messenger, referred to as the "Angel of the Lord," who had just announced the miraculous birth of Samson. Manoah's reaction reflects a deeply held Old Testament belief that direct exposure to God's unmediated holiness was fatal for sinful humanity, underscoring the immense reverence and awe inspired by divine manifestations.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 13 introduces the birth narrative of Samson, one of Israel's most prominent judges, marking a new phase in the cyclical narrative of apostasy, oppression, and deliverance that characterizes the Book of Judges. The chapter begins with Israel's renewed oppression under the Philistines, setting the stage for a divine intervention. The "Angel of the Lord" appears first to Manoah's barren wife, announcing the birth of a Nazirite son who would begin to deliver Israel. Manoah, upon hearing his wife's account, prays for the messenger to return, desiring further instruction. The messenger reappears, reiterating the instructions, and then performs a miraculous act by ascending in the flame of an offering. It is at this precise moment, witnessing the supernatural departure, that Manoah and his wife fully comprehend the divine nature of their visitor, leading directly to Manoah's terrified pronouncement in Judges 13:22.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of the Judges (roughly 1200-1000 BC) was a turbulent time for Israel, characterized by a lack of central leadership ("everyone did what was right in his own eyes" – [Judges 21:25](/judges/21-25 "Judges 21:25 - A Time of Anarchy")). Israel frequently fell into idolatry, leading to oppression by surrounding nations, including the Philistines, who were a formidable force with superior iron technology. Culturally, the concept of God's holiness and transcendence was deeply ingrained. The belief that seeing God would result in death was a common understanding, rooted in earlier divine encounters and Mosaic law, reflecting a profound reverence for the divine and an awareness of human sinfulness in contrast to God's absolute purity. This fear was not unique to Manoah, as seen in other biblical accounts of theophanies.
* **Key Themes:** Judges 13:22 powerfully contributes to several key themes within the broader narrative of Judges and the Old Testament. Firstly, it highlights the **transcendence and holiness of God**, emphasizing the vast chasm between the divine and the human, a theme echoed throughout the Old Testament in passages like [Exodus 33:20](/exodus/33-20 "Exodus 33:20 - No One Can See My Face and Live"). Secondly, it underscores the theme of **divine revelation and intervention**, demonstrating God's active involvement in human affairs and His sovereign plan for Israel's deliverance, even when His people are unfaithful. The miraculous nature of the encounter confirms the divine origin of Samson's birth prophecy. Finally, it subtly introduces the theme of **God's mercy and grace**, as Manoah and his wife, despite their fear, are spared. This foreshadows a deeper understanding of God's nature, where His presence, though awe-inspiring, is not always destructive, paving the way for future revelations of His character, such as those seen in [Genesis 32:30](/genesis/32-30 "Genesis 32:30 - Jacob at Peniel") and [Judges 6:22-23](/judges/6-22 "Judges 6:22 - Gideon's Fear of Death").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Seen (Hebrew, _ra'ah'_):** This verb means "to see, perceive, understand, experience." In this context, it denotes a direct, unmediated visual encounter. Manoah's use of "seen" implies a full apprehension of the divine nature of their visitor, not merely an observation of a human figure. His fear stems from the belief that such a direct perception of the holy God is incompatible with human mortality.
* **God (Hebrew, _Elohim'_):** This is a plural noun used singularly, often referring to the one true God, Yahweh. While the narrative identifies the visitor as the "Angel of the Lord" (mal'akh Yahweh), Manoah's immediate conclusion that he had "seen God" aligns with the theological understanding that the "Angel of the Lord" in many Old Testament contexts is a pre-incarnate manifestation of God Himself (a Christophany). Manoah's choice of "Elohim" emphasizes the divine, awesome, and transcendent nature of the being they encountered.
* **Surely die (Hebrew, _mot namut'_):** This is an infinitive absolute construction, a common Hebrew idiom used for emphasis, meaning "we shall certainly die" or "we shall surely, surely die." It conveys absolute certainty and a profound sense of dread. Manoah's conviction is not a mere fear but a definitive statement of impending doom, reflecting the deeply ingrained belief that direct divine encounter was fatal.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Manoah said unto his wife":** This opening clause sets the scene for Manoah's immediate and profound reaction. It highlights the shared nature of the experience and his need to articulate his terror to his closest companion. His words are not a question but a declarative statement born of sudden, overwhelming realization.
* **"We shall surely die":** This is the core of Manoah's fearful exclamation, expressed with the strongest possible Hebrew idiom for certainty. It reveals his deep-seated understanding of God's holiness and the perceived consequence for sinful humanity encountering such purity. This conviction is rooted in generations of Israelite tradition and divine warnings.
* **"because we have seen God":** This clause provides the explicit reason for Manoah's terror. The direct sight of the divine, specifically the "Angel of the Lord" who had just ascended in the flame, was understood to be a fatal experience. This statement confirms that Manoah fully recognized the divine identity of their visitor, moving beyond the initial perception of him as merely a prophet or human messenger.

