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Judges 13:16
ESV And the angel of the Lord said to Manoah, "If you detain me, I will not eat of your food. But if you prepare a burnt offering, then offer it to the Lord." (For Manoah did not know that he was the angel of the Lord.)
NIV The angel of the Lord replied, "Even though you detain me, I will not eat any of your food. But if you prepare a burnt offering, offer it to the Lord." (Manoah did not realize that it was the angel of the Lord.)
NASB But the angel of the Lord said to Manoah, 'Though you detain me, I will not eat your food, but if you prepare a burnt offering, offer it to the Lord.' For Manoah did not know that he was the angel of the Lord.
CSB The angel of the Lord said to him, "If I stay, I won’t eat your food. But if you want to prepare a burnt offering, offer it to the Lord." (Manoah did not know he was the angel of the Lord.)
NLT I will stay,' the angel of the Lord replied, 'but I will not eat anything. However, you may prepare a burnt offering as a sacrifice to the Lord.' (Manoah didn’t realize it was the angel of the Lord.)
KJV And the angel of the Lord said unto Manoah, Though thou detain me, I will not eat of thy bread: and if thou wilt offer a burnt offering, thou must offer it unto the Lord. For Manoah knew not that he was an angel of the Lord.
NKJV And the Angel of the Lord said to Manoah, “Though you detain Me, I will not eat your food. But if you offer a burnt offering, you must offer it to the Lord.” (For Manoah did not know He was the Angel of the Lord.)

What does Judges 13:16 mean?

Manoah has asked someone he identifies as a "man of God" (Judges 13:8) to stay long enough for him and his wife to prepare a young goat for him as a meal. This visitor has given them amazing news about their future son (Judges 13:2–15). As this verse shows, both Manoah and his wife assume they are speaking to a man; in fact, this is "the angel of the LORD," almost certainly a temporary manifestation of the Lord God, Himself.

Responding to the offer of a meal, "the angel of the LORD" says that even if he stays, He won't eat. He does not say why. A possible explanation involves the circumstances of the visit. Israel is in a pattern of sin and defiance against God (Judges 2:16–19). They are currently suffering under the Philistines for their betrayal (Judges 13:1). As this angelic figure is likely a representation of the Lord, Himself, it may be inappropriate to share a meal—symbolically expressing friendship—with a rebellious people.

Rather than eating a meal, the "angel of the LORD" suggests an alternative: a burnt offering as a sacrifice to God. Manoah still doesn't understand, yet this would be a more appropriate expression of gratitude, in this circumstance.
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