Judges 13:15

¶ And Manoah said unto the angel of the LORD, I pray thee, let us detain thee, until we shall have made ready a kid for thee.

And Manoah {H4495} said {H559} unto the angel {H4397} of the LORD {H3068}, I pray thee, let us detain {H6113} thee, until we shall have made ready {H6213} a kid {H1423}{H5795} for {H6440} thee.

Manoach said to the angel of ADONAI, "Please stay with us a bit longer, so that we can cook a young goat for you."

“Please stay here,” Manoah said to the angel of the LORD, “and we will prepare a young goat for you.”

And Manoah said unto the angel of Jehovah, I pray thee, let us detain thee, that we may make ready a kid for thee.

Commentary

Context

The verse Judges 13:15 takes place immediately after the Angel of the LORD has appeared to Manoah and his wife, confirming the miraculous birth of their son, Samson, who would be a Nazarite from birth and begin to deliver Israel from the Philistines. Manoah, a man of Zorah, is still processing the extraordinary encounter. Unaware of the true identity of his divine visitor, he extends a common gesture of ancient Near Eastern hospitality: offering to prepare a meal. This act reflects Manoah's reverence and desire to honor the messenger who brought such incredible news.

Key Themes

  • Hospitality: Manoah's immediate offer to prepare a meal demonstrates the deep cultural value of hospitality in the ancient world. It was customary to welcome and provide for guests, especially those perceived as messengers or respected figures.
  • Misunderstanding of the Divine: Manoah addresses the Angel of the LORD as if he were a human prophet or a man of God, not yet recognizing the divine nature of his guest. This is evident in his desire to detain the angel for a meal, which the angel later declines, instructing them to offer a sacrifice to the LORD instead (Judges 13:16).
  • Divine Presence: Despite Manoah's initial misunderstanding, the narrative underscores the direct and personal way God communicates and intervenes in the lives of His chosen servants, setting the stage for Samson's unique role in Israel's history.

Linguistic Insights

The title "Angel of the LORD" (Hebrew: mal'akh Yahweh) is highly significant throughout the Old Testament. This figure often acts with divine authority, speaks as God Himself, and is sometimes worshipped without rebuke. Many theologians interpret this as a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ, the second person of the Trinity, or a distinct divine manifestation. Manoah's interaction with this 'angel' initially treating him as a mere man, highlights the mystery surrounding this divine messenger's identity, which is more fully revealed in subsequent verses (Judges 13:20-22).

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of hospitality, a virtue consistently encouraged throughout Scripture (Hebrews 13:2). Manoah's earnest desire to honor his visitor, even without full comprehension of who he was hosting, reflects a heart open to God's dealings. It suggests that sometimes, we may be entertaining divine presence in unexpected forms, and our response of reverence, generosity, and obedience is paramount, whether we fully grasp the mystery or not. It encourages us to be attentive to the seemingly ordinary moments where God might be at work.

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Cross-References

  • Judges 6:18 (2 votes)

    Depart not hence, I pray thee, until I come unto thee, and bring forth my present, and set [it] before thee. And he said, I will tarry until thou come again.

  • Judges 6:19 (2 votes)

    And Gideon went in, and made ready a kid, and unleavened cakes of an ephah of flour: the flesh he put in a basket, and he put the broth in a pot, and brought [it] out unto him under the oak, and presented [it].

  • Judges 13:3 (2 votes)

    And the angel of the LORD appeared unto the woman, and said unto her, Behold now, thou [art] barren, and bearest not: but thou shalt conceive, and bear a son.

  • Genesis 18:3 (2 votes)

    And said, My Lord, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant:

  • Genesis 18:5 (2 votes)

    And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts; after that ye shall pass on: for therefore are ye come to your servant. And they said, So do, as thou hast said.