Judges 13:18 Meaning and Explanation
“And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Why askest thou thus after my name, seeing it is secret?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The messenger replies that his name is secret, or wonderful, and not to be asked.
What Does Judges 13:18 Mean?
The messenger declines to give his name, calling it 'secret' -- a word that also carries the sense of 'wonderful,' beyond ordinary understanding. The withholding is not coldness but mystery; this name is too high to be handled like common knowledge.
The reply draws Manoah, and the reader, toward awe. Some things about God are not given to be grasped but to be revered. The very word here echoes the great name spoken in Isaiah's promise of the child to come, 'his name shall be called Wonderful.' In this hidden name, hearts attuned to Scripture catch a foregleam of the One whose glory passes understanding.
Judges 13:18 in the Original Language
pili (פֶּלִאי), 'secret' -- wonderful, beyond comprehension; the same root names the coming child 'Wonderful' in Isaiah 9:6.
Frequently Asked Questions About Judges 13:18
What does Judges 13:18 mean?
The messenger replies that his name is secret, or wonderful, and not to be asked.