Bible Strands
Judges 13:17
Then Manoah said to the angel of the LORD, “What is your name, so that we may honor you when your word comes to pass?”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Manoah addresses the angel of the LORD immediately after the angel declines his food and instructs him to prepare a burnt offering to Yahweh.
The words — The Hebrew phrase מִי שְׁמֶךָ (mi shemekh) literally translates to "who [is] your name?" as Manoah seeks a specific identifier for the divine messenger.
The thread — This query parallels Genesis 32:29, where a divine figure deflects a similar request for a name. The conversation continues in Judges 13:18 when the angel replies that his name is beyond comprehension.
Why it lands — The text records Manoah’s request for a name to properly honor the messenger when the prophecy fulfills. It requires readers to acknowledge that honoring divine revelation does not depend on possessing complete knowledge of its messengers.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And Manoah said unto the angel of the Lord, What is thy name, that when thy sayings come to pass we may do thee honour?
Cross-references
- Genesis 32:29 And Jacob requested, “Please tell me your name.” But he replied, “Why do you ask my name?” Then he blessed Jacob there.