And the angel of the LORD said to Manoah, “If you detain me, I will not eat of your food. But if you prepare a burnt offering, then offer it to the LORD.” (For Manoah did not know that he was the angel of the LORD.)
English Standard Version (ESV)
The angel's instruction, "offer it to the LORD," highlights a crucial misunderstanding: Manoah thought he was speaking to a prophet, not God Himself. This correction isn't about avoiding worship of an angel, but a foundational reminder that all sacrifice and homage are due to Yahweh alone, especially when His divine presence is manifesting.
And the angel of the LORD said to Manoah, “If you detain me, I will not eat of your food. But if you prepare a burnt offering, then offer it to the LORD.” (For Manoah did not know that he was the angel of the LORD.)
English Standard Version (ESV)
Manoah, seeking to honor the divine messenger who appeared to his wife with news of their future son Samson, attempts to offer him food. The angel, however, gently redirects Manoah, explaining that he will not partake of earthly food and instructing him to offer any sacrifice specifically to the LORD. This correction stems from Manoah's misunderstanding of the angel's true identity, as he still believes him to be a mere mortal or prophet.
Manoah wants to host the divine visitor with a meal. But the angel's response reveals something profound about his nature and the nature of true worship.
The angel of the LORD makes it clear that he does not subsist on earthly food.
Manoah is preparing a meal for who he thinks is a prophet, or at least a special messenger. The angel's careful correction points to a deeper truth about God's identity and how we relate to Him.
The core of the angel's message is to clarify his identity and the proper recipient of worship.
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Understand the original words
mal'akh Yahweh · Hebrew Noun
Refers to a divine messenger or representative of God, often carrying the authority and presence of God Himself, particularly in the Old Testament where the phrase sometimes refers to a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ.
'olah · Hebrew Noun
An offering burned completely on an altar to God, signifying total dedication, atonement, and the sweet-smelling savor of a life surrendered to Him.
Manoah's interaction with the divine messenger occurs during a time of Israel's spiritual and national weakness. The angel's insistence on the sacrifice being directed solely to the Lord highlights the rampant idolatry of the era and emphasizes that true deliverance comes only from Yahweh, not from any created being, whether human or angelic.
c. 1170-1130 BC
Period of Israelite Oppression
The book of Judges describes a cycle where Israel sins, falls under foreign oppression, cries out to God, and is then delivered by a judge. This era was marked by significant foreign influence and internal spiritual decline.
c. 1160 BC
Philistine Domination
The Philistines, a seafaring people who had settled on the southern coast of Canaan, were a major oppressive force during the period of the judges, exerting significant control over the Israelites.
c. 1150 BC
Divine Promise to Manoah's Wife
An angel of the Lord appears to the barren wife of Manoah, promising that she will conceive a son who will begin to save Israel from the Philistines. This marks the beginning of the Samson narrative.
c. 1150 BC
Angel Appears to Manoah
After his wife tells him of the vision, the angel of the Lord appears again, this time to Manoah and his wife, confirming the prophecy and giving specific instructions regarding the child's upbringing as a Nazirite.
c. 1150 BC— this verse
Manoah Offers a Burnt Offering
Manoah, not recognizing the visitor as an angel of the Lord, attempts to offer hospitality. The angel directs him to prepare a burnt offering, emphasizing that it is to be presented to the Lord.
c. 1150 BC
Angel Ascends in Flame
As Manoah offers the sacrifice, the angel of the Lord ascends in the flame of the altar, revealing his divine nature to Manoah and his wife. This miraculous event confirms the divine message and sparks Manoah's fear.
This passage shows a similar instance where a divine visitor, who is later revealed to be the Lord with two angels, eats food prepared for him, highlighting the distinct nature of the angel's refusal in Judges to Manoah. It illustrates that while some heavenly beings can partake of earthly food, this specific angel's refusal carries a deeper message.
John 14:8-9Philip's request to 'show us the Father' mirrors Manoah's confusion about the angel's identity and nature. Jesus' response, 'Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father,' emphasizes the divine identity that Manoah failed to recognize in the angel of the LORD.
Acts 14:14-15When the crowd in Lystra wanted to offer sacrifices to Barnabas and Paul, the apostles tore their clothes and cried out, 'Men, why are you doing these things? We too are only human beings, human like you!' This parallels the angel's rejection of worship and his redirection of Manoah to offer sacrifice to the Lord alone, preventing idolatry.
Revelation 19:10When John fell down to worship the angel in Revelation, the angel said, 'Do not do this! I am your fellow servant... Worship God!' This strong admonition echoes the angel's instruction to Manoah, underscoring the strict prohibition against worshipping any created being, including angels.
Hebrews 1:14This verse describes angels as 'all ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation.' It helps explain the angel's role as a messenger and servant of the Lord, clarifying why he would direct Manoah to offer sacrifice to God rather than accept it himself.
gillJudges 13:16: "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."
And the angel of the Lord said unto Manoah,.... In answer to his request: though thou detain me, I will not eat of thy bread; that is, should he be prevailed upon to stay awhile with him, until an entertainment should be got ready, he would not eat of any of…
clarkeJudges 13:16: "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."
I will not eat of thy bread - As I am a spiritual being, I subsist not by earthly food. And if thou wilt offer a burnt-offering - Neither shall I receive that homage which belongs to God; thou must therefore offer thy burnt-offering to Jehovah.
The angel's instruction, "offer it to the LORD," highlights a crucial misunderstanding: Manoah thought he was speaking to a prophet, not God Himself. This correction isn't about avoiding worship of an angel, but a foundational reminder that all sacrifice and homage are due to Yahweh alone, especially when His divine presence is manifesting.
Manoah, seeking to honor the divine messenger who appeared to his wife with news of their future son Samson, attempts to offer him food. The angel, however, gently redirects Manoah, explaining that he will not partake of earthly food and instructing him to offer any sacrifice specifically to the LORD. This correction stems from Manoah's misunderstanding of the angel's true identity, as he still believes him to be a mere mortal or prophet.
Manoah, seeking to honor the divine messenger who appeared to his wife with news of their future son Samson, attempts to offer him food. The angel, however, gently redirects Manoah, explaining that he will not partake of earthly food and instructing him to offer any sacrifice specifically to the LORD. This correction stems from Manoah's misunderstanding of the angel's true identity, as he still believes him to be a mere mortal or prophet.
"And the angel of the LORD said to Manoah, “If you detain me, I will not eat of your food. But if you prepare a burnt offering, then offer it to the LORD.” (For Manoah did not know that he was the angel of the LORD.)" — The angel's instruction, "offer it to the LORD," highlights a crucial misunderstanding: Manoah thought he was speaking to a prophet, not God Himself. This correction isn't about avoiding worship of a…
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Last reviewed October 2026