Judges 13:20 Meaning and Explanation
“For it came to pass, when the flame went up toward heaven from off the altar, that the angel of the LORD ascended in the flame of the altar. And Manoah and his wife looked on it, and fell on their faces to the ground.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →As the altar flame rises, the messenger ascends in it, and Manoah and his wife fall facedown in worship.
What Does Judges 13:20 Mean?
The wonder is revealed: as the flame rises from the altar toward heaven, the angel of the Lord ascends within it and is gone. The visitor was no mere man. Overwhelmed, Manoah and his wife fall on their faces to the ground -- the only fitting response to such a sight.
Their prostration is pure worship, the bowing of those who suddenly know they stand on holy ground. The flame that carried the messenger upward turns their wonder into reverence. When the nearness of God breaks through, the heart's right posture is humility, falling low before the glory it cannot contain. What began as a meal has ended in awe before the living God.
Frequently Asked Questions About Judges 13:20
What does Judges 13:20 mean?
As the altar flame rises, the messenger ascends in it, and Manoah and his wife fall facedown in worship.