Judges 6:22
New International Version
When Gideon realized that it was the angel of the LORD, he exclaimed, “Alas, Sovereign LORD! I have seen the angel of the LORD face to face!”

New Living Translation
When Gideon realized that it was the angel of the LORD, he cried out, “Oh, Sovereign LORD, I’m doomed! I have seen the angel of the LORD face to face!”

English Standard Version
Then Gideon perceived that he was the angel of the LORD. And Gideon said, “Alas, O Lord GOD! For now I have seen the angel of the LORD face to face.”

Berean Standard Bible
When Gideon realized that it was the angel of the LORD, he said, “Oh no, Lord GOD! I have seen the angel of the LORD face to face!”

King James Bible
And when Gideon perceived that he was an angel of the LORD, Gideon said, Alas, O Lord GOD! for because I have seen an angel of the LORD face to face.

New King James Version
Now Gideon perceived that He was the Angel of the LORD. So Gideon said, “Alas, O Lord GOD! For I have seen the Angel of the LORD face to face.”

New American Standard Bible
When Gideon perceived that he was the angel of the LORD, he said, “Oh, Lord GOD! For I have seen the angel of the LORD face to face!”

NASB 1995
When Gideon saw that he was the angel of the LORD, he said, “Alas, O Lord GOD! For now I have seen the angel of the LORD face to face.”

NASB 1977
When Gideon saw that he was the angel of the LORD, he said, “Alas, O Lord GOD! For now I have seen the angel of the LORD face to face.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And Gideon saw that he was the angel of Yahweh, so he said, “Alas, O Lord Yahweh! For now I have seen the angel of Yahweh face to face.”

Amplified Bible
When Gideon realized [without any doubt] that He was the Angel of the LORD, he declared, “Oh no, Lord GOD! For now I have seen the Angel of the LORD face to face [and I am doomed]!”

Christian Standard Bible
When Gideon realized that he was the angel of the LORD, he said, “Oh no, Lord GOD! I have seen the angel of the LORD face to face! ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When Gideon realized that He was the Angel of the LORD, he said, “Oh no, Lord GOD! I have seen the Angel of the LORD face to face!”

American Standard Version
And Gideon saw that he was the angel of Jehovah; and Gideon said, Alas, O Lord Jehovah! forasmuch as I have seen the angel of Jehovah face to face.

Contemporary English Version
Gideon realized that he had seen one of the LORD's angels. "Oh!" he moaned. "Now I'm going to die."

English Revised Version
And Gideon saw that he was the angel of the LORD; and Gideon said, Alas, O Lord GOD! forasmuch as I have seen the angel of the LORD face to face.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
That's when Gideon realized that this had been the Messenger of the LORD. So he said, "LORD God! I have seen the Messenger of the LORD face to face."

Good News Translation
Gideon then realized that it was the LORD's angel he had seen, and he said in terror, "Sovereign LORD! I have seen your angel face-to-face!"

International Standard Version
When Gideon realized that he had seen the angel of the LORD himself, he cried out, "Oh no! Lord GOD! I've been looking right at the angel of the LORD—and face-to-face at that!"

Majority Standard Bible
When Gideon realized that it was the angel of the LORD, he said, “Oh no, Lord GOD! I have seen the angel of the LORD face to face!”

NET Bible
When Gideon realized that it was the LORD's messenger, he said, "Oh no! Master, LORD! I have seen the LORD's messenger face to face!"

New Heart English Bible
Gideon saw that he was the angel of the LORD; and Gideon said, "Alas, Lord GOD. Because I have seen the angel of the LORD face to face."

Webster's Bible Translation
And when Gideon perceived that he was an angel of the LORD, Gideon said, Alas, O Lord GOD! for because I have seen an angel of the LORD face to face.

World English Bible
Gideon saw that he was Yahweh’s angel; and Gideon said, “Alas, Lord Yahweh! Because I have seen Yahweh’s angel face to face!”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Gideon sees that He [is] the Messenger of YHWH, and Gideon says, “Aah, Lord YHWH! For so I have looked on the Messenger of YHWH face to face!”

Young's Literal Translation
And Gideon seeth that He is a messenger of Jehovah, and Gideon saith, 'Alas, Lord Jehovah! because that I have seen a messenger of Jehovah face to face!'

