Judges 13 17

Judges 13:17 kjv

And Manoah said unto the angel of the LORD, What is thy name, that when thy sayings come to pass we may do thee honor?

Judges 13:17 nkjv

Then Manoah said to the Angel of the LORD, "What is Your name, that when Your words come to pass we may honor You?"

Judges 13:17 niv

Then Manoah inquired of the angel of the LORD, "What is your name, so that we may honor you when your word comes true?"

Judges 13:17 esv

And Manoah said to the angel of the LORD, "What is your name, so that, when your words come true, we may honor you?"

Judges 13:17 nlt

Then Manoah asked the angel of the LORD, "What is your name? For when all this comes true, we want to honor you."

Judges 13 verses

Judges 13 17 Meaning

Manoah asks the divine messenger for his name, driven by the intention to render appropriate honor and recognition should the spoken prophecy concerning the birth of Samson be fulfilled. This inquiry reflects an ancient Near Eastern understanding that a name reveals character, authority, and nature. By requesting the name, Manoah sought to ensure proper acknowledgement and reverence for the divine source of such a profound blessing and anticipated miracle. It signifies a desire to formally express gratitude and worship after experiencing divine truth confirmed.

Judges 13 17 Context

Judges chapter 13 opens with Israel again facing Philistine oppression. In this grim backdrop, the Lord initiates Samson's story, announcing his birth to a barren, unnamed woman, wife of Manoah. This divine visitation promises a Nazarite son who will begin to deliver Israel. Initially, Manoah is not present. Upon hearing his wife's account, Manoah prays for the messenger to return, expressing a need for further instruction on how to raise the child. The Angel of the Lord reappears while Manoah's wife is in the field. She summons Manoah, who then immediately engages the divine messenger with questions regarding the Nazarite vow and then, specifically, requests the angel's name in verse 17. This query arises within the profound, theophanic context of God revealing His plan and identity to those chosen to fulfill His purposes. Manoah's earnest request reflects his desire to appropriately acknowledge the divine power behind this miraculous announcement.

Judges 13 17 Word analysis

• And: wĕ, common Hebrew conjunction. Indicates continuity in the narrative flow.
• Manoah: מָנוֹחַ (Manoach), meaning "rest" or "resting place." The name holds an ironic twist, as his son Samson is known for turbulent, often violent, actions, yet these contribute to bringing some rest from oppression to Israel.
• said: דָּבַר (dabar). Standard verb for speaking. Emphasizes an articulate and direct verbal exchange, rather than a mere utterance.
• to the angel: אֶל־מַלְאַךְ (ʾel-malʾakh). The Hebrew מַלְאָךְ (malʾakh) means "messenger." In this context, it is "the Angel of the Lord," often understood as a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ or a divine manifestation (theophany). Manoah is speaking directly to a supernatural being who carries God's message and presence.
• of the Lord: יְהוָה (Yahweh). The personal, covenant name of God. This specifies that the messenger is either from, or is, Yahweh Himself, elevating the encounter beyond that with an ordinary angelic being.
• What is your name: מַה־שְּׁמֶךָ (mah-shmecha). "What is your name?" is a crucial question in the ancient world, especially when encountering divine or powerful beings. A name often encapsulated one's essence, character, and authority. To know the name was to gain insight into the being's true nature, and perhaps access to their power or patronage.
• so that when: כִּי (ki). A conjunction meaning "for," "because," "when," or "that." It links Manoah's query directly to his underlying intention.
• your words: דְבָרֶיךָ (dvaraiykha). Refers to the specific message and prophecy delivered by the Angel regarding Samson's miraculous birth and destiny.
• come true: בָא (ba), "come" or "happen." Signifies the fulfillment and actualization of the prophecy. Manoah is expressing a desire to validate the divine source through the demonstrated reality of the words.
• we may honor you: כִבַּדְנוּךָ (kibbadnukha). From the root כָּבַד (kabad), "to be heavy," "to be glorious," or "to honor." This term signifies recognition, respect, and attributing high value. In this context, it suggests offering worship, sacrifices, or special tribute, an action normally reserved for God.

Words-group Analysis

• "What is your name, so that...we may honor you?": This interrogative statement by Manoah reflects a blend of piety and pragmatism typical of ancient interactions with the divine. It stems from a cultural practice where honoring a divine benefactor (through sacrifices or other tributes) required knowing their specific name or identity. Manoah wants to ensure proper protocol for worshipping the correct entity. The request itself subtly suggests Manoah perceives this "angel" to be more than a mere subordinate messenger, given that such honor is typically reserved for God Himself. This phrase sets up the profound theological interaction that follows in verse 18, where the Angel reveals His name as "Wonderful."

Judges 13 17 Bonus section

The Angel's subsequent response in Judges 13:18, "Why do you ask my name, seeing it is wonderful?" (Hebrew: פֶלִאי, pele'i), is critical to understanding this interaction. Pele'i describes something incomprehensible, extraordinary, and miraculous, uniquely divine. This word connects the Angel's nature to God's own attribute, seen in Ps 139:14 where God's works are "wonderful" (נִפְלָאִים, nifla'im, related root). It also strongly links to Isaiah 9:6, where the Messiah is called "Wonderful Counselor." This suggests the "Angel of the Lord" here is not just a messenger but a manifestation of Yahweh Himself, a pre-incarnate appearance of the Son, whose nature and name are ultimately beyond human definition. Manoah's desire to honor implies worship, and by responding "wonderful," the Angel redirects worship away from a definable angelic name towards the incomprehensible, transcendent nature of God alone. This subtle interaction serves as a polemic against the polytheistic tendencies of the time, emphasizing that the one true God is not a deity with easily graspable, many names like pagan gods, but One whose nature is so glorious it is truly "wonderful," unique, and utterly singular.

Judges 13 17 Commentary

Manoah's inquiry for the Angel's name is not simple curiosity but a deeply ingrained cultural and theological act of respect and future worship. In the ancient world, names were power; they revealed essence and identity. To know a name, particularly a divine one, was to establish a deeper relationship, understand their character, and enable proper forms of honor and address. Manoah, anticipating the miracle of Samson's birth, wants to be prepared to give appropriate, perhaps sacrificial, honor when the prophecy is confirmed by reality. This foreshadows the Angel's identity as more than a created being, as honor in such a profound sense is due to God alone. The question "What is your name... so that... we may honor you?" anticipates the revelation of the Angel's true nature as God, preparing Manoah for the later directive to offer sacrifice directly to the Lord (Judg 13:16). This interaction highlights a central biblical truth: God desires to be known and honored, yet His nature often remains wonderfully transcendent, demanding awe and submission.