Judges 13:18

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Judges 13:18 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And the angel of Jehovah said unto him, Wherefore askest thou after my name, seeing it is wonderful?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And the angel of Jehovah said unto him, Wherefore askest thou after my name, seeing it is wonderful?
Judges 13:18 — American Standard Version

Context — Judges 13

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
18And the angel of Jehovah said unto him, Wherefore askest thou after my name, seeing it is wonderful?

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And the angel of the Lord said unto him, etc.] Being so importunate, and pressing upon him; why askest thou thus after my name, seeing it is secret? and not to be known; as his nature and essence as a divine Person, which may be meant by his name, is what passes knowledge, is infinite and incomprehensible; (see <203004>Proverbs 30:4) or “wonderful” f271; which is one of the names of Christ, and fitly agrees with him, who is wonderful in his person, as God and man; in his incarnation, in his offices and relations, in his love to his people, and in all he is unto them, and has done for them; (see Gill on “<230906>Isaiah 9:6”).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Secret - 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. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Secret - Hidden from mortal men: or, wonderful, such as thou canst not comprehend: my nature and essence, (which is often signified by name in scripture) is incomprehensible. This shews, that this was the angel of the covenant, the Son of God. Judges 13:19”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Why askest: Jdg 13:6; Gen 32:29 secret: or, wonderful, It was because his name was secret that Manoah wished to know it. But the angel does not say it was secret, but hoo pailee, "it is wonderful;" the very character given to the Messiah: "His name shall be called pailai, Wonderful," Isa 9:6. Judges 13:19”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“The angel replied, "Why askest thou then after my name? truly it is wonderful." The Kethibh פלאי is the adjectival form פּלאי from פּלא, for which the Keri has פּלי, the pausal form of פּלי (from the radical פּלה = פּלא). The word therefore is not the proper name of the angel of the Lord, but expresses the character of his name; and as the name simply denotes the nature, it expresses the peculiarity of his nature also. It is to be understood in an absolute sense, - "absolutely and supremely wonderful" (Seb. Schmidt), - as a predicate belonging to God alone (compare the term "Wonderful" in Isa 9:6), and not to be toned down as it is by Bertheau, who explains it as signifying "neither easy to…”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification