New International Version
Judges 13:18
18He replied, “Why do you ask my name? It is beyond understanding.”
Judges 13:18 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)And the angel of the Lord said unto him, Why askest thou thus after my name, seeing it is secret?
- English Standard Version (ESV)And the angel of the Lord said to him, "Why do you ask my name, seeing it is wonderful?"
- New King James Version (NKJV)And the Angel of the Lord said to him, “Why do you ask My name, seeing it is wonderful?”
- New Living Translation (NLT)“Why do you ask my name?” the angel of the Lord replied. “It is too wonderful for you to understand.”
Context of Judges 13:18
16The angel of the Lord replied, “Even though you detain me, I will not eat any of your food. But if you prepare a burnt offering, offer it to the Lord.” (Manoah did not realize that it was the angel of the Lord.) 17Then Manoah inquired of the angel of the Lord, “What is your name, so that we may honor you when your word comes true?” He replied, “Why do you ask my name? It is beyond understanding.” 19Then Manoah took a young goat, together with the grain offering, and sacrificed it on a rock to the Lord. And the Lord did an amazing thing while Manoah and his wife watched: 20As the flame blazed up from the altar toward heaven, the angel of the Lord ascended in the flame. Seeing this, Manoah and his wife fell with their faces to the ground.
Read all of Judges 13Judges 13:18 word by word
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר לּוֹ֙ מַלְאַ֣ךְ יְהוָ֔ה לָ֥מָּה זֶּ֖ה תִּשְׁאַ֣ל לִשְׁמִ֑י וְהוּא־פֶ֛לִאי׃ סRead the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Judges 13:18
- Judges 13:6Then the woman went to her husband and told him, “A man of God came to me. He looked like an angel of God, very awesome. I didn’t ask him where he came from, and he didn’t tell me his name.
- Genesis 32:29Jacob said, “Please tell me your name.” But he replied, “Why do you ask my name?” Then he blessed him there.
- Isaiah 9:6For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Commentaries on Judges 13:18
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 18Seeing it is secret? - It was because it was secret that they wished to know it. The angel does not say that it was secret, but פלאי הוא hu peli it is Wonderful; the very character that is given to Jesus Christ, Isaiah 9:6; : His name shall be called, פלא Wonderful; and it is supposed by some that the angel gives this as his name, and consequently that he was our blessed Lord.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 18Secret - Rather, “wonderful,” as in the margin. In Judges 13:19 the Angel “did wondrously,” probably as the Angel that Appeared to Gideon had done, bringing fire from the rock. See the marginal references and notes.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 15-23Verses 15-23 What Manoah asked for instruction in his duty, he was readily told; but what he asked to gratify his curiosity, was denied. God has in his word given full directions concerning our duty, but never designed to answer other questionings. There are secret things which belong not to us, of which we must be quite contented to be ignorant, while in this world. The name of our Lord is wonderful and secret; but by his wonderful works he makes himself…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 17-18The Lord’s name is a divine secret (Genesis 32:29; Exodus 3:13–14). God knows our names, but we use words of wonder and adoration to address him. The true essence of the infinite cannot be fully expressed or understood by the finite.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 17-2017-20. Manoah said unto the angel ..., What is thy name?--Manoah's request elicited the most unequivocal proofs of the divinity of his supernatural visitor--in his name "secret" (in the Margin, "wonderful"), and in the miraculous flame that betokened the acceptance of the sacrifice. Jud 13:24, 25. Samson Born.Read the comment
Topics related to Judges 13:18
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Judges 13
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- Darby Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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