Judges 13:16

Authorized King James 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 offer a burnt offering, thou must offer it unto the LORD. For Manoah knew not that he was an angel of the LORD.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיֹּאמֶר֩

H559

said

to say (used with great latitude)

מַלְאַ֥ךְ

H4397

And the angel

a messenger; specifically, of god, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)

יְהוָ֖ה

H3068

it unto the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מָנ֔וֹחַ

H4495

For Manoah

manoach, an israelite

וְאִם

H518

and if

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

תַּעְצְרֵ֙נִי֙

H6113

Though thou detain

to inclose; by analogy, to hold back; also to maintain, rule, assemble

לֹֽא

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

אֹכַ֣ל

H398

me I will not eat

to eat (literally or figuratively)

#10

בְּלַחְמֶ֔ךָ

H3899

of thy bread

food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)

#11

וְאִם

H518

and if

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

#12

תַּֽעֲשֶׂ֣ה

H6213

thou wilt offer

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

#13

עֹלָ֔ה

H5930

a burnt offering

a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)

#14

יְהוָ֖ה

H3068

it unto the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

#15

תַּֽעֲלֶ֑נָּה

H5927

thou must offer

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

#16

כִּ֚י

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

#17

לֹֽא

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

#18

יָדַ֣ע

H3045

knew

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

#19

מָנ֔וֹחַ

H4495

For Manoah

manoach, an israelite

#20

כִּֽי

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

#21

מַלְאַ֥ךְ

H4397

And the angel

a messenger; specifically, of god, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)

#22

יְהוָ֖ה

H3068

it unto the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

#23

הֽוּא׃

H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

How might the original audience's understanding of divine sovereignty differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?
How does this verse's literary context within Judges chapter 13 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?

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