Judges 13:16 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The messenger declines the meal but directs Manoah to offer a burnt offering to the LORD; Manoah still does not realize who he is.
What Does Judges 13:16 Mean?
The angel will not accept the meal as an ordinary guest. Instead he redirects Manoah's generosity upward: if you would offer anything, offer it 'unto the LORD.' The narrator pauses to note that Manoah still does not grasp the identity of his visitor.
The messenger gently turns Manoah's hospitality into worship. What was meant for a guest belongs rightly to God. There is instruction here for every honest heart: the impulse to give is good, but it finds its true home when directed to the Lord Himself. God does not need our bread; He invites our worship, and He patiently leads even those who do not yet fully see toward offering Him their best.
Judges 13:16 in the Original Language
olah (עֹלָה), 'burnt offering' -- a sacrifice wholly consumed by fire, given entirely to God.
Frequently Asked Questions About Judges 13:16
What does Judges 13:16 mean?
The messenger declines the meal but directs Manoah to offer a burnt offering to the LORD; Manoah still does not realize who he is.