And the angel of the LORD replied, "Even if I stay, I will not eat your food. But if you prepare a burnt offering, offer it to the LORD." For Manoah did not know that it was the angel of the LORD. And the Angel of the LORD repliedThe phrase "Angel of the LORD" is significant in the Old Testament, often interpreted as a theophany, or a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ. The Hebrew word for "angel" is "mal'ak," meaning "messenger." This indicates a divine messenger with a special mission. The Angel's reply suggests a divine authority and purpose, emphasizing the sacred nature of the encounter. Though you detain Me
The word "detain" implies an attempt to delay or hold back. Manoah's desire to detain the Angel reflects a common human inclination to seek more time or understanding when faced with the divine. It underscores the human desire for connection with the divine, yet also highlights the limitations of human understanding in the presence of God's messengers. I will not eat your bread
In ancient Near Eastern culture, sharing a meal was a sign of fellowship and covenant. The Angel's refusal to eat Manoah's bread signifies that this encounter is not about human hospitality or social customs but about divine instruction and revelation. It emphasizes the sacredness of the moment and the Angel's otherworldly nature. But if you prepare a burnt offering
The burnt offering, or "olah" in Hebrew, was a sacrifice of atonement and dedication to God. The Angel redirects Manoah's hospitality into an act of worship, indicating that true communion with God is found in worship and sacrifice, not merely in social customs. This highlights the importance of obedience and reverence in approaching God. offer it to the LORD
The directive to offer the burnt offering to the LORD, "Yahweh" in Hebrew, underscores the centrality of God in the narrative. It is a reminder that all acts of worship and sacrifice are to be directed to God alone. This instruction points to the exclusivity of worship due to the one true God, a recurring theme throughout the Scriptures. For Manoah did not know that it was the Angel of the LORD
This phrase reveals Manoah's lack of awareness of the divine nature of his visitor. It reflects a common biblical theme where humans often fail to recognize God's presence among them. This lack of recognition serves as a reminder of the mystery of God's ways and the need for spiritual discernment. It also foreshadows the revelation that will come later, emphasizing the unfolding nature of divine revelation. Persons / Places / Events 1. Angel of the LORDA divine messenger who appears to Manoah and his wife, often understood in conservative Christian theology as a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ. 2. ManoahThe father of Samson, who seeks guidance from the Angel of the LORD regarding the birth and upbringing of his son. 3. Burnt OfferingA sacrificial act of worship and dedication to God, signifying complete surrender and devotion. 4. ZorahThe town in the territory of Dan where Manoah and his wife lived. 5. Samson's Birth AnnouncementThe event surrounding the divine announcement of Samson's birth, who would begin to deliver Israel from the Philistines. Teaching Points Divine EncountersRecognize that God often reveals Himself in unexpected ways. Be open to His presence in daily life. Worship and SacrificeTrue worship involves offering our best to God, symbolized by the burnt offering. Reflect on what it means to dedicate your life fully to Him. Seeking GuidanceLike Manoah, seek God's guidance in parenting and life decisions. Trust that He will provide wisdom and direction. Hospitality and ReverencePractice hospitality and reverence, as you may be entertaining divine messengers unaware. Understanding God's MessengersStudy the nature and role of angels in Scripture, recognizing their purpose in God's plan. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the Angel of the LORD's refusal to eat Manoah's food but acceptance of a burnt offering reflect the nature of true worship? 2. In what ways can we be more open to recognizing divine encounters in our own lives? 3. How does the concept of a burnt offering in Judges 13:16 connect to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ in the New Testament? 4. What lessons can we learn from Manoah's interaction with the Angel of the LORD about seeking and receiving guidance from God? 5. How can the practice of hospitality in our lives reflect our reverence for God and His messengers? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 22The concept of a burnt offering is significant in the account of Abraham and Isaac, where God provides a ram as a substitute, highlighting themes of obedience and provision. Exodus 3The appearance of the Angel of the LORD in the burning bush to Moses, emphasizing divine presence and calling. Hebrews 13:2Encourages hospitality, as some have entertained angels without knowing, paralleling Manoah's interaction with the Angel of the LORD. People Dan, Danites, Manoah, SamsonPlaces Eshtaol, Mahaneh-dan, Pirathon, ZorahTopics Angel, Bread, Burned, Burnt, Burnt-offering, Detain, Didn't, Eat, Manoah, Mano'ah, Manoah's, Messenger, Mind, Offer, Offered, Offering, Prepare, Ready, Realize, Replied, Shouldst, Though, Wilt, Won'tDictionary of Bible Themes Judges 13:2-23 8474 seeing God Judges 13:2-25 5652 babies Judges 13:3-22 1511 Trinity, relationships in
5976 visiting Judges 13:9-16 4478 meat Judges 13:15-16 4476 meals Library The Wonderful.