Smith's Literal Translation
And Gideon will see that he a messenger of Jehovah; and Gideon will say, Ah, Lord Jehovah! for on account that I saw a messenger of Jehovah face to face.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Gedeon seeing that it was the angel of the Lord, said: Alas, my Lord God: for I have seen the angel of the Lord face to face.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And Gideon, realizing that it had been the Angel of the Lord, said: “Alas, my Lord God! For I have seen the Angel of the Lord face to face.”

New American Bible
Gideon, now aware that it had been the messenger of the LORD, said, “Alas, Lord GOD, that I have seen the messenger of the LORD face to face!”

New Revised Standard Version
Then Gideon perceived that it was the angel of the LORD; and Gideon said, “Help me, Lord GOD! For I have seen the angel of the LORD face to face.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And when Gideon perceived that he was an angel of the LORD, Gideon said, Alas, O LORD God! for I have seen the angel of the LORD face to face.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Gedun saw that he was the Angel of LORD JEHOVAH, and Gedun said: “Oh, LORD JEHOVAH God, for I have seen The Angel of LORD JEHOVAH face to face!”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Gideon saw that he was the angel of the LORD; and Gideon said: 'Alas, O Lord GOD! forasmuch as I have seen the angel of the LORD face to face.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Gedeon saw that he was an angel of the Lord; and Gedeon said, Ah, ah, Lord my God! for I have seen the angel of the Lord face to face.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Call of Gideon
21Then the angel of the LORD extended the tip of the staff that was in his hand and touched the meat and the unleavened bread. And fire flared from the rock and consumed the meat and the unleavened bread. Then the angel of the LORD vanished from his sight. 22When Gideon realized that it was the angel of the LORD, he said, “Oh no, Lord GOD! I have seen the angel of the LORD face to face!” 23But the LORD said to him, “Peace be with you. Do not be afraid, for you will not die.”…

Cross References
Genesis 32:30
So Jacob named the place Peniel, saying, “Indeed, I have seen God face to face, and yet my life was spared.”

Exodus 33:20
But He added, “You cannot see My face, for no one can see Me and live.”

Isaiah 6:5
Then I said: “Woe is me, for I am ruined, because I am a man of unclean lips dwelling among a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of Hosts.”

Judges 13:21-22
And when the angel of the LORD did not appear again to Manoah and his wife, Manoah realized that it had been the angel of the LORD. / “We are going to die,” he said to his wife, “for we have seen God!”

Deuteronomy 5:24-26
and you said, “Behold, the LORD our God has shown us His glory and greatness, and we have heard His voice out of the fire. Today we have seen that a man can live even if God speaks with him. / But now, why should we die? For this great fire will consume us, and we will die, if we hear the voice of the LORD our God any longer. / For who of all flesh has heard the voice of the living God speaking out of the fire, as we have, and survived?

Exodus 3:6
Then He said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” At this, Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.

1 Kings 19:13
When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

Daniel 10:17
How can I, your servant, speak with you, my lord? Now I have no strength, nor is any breath left in me.”

Luke 5:8
When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees. “Go away from me, Lord,” he said, “for I am a sinful man.”

Revelation 1:17
When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. But He placed His right hand on me and said, “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last,

Matthew 17:6-7
When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown in terror. / Then Jesus came over and touched them. “Get up,” He said. “Do not be afraid.”

John 1:18
No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is Himself God and is at the Father’s side, has made Him known.

Acts 9:3-5
As Saul drew near to Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. / He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?” / “Who are You, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” He replied.

1 Timothy 6:16
He alone is immortal and dwells in unapproachable light. No one has ever seen Him, nor can anyone see Him. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.

Hebrews 12:21
The sight was so terrifying that even Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.”


Treasury of Scripture

And when Gideon perceived that he was an angel of the LORD, Gideon said, Alas, O LORD God! for because I have seen an angel of the LORD face to face.

perceived

Judges 13:21
But the angel of the LORD did no more appear to Manoah and to his wife. Then Manoah knew that he was an angel of the LORD.

because

Judges 13:22,23
And Manoah said unto his wife, We shall surely die, because we have seen God…

Genesis 16:13
And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?

Genesis 32:30
And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.

