Judges 13:6

KJV

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:

KJV (with Strong's)

Then the woman {H802} came {H935} and told {H559} her husband {H376}, saying {H559}, A man {H376} of God {H430} came {H935} unto me, and his countenance {H4758} was like the countenance {H4758} of an angel {H4397} of God {H430}, very {H3966} terrible {H3372}: but I asked {H7592} him not whence he was, neither told {H5046} he me his name {H8034}:

Complete Jewish Bible

The woman came and told her husband; she said, "A man of God came to me; his face was fearsome, like that of the angel of God. I didn't ask him where he came from, and he didn't tell me his name.

Berean Standard Bible

So the woman went and told her husband, “A man of God came to me. His appearance was like the angel of God, exceedingly awesome. I did not ask him where he came from, and he did not tell me his name.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 13:6 records the pivotal moment when Manoah's barren wife faithfully recounts her extraordinary encounter with a divine messenger, often identified as the Angel of the Lord. Her vivid description emphasizes the messenger's awe-inspiring and terrifying appearance, likened to an angel of God, underscoring the profound impact of this divine visitation. This initial revelation sets the stage for the miraculous conception and birth of Samson, a divinely appointed deliverer for Israel, highlighting God's sovereign initiative in intervening in human affairs, even in times of spiritual apostasy and national decline.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 13:6 is situated at the very beginning of the narrative concerning Samson's birth and early life, marking a new cycle in the book of Judges. The preceding verses (Judges 13:1-5) establish the forty-year oppression of Israel by the Philistines, a consequence of Israel's continued disobedience, and introduce Manoah and his barren wife, setting the stage for a miraculous intervention. The "man of God," understood to be the Angel of the Lord, has already appeared to the woman alone, delivering the prophecy of Samson's birth, his Nazirite vow, and his future role as a deliverer. Verse 6 serves as the woman's crucial and detailed report of this initial, awe-inspiring encounter to her husband, Manoah, who was not present for the first visitation. This faithful recounting is pivotal, as it prompts Manoah's earnest prayer for a second divine appearance (Judges 13:8), which God graciously grants, thereby confirming the message and providing further instructions. The narrative flow emphasizes divine initiative and the careful, step-by-step revelation of God's plan for Israel's deliverance.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of the Judges (approximately 1200-1000 BC) was a tumultuous era in Israel's history, characterized by political fragmentation, spiritual apostasy, and cyclical oppression by neighboring peoples. The Philistines, a powerful "Sea People" who had settled on the coastal plain of Canaan, posed a significant threat to Israel's tribal confederacy, possessing superior iron technology and military organization. Within this societal framework, barrenness was a profound social and spiritual burden for women, often perceived as a sign of divine displeasure or a curse. Consequently, a miraculous conception, as foretold for Manoah's wife, was a powerful testament to God's favor and direct intervention. The practice of a wife reporting such a significant, life-altering encounter to her husband reflects the patriarchal structure of ancient Israelite society, where the husband held authority and was responsible for discerning and acting upon such matters. The appearance of "a man of God" or "the Angel of the Lord" was a recognized form of divine communication, typically associated with momentous announcements or revelations, as seen in other biblical narratives like the birth of Isaac to Sarah in [Genesis 18](/genesis/18 "Genesis 18 - Abraham and Sarah's Visitors") or the call of Gideon in [Judges 6](/judges/6 "Judges 6 - Gideon's Call").

