Judges 13:18

“Why do you ask my name,” said the angel of the LORD, “since it is beyond comprehension?”

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — The angel of the LORD responds to Manoah after Manoah asks what name he should use to honor the speaker when his word is fulfilled. This exchange occurs during the initial divine announcement to Manoah and his wife about the birth of a Nazirite son.

The words — The phrase לָ/מָּה תִשְׁאַל (la/mah tish.'Al) translates literally as “why are you asking,” directly mirroring Manoah’s query in Judges 13:17. The response hinges on the declaration that his name is beyond human comprehension or inquiry.

The thread — This identical refusal to disclose a divine name appears in Genesis 32:29 when Jacob requests the same information from the wrestling figure. Both passages use the same rhetorical question to mark a moment where human curiosity meets divine transcendence.

Why it lands — The text demands recognition that divine authority operates outside human categorization rather than providing a label for control or memorization. It requires the reader to accept the encounter on its own terms without demanding a name to manage the mystery.

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

וַיֹּ֤אמֶרva/i.Yo.merand/ he saidלּוֹ֙l/oto <the>/ himמַלְאַ֣ךְmal.'Akh[the] angel of יְהוָ֔הYah.wehYahweh לָ֥מָּהLa./mah<to>/ why?זֶּ֖הzehthis תִּשְׁאַ֣לtish.'Alare you asking לִשְׁמִ֑יli/sh.M/ito/ name/ my וְהוּא־ve./hu'-and/ it פֶ֛לִאי׃ סFe.li[is] incomprehensible

King James Version

And the angel of the Lord said unto him, Why askest thou thus after my name, seeing it is secret?

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.
Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Judges 13:6 So the woman went and told her husband, “A man of God came to me. His appearance was like the angel of God, exceedingly awesome. I did not ask him where he came from, and he did not tell me his name.