#### Literary Devices
Judges 13:22 employs several significant literary devices. The most prominent is **Dramatic Irony**, as the reader is aware from the beginning of the chapter that the visitor is the "Angel of the Lord," a divine messenger. Manoah's dawning realization and subsequent terror, while understandable within his cultural context, stand in contrast to the reader's prior knowledge, creating a sense of suspense and highlighting the profound impact of the divine encounter. There is also an element of **Hyperbole** in Manoah's absolute conviction of death, which, while reflecting a genuine fear, is ultimately proven incorrect by God's mercy. This hyperbole underscores the overwhelming nature of the experience for him. Furthermore, the scene functions as a **Theophany** (or Christophany), a visible manifestation of God to humanity, which is a recurring motif in the Old Testament. Manoah's reaction serves to emphasize the awe-inspiring and often terrifying nature of such direct divine encounters, setting a tone of reverence for the miraculous birth to follow.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Manoah's fearful exclamation encapsulates a fundamental Old Testament theological truth: the infinite holiness of God and the inherent sinfulness of humanity. The prevailing belief, rooted in passages like [Exodus 33:20](/exodus/33-20 "Exodus 33:20 - God's Face Cannot Be Seen"), was that no one could see God's face and live. This conviction underscored the immense chasm between a perfectly pure God and a fallen human race, emphasizing God's transcendence and the awesome, unapproachable nature of His glory. However, the fact that Manoah and his wife were spared demonstrates God's sovereign control over how He reveals Himself and His gracious mercy. Their survival, despite their fear, points to a divine purpose that transcends human limitations and anxieties, foreshadowing a more accessible relationship with God that would be fully realized in the New Covenant.

* [Genesis 32:30](/genesis/32-30 "Genesis 32:30 - Jacob at Peniel Sees God's Face and Lives")
* [Exodus 33:20](/exodus/33-20 "Exodus 33:20 - No Man Shall See Me and Live")
* [Judges 6:22-23](/judges/6-22 "Judges 6:22 - Gideon Fears Death After Seeing the Angel of the Lord")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Manoah's visceral reaction to encountering the divine serves as a potent reminder of God's awe-inspiring holiness and our human limitations. In a world that often trivializes the sacred, his fear calls us back to a profound reverence for the Almighty. While we no longer encounter God in the same terrifying, unmediated way under the New Covenant, the principle of His unblemished purity remains. This should cultivate in us a deep respect, humility, and gratitude for the grace that allows us to approach Him. It prompts us to consider the immense privilege of prayer, worship, and studying His Word, all avenues through which we "see" God more clearly. Our access is not through our merit, but through His gracious provision, transforming fear into reverent adoration and confident access.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Manoah's fear of seeing God challenge or affirm your own understanding of God's holiness?**
* **In what ways do we, as modern believers, sometimes diminish the awe and reverence due to God?**
* **How does the contrast between Manoah's fear and the New Testament's invitation to approach God with confidence (e.g., Hebrews 4:16) shape your faith?**
* **What practical steps can you take to cultivate a deeper sense of awe and reverence for God in your daily life?**