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Judges and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Manifestation and Revelation**, emphasizing that God actively intervenes in human history, often through direct, awe-inspiring appearances. The description of the messenger's "countenance" as "very terrible" underscores the inherent majesty and overwhelming power that accompanies a genuine encounter with the divine, evoking a sense of holy awe rather than mere fright. Secondly, it reinforces the theme of **Divine Initiative and Sovereignty**. God initiates this encounter with a barren woman, not in response to human prayer (though Manoah will pray later), demonstrating His sovereign choice and His ability to work His purposes through unexpected individuals and circumstances, even in a period of national apostasy. This foreshadows His plan to raise up Samson as a deliverer, beginning the process of liberation from Philistine oppression, a theme central to [Judges 13](/judges/13 "Judges 13 - The Birth of Samson"). Finally, the woman's careful and precise reporting to Manoah underscores the theme of **Faithful Witness and Communication**, demonstrating her integrity and her recognition of the profound significance of the message she received, ensuring its proper reception and validation within the family unit.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Countenance (Hebrew, _marʼeh'_):** From H4758, this word refers to a view, an appearance, or the thing seen, encompassing shape, comeliness, or a vision. In Judges 13:6, it signifies the overwhelming visual impression and entire visible manifestation of the divine messenger. It is not merely a face, but the compelling aura and presence that conveyed his divine origin and authority, emphasizing the striking and powerful nature of his appearance.
* **Terrible (Hebrew, _yârêʼ'_):** From H3372, this primitive root means to fear, revere, or to frighten. When describing God or divine manifestations, it conveys a sense of awe-inspiring, dreadful majesty, evoking profound reverence and holy fear rather than malevolence. It describes something so powerful, glorious, and holy that it overwhelms human perception and commands absolute respect and submission, akin to the "fear of the Lord" or the "awesome" deeds of God.
* **Angel (Hebrew, _mălʼâk'_):** From H4397, this word denotes a messenger, specifically, of God. It can refer to an angel, prophet, priest, or teacher. Here, the comparison "like the countenance of an angel of God" explicitly identifies the messenger as having a celestial, divine nature, distinct from ordinary human beings, further elevating the significance and authority of his message.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then the woman came and told her husband, saying,"**: This opening clause establishes the immediate and purposeful action of Manoah's wife. Having received a profound and awe-inspiring revelation, she promptly seeks out her husband, Manoah, to faithfully relay the message. This highlights her recognition of the message's immense importance and her role within the patriarchal family structure to communicate such matters.
* **"A man of God came unto me,"**: The woman identifies her visitor not as an ordinary human, but as "a man of God." This designation, drawing from H376 ('îysh) and H430 ('ĕlôhîym), immediately signals divine authority and commission, elevating the encounter beyond the mundane and indicating to Manoah that the message originates from a supernatural source.
* **"and his countenance [was] like the countenance of an angel of God, very terrible:"**: This is the core of the woman's description, emphasizing the profound visual impact of the messenger. The repetition of "countenance" (H4758) underscores the striking and overwhelming nature of his appearance. Likening him to "an angel of God" (H4397, H430) confirms his celestial origin, while "very terrible" (H3966, H3372) conveys the profound awe, reverence, and holy dread that his majestic presence inspired, speaking to his inherent glory and power rather than a threatening demeanor.
* **"but I asked him not whence he [was], neither told he me his name:"**: This concluding clause reveals the woman's state of mind during the encounter. The overwhelming nature of the divine visitation prevented her from asking for his origin or name, and the messenger himself did not volunteer this information. This detail adds to the mystery and divine authority of the figure, suggesting that his identity was not for her to know fully at that moment, or that the sheer awe of his presence overshadowed any investigative impulse.

#### Literary Devices
Judges 13:6 effectively employs several literary devices to convey the significance of the divine encounter. The most prominent is **Imagery**, particularly vivid visual imagery, through the repeated use of "countenance" and the striking description "like the countenance of an angel of God, very terrible." This creates a powerful mental picture of an overwhelming, majestic, and awe-inspiring divine presence. The phrase "very terrible" functions as a form of **Hyperbole**, not in the sense of exaggeration, but to emphasize the extreme degree of awe and reverence evoked, suggesting a presence beyond normal human comprehension. There is also an element of **Foreshadowing** in the description of the messenger's appearance. The overwhelming, divine nature of the "man of God" hints at the extraordinary, divinely ordained life of Samson, whose birth is being announced, and the powerful, if often misunderstood, role he will play in Israel's deliverance. Finally, the woman's inability to ask for the messenger's origin or name, despite the profound nature of the encounter, creates a sense of **Mystery**, underscoring the transcendent and unknowable aspects of the divine.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 13:6 powerfully illustrates the nature of divine revelation and the appropriate human response to it. The "terrible" countenance of the messenger is not meant to instill fear of harm, but rather a profound sense of holy awe and reverence, acknowledging the immense power and glory of God. This encounter underscores God's sovereign initiative in intervening in human history, even when His people are in spiritual decline and oppression. He chooses a barren woman to initiate His plan of deliverance, demonstrating that His purposes are not dependent on human merit or seeking, but on His unfathomable grace and wisdom. The woman's faithful and detailed reporting of the encounter to her husband also highlights the importance of bearing witness to divine truth and sharing spiritual experiences with those in authority or partnership, ensuring the message is properly received and acted upon.

* [Genesis 18:1-15](/genesis/18-1-15 "Genesis 18:1-15 - Abraham and Sarah's Encounter with the Lord") - A similar divine visitation to announce the miraculous birth of a child to an elderly, barren couple.
* [Exodus 3:2-6](/exodus/3-2-6 "Exodus 3:2-6 - Moses at the Burning Bush") - Moses' encounter with the Angel of the Lord, where he hides his face because he was afraid to look at God, demonstrating a similar sense of holy awe.
* [Luke 1:11-20](/luke/1-11-20 "Luke 1:11-20 - Zechariah's Encounter with Gabriel") - An angelic announcement of a miraculous birth (John the Baptist) to an elderly, barren couple, evoking fear and awe in the recipient.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The profound impact of the divine messenger's appearance on Manoah's wife serves as a powerful reminder of how we ought to approach encounters with the divine, whether through direct revelation, the diligent study of Scripture, or the subtle promptings of the Holy Spirit. Her reaction of holy awe, rather than casual curiosity or fear of harm, teaches us to cultivate a deep sense of reverence for God's presence and His Word. In a world that often trivializes the sacred and seeks to explain away the miraculous, this verse calls us back to a posture of humility, wonder, and profound respect before the Almighty. Furthermore, the woman's immediate and accurate recounting of her experience to her husband emphasizes the importance of faithful stewardship of divine revelation. We are called to share the truth of God's Word and His transformative work in our lives with integrity and precision, recognizing its profound power and significance. This narrative also reminds us that God often chooses to work through the unexpected and the seemingly ordinary, preparing them for extraordinary purposes, demonstrating that His plans are not limited by human limitations, social status, or challenging circumstances.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the description of the "man of God" as "very terrible" challenge or confirm your understanding of God's presence and majesty?**
* **In what ways do you cultivate a sense of holy awe and reverence in your own spiritual life, particularly when engaging with God's Word or prayer?**
* **What does the woman's immediate and faithful reporting to her husband teach us about sharing our experiences of God and His truth with others in our lives?**
* **How might God be working through seemingly ordinary circumstances or individuals in your life or community to accomplish His extraordinary purposes, even when they are not immediately obvious?**

