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Judges 6:22

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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.

And when Gideon {H1439} perceived {H7200} that he was an angel {H4397} of the LORD {H3068}, Gideon {H1439} said {H559}, Alas {H162}, O Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}! for because {H3651} I have seen {H7200} an angel {H4397} of the LORD {H3068} face {H6440} to face {H6440}.

Gid'on realized that he was the angel of ADONAI and said, "Oh no! My Lord! ADONAI! Because I've seen the angel of ADONAI face-to-face!"

When Gideon realized that it was the angel of the LORD, he said, “Oh no, Lord GOD! I have seen the angel of the LORD face to face!”

And Gideon saw that he was the angel of Jehovah; and Gideon said, Alas, O Lord Jehovah! forasmuch as I have seen the angel of Jehovah face to face.

Commentary

Judges 6:22 marks a dramatic turning point in the narrative of Gideon's calling. Up to this point, Gideon had been conversing with a mysterious visitor, exhibiting doubt and seeking confirmation. This verse describes the moment of profound realization and the subsequent fear that grips him upon understanding the true identity of his guest.

Context

The Israelites were suffering under the oppressive hand of the Midianites, and Gideon was found threshing wheat in a winepress, a place of hiding rather than open display, indicative of the prevailing fear. The angel of the LORD first appeared to him in Judges 6:11, hailing him as a "mighty man of valor." Gideon, however, was skeptical, questioning God's presence and power given Israel's plight. He requested a sign, an offering, which was supernaturally consumed by fire from a rock at the touch of the angel's staff. It is this divine confirmation through fire in Judges 6:21 that suddenly reveals the visitor's true, divine nature to Gideon.

Key Themes

  • Divine Revelation and Recognition: This verse highlights the moment of clarity for Gideon, where confusion gives way to an undeniable understanding of who he has been speaking with. It signifies God's direct involvement in calling Gideon to deliver Israel.
  • The Fear of God's Presence: Gideon's immediate reaction is one of terror, exclaiming, "Alas, O Lord GOD!" This reflects the ancient belief that seeing God face-to-face could result in death. Figures like Jacob at Peniel and Moses also expressed this profound awe and fear in the presence of the divine.
  • The Identity of the "Angel of the LORD": The figure identified as "the angel of the LORD" throughout the Old Testament often speaks with divine authority, accepts worship, and is sometimes indistinguishable from God Himself. Many theologians interpret these appearances as a Christophany, a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "angel of the LORD" is translated from the Hebrew Malakh Yahweh (מַלְאַךְ יְהוָה). While malakh simply means "messenger," the combination with Yahweh (God's covenant name) often denotes a special, divine messenger who embodies God's presence and speaks on His behalf, sometimes even identifying as God Himself. Gideon's cry, "Alas, O Lord GOD!" (Ahah Adonai Yahweh), is an expression of deep distress and reverence, acknowledging the infinite gap between himself and the divine.

Practical Application

Gideon's experience reminds us that God often reveals Himself in ways that challenge our expectations and comfort zones. Our initial response to a profound encounter with God's presence or His call might be fear or a feeling of inadequacy. However, as the next verse (Judges 6:23) shows, God often provides reassurance, saying, "Peace be unto thee; fear not." This teaches us to move beyond our natural fear and trust in God's peace and His purposes, even when His presence feels overwhelming or His calling seems impossible.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

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

Cross-References

  • Genesis 32:30 (7 votes)

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

  • Exodus 33:20 (6 votes)

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

  • Deuteronomy 5:26 (3 votes)

    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?

  • Deuteronomy 5:5 (2 votes)

    (I stood between the LORD and you at that time, to shew you the word of the LORD: for ye were afraid by reason of the fire, and went not up into the mount;) saying,

  • Genesis 16:13 (2 votes)

    And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?

  • John 12:41 (2 votes)

    These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him.

  • Deuteronomy 5:24 (2 votes)

    And ye said, Behold, the LORD our God hath shewed us his glory and his greatness, and we have heard his voice out of the midst of the fire: we have seen this day that God doth talk with man, and he liveth.