Judges 13:16
New International Version
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.)

New Living Translation
“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.)

English Standard Version
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.)

Berean Standard Bible
And the angel of the LORD replied, “Even if I stay, I will not eat your food. But if you prepare a burnt offering, offer it to the LORD.” For Manoah did not know that it was the angel of the LORD.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
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.)

New American Standard Bible
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.

NASB 1995
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, then offer it to the LORD.” For Manoah did not know that he was the angel of the LORD.

NASB 1977
And 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, then offer it to the LORD.” For Manoah did not know that he was the angel of the LORD.

Legacy Standard Bible
And the angel of Yahweh said to Manoah, “Though you delay me, I will not eat your food, but if you prepare a burnt offering, then offer it to Yahweh.” For Manoah did not know that he was the angel of Yahweh.

Amplified Bible
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.

Christian Standard Bible
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.)

Holman Christian Standard Bible
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.” For Manoah did not know He was the Angel of the LORD.

American Standard Version
And the angel of Jehovah said unto Manoah, Though thou detain me, I will not eat of thy bread; and if thou wilt make ready a burnt-offering, thou must offer it unto Jehovah. For Manoah knew not that he was the angel of Jehovah.

Contemporary English Version
Manoah didn't realize that he was really talking to one of the LORD's angels. The angel answered, "I can stay for a little while, although I won't eat any of your food. But if you would like to offer the goat as a sacrifice to the LORD, that would be fine."

English Revised Version
And the angel of the LORD said unto Manoah, Though thou detain me, I will not eat of thy bread: and if thou wilt make ready a burnt offering, thou must offer it onto the LORD. For Manoah knew not that he was the angel of the LORD.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
But the Messenger of the LORD responded, "If I stay here, I will not eat any of your food. But if you make a burnt offering, sacrifice it to the LORD." (Manoah did not realize that it was the Messenger of the LORD.)

International Standard Version
The angel of the LORD answered Manoah, "If you detain me, I won't be eating your food, but if you prepare a burnt offering, you'll be making a sacrifice to the LORD." The angel of the LORD said this because Manoah didn't know that he was the angel of the LORD.

Majority Standard Bible
And the angel of the LORD replied, ?Even if I stay, I will not eat your food. But if you prepare a burnt offering, offer it to the LORD.? For Manoah did not know that it was the angel of the LORD.

NET Bible
The LORD's messenger said to Manoah, "If I stay, I will not eat your food. But if you want to make a burnt sacrifice to the LORD, you should offer it." (He said this because Manoah did not know that he was the LORD's messenger.)

New Heart English Bible
The angel of the LORD said to Manoah, "Though you detain me, I won't eat of your bread. And if you prepare a burnt offering, you must offer it to the LORD." For Manoah did not know that he was the angel of the LORD.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the angel of the LORD said to Manoah, Though thou shouldst detain me, I will not eat of thy bread: and if thou wilt offer a burnt-offering, thou must offer it to the LORD. For Manoah knew not that he was an angel of the LORD.

World English Bible
Yahweh’s angel said to Manoah, “Though you detain me, I won’t eat your bread. If you will prepare a burnt offering, you must offer it to Yahweh.” For Manoah didn’t know that he was Yahweh’s angel.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the Messenger of YHWH says to Manoah, “If you detain Me—I do not eat of your bread; and if you prepare a burnt-offering—offer it to YHWH”; for Manoah has not known that He [is] the Messenger of YHWH.

Young's Literal Translation
And the messenger of Jehovah saith unto Manoah, 'If thou detain me -- I do not eat of thy bread; and if thou prepare a burnt-offering -- to Jehovah thou dost offer it;' for Manoah hath not known that He is a messenger of Jehovah.

Smith's Literal Translation
And the messenger of Jehovah will say to Manoah, If thou shalt detain me, I will not eat of thy bread: and if thou shalt do a burnt-offering thou shalt do it to Jehovah. For Manoah knew not that he was a messenger of Jehovah.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the angel answered him: If thou press me, I will not eat of thy bread: but if thou wilt offer a holocaust, offer it to the Lord. And Manue knew not it was the angel of the Lord.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the Angel answered him: “Even if you compel me, I will not eat from your bread. But if you are willing to offer a holocaust, offer it to the Lord.” And Manoah did not know that he was an Angel of the Lord.

New American Bible
But the angel of the LORD answered Manoah: Though you detained me, I would not eat your food. But if you want to prepare a burnt offering, then offer it up to the LORD. For Manoah did not know that he was the angel of the LORD.

New Revised Standard Version
The angel of the LORD said to Manoah, “If you detain me, I will not eat your food; but if you want to prepare a burnt offering, then offer it to the LORD.” (For Manoah did not know that he was the angel of the LORD.)
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the angel of the LORD said to Manoah, Though you detain me, I will not eat of your food; and if you will offer a burnt offering, you must offer it to the LORD. For Manoah did not know that he was the angel of the LORD.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And The Angel of LORD JEHOVAH said to MaNoah: “If you will detain me, I will not eat of your bread, and if you will offer up a burnt offering to LORD JEHOVAH, you shall offer it up”, because MaNoah was not aware that he was The Angel of LORD JEHOVAH
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the angel of the LORD said unto Manoah: 'Though thou detain me, I will not eat of thy bread; and if thou wilt make ready a burnt-offering, thou must offer it unto the LORD.' For Manoah knew not that he was the angel of the LORD.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the angel of the Lord said to Manoe, If thou shouldest detain me, I will not eat of thy bread; and if thou wouldest offer a whole-burnt-offering, to the Lord thou shalt offer it: for Manoe knew not that he was an angel of the Lord.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Birth of Samson
15“Please stay here,” Manoah said to the angel of the LORD, “and we will prepare a young goat for you.” 16And the angel of the LORD replied, “Even if I stay, I will not eat your food. But if you prepare a burnt offering, offer it to the LORD.” For Manoah did not know that it was the angel of the LORD. 17Then Manoah said to the angel of the LORD, “What is your name, so that we may honor you when your word comes to pass?”…

Cross References
Genesis 18:2-5
And Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he ran from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground. / “My lord,” said Abraham, “if I have found favor in your sight, please do not pass your servant by. / Let a little water be brought, that you may wash your feet and rest yourselves under the tree. ...

Genesis 19:1-3
Now the two angels arrived at Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gateway of the city. When Lot saw them, he got up to meet them, bowed facedown, / and said, “My lords, please turn aside into the house of your servant; wash your feet and spend the night. Then you can rise early and go on your way.” “No,” they answered, “we will spend the night in the square.” / But Lot insisted so strongly that they followed him into his house. He prepared a feast for them and baked unleavened bread, and they ate.

Exodus 3:2-6
There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a blazing fire from within a bush. Moses saw the bush ablaze with fire, but it was not consumed. / So Moses thought, “I must go over and see this marvelous sight. Why is the bush not burning up?” / When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called out to him from within the bush, “Moses, Moses!” “Here I am,” he answered. ...

Exodus 23:20-23
Behold, I am sending an angel before you to protect you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared. / Pay attention to him and listen to his voice; do not defy him, for he will not forgive rebellion, since My Name is in him. / But if you will listen carefully to his voice and do everything I say, I will be an enemy to your enemies and a foe to your foes. ...

Joshua 5:13-15
Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in His hand. Joshua approached Him and asked, “Are You for us or for our enemies?” / “Neither,” He replied. “I have now come as Commander of the LORD’s army.” Then Joshua fell facedown in reverence and asked Him, “What does my Lord have to say to His servant?” / The Commander of the LORD’s army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.

Judges 6:11-22
Then the angel of the LORD came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to hide it from the Midianites. / And the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon and said, “The LORD is with you, O mighty man of valor.” / “Please, my Lord,” Gideon replied, “if the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us? And where are all His wonders of which our fathers told us, saying, ‘Has not the LORD brought us up out of Egypt?’ But now the LORD has forsaken us and delivered us into the hand of Midian.” ...

1 Kings 19:5-7
Then he lay down under the broom tree and fell asleep. Suddenly an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” / And he looked around, and there by his head was a cake of bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. So he ate and drank and lay down again. / A second time the angel of the LORD returned and touched him, saying, “Get up and eat, or the journey will be too much for you.”

Isaiah 63:9
In all their distress, He too was afflicted, and the Angel of His Presence saved them. In His love and compassion He redeemed them; He lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.

Daniel 3:28
Nebuchadnezzar declared, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent His angel and delivered His servants who trusted in Him. They violated the king’s command and risked their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.

Daniel 6:22
My God sent His angel and shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, for I was found innocent in His sight, and I have done no wrong against you, O king.”

Matthew 4:10-11
“Away from Me, Satan!” Jesus told him. “For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.’” / Then the devil left Him, and angels came and ministered to Him.

Matthew 28:2-5
Suddenly there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, rolled away the stone, and sat on it. / His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. / The guards trembled in fear of him and became like dead men. ...

Luke 1:11-13
Just then an angel of the Lord appeared to Zechariah, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. / When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and gripped with fear. / But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John.

Luke 24:4-7
While they were puzzling over this, suddenly two men in radiant apparel stood beside them. / As the women bowed their faces to the ground in terror, the two men asked them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? / He is not here; He has risen! Remember how He told you while He was still in Galilee: ...

John 1:51
Then He declared, “Truly, truly, I tell you, you will all see heaven open and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”


Treasury of Scripture

And the angel of the LORD said to Manoah, Though you detain me, I will not eat of your bread: and if you will offer a burnt offering, you must offer it to the LORD. For Manoah knew not that he was an angel of the LORD.

I will not.

Judges 13:23
But his wife said unto him, If the LORD were pleased to kill us, he would not have received a burnt offering and a meat offering at our hands, neither would he have shewed us all these things, nor would as at this time have told us such things as these.

Judges 6:26
And build an altar unto the LORD thy God upon the top of this rock, in the ordered place, and take the second bullock, and offer a burnt sacrifice with the wood of the grove which thou shalt cut down.

