◄ Judges 13:21 ►
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.
Study Bible
And when the angel of the LORD did not appear again to Manoah and his wife
This phrase indicates a significant moment of divine encounter. The "angel of the LORD" is a recurring figure in the Old Testament, often seen as a theophany, or a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ. The angel's departure signifies the completion of his message, which was to announce the birth of Samson, a future judge of Israel. The absence of further appearances emphasizes the finality and sufficiency of the divine message delivered. This encounter is reminiscent of other angelic visitations, such as those to Abraham and Sarah (Genesis 18) and to Gideon (Judges 6), where the angel's presence signifies God's direct intervention in human affairs.

Manoah realized that it had been the angel of the LORD
Manoah's realization marks a moment of spiritual insight and recognition of divine presence. Initially, Manoah and his wife did not fully comprehend the identity of their visitor. This realization is crucial as it underscores the holiness and authority of the message they received. The recognition of the angel of the LORD often leads to a deeper understanding of God's will and purpose, as seen in other biblical narratives. This moment parallels the recognition of divine messengers in other scriptures, such as Jacob's encounter at Peniel (Genesis 32:30) and the disciples' realization of Jesus' identity post-resurrection (Luke 24:31). The acknowledgment of the angel's true identity also reflects the broader biblical theme of God revealing Himself progressively to His people.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Manoah
The father of Samson, Manoah is a Danite who, along with his wife, receives a divine promise of a son who will begin to deliver Israel from the Philistines.

2. Manoah's Wife
Though unnamed in the text, she is the mother of Samson. She is initially visited by the Angel of the LORD and receives the prophecy of Samson's birth.

3. The Angel of the LORD
A divine messenger who appears to Manoah and his wife, delivering the promise of Samson's birth and instructing them on how to raise him as a Nazirite.

4. Zorah
The town in the territory of Dan where Manoah and his wife live.

5. The Offering
Manoah offers a burnt offering to the LORD, during which the Angel of the LORD ascends in the flame, confirming the divine nature of the message.
Teaching Points
Divine Encounters
Recognize that God often reveals Himself in unexpected ways and through unexpected people. Be open to His presence in your daily life.

Faith and Obedience
Manoah and his wife demonstrate faith by preparing the offering and following the Angel's instructions. Trust and obey God's guidance even when the path is unclear.

God's Sovereignty
The Angel's ascension in the flame signifies God's control over nature and His plans. Rest in the assurance that God is sovereign over your circumstances.

Miraculous Births
The birth of Samson, like other miraculous births in the Bible, points to God's power to bring about His purposes through human history. Reflect on how God can use your life for His purposes.

Worship and Reverence
Manoah's response to the divine encounter was worship. Cultivate a heart of worship and reverence for God in all aspects of life.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the appearance of the Angel of the LORD to Manoah and his wife challenge or affirm your understanding of divine encounters today?

2. In what ways can you demonstrate faith and obedience in your current life situation, as Manoah and his wife did?

3. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's sovereignty in your life. How did it impact your faith journey?

4. How do the miraculous births in the Bible, including Samson's, encourage you to trust in God's plans for your life?

5. What practical steps can you take to cultivate a heart of worship and reverence for God in your daily routine?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 16
The appearance of the Angel of the LORD to Hagar parallels the divine encounter with Manoah's wife, emphasizing God's intervention in human affairs.

Exodus 3
The burning bush where God speaks to Moses is similar to the divine presence in the flame of Manoah's offering, highlighting God's holiness and power.

Luke 1
The announcement of John the Baptist's birth to Zechariah and Elizabeth mirrors the announcement to Manoah and his wife, both involving miraculous births and divine missions.
Sermons
Cheer for the Faint-HeartedSpurgeon, Charles HaddonJudges 13:1-25
Education of ChildrenW. A. Scott, D. D.Judges 13:1-25
Fears RemovedW. Jay.Judges 13:1-25
God and His PeopleThomas Kirk.Judges 13:1-25
God's Past Mercies a Ground of Hope for the FutureW. A. Scott, D. D.Judges 13:1-25
Manoah and His WifeHomilistJudges 13:1-25
Manoah and His WifeR. Halley, D. D.Judges 13:1-25
Manoah's WifeJ. Parker, D. D.Judges 13:1-25
Manoah's Wife and Her Excellent ArgumentSpurgeon, Charles HaddonJudges 13:1-25
Money Bequeathed by Parents to Their ChildrenW. Arnot.Judges 13:1-25
Mysteries of ProvidenceA. P. Peabody.Judges 13:1-25
Past Tokens of Divine Favour an Encouragement Against FearsJudges 13:1-25
Some Lessons of CatastrophesJohn Jamieson, M. A., Arthur Ritchie.Judges 13:1-25
The Angelic Appearances to Manoah and His WifeH. J. Bevis.Judges 13:1-25
The Spectacle of Life and the Opposite Conclusions Drawn from ItW. W. Newton.Judges 13:1-25
The Spirit WorldHomilistJudges 13:1-25
Unrecognised AngelsWm. Ewen, B. D.Judges 13:1-25
People
Dan, Danites, Manoah, Samson
Places
Eshtaol, Mahaneh-dan, Pirathon, Zorah
Topics
Added, Angel, Appear, Appeared, Clear, Manoah, Mano'ah, Messenger, Realized, Wife
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Judges 13:2-23

