Judges 6:18 kjv
Depart not hence, I pray thee, until I come unto thee, and bring forth my present, and set it before thee. And he said, I will tarry until thou come again.
Judges 6:18 nkjv
Do not depart from here, I pray, until I come to You and bring out my offering and set it before You." And He said, "I will wait until you come back."
Judges 6:18 niv
Please do not go away until I come back and bring my offering and set it before you." And the LORD said, "I will wait until you return."
Judges 6:18 esv
Please do not depart from here until I come to you and bring out my present and set it before you." And he said, "I will stay till you return."
Judges 6:18 nlt
Don't go away until I come back and bring my offering to you." He answered, "I will stay here until you return."
Judges 6 18 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 18:3-5 | "My Lord, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant... I will fetch a morsel of bread..." | Abraham's hospitality and divine visitation |
| Gen 32:26 | "And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me." | Jacob's persistence for a blessing |
| Ex 3:2-4 | "And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire... God called unto him out of the midst of the bush..." | God initiates contact and patiently calls |
| Ex 4:1-9 | Moses' requests for signs to believe his commission | God provides signs to affirm calling |
| Josh 5:13-15 | Joshua encounters the Commander of the Lord's army who commands reverence | Theophanic presence requiring worship |
| Judges 13:15-17 | Manoah's similar request to offer a kid to the Angel of the Lord | Offering food to confirm divine messenger |
| Lev 2:1-3 | Instructions for grain offering (minḥah) without blood | "Present" often refers to this type of offering |
| 1 Kings 18:38 | "Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones..." | God consumes sacrifice as a divine sign |
| Is 7:10-14 | God offers Ahaz a sign, even if he refuses to ask it | God provides confirmation and signs |
| Ps 103:8 | "The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy." | God's patience with His people |
| Jer 29:13 | "And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." | Seeking God leads to finding Him |
| Hos 6:3 | "Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD..." | Seeking knowledge of God's ways |
| Hab 2:3 | "For the vision is yet for an appointed time... it will surely come, it will not tarry." | Divine promises fulfill on time |
| Mk 9:24 | "And straightway the father of the child cried out... Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief." | Honest wrestling with doubt and belief |
| Jn 20:24-29 | Thomas requires physical proof of Jesus' resurrection | Jesus accommodates honest doubt to build faith |
| Heb 4:16 | "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." | Access to God's grace for our needs |
| Heb 11:6 | "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." | Seeking God involves faith and trust |
| 2 Pet 3:9 | "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward..." | God's long-suffering and patience |
| Rev 3:20 | "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him..." | Christ's willingness to engage and enter |
Judges 6 verses
Judges 6 18 Meaning
Judges 6:18 records Gideon's request for the divine messenger to wait, so Gideon can prepare and bring an offering for him. The messenger, the Angel of the Lord, immediately agrees to wait. This interaction serves as a test by Gideon to ascertain the identity and authority of his visitor, revealing God's gracious willingness to condescend and engage with human doubt and preparation for worship.
Judges 6 18 Context
Judges chapter 6 sets the stage with Israel's repeated sin of apostasy, leading to seven years of oppressive raids by the Midianites, Amalekites, and people of the East, who would destroy their crops and livestock. The Israelites cried out to the Lord (vv. 1-6). Before raising a deliverer, God sent a prophet to rebuke Israel, reminding them of His faithfulness despite their disobedience (vv. 7-10). The Angel of the Lord then appears to Gideon, a seemingly insignificant man from the tribe of Manasseh, while he is threshing wheat in a winepress to hide it from the Midianites (v. 11). The Angel hails Gideon as a "mighty man of valor" (v. 12) and commissions him to save Israel (v. 14). Gideon responds with expressions of doubt, questioning God's presence, ability, and his own suitability (vv. 13-15). The Angel reassures Gideon with the promise "I will be with you" (v. 16). Gideon then asks for a sign, not to deny the messenger but to confirm his identity and validate the divine commission (v. 17). Verse 18 is Gideon's specific request for the messenger to remain until he can prepare an offering.
