Judges 6:18

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.

Depart {H4185} not hence, I pray thee, until I come {H935} unto thee, and bring forth {H3318} my present {H4503}, and set {H3240} it before {H6440} thee. And he said {H559}, I will tarry {H3427} until thou come again {H7725}.

Please don't leave until I go and return with a gift and present it to you." He replied, "I'll wait till you come back."

Please do not depart from this place until I return to You. Let me bring my offering and set it before You.โ€ And the LORD said, โ€œI will stay until you return.โ€

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

Commentary

Context of Judges 6:18

This verse is found during a pivotal moment in the life of Gideon, a man called by God to deliver Israel from the oppressive hand of the Midianites. Gideon, initially found threshing wheat in a winepress to hide from the enemy (Judges 6:11), is confronted by the Angel of the Lord, who declares him a "mighty man of valour."

Full of doubt and questioning God's presence and power to deliver, Gideon asks for a sign, or at least confirmation, of the visitor's identity and divine authority. His request in verse 18, "Depart not hence, I pray thee, until I come unto thee, and bring forth my present, and set [it] before thee," is a plea for the mysterious visitor to wait while he prepares an offering or a meal. This act serves as both an expression of hospitality and a test to discern if his visitor is truly from God, setting the stage for the miraculous confirmation in the verses that follow.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Patience and Accommodation: The Angel of the Lord's immediate agreement to wait ("I will tarry until thou come again") demonstrates God's profound patience and willingness to accommodate Gideon's doubts and need for reassurance. God meets Gideon where he is, even in his skepticism.
  • Seeking Confirmation: Gideon's request highlights his deep need for tangible proof before embarking on the immense task of leading Israel. This cautious approach foreshadows his later requests for signs involving a fleece (Judges 6:36, 39).
  • Hospitality and Offering: In ancient Near Eastern culture, offering hospitality was a sacred duty. Gideon's "present" (ืžึดื ึฐื—ึธื” - *minchah*) initially appears as a customary meal but takes on a sacrificial significance, as revealed in the subsequent verses when the Angel consumes it with fire (Judges 6:21).

Linguistic Insights

The KJV word "present" translates the Hebrew term minchah (ืžึดื ึฐื—ึธื”), which can refer to a tribute, a gift, or specifically a grain offering or meal offering in a religious context. In this instance, it carries the dual meaning of a hospitable gift and a potential sacrifice, setting up the divine revelation in the next scene. Gideon's humble request, "I pray thee," underscores his respect and earnestness in seeking understanding from his mysterious visitor.

Practical Application

Judges 6:18 reminds us that it is natural to have doubts or seek confirmation, especially when faced with daunting challenges or divine calls. God is patient and willing to reveal Himself and His will in ways we can comprehend. This verse encourages us to bring our questions and offerings (our time, resources, or even our doubts) before God, trusting that He will meet us and provide the assurance we need to step forward in faith. It highlights that God often uses tangible actions and responses to build our faith and confirm His presence in our lives.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Genesis 18:3 (4 votes)

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

  • Judges 13:15 (4 votes)

    ยถ 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.

  • Genesis 18:5 (4 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.

  • Genesis 19:3 (2 votes)

    And he pressed upon them greatly; and they turned in unto him, and entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat.