Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical narrative, the goat is a significant animal often used in sacrificial practices and as a symbol of atonement. The account of Manoah, the father of Samson, provides a notable instance involving a goat, which is found in the Book of Judges.Biblical Context Manoah, a member of the tribe of Dan, is introduced in Judges 13. He and his wife were childless, but an angel of the Lord appeared to Manoah's wife, announcing that she would bear a son who would begin to deliver Israel from the Philistines. This son was to be a Nazirite from birth, dedicated to God, and his hair was never to be cut. The Offering of the Goat After the angel's initial visit to Manoah's wife, she relayed the message to her husband. Manoah prayed for the angel to return to instruct them on how to raise the promised child. God answered his prayer, and the angel appeared again to Manoah's wife. She quickly fetched Manoah, who then asked the angel for guidance on how to raise the boy. In response to this divine encounter, Manoah offered hospitality to the angel, wishing to prepare a meal. However, the angel instructed him to offer a burnt offering to the Lord instead. Manoah then prepared a young goat as a burnt offering, along with a grain offering, and presented it on a rock to the Lord. As the flame blazed up from the altar toward heaven, the angel of the Lord ascended in the flame, and Manoah and his wife fell with their faces to the ground in awe. Scriptural Reference The account of Manoah's offering is detailed in Judges 13:19-20 : "So Manoah took a young goat and a grain offering and offered them on a rock to the LORD, and the LORD did a wonderful thing while Manoah and his wife looked on. As the flame blazed up from the altar toward heaven, the angel of the LORD ascended in the flame. When Manoah and his wife saw this, they fell facedown to the ground." Symbolism and Significance The offering of the goat by Manoah is rich in symbolism. In the Old Testament, goats were commonly used in sacrificial offerings, symbolizing atonement and dedication to God. Manoah's act of offering the goat signifies his obedience and reverence to the divine message and messenger. The miraculous ascent of the angel in the flame underscores the divine approval and the sacredness of the moment. This event also foreshadows the significant role that Manoah's son, Samson, would play in the deliverance of Israel. The offering and the angel's acceptance of it affirm God's covenant and the special calling placed upon Samson even before his birth. Conclusion The account of Manoah and the offering of the goat highlights themes of faith, obedience, and divine intervention. It serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to God's instructions and the profound impact of divine encounters in the lives of the faithful. Nave's Topical Index Judges 13:19So Manoah took a kid with a meat offering, and offered it on a rock to the LORD: and the angel did wondrously; and Manoah and his wife looked on. Nave's Topical Index Library Book 5 Footnotes Appendix xii. The Baptism of Proselytes The Pilgrim's Progress Resources What is the significance of the Greek Empire in biblical history? | GotQuestions.orgWhat were the various sacrifices in the Old Testament? | GotQuestions.org Does the Bible mention Alexander the Great? | GotQuestions.org Goat: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Goat: As a Sacrifice by Abraham Goat: Curtains of the Tabernacle Goat: Designated As One of the Ceremonially Clean Animals to be Eaten Goat: Hair of, Used for Clothing Goat: Nor Seethed in Its Mother's Milk The Goat: (Flock of) of the Church The Goat: Bashan Celebrated For The Goat: Clean and Fit for Food The Goat: First-Born of, not Redeemed The Goat: Flocks of, Always Led by a Male The Goat: Jews had Large Flocks of The Goat: Milk of, Used As Food The Goat: Most Profitable to the Owner The Goat: Offered in Sacrifice The Goat: Skin of, often Used As Clothing The Goat: The Arabians Traded In The Goat: The Hair of Made Into Curtains, for Covering the Tabernacle The Goat: The Hair of Made Into Pillows The Goat: The Hair of Offered for Tabernacle The Goat: The Male, Best for Sacrifice The Goat: The Young of Called Kids The Goat: The Young of Considered a Delicacy The Goat: The Young of Fed Near the Shepherds' Tents The Goat: The Young of Given As a Present The Goat: The Young of Kept in Small Flocks The Goat: The Young of not to be Seethed in Milk of Mother The Goat: The Young of Offered at the Passover The Goat: The Young of Offered in Sacrifice The Goat: when Wild Dwelt in the Hills and Rocks Related Terms Drink-offering (33 Occurrences) Sin-offering (115 Occurrences) Meal-offering (120 Occurrences) Unintentionally (20 Occurrences) Transgressions (64 Occurrences) |
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