And the angel of the LORD said unto Manoah, Though thou detain me, I will not eat of thy bread: and if thou wilt offer a burnt offering, thou must offer it unto the LORD. For Manoah knew not that he was an angel of the LORD.
The angel of the LORD said to Manoah, 'Even if you ask me to stay, I won't eat your food. But if you want to make a burnt offering, you must offer it to the LORD.' Manoah didn't realize that this was an angel of the LORD.
The angel politely refuses Manoah's hospitality but redirects him to worship God instead, while Manoah remains unaware he's speaking with a heavenly messenger.
📚 Historical Context
This occurs when the angel of the LORD appeared to announce Samson's birth to his parents. In ancient Near Eastern culture, hospitality was sacred - offering food to visitors was expected and considered honorable. Manoah was following proper customs by inviting his divine visitor to eat, not knowing he was entertaining an angel.
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