Judges 13

6–14 The woman then went and told her husband Manoah what the man of God had said (verses 6–7). Manoah was concerned about how to raise such an unusual child, and so he prayed to the Lord that He might send the “man of God” back again with further instructions (verse 8). The angel came again; but when Manoah asked him what would be the rule for the boy’s life and work, the angel didn’t answer directly (verse 12). He had already told Manoah’s wife all they needed to know (verse 5).

15–18 Manoah and his wife surely sensed there was something unusual about this man of God (verse 6). But still not realizing he was an angel, they offered to give him a meal (verse 15) in accordance with the customs of the time (see Genesis 18:1–8; Judges 6:17–19). The angel declined and told Manoah to offer the goat to the Lord instead (verse 16). Then Manoah asked to know the angel’s name; names were very important in biblical times (Genesis 32:29). But the angel merely said that his name was beyond understanding (verse 18)—an expression which in Hebrew⁶³ can also mean “wonderful.”

19–21 Manoah then offered a burnt offering and a grain offering to the Lord⁶⁴ (verses16,19). When Manoah and his wife saw the angel ascend in the flame, they knew then he was indeed the angel of the Lord (verse 21). Gideon had a similar experience when he made an offering in the presence of the angel (Judges 6:20–22).

22–25 Manoah was afraid he and his wife would die (verse 22) because they had seen God (see Exodus 33:20; Judges 6:23). But his wife’s common sense reassured him. In due course Samson was born, just as the angel had said.