And Manoah said unto the angel of the LORD, I pray thee, let us detain thee, until we shall have made ready a kid for thee.

JUDGES 13:15KJV
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Judges 13:15 (KJV)

What does Judges 13:15 mean?

Judges 13:15 shows Manoah asking the angel of the LORD to stay while he prepares a young goat as a meal or offering. Manoah wants to honor this visitor, not yet realizing the angel’s true identity.

Manoah, Samson’s father, is speaking to the angel of the LORD during a mysterious visit. Manoah’s request is a gesture of hospitality and respect, common in ancient times when hosting a guest. The verse sets up the following events, where Manoah and his wife come to realize they are encountering a divine messenger.

The Hebrew behind Judges 13:15

  • The word for "detain" is עָצַר (ʿatsar), which often means to hold back or restrain. Here, it shows Manoah’s eagerness to keep the angel present, highlighting his desire for further interaction or blessing.
  • The word for "kid" is גְּדִי (gəḏî), meaning a young goat. In ancient Israel, offering a young goat was a sign of honor or could be part of a sacrifice, showing Manoah’s respect and possibly his uncertainty about how to respond to the angel.

Why Judges 13:15 matters

  • The verse helps clarify Manoah’s respectful attitude and his uncertainty about the angel’s identity, showing that he treats the visitor as an honored guest.
  • It connects to the larger story by building suspense and anticipation for the angel’s true nature to be revealed.
  • The hospitality shown here is typical of ancient Near Eastern culture, helping modern readers understand the customs and expectations of the time.

Where else these words appear

“Manoah” Hebrew H4495 · used in 14 verses

  • Judges 13:2 And there was a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren, and bare not.
  • Judges 13:12 And Manoah said, Now let thy words come to pass. How shall we order the child, and how shall we do unto him?
  • Judges 13:19 So Manoah took a kid with a meat offering, and offered it upon a rock unto the LORD: and the angel did wondrously; and Manoah and his wife looked on.

“kid” Hebrew H1423 · used in 16 verses

  • Genesis 27:9 Go now to the flock, and fetch me from thence two good kids of the goats; and I will make them savoury meat for thy father, such as he loveth:
  • Exodus 23:19 The first of the firstfruits of thy land thou shalt bring into the house of the LORD thy God. Thou shalt not seethe a kid in his mother's milk.
  • Judges 14:6 And the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and he rent him as he would have rent a kid, and he had nothing in his hand: but he told not his father or his mother what he had done.

“detain” Hebrew H6113 · used in 45 verses

  • Genesis 16:2 And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai.
  • 1 Kings 14:10 Therefore, behold, I will bring evil upon the house of Jeroboam, and will cut off from Jeroboam him that pisseth against the wall, and him that is shut up and left in Israel, and will take away the remnant of the house of Jeroboam, as a man taketh away dung, till it be all gone.
  • 2 Chronicles 20:37 Then Eliezer the son of Dodavah of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, Because thou hast joined thyself with Ahaziah, the LORD hath broken thy works. And the ships were broken, that they were not able to go to Tarshish.

“kid” Hebrew H5795 · used in 74 verses

  • Genesis 15:9 And he said unto him, Take me an heifer of three years old, and a she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon.
  • Leviticus 9:3 And unto the children of Israel thou shalt speak, saying, Take ye a kid of the goats for a sin offering; and a calf and a lamb, both of the first year, without blemish, for a burnt offering;
  • Numbers 28:30 And one kid of the goats, to make an atonement for you.