Jump to Previous
Angel Bread Burnt Burnt-Offering Detain Eat Manoah Mano'ah Offer Offered Offering Ready Realize Shouldst Wilt Won't
Jump to Next
Angel Bread Burnt Burnt-Offering Detain Eat Manoah Mano'ah Offer Offered Offering Ready Realize Shouldst Wilt Won't
Judges 13
1. Israel is delivered into the hands of Philistines
2. An angel appears to Manoah's wife
8. The angel appears to Manoah
15. Manoah's sacrifices, whereby the angel is discovered.
24. Samson is born














And the Angel of the LORD replied
The phrase "Angel of the LORD" is significant in the Old Testament, often interpreted as a theophany, or a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ. The Hebrew word for "angel" is "mal'ak," meaning "messenger." This indicates a divine messenger with a special mission. The Angel's reply suggests a divine authority and purpose, emphasizing the sacred nature of the encounter.

Though you detain Me
The word "detain" implies an attempt to delay or hold back. Manoah's desire to detain the Angel reflects a common human inclination to seek more time or understanding when faced with the divine. It underscores the human desire for connection with the divine, yet also highlights the limitations of human understanding in the presence of God's messengers.

I will not eat your bread
In ancient Near Eastern culture, sharing a meal was a sign of fellowship and covenant. The Angel's refusal to eat Manoah's bread signifies that this encounter is not about human hospitality or social customs but about divine instruction and revelation. It emphasizes the sacredness of the moment and the Angel's otherworldly nature.

But if you prepare a burnt offering
The burnt offering, or "olah" in Hebrew, was a sacrifice of atonement and dedication to God. The Angel redirects Manoah's hospitality into an act of worship, indicating that true communion with God is found in worship and sacrifice, not merely in social customs. This highlights the importance of obedience and reverence in approaching God.

offer it to the LORD
The directive to offer the burnt offering to the LORD, "Yahweh" in Hebrew, underscores the centrality of God in the narrative. It is a reminder that all acts of worship and sacrifice are to be directed to God alone. This instruction points to the exclusivity of worship due to the one true God, a recurring theme throughout the Scriptures.

For Manoah did not know that it was the Angel of the LORD
This phrase reveals Manoah's lack of awareness of the divine nature of his visitor. It reflects a common biblical theme where humans often fail to recognize God's presence among them. This lack of recognition serves as a reminder of the mystery of God's ways and the need for spiritual discernment. It also foreshadows the revelation that will come later, emphasizing the unfolding nature of divine revelation.

(16) Thou must offer it unto the Lord.--Rather, a burnt offering unto the Lord thou mayest offer it. (Comp. Judges 6:20.) Angels invariably discourage and reprove that "worship of angels" (Colossians 2:18), which was the tendency of early Gnostic sects (Daniel 10; Revelation 19:10; Revelation 22:8). The angel might have partaken of earthly food, as we see from Genesis 18:8; Genesis 19:3. Hence Milton says:-- . . . Verse 16. - I will not eat of thy bread, etc. The angel refuses to eat of his meat, but suggests that if he would offer the kid as a burnt offering, he must offer it to the Lord. The angel, perhaps perceiving that Manoah was in doubt as to who he might be, had a holy dread lest he might offer the kid to him, just as the angel whom St. John was about to worship said, "See thou do it not" (Revelation 22:9); and Barnabas and Paul ran in among the people of Lycaonia to restrain them from offering sacrifice to them (Acts 14:14-18). The order of the words, which is rightly given in the A.V., makes it a clear direction to offer the sacrifice to no one but the Lord.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And the Angel
מַלְאַ֨ךְ (mal·’aḵ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4397: A messenger, of God, an angel

of the LORD
יְהוָ֜ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

replied,
וַיֹּאמֶר֩ (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Even if
אִם־ (’im-)
Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

I stay,
תַּעְצְרֵ֙נִי֙ (ta‘·ṣə·rê·nî)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular | first person common singular
Strong's 6113: To inclose, to hold back, to maintain, rule, assemble

I will not
לֹא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

eat
אֹכַ֣ל (’ō·ḵal)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 398: To eat

your food.
בְּלַחְמֶ֔ךָ (bə·laḥ·me·ḵā)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 3899: Food, bread, grain

But if
וְאִם־ (wə·’im-)
Conjunctive waw | Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

you prepare
תַּעֲשֶׂ֣ה (ta·‘ă·śeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

a burnt offering,
עֹלָ֔ה (‘ō·lāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5930: Whole burnt offering

offer
תַּעֲלֶ֑נָּה (ta·‘ă·len·nāh)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

it to the LORD.”
לַיהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

For
כִּ֚י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

Manoah
מָנ֔וֹחַ (mā·nō·w·aḥ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4495: Manoah -- father of Samson

did not
לֹא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

know
יָדַ֣ע (yā·ḏa‘)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3045: To know

He
הֽוּא׃ (hū)
Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

was the Angel
מַלְאַ֥ךְ (mal·’aḵ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4397: A messenger, of God, an angel

of the LORD.
יְהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel


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OT History: Judges 13:16 The angel of Yahweh said to Manoah (Jd Judg. Jdg)
Judges 13:15
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