Isaiah ix:6. HIS name shall be called "Wonderful" (Isaiah ix:6). And long before Isaiah had uttered this divine prediction the angel of the Lord had announced his name to be Wonderful. As such He appeared to Manoah. And Manoah said unto the angel of Jehovah, What is thy name, that when thy sayings come to pass we may do thee honor. And the angel of Jehovah said unto Him "why askest thou thus after my name, seeing it is Wonderful" (margin, Judges xiii:17-18). This angel of Jehovah, the Person who …
Arno Gaebelein—The Lord of GloryOf the Name of God
Exod. iii. 13, 14.--"And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them? And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you." We are now about this question, What God is. But who can answer it? Or, if answered, who can understand it? It should astonish us in …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning Gen. xxxi. 11
Of no less importance and significance is the passage Gen. xxxi. 11 seq. According to ver. 11, the Angel of God, [Hebrew: mlaK halhiM] appears toJacob in a dream. In ver. 13, the same person calls himself the God of Bethel, with reference to the event recorded in chap. xxviii. 11-22. It cannot be supposed that in chap xxviii. the mediation of a common angel took place, who, however, had not been expressly mentioned; for Jehovah is there contrasted with the angels. In ver. 12, we read: "And behold …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Characters and Names of Messiah
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. S uch was the triumphant exultation of the Old Testament Church! Their noblest hopes were founded upon the promise of MESSIAH; their most sublime songs were derived from the prospect of His Advent. By faith, which is the substance of things hoped for, they considered the gracious declarations …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1 Mothers, Daughters, and Wives in Israel
In order accurately to understand the position of woman in Israel, it is only necessary carefully to peruse the New Testament. The picture of social life there presented gives a full view of the place which she held in private and in public life. Here we do not find that separation, so common among Orientals at all times, but a woman mingles freely with others both at home and abroad. So far from suffering under social inferiority, she takes influential and often leading part in all movements, specially …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life The Incarnation.
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that hath been made. In Him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in the darkness; and the darkness apprehended it not. There came a man, sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for witness, that he might bear witness of the light, that all might believe through him. He was …
Marcus Dods—The Expositor's Bible: The Gospel of St. John, Vol. I A Cloud of Witnesses.
"By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even concerning things to come. By faith Jacob, when he was a-dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, when his end was nigh, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.... By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they had been compassed about for seven days. By faith Rahab the harlot perished not with them that were disobedient, …
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews The Doctrine of God
I. THE EXISTENCE OF GOD: (Vs. Atheism). 1. ASSUMED BY THE SCRIPTURES. 2. PROOFS OF THE EXISTENCE OF GOD. a) Universal belief in the Existence of God. b) Cosmological:--Argument from Cause. c) Teleological:--Argument from Design. d) Ontological:--Argument from Being. e) Anthropological:--Moral Argument. f) Argument from Congruity. g) Argument from Scripture. II. THE NATURE OF GOD: (Vs. Agnosticism) 1. THE SPIRITUALITY OF GOD: (Vs. Materialism). 2. THE PERSONALITY OF GOD: (Vs. Pantheism). 3. THE UNITY …
Rev. William Evans—The Great Doctrines of the Bible A Treatise of the Fear of God;
SHOWING WHAT IT IS, AND HOW DISTINGUISHED FROM THAT WHICH IS NOT SO. ALSO, WHENCE IT COMES; WHO HAS IT; WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS; AND WHAT THE PRIVILEGES OF THOSE THAT HAVE IT IN THEIR HEARTS. London: Printed for N. Ponder, at the Peacock in the Poultry, over against the Stocks market: 1679. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom," and "a fountain of life"--the foundation on which all wisdom rests, as well as the source from whence it emanates. Upon a principle …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Of the Power of Making Laws. The Cruelty of the Pope and his Adherents, in this Respect, in Tyrannically Oppressing and Destroying Souls.
1. The power of the Church in enacting laws. This made a source of human traditions. Impiety of these traditions. 2. Many of the Papistical traditions not only difficult, but impossible to be observed. 3. That the question may be more conveniently explained, nature of conscience must be defined. 4. Definition of conscience explained. Examples in illustration of the definition. 5. Paul's doctrine of submission to magistrates for conscience sake, gives no countenance to the Popish doctrine of the obligation …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion Annunciation to Zacharias of the Birth of John the Baptist.
(at Jerusalem. Probably b.c. 6.) ^C Luke I. 5-25. ^c 5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judæa [a Jewish proselyte, an Idumæan or Edomite by birth, founder of the Herodian family, king of Judæa from b.c. 40 to a.d. 4, made such by the Roman Senate on the recommendation of Mark Antony and Octavius Cæsar], a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course [David divided the priests into twenty-four bodies or courses, each course serving in rotation one week in the temple …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Judges
For the understanding of the early history and religion of Israel, the book of Judges, which covers the period from the death of Joshua to the beginning of the struggle with the Philistines, is of inestimable importance; and it is very fortunate that the elements contributed by the later editors are so easily separated from the ancient stories whose moral they seek to point. That moral is most elaborately stated in ii. 6-iii. 6, which is a sort of programme or preface to iii. 7-xvi. 31, which constitutes …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Judges 13:16 NIVJudges 13:16 NLTJudges 13:16 ESVJudges 13:16 NASBJudges 13:16 KJV
Judges 13:16 Commentaries
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