Judges 13 18

Judges 13:18 kjv

And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Why askest thou thus after my name, seeing it is secret?

Judges 13:18 nkjv

And the Angel of the LORD said to him, "Why do you ask My name, seeing it is wonderful?"

Judges 13:18 niv

He replied, "Why do you ask my name? It is beyond understanding."

Judges 13:18 esv

And the angel of the LORD said to him, "Why do you ask my name, seeing it is wonderful?"

Judges 13:18 nlt

"Why do you ask my name?" the angel of the LORD replied. "It is too wonderful for you to understand."

Judges 13 verses

Judges 13 18 Meaning

In Judges 13:18, the Angel of the Lord responds to Manoah's query about his name with a rhetorical question: "Why ask about my name, seeing it is wonderful?" This statement emphasizes the incomprehensible and unique nature of the divine messenger, indicating that His name (and thus His essence and character) is beyond human full understanding or articulation. It highlights the divine mystery, conveying that the identity of this being is not something to be merely known or casually invoked, but rather to be regarded with awe and reverence. The term "wonderful" encapsulates His supernatural identity and actions, foreshadowing the miraculous birth of Samson and the extraordinary power that stems from a divine source beyond human comprehension.

Judges 13 18 Context

Judges 13:18 occurs within the narrative of Samson's birth announcement. Manoah and his barren wife are visited by the "Angel of the Lord," who announces the coming birth of Samson, a Nazirite dedicated to God from birth, who will begin to deliver Israel from the Philistines. Manoah, not recognizing the divine identity of his visitor, seeks to prepare a meal and inquires about his name (Judg 13:17), presumably to offer proper thanks or tribute, or perhaps to remember him for future prayer or reverence. The Angel's response in verse 18 guards His divine identity, hinting at His supernatural nature, which transcends human definition. Historically, this period was characterized by cycles of apostasy, oppression, and God raising up judges to deliver His people, with significant interactions between humans and divine messengers. The Angel's emphasis on His "wonderful" name served to elevate the significance of the impending birth and underscore its divine origin, contrasting with the often idolatrous and limited understanding of deity prevalent in Canaanite religions. The dialogue anticipates the awesome power of God manifested in Samson's life.

Judges 13 18 Word analysis

• "Why" (מַדּוּעַ - maddu‘a‘): An interrogative particle questioning the reason or purpose. Here, it implies not ignorance but a gentle rebuke or a statement that the question is unnecessary given the nature of the entity. It challenges Manoah's attempt to categorize or grasp a divine being through a name, suggesting such knowledge is not beneficial in this context.

• "ask" (תִּשְׁאַל - tish'al): From שָׁאַל (sha'al), meaning "to ask," "inquire," "request." It denotes a human effort to gain information or control, which is met with a divine boundary.

• "about my name" (לִשְׁמִי - lishmi): From לְ־ (le- prefix meaning "about/concerning") and שֵׁם (shem), "name." In Hebrew culture, a name often encapsulates the essence, character, and authority of a person. Inquiring about a divine being's name is a request for insight into their very nature and power. The withholding of the name indicates its sacredness or ineffability.

• "seeing it is" (הוּא - hu'): A pronoun meaning "he/it/that." It connects the question to the subsequent statement about the name's quality.

• "wonderful" (פֶּלִיא - peli'i): From the root פָּלָא (pala'), "to be distinct, separate, difficult to understand, extraordinary, marvelous, wonderful." This is the crucial word.

  • Significance: It signifies something that is beyond ordinary human experience, comprehension, or ability. It is something miraculous, astounding, and unique.
  • Divine Attribute: This term is often used to describe God's actions (e.g., wonders, miracles) or His very being. It conveys His unsearchable nature and majesty.
  • Messianic Implication: Most notably, this same root and concept are found in Isaiah 9:6, where the Messiah is called "Wonderful Counselor" (פֶּלֶא יוֹעֵץ - pele yo'ets). This linguistic connection is highly significant, hinting that the Angel of the Lord, whose name is Peli'i (wonderful), could be a pre-incarnate appearance of the Second Person of the Godhead, Jesus Christ. This identity would explain why His name is wonderful, as it points to the divine nature and character of God.

• Word-Group Analysis:

  • "Why ask about my name?": This rhetorical question establishes a divine boundary. It is not an arbitrary refusal to answer but an assertion that human categorization is insufficient for a being whose nature transcends finite understanding. It shifts focus from knowing a name to recognizing the identity through action and presence.
  • "seeing it is wonderful": This phrase explains why the name cannot be given or fully understood. The name is not merely special; it embodies an aspect of the divine that is incomprehensible and awe-inspiring, akin to God's own unique, unsearchable identity. It underscores that His very being is a wonder and a mystery. This serves as an immediate indicator of the visitor's truly divine status, differentiating him from any mere prophet or human agent.

Judges 13 18 Bonus section

The Hebrew root pala' (from which peli'i derives) is also used for Jacob's wrestling match with God/an angel in Genesis 32:29, where the divine being also refuses to give His name, and the place is named Peniel ("face of God"). Both instances emphasize an unapproachable divine mystery in human encounters. The Angel of the Lord's "wonderful" nature hints at a divine pre-incarnate appearance of Christ, consistent with scholarly views that interpret the Angel of the Lord (or the "Malak Yahweh") in many Old Testament appearances as a Christophany. This "wonderful" aspect also connects God to acts of creation and providence, which are repeatedly called wonders throughout the Psalms (e.g., Psa 77:11). God's dealings with Israel often involve 'wonderful' (miraculous) deeds, confirming His unique power and transcendence over all other gods.

Judges 13 18 Commentary

Judges 13:18 serves as a pivotal moment in Manoah's encounter, elevating the seemingly simple question of a name into a profound theological statement. The Angel's response, "Why ask about my name, seeing it is wonderful?", immediately sets Him apart as no mere created being or earthly messenger. The term "wonderful" (פֶּלִיא - peli'i) is not merely descriptive; it speaks to the very essence of divine mystery and omnipotence. It implies that His identity cannot be confined by a human name or understood by human intellect. This aligns with other biblical accounts where God's nature is revealed as ultimately unsearchable and His wisdom past finding out (Rom 11:33).

This exchange prefigures the nature of the miraculous birth and life of Samson himself, which will be a wonder of God's power. It also bears strong resemblance to God's self-revelation, where His name often speaks to His being (e.g., Yahweh, "I AM WHO I AM" in Ex 3). The reluctance of the Angel to reveal His name echoes similar instances in Scripture where divine beings, perhaps in humility or to avoid diverting worship, either refuse or give cryptic answers regarding their specific appellation. However, here, the specific use of "wonderful" suggests an active characteristic rather than simple secrecy. It is a polemic against human attempts to limit or control divine beings by naming them, a practice common in polytheistic cultures where knowing a deity's name was believed to give power over them or guarantee a response.

Ultimately, the Angel's statement functions to command reverence and draw attention to the divine source of Samson's existence. The wonder is not just about the name but the One to whom the name belongs – a truly extraordinary, unapproachable, and mysterious God who performs great wonders. This understanding encourages worship and awe, rather than simple curiosity or a desire for mundane identification.