Judges 6:18
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.
Original Language Analysis
אַל
H408
אַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
1 of 17
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
נָ֨א
H4994
נָ֨א
Strong's:
H4994
Word #:
2 of 17
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
תָמֻ֤שׁ
Depart
H4185
תָמֻ֤שׁ
Depart
Strong's:
H4185
Word #:
3 of 17
to withdraw (both literally and figuratively, whether intransitive or transitive)
מִזֶּה֙
H2088
עַד
H5704
עַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
5 of 17
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
בֹּאִ֣י
not hence I pray thee until I come
H935
בֹּאִ֣י
not hence I pray thee until I come
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
6 of 17
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
וְהֹֽצֵאתִי֙
unto thee and bring forth
H3318
וְהֹֽצֵאתִי֙
unto thee and bring forth
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
8 of 17
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מִנְחָתִ֔י
my present
H4503
מִנְחָתִ֔י
my present
Strong's:
H4503
Word #:
10 of 17
a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)
וְהִנַּחְתִּ֖י
and set
H3240
וְהִנַּחְתִּ֖י
and set
Strong's:
H3240
Word #:
11 of 17
to deposit; by implication, to allow to stay
לְפָנֶ֑יךָ
it before
H6440
לְפָנֶ֑יךָ
it before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
12 of 17
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
אֵשֵׁ֖ב
I will tarry
H3427
אֵשֵׁ֖ב
I will tarry
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
15 of 17
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
Cross References
Genesis 18:5And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts; after that ye shall pass on: for therefore are ye come to your servant. And they said, So do, as thou hast said.Genesis 18:3And said, My Lord, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant:Judges 13:15And Manoah said unto the angel of the LORD, I pray thee, let us detain thee, until we shall have made ready a kid for thee.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern hospitality customs required hosts to provide food and shelter to travelers. Gideon's offering preparation would involve slaughtering a young goat, preparing unleavened bread, and making broth—tasks requiring significant time and resources. That Gideon possessed a young goat despite Midianite depredation suggests either recent respite from raids or careful hiding of livestock. The meal's components parallel later sacrificial elements.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Gideon's desire to prepare an offering demonstrate proper reverence when encountering God?
- What preparation is appropriate before approaching God in worship?
- How does God's patience in waiting for Gideon's preparation reveal His grace toward sincere but uncertain believers?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Gideon asks the Angel to wait while he prepares an offering: 'Depart not hence, I pray thee, until I come unto thee, and bring forth my present.' The term 'present' (minchah, מִנְחָה) denotes both offerings to God and gifts to honored persons, showing Gideon's growing recognition of his visitor's significance. His request demonstrates hospitality customs and worship instincts—encountering the divine requires appropriate response. The Angel's consent to wait reveals divine patience with sincere seekers. This preparation time allowed Gideon to process the extraordinary encounter and prepare a worthy offering.