Judges 6 18 Word analysis
- Tarry (אָצְרָה, 'otzra): An imperative verb meaning "to hold back," "detain," or "remain." In this context, it is a polite yet firm request for the Angel of the Lord to wait. It shows Gideon's initiative to prepare a demonstration of respect and to seek further confirmation. This simple word highlights God's patience and condescension towards humanity's desire for certainty.
- I pray thee: A polite idiom of request, emphasizing humility and deference in Gideon's approach to the mysterious visitor. It signals the seriousness of his intent to interact respectfully.
- Until I come unto thee: Expresses Gideon's commitment to returning and completing his task. It implies a personal encounter and direct engagement.
- Bring forth (וְהוֹצֵאתִי, v'hotzeiti): "To bring out," signifying an act of presenting something from within or from one's possessions. It carries the nuance of preparation and intentionality, particularly in the context of offerings.
- My present (מִנְחָתִי, minḥati): This key word refers to an "offering," "tribute," or "gift." While it can mean any gift, in a religious context, minḥah (from its root) most often denotes a "grain offering" or "meal offering" (Leviticus 2), which typically accompanies burnt offerings or serves as an offering in itself, signifying devotion and homage. It is distinct from blood sacrifices. Gideon's choice to bring a minḥah suggests he is preparing not just hospitality, but a religious act of propitiation or seeking favor.
- Set it before thee (וְהִגַּשְׁתִּי לְפָנֶיךָ, v'higashti lefaneyka): Literally, "to cause to draw near," "to bring near," "to present formally." This phrasing emphasizes the solemnity and intentionality of placing the offering directly in the presence of the recipient, signifying respect and expectation.
- And he said, I will tarry until thou come again: This is the Angel of the Lord's immediate and unequivocal agreement. His willingness to "tarry" demonstrates divine patience and confirms the Angel's receptiveness to Gideon's plea. This immediate assent is crucial; it confirms the divine messenger's identity and power, as no ordinary human would submit to such a demand so readily. It implies a deeper divine purpose unfolding through this patient engagement.
Judges 6 18 Bonus section
- Christophany: Many theologians interpret "the Angel of the Lord" (Malak Yahweh) throughout the Old Testament, particularly when He receives worship or is identified with Yahweh Himself, as a Christophany – a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ. The Angel's immediate and willing assent to wait and receive an offering resonates with the patient and accommodating nature of God incarnate.
- Divine Condescension: This verse exemplifies God's "condescension" – His voluntary descent from His infinite glory to interact directly and patiently with His limited human creation. He could have compelled Gideon, but instead, He accommodates his request for a sign and respects his desire for verification, thereby fostering Gideon's fledgling faith.
- Humble Test: Gideon's request is a humble and cautious test, not a demand. It is motivated by a deep desire to be sure he is dealing with the true God, in a period of great national and personal uncertainty. God's response confirms that such sincere seeking for divine validation is met with grace, not condemnation.
Judges 6 18 Commentary
Judges 6:18 portrays a critical moment where Gideon's cautious faith meets divine patience. Amidst his fear and doubt, Gideon makes a specific request that moves beyond mere conversation to an act of sacred preparation. His offer of a "present" (minḥah) is not just an act of hospitality, though that is an underlying cultural custom. Rather, it signifies his intent to test the divine visitor through a ceremonial offering. This pre-Christian request for a sign, specifically tied to a prepared sacrifice, anticipates God's nature to confirm His presence and validate His chosen. The Angel's ready agreement underscores God's gracious condescension to human apprehension. It teaches that God is willing to meet individuals where they are, accommodating their questions and doubts, not with rebuke, but with patient affirmation, thereby building faith for the mighty tasks ahead. This divine willingness to wait, and engage with human ritual, sets the stage for the dramatic, fire-consuming miracle that follows, definitively revealing the Angel of the Lord's true divine identity.