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Judges 6
1. The Israelites for their sin are oppressed by Midian
8. A prophet rebukes them
11. An angel sends Gideon for their deliverance
17. Gideon's present is consumed with fire
24. Gideon destroys Baal's altar; offers a sacrifice upon the altar Jehovah-shalom
28. Joash defends his son, and calls him Jerubbaal
33. Gideon's army
36. Gideon's signs














When Gideon realized
The moment of realization for Gideon is pivotal. The Hebrew root for "realized" is "yada," which means to know or perceive. This is not just intellectual acknowledgment but a deep, spiritual awakening. Gideon's realization signifies a turning point, where he moves from doubt to recognition of divine presence. This moment is akin to the spiritual epiphanies experienced by many biblical figures, where God’s reality becomes undeniable.

that it was the Angel of the LORD
The "Angel of the LORD" is a significant figure in the Old Testament, often understood as a theophany, or a manifestation of God Himself. The Hebrew term "mal'ak YHWH" suggests a messenger with divine authority. This encounter is not merely with a celestial being but with God’s presence, indicating the gravity and holiness of the moment. Historically, such appearances are rare and signify God’s direct intervention in human affairs.

he said, 'Oh no, Lord GOD!
Gideon's exclamation, "Oh no, Lord GOD," reflects a common biblical reaction to divine encounters—fear and awe. The Hebrew "Adonai YHWH" combines a title of respect with the sacred name of God, indicating both reverence and personal relationship. This phrase captures the tension between human frailty and the overwhelming holiness of God, a theme prevalent throughout Scripture.

I have seen the Angel of the LORD face to face!
Seeing "face to face" in Hebrew culture implies an intimate and direct encounter. The phrase "panim el panim" suggests a level of closeness that is both terrifying and transformative. In biblical history, such encounters are rare and often life-changing, as seen with Jacob and Moses. Gideon’s fear stems from the belief that seeing God could result in death, highlighting the profound reverence and fear of the divine in ancient Israelite culture.

(22) When Gideon perceived.--The last sign gave him a deeper sense than before of the grandeur of the messenger who had come to him.

Alas !--There is no need to supply "I shall die" at the end of the clause, but that this was the apprehension in Gideon's mind is shown by his cry of alarm.

For because.--Rather, for to this end. The belief that death or misfortune would be the result of looking on any Divine being was universal among the Jews. We find it in Judges 13:22; Genesis 16:13; Genesis 32:30; Exodus 20:19; Deuteronomy 5:24-25. He said, "Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live" (Exodus 33:20; Isaiah 6:5; Luke 5:8). The existence of the same belief among the heathen is shown in the legends of Semele, Actaeon, Psyche, &c.; and Callimachus sings, "Whosoever, save by God's own choice, looks on any of the immortals, sees them only to his own great cost." . . .

Verse 22. - Gideon perceived, etc. Gideon's suspicious were now turned into a certainty. It was indeed God that had spoken to him by his angel (ver. 17). Alas, etc. Gideon speaks thus in terror of the death which he thought must be the penalty of seeing the angel of the Lord (see Judges 13:22, and note). Because. Rather, therefore, or to this end, viz., that I should die.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
When Gideon
גִּדְע֔וֹן (giḏ·‘ō·wn)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1439: Gideon -- a judge of Israel

realized
וַיַּ֣רְא (way·yar)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7200: To see

that
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

it [was]
ה֑וּא (hū)
Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

the Angel
מַלְאַ֥ךְ (mal·’aḵ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4397: A messenger, of God, an angel

of the LORD,
יְהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

he
גִּדְע֗וֹן (giḏ·‘ō·wn)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1439: Gideon -- a judge of Israel

said,
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Oh no,
אֲהָהּ֙ (’ă·hāh)
Interjection
Strong's 162: Alas!

Lord
אֲדֹנָ֣י (’ă·ḏō·nāy)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 136: The Lord

GOD!
יְהוִ֔ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3069: YHWH

I have seen
רָאִ֙יתִי֙ (rā·’î·ṯî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 7200: To see

the Angel
מַלְאַ֣ךְ (mal·’aḵ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4397: A messenger, of God, an angel

of the LORD
יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

face
פָּנִ֖ים (pā·nîm)
Noun - common plural
Strong's 6440: The face

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

face!”
פָּנִֽים׃ (pā·nîm)
Noun - common plural
Strong's 6440: The face


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OT History: Judges 6:22 Gideon saw that he was the angel (Jd Judg. Jdg)
Judges 6:21
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