     8474   seeing God

Judges 13:2-25

     5652   babies

Judges 13:3-22

     1511   Trinity, relationships in
     5976   visiting

Judges 13:19-22

     4140   angel of the Lord

Judges 13:20-21

     4195   spirits

Judges 13:20-22

     1045   God, glory of
     8138   monotheism

Library
The Wonderful.
Isaiah ix:6. HIS name shall be called "Wonderful" (Isaiah ix:6). And long before Isaiah had uttered this divine prediction the angel of the Lord had announced his name to be Wonderful. As such He appeared to Manoah. And Manoah said unto the angel of Jehovah, What is thy name, that when thy sayings come to pass we may do thee honor. And the angel of Jehovah said unto Him "why askest thou thus after my name, seeing it is Wonderful" (margin, Judges xiii:17-18). This angel of Jehovah, the Person who …
Arno Gaebelein—The Lord of Glory

Of the Name of God
Exod. iii. 13, 14.--"And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them? And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you." We are now about this question, What God is. But who can answer it? Or, if answered, who can understand it? It should astonish us in …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Gen. xxxi. 11
Of no less importance and significance is the passage Gen. xxxi. 11 seq. According to ver. 11, the Angel of God, [Hebrew: mlaK halhiM] appears toJacob in a dream. In ver. 13, the same person calls himself the God of Bethel, with reference to the event recorded in chap. xxviii. 11-22. It cannot be supposed that in chap xxviii. the mediation of a common angel took place, who, however, had not been expressly mentioned; for Jehovah is there contrasted with the angels. In ver. 12, we read: "And behold …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Characters and Names of Messiah
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. S uch was the triumphant exultation of the Old Testament Church! Their noblest hopes were founded upon the promise of MESSIAH; their most sublime songs were derived from the prospect of His Advent. By faith, which is the substance of things hoped for, they considered the gracious declarations …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1

Mothers, Daughters, and Wives in Israel
In order accurately to understand the position of woman in Israel, it is only necessary carefully to peruse the New Testament. The picture of social life there presented gives a full view of the place which she held in private and in public life. Here we do not find that separation, so common among Orientals at all times, but a woman mingles freely with others both at home and abroad. So far from suffering under social inferiority, she takes influential and often leading part in all movements, specially …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

The Incarnation.
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that hath been made. In Him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in the darkness; and the darkness apprehended it not. There came a man, sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for witness, that he might bear witness of the light, that all might believe through him. He was …
Marcus Dods—The Expositor's Bible: The Gospel of St. John, Vol. I

A Cloud of Witnesses.
"By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even concerning things to come. By faith Jacob, when he was a-dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, when his end was nigh, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.... By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they had been compassed about for seven days. By faith Rahab the harlot perished not with them that were disobedient, …
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews

The Doctrine of God
I. THE EXISTENCE OF GOD: (Vs. Atheism). 1. ASSUMED BY THE SCRIPTURES. 2. PROOFS OF THE EXISTENCE OF GOD. a) Universal belief in the Existence of God. b) Cosmological:--Argument from Cause. c) Teleological:--Argument from Design. d) Ontological:--Argument from Being. e) Anthropological:--Moral Argument. f) Argument from Congruity. g) Argument from Scripture. II. THE NATURE OF GOD: (Vs. Agnosticism) 1. THE SPIRITUALITY OF GOD: (Vs. Materialism). 2. THE PERSONALITY OF GOD: (Vs. Pantheism). 3. THE UNITY …
Rev. William Evans—The Great Doctrines of the Bible

A Treatise of the Fear of God;
SHOWING WHAT IT IS, AND HOW DISTINGUISHED FROM THAT WHICH IS NOT SO. ALSO, WHENCE IT COMES; WHO HAS IT; WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS; AND WHAT THE PRIVILEGES OF THOSE THAT HAVE IT IN THEIR HEARTS. London: Printed for N. Ponder, at the Peacock in the Poultry, over against the Stocks market: 1679. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom," and "a fountain of life"--the foundation on which all wisdom rests, as well as the source from whence it emanates. Upon a principle …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Of the Power of Making Laws. The Cruelty of the Pope and his Adherents, in this Respect, in Tyrannically Oppressing and Destroying Souls.
1. The power of the Church in enacting laws. This made a source of human traditions. Impiety of these traditions. 2. Many of the Papistical traditions not only difficult, but impossible to be observed. 3. That the question may be more conveniently explained, nature of conscience must be defined. 4. Definition of conscience explained. Examples in illustration of the definition. 5. Paul's doctrine of submission to magistrates for conscience sake, gives no countenance to the Popish doctrine of the obligation …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion

Annunciation to Zacharias of the Birth of John the Baptist.
(at Jerusalem. Probably b.c. 6.) ^C Luke I. 5-25. ^c 5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judæa [a Jewish proselyte, an Idumæan or Edomite by birth, founder of the Herodian family, king of Judæa from b.c. 40 to a.d. 4, made such by the Roman Senate on the recommendation of Mark Antony and Octavius Cæsar], a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course [David divided the priests into twenty-four bodies or courses, each course serving in rotation one week in the temple …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Judges
For the understanding of the early history and religion of Israel, the book of Judges, which covers the period from the death of Joshua to the beginning of the struggle with the Philistines, is of inestimable importance; and it is very fortunate that the elements contributed by the later editors are so easily separated from the ancient stories whose moral they seek to point. That moral is most elaborately stated in ii. 6-iii. 6, which is a sort of programme or preface to iii. 7-xvi. 31, which constitutes …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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