Judges 13:16 - Printer Friendly

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.)

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.

Judges 13:8–25 explains how Manoah learned of his wife's interaction with a messenger from God. He prays for more understanding, so he can properly fulfill his obligations. The angel of the Lord appears, again, and repeats his instructions. The child is to be consecrated as a Nazirite for his entire life. Manoah prepares a sacrifice, and the angel disappears into the flames. This further confirms the truth of the message. Manoah and his wife name their child Samson, who shows signs of blessing and the influence of God's Spirit from an early age.

The Lord appoints another deliverer for Israel, this time in response to oppression under the Philistines. An impressive stranger appears to Manoah and his wife, announcing they will have a son. This child is to be set apart as a Nazarite from before birth until death. His mother must not drink wine or strong drink or eat any unclean thing. This visitor then disappears into the flames of a burnt offering. The couple realizes they have seen a manifestation of Yahweh, Himself. Samson is born and soon shows signs of God's influence.

After Jephthah's rescue (Judges 11—12) this passage begins with another generation sinning against God. As is the pattern of the book of Judges, this leads to oppression. Israel is subject to forty years of misery under the Philistines. God appears to the wife of Manoah in the territory of Dan. She is commanded to consecrate her unborn son as a Nazarite, and that this child will begin to save Israel from the Philistines. Samson is born and is blessed by God. This is as pure as Samson's life will be—the rest of his story is an awkward, scandalous example of the Lord using flawed people to accomplish His great purposes.

The Book of Judges describes Israel's history from the death of Joshua to shortly before Israel's first king, Saul. Israel fails to complete God's command to purge the wicked Canaanites from the land (Deuteronomy 7:1–5; 9:4). This results in a centuries-long cycle where Israel falls into sin and is oppressed by local enemies. After each oppression, God sends a civil-military leader, labeled using a Hebrew word loosely translated into English as "judge." These appointed rescuers would free Israel from enemy control and govern for a certain time. After each judge's death, the cycle of sin and oppression begins again. This continues until the people of Israel choose a king, during the ministry of the prophet-and-judge Samuel (1 Samuel 1—7).