Judges 6:21
Then the angel of the LORD put forth the end of the staff that was in his hand, and touched the flesh and the unleavened cakes; and there rose up fire out of the rock, and consumed the flesh and the unleavened cakes. Then the angel of the LORD departed out of his sight.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּשְׁלַ֞ח
put forth
H7971
וַיִּשְׁלַ֞ח
put forth
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
1 of 24
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
וּמַלְאַ֣ךְ
Then the angel
H4397
וּמַלְאַ֣ךְ
Then the angel
Strong's:
H4397
Word #:
2 of 24
a messenger; specifically, of god, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)
יְהוָ֔ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
3 of 24
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַמִּשְׁעֶ֙נֶת֙
of the staff
H4938
הַמִּשְׁעֶ֙נֶת֙
of the staff
Strong's:
H4938
Word #:
6 of 24
support (abstractly), i.e., (figuratively) sustenance or (concretely) a walking-stick
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
7 of 24
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
בְּיָד֔וֹ
that was in his hand
H3027
בְּיָד֔וֹ
that was in his hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
8 of 24
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
וַיִּגַּ֥ע
and touched
H5060
וַיִּגַּ֥ע
and touched
Strong's:
H5060
Word #:
9 of 24
properly, to touch, i.e., lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphemistically, to lie with a woman); by implication, to reach (figuratively, to arrive
הַבָּשָׂר֙
the flesh
H1320
הַבָּשָׂר֙
the flesh
Strong's:
H1320
Word #:
10 of 24
flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man
הַמַּצּ֔וֹת
and the unleavened cakes
H4682
הַמַּצּ֔וֹת
and the unleavened cakes
Strong's:
H4682
Word #:
11 of 24
properly, sweetness; concretely, sweet (i.e., not soured or bittered with yeast); specifically, an unfermented cake or loaf, or (elliptically) the fes
וַתַּ֨עַל
and there rose up
H5927
וַתַּ֨עַל
and there rose up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
12 of 24
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
מִן
H4480
מִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
14 of 24
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הַצּ֗וּר
out of the rock
H6697
הַצּ֗וּר
out of the rock
Strong's:
H6697
Word #:
15 of 24
properly, a cliff (or sharp rock, as compressed); generally, a rock or boulder; figuratively, a refuge; also an edge (as precipitous)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
17 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַבָּשָׂר֙
the flesh
H1320
הַבָּשָׂר֙
the flesh
Strong's:
H1320
Word #:
18 of 24
flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
19 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַמַּצּ֔וֹת
and the unleavened cakes
H4682
הַמַּצּ֔וֹת
and the unleavened cakes
Strong's:
H4682
Word #:
20 of 24
properly, sweetness; concretely, sweet (i.e., not soured or bittered with yeast); specifically, an unfermented cake or loaf, or (elliptically) the fes
וּמַלְאַ֣ךְ
Then the angel
H4397
וּמַלְאַ֣ךְ
Then the angel
Strong's:
H4397
Word #:
21 of 24
a messenger; specifically, of god, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)
יְהוָ֔ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
22 of 24
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
Cross References
Leviticus 9:24And there came a fire out from before the LORD, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat: which when all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces.1 Kings 18:38Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.2 Chronicles 7:1Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house.
Historical Context
Fire from heaven signifying divine acceptance was established in Levitical worship (Leviticus 9:24). The priests maintained this sacred fire continually (Leviticus 6:12-13). Fire symbolized God's holiness, consuming presence, and acceptance of sacrifice. In Gideon's context, this miraculous fire provided undeniable authentication that he had encountered Yahweh Himself, not a human messenger or deceiving spirit.
Questions for Reflection
- How does fire consuming the sacrifice point to God's holy acceptance of Christ's perfect sacrifice on our behalf?
- What does the Angel's disappearance after accomplishing His purpose teach about God's sovereignty in revelation?
- How should miraculous confirmation affect our confidence in obeying God's calling?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The Angel extends His staff tip to touch the meat and unleavened cakes, causing fire to rise from the rock and consume the offering. The miraculous fire authenticates divine presence, paralleling fire consuming Elijah's sacrifice (1 Kings 18:38), Aaron's first offerings (Leviticus 9:24), and Solomon's temple dedication (2 Chronicles 7:1). The complete consumption signifies God's acceptance. The Angel's immediate disappearance—'departed out of his sight'—confirms His divine nature. Physical theophanies end when their purpose is accomplished.