### FAQ
**Who was the "man of God" mentioned in Judges 13:6?**

Answer: While the text initially refers to him as "a man of God," the subsequent narrative (Judges 13:20-21) explicitly identifies him as "the Angel of the Lord" (Hebrew: _Malakh Yahweh_). This specific designation in the Old Testament often refers to a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ (a Christophany) or a unique divine messenger who speaks and acts with the full authority of God Himself, sometimes even being identified with God. His appearance, described as "like the countenance of an angel of God, very terrible," further supports his divine, rather than purely human, nature. This figure is distinct from ordinary angels and plays a significant role in revealing God's will and power, as seen in other passages like [Exodus 3:2](/exodus/3-2 "Exodus 3:2 - The Angel of the Lord in the Burning Bush") or [Genesis 16:7-13](/genesis/16-7-13 "Genesis 16:7-13 - Hagar's Encounter with the Angel of the Lord").

**Why was his countenance described as "very terrible"? Does this mean he was frightening or evil?**

Answer: The Hebrew word translated "terrible" is _yare'_ (יָרֵא, H3372), which does not carry the modern connotation of something evil or malevolent. Instead, it signifies something awe-inspiring, majestic, dreadful in a holy sense, or evoking profound reverence and holy fear. It describes something so powerful, glorious, and utterly transcendent that it overwhelms human perception and commands absolute respect. Similar to the "fear of the Lord" being the beginning of wisdom, or the "awesome" deeds of God, the messenger's appearance was "terrible" because it revealed divine glory and power, causing the woman to be overwhelmed with a sense of the sacred and the presence of the Almighty. It was a manifestation of divine holiness, not a threat.

**Why didn't the woman ask for his name or origin?**

Answer: The text states, "but I asked him not whence he [was], neither told he me his name." This suggests that the sheer overwhelming nature of the divine encounter likely rendered her incapable of such mundane questioning. The awe and reverence inspired by his "terrible" countenance (as explained above) would have overshadowed any impulse for casual inquiry. Furthermore, divine messengers often do not reveal their names, emphasizing that the message, and the God who sent it, are paramount, not the identity of the messenger. This mystery adds to the divine authority of the encounter and highlights that God's ways are often beyond full human comprehension, as seen when the Angel of the Lord later tells Manoah that his name is "Wonderful" (Judges 13:18), a term often associated with God Himself.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The appearance of the "man of God," explicitly identified as the Angel of the Lord in Judges 13, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment. Many scholars interpret the Angel of the Lord as a pre-incarnate manifestation of Jesus Christ, the Second Person of the Trinity. If so, then the "terrible" and awe-inspiring countenance described by Manoah's wife is a glimpse of the unadulterated glory of God, a glory that would later be veiled in human flesh at the Incarnation. Just as this divine messenger came to announce the birth of Samson, a deliverer for Israel, so too did the ultimate divine messenger, Jesus Christ, come into the world to announce and accomplish the ultimate deliverance from sin and death. He is the true "man of God," fully God and fully man, whose very presence is both majestic and redemptive. His birth was also announced by angels, bringing "good news of great joy for all the people" ([Luke 2:10](/luke/2-10 "Luke 2:10 - Angelic Announcement to Shepherds")). While Samson was a temporary and flawed deliverer, Jesus is the perfect and eternal deliverer, the true [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). His mission, unlike Samson's, was not merely to begin to deliver from physical oppression, but to fully deliver humanity from spiritual bondage and reconcile them to God through His sacrificial death and resurrection, offering a salvation far grander than any judge could provide. The awe inspired by the Angel of the Lord foreshadows the far greater reverence due to Christ, in whom "all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell" ([Colossians 1:19](/colossians/1-19 "Colossians 1:19 - Christ's Fullness")).

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 13:17

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?

Judges 13:18

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

1 Samuel 9:6

And he said unto him, Behold now, [there is] in this city a man of God, and [he is] an honourable man; all that he saith cometh surely to pass: now let us go thither; peradventure he can shew us our way that we should go.

Matthew 28:3

His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:

Matthew 28:4

And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead [men].

Deuteronomy 33:1

¶ And this [is] the blessing, wherewith Moses the man of God blessed the children of Israel before his death.

Daniel 10:11

And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling.