Old Testament
Judges 13:16
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The angel of the LORD replied, "Even if you keep me here, I won't eat your food. But if you want to prepare a burnt offering, offer it to the LORD." Manoah did not realize that he was speaking to the angel of the LORD.
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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.
What Judges 13:16 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, the angel of the LORD is speaking to Manoah, who is unaware of the divine nature of his visitor. The angel makes it clear that he will not eat Manoah's food, emphasizing that any offerings should be directed to the LORD instead. This highlights the distinction between human offerings and divine worship. Manoah's lack of recognition of the angel's identity suggests a theme of misunderstanding or lack of awareness of God's presence. The angel's refusal to eat signifies that the focus should be on worshiping God rather than trying to please a messenger. This moment sets the stage for Manoah's later actions and the significance of the message he receives about his future son, Samson. It serves as a reminder that divine encounters may come in unexpected forms, and we should be attentive to God's guidance and presence in our lives.
How to apply Judges 13:16 to your life
This verse encourages us to focus our worship and offerings on God rather than on human recognition or approval. It reminds us to be aware of God's presence in our lives and to seek His guidance in all we do, especially in our spiritual practices.
Curated for this public verse page. Judges Summary
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Illustrated scene from Samson's story: A Son Is Promised (Judges 13:1–23)
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Samson
Photo: Zeev Stein / PikiWiki Israel, via Wikimedia Commons. License: CC BY 2.5. Source. Location: Tel Beer Sheva National Park, Israel. Resized for the web.
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Beersheba
Where Abraham and Isaac dug wells and worshiped the LORD, at the southern edge of the land.
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Keep studying Judges 13:16
Related Bible verses
Key themes
Related topics
At a Glance — the Book of Judges
- Author
- Traditionally attributed to Samuel
- Written
- Around 1050-1000 BC
- Genre
- Historical narrative
- Original Audience
- The Israelites living under the judges
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Judges 13:16 mean?
Judges 13:16 describes an encounter between Manoah and the angel of the LORD, where the angel refuses to eat Manoah's food and instructs him to offer any burnt offerings to God instead. This emphasizes the importance of directing worship to God rather than to His messengers.
What is the significance of the angel not eating Manoah's food in Judges 13:16?
The angel's refusal to eat Manoah's food highlights that divine beings do not require human offerings for sustenance. It serves as a reminder that worship should be directed to God alone, reinforcing the distinction between divine and human.
What does the phrase 'offer it to the LORD' mean in Judges 13:16?
The phrase 'offer it to the LORD' in Judges 13:16 means that any burnt offerings should be dedicated to God, emphasizing that true worship is directed to Him rather than to earthly figures.
How does Judges 13:16 relate to the theme of divine encounters?
Judges 13:16 illustrates the theme of divine encounters by showing how Manoah interacts with an angel without realizing his true identity. This highlights the idea that God can communicate with us in unexpected ways, and we should be attentive to His guidance.
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