### FAQ
**Why did Manoah believe he would die after seeing the "Angel of the Lord"?**

Answer: Manoah's belief that he would die stemmed from a deeply ingrained Old Testament understanding that no human could directly behold the unmediated glory of God and survive. This conviction is explicitly stated in [Exodus 33:20](/exodus/33-20 "Exodus 33:20 - God Tells Moses No One Can See His Face and Live"), where God tells Moses, "You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live." This belief was reinforced by other accounts, such as Jacob's wrestling at Peniel, where he exclaimed, "I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved" ([Genesis 32:30](/genesis/32-30 "Genesis 32:30 - Jacob at Peniel Sees God's Face and Lives")), implying that survival was an exception, not the rule. Manoah's immediate terror, shared by others like Gideon ([Judges 6:22](/judges/6-22 "Judges 6:22 - Gideon's Fear After Seeing the Angel of the Lord")), was a natural response to what he perceived as a direct, fatal encounter with the divine.

**Who was the "Angel of the Lord" that Manoah and his wife saw?**

Answer: The "Angel of the Lord" (Hebrew: _mal'akh Yahweh_) in the Old Testament is often understood by theologians not merely as a created angelic being, but as a pre-incarnate manifestation of God Himself, specifically the second person of the Trinity, Jesus Christ. This concept is often referred to as a Christophany. Several clues in the text support this interpretation: the Angel accepts worship ([Judges 13:20](/judges/13-20 "Judges 13:20 - The Angel Ascends in the Flame")), performs supernatural acts, and speaks with divine authority, using "I" statements that are God's own words. Manoah's immediate conclusion that he had "seen God" ([Judges 13:22](/judges/13-22 "Judges 13:22 - Manoah's Fearful Exclamation")) further confirms the divine nature of the messenger, aligning with the understanding that this was indeed a direct encounter with God in a veiled form.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Manoah's terrified pronouncement, "We shall surely die, because we have seen God," powerfully highlights the unbridgeable chasm between a holy God and sinful humanity under the Old Covenant. It underscores the profound truth that direct, unmediated exposure to God's pure glory was fatal for fallen beings. Yet, this very fear foreshadows the ultimate solution found in Jesus Christ. The "Angel of the Lord" whom Manoah saw is often understood as a Christophany, a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ Himself, hinting at God's desire to reveal Himself without consuming humanity. In the New Covenant, this fear is transformed into confident access through Christ. He is the one who has fully "declared" God, for "no one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known" ([John 1:18](/john/1-18 "John 1:18 - Jesus Declares the Father")). Jesus, being the "exact imprint of his nature" ([Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - Christ, the Radiance of God's Glory")), allows us to "see" God not with mortal dread, but with faith and adoration. As Jesus Himself stated, "Whoever has seen me has seen the Father" ([John 14:9](/john/14-9 "John 14:9 - Seeing Jesus is Seeing the Father")). Through His incarnation, sacrifice, and resurrection, Christ has bridged the gap, enabling us to approach the holy God not with a fear of death, but with the assurance of life and reconciliation, beholding "the glory of the Lord with unveiled face" ([2_corinthians/3-18](/2_corinthians/3-18 "2 Corinthians 3:18 - Beholding the Glory of the Lord")).

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 32:30

And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.

Deuteronomy 5:26

For who [is there of] all flesh, that hath heard the voice of the living God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as we [have], and lived?

John 1:18

No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared [him].

Isaiah 6:5

¶ Then said I, Woe [is] me! for I am undone; because I [am] a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.

John 5:37

And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape.

Exodus 33:20

And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.

Judges 6:22

And when Gideon perceived that he [was] an angel of the LORD, Gideon said, Alas, O Lord GOD! for because I have seen an angel of the LORD face to face.