Let's break down the meaning of Judges 13:19:
"So Manoah took the young goat with the meal offering..." Manoah is following instructions from the angel of Yahweh (God). He is preparing a sacrifice. The "young goat" is the animal being sacrificed, and the "meal offering" is likely a grain offering, a common accompaniment to animal sacrifices. These were acts of worship and seeking divine favor or guidance.
"...and offered it on the rock to Yahweh." Manoah is performing the sacrificial act on a rock, which likely served as an altar. He's directing the offering "to Yahweh," which is the Hebrew name for God, demonstrating that he is acknowledging and worshipping the true God.
"Then the angel did an amazing thing as Manoah and his wife watched." This is the pivotal part of the verse. It sets up the expectation of a miraculous event. The "amazing thing" isn't described immediately but leads into the next verses where the angel ascends to heaven in the flame of the altar, thus confirming their encounter was truly divine. The fact that both Manoah and his wife are witnesses emphasizes the validity and importance of the event.
In essence, this verse describes:
An act of worship and sacrifice being performed by Manoah.
The setting for a divine intervention.
A promise of a sign or miracle that validates the encounter with the angel and the message he brought.
Context is crucial: This verse is part of the story of Samson's birth. The angel had appeared to Manoah's wife (who was barren) and told her that she would conceive and give birth to a son who would begin to deliver Israel from the Philistines. Manoah prayed that the angel would return to give them further instructions on how to raise the child. This sacrifice is a way for Manoah and his wife to honor God and seek further confirmation and guidance. The "amazing thing" that follows is the dramatic confirmation that their encounter was indeed with a divine messenger, setting the stage for Samson's extraordinary life.
Let's break down the meaning of Judges 13:19:
"So Manoah took the young goat with the meal offering..." Manoah is following instructions from the angel of Yahweh (God). He is preparing a sacrifice. The "young goat" is the animal being sacrificed, and the "meal offering" is likely a grain offering, a common accompaniment to animal sacrifices. These were acts of worship and seeking divine favor or guidance.
"...and offered it on the rock to Yahweh." Manoah is performing the sacrificial act on a rock, which likely served as an altar. He's directing the offering "to Yahweh," which is the Hebrew name for God, demonstrating that he is acknowledging and worshipping the true God.
"Then the angel did an amazing thing as Manoah and his wife watched." This is the pivotal part of the verse. It sets up the expectation of a miraculous event. The "amazing thing" isn't described immediately but leads into the next verses where the angel ascends to heaven in the flame of the altar, thus confirming their encounter was truly divine. The fact that both Manoah and his wife are witnesses emphasizes the validity and importance of the event.
In essence, this verse describes:
An act of worship and sacrifice being performed by Manoah.
The setting for a divine intervention.
A promise of a sign or miracle that validates the encounter with the angel and the message he brought.
Context is crucial: This verse is part of the story of Samson's birth. The angel had appeared to Manoah's wife (who was barren) and told her that she would conceive and give birth to a son who would begin to deliver Israel from the Philistines. Manoah prayed that the angel would return to give them further instructions on how to raise the child. This sacrifice is a way for Manoah and his wife to honor God and seek further confirmation and guidance. The "amazing thing" that follows is the dramatic confirmation that their encounter was indeed with a divine messenger, setting the stage for Samson's extraordinary life.