What does Judges 13:18 mean?

"And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Why askest thou thus after my name, seeing it is secret?" - Judges 13:18

"And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Why askest thou thus after my name, seeing it is secret?" - Judges 13:18

The book of Judges is one of the historical books in the Old Testament of the Bible, and it contains the story of the Israelites during the time when they were led by a series of judges. The verse Judges 13:18 from the King James Version (KJV) reads as follows:

"And the angel of the Lord said unto him, Why askest thou thus after my name, seeing it is secret?"

This verse comes from the story of the birth of Samson, who was one of the most well-known judges in the book of Judges. Samson's birth was foretold to his parents by an angel of the Lord, and this verse occurs within the context of the angel's conversation with Samson's mother, who was barren at the time.

The angel's response to Samson's mother's question, "Why askest thou thus after my name, seeing it is secret?" carries deep theological and symbolic significance. The use of the term "the angel of the Lord" itself is significant, as it suggests that the angel is a representation of God himself. This idea is reinforced by the angel's response, which emphasizes the mysterious and unknowable nature of God's identity.

In the context of the story, the angel's response serves to highlight the divine nature of the message being delivered. It also emphasizes the incomprehensibility of God to human beings. By stating that his name is "secret," the angel is implying that God's true nature and essence are beyond human understanding. This concept is a recurring theme throughout the Bible and is often used to emphasize the mystery and majesty of God.

The theme of the unknowable nature of God is also reflected in other parts of the Bible, such as in the book of Isaiah, where God declares, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways" (Isaiah 55:8, KJV). This idea is further developed in the New Testament, where the Apostle Paul describes God's wisdom as being "deep and unsearchable" (Romans 11:33, KJV).

The concept of the secrecy of God's name also holds symbolic significance. In biblical times, a person's name was closely associated with their identity and nature. In the case of God, his name is often understood to encompass his attributes and character. By declaring his name to be "secret," the angel is implying that God's true nature transcends human comprehension and cannot be fully grasped by finite minds.

The theme of the secrecy of God's name also has implications for the idea of revelation within the biblical narrative. Throughout the Bible, God progressively reveals himself to humanity, culminating in the ultimate revelation of himself in the person of Jesus Christ. The secrecy of God's name serves to highlight the mysterious and enigmatic nature of God's unfolding revelation to humanity.

In addition to these theological and symbolic implications, the verse also carries relevance for believers today. It serves as a reminder that the God of the Bible is not a mere human invention or a being who can be fully understood and manipulated by human beings. Instead, he is the mysterious and transcendent creator of the universe, whose true nature is beyond human comprehension.

In conclusion, Judges 13:18 from the King James Version of the Bible carries deep theological and symbolic significance, emphasizing the mysterious and unknowable nature of God's identity. It serves as a reminder of the incomprehensibility of God to human beings and the secrecy of his name, as well as the idea of progressive revelation throughout the biblical narrative. This verse continues to hold relevance for believers today, serving as a powerful reminder of the unfathomable nature of the God of the Bible.

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Judges 13:18 Artwork

Judges 13:18 - "And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Why askest thou thus after my name, seeing it is secret?"

Judges 13:18 - "And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Why askest thou thus after my name, seeing it is secret?"

"And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Why askest thou thus after my name, seeing it is secret?" - Judges 13:18

"And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Why askest thou thus after my name, seeing it is secret?" - Judges 13:18

Judges 18:13 - "And they passed thence unto mount Ephraim, and came unto the house of Micah."

Judges 18:13 - "And they passed thence unto mount Ephraim, and came unto the house of Micah."

Exodus 18:13 - "¶ And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses sat to judge the people: and the people stood by Moses from the morning unto the evening."

Exodus 18:13 - "¶ And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses sat to judge the people: and the people stood by Moses from the morning unto the evening."

"And they passed thence unto mount Ephraim, and came unto the house of Micah." - Judges 18:13

"And they passed thence unto mount Ephraim, and came unto the house of Micah." - Judges 18:13

Judges 2:13 - "And they forsook the LORD, and served Baal and Ashtaroth."

Judges 2:13 - "And they forsook the LORD, and served Baal and Ashtaroth."

Judges 13:13 - "And the angel of the LORD said unto Manoah, Of all that I said unto the woman let her beware."

Judges 13:13 - "And the angel of the LORD said unto Manoah, Of all that I said unto the woman let her beware."

Judges 18:18 - "And these went into Micah's house, and fetched the carved image, the ephod, and the teraphim, and the molten image. Then said the priest unto them, What do ye?"

Judges 18:18 - "And these went into Micah's house, and fetched the carved image, the ephod, and the teraphim, and the molten image. Then said the priest unto them, What do ye?"

Judges 12:13 - "¶ And after him Abdon the son of Hillel, a Pirathonite, judged Israel."

Judges 12:13 - "¶ And after him Abdon the son of Hillel, a Pirathonite, judged Israel."

"¶ And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses sat to judge the people: and the people stood by Moses from the morning unto the evening." - Exodus 18:13

"¶ And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses sat to judge the people: and the people stood by Moses from the morning unto the evening." - Exodus 18:13

Judges 18: Micah’s Influence: A Spiritual Ripple Effect

Judges 18: Micah’s Influence: A Spiritual Ripple Effect

Judges 2:18 - "And when the LORD raised them up judges, then the LORD was with the judge, and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge: for it repented the LORD because of their groanings by reason of them that oppressed them and vexed them."

Judges 2:18 - "And when the LORD raised them up judges, then the LORD was with the judge, and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge: for it repented the LORD because of their groanings by reason of them that oppressed them and vexed them."

Judges 18:21 - "So they turned and departed, and put the little ones and the cattle and the carriage before them."

Judges 18:21 - "So they turned and departed, and put the little ones and the cattle and the carriage before them."

Exodus 18:26 - "And they judged the people at all seasons: the hard causes they brought unto Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves."

Exodus 18:26 - "And they judged the people at all seasons: the hard causes they brought unto Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves."

Judges 5:18 - "Zebulun and Naphtali were a people that jeoparded their lives unto the death in the high places of the field."

Judges 5:18 - "Zebulun and Naphtali were a people that jeoparded their lives unto the death in the high places of the field."

Judges 8:13 - "¶ And Gideon the son of Joash returned from battle before the sun was up,"

Judges 8:13 - "¶ And Gideon the son of Joash returned from battle before the sun was up,"

Judges 18:20 - "And the priest's heart was glad, and he took the ephod, and the teraphim, and the graven image, and went in the midst of the people."

Judges 18:20 - "And the priest's heart was glad, and he took the ephod, and the teraphim, and the graven image, and went in the midst of the people."

Judges 13:3 make the Angel of the Lord male

Judges 13:3 make the Angel of the Lord male

Judges 18:8 - "And they came unto their brethren to Zorah and Eshtaol: and their brethren said unto them, What say ye?"

Judges 18:8 - "And they came unto their brethren to Zorah and Eshtaol: and their brethren said unto them, What say ye?"

Judges 1:18 - "Also Judah took Gaza with the coast thereof, and Askelon with the coast thereof, and Ekron with the coast thereof."

Judges 1:18 - "Also Judah took Gaza with the coast thereof, and Askelon with the coast thereof, and Ekron with the coast thereof."

Judges 3:18 - "And when he had made an end to offer the present, he sent away the people that bare the present."

Judges 3:18 - "And when he had made an end to offer the present, he sent away the people that bare the present."

Luke 13:18-19

Luke 13:18-19

Luke 13:18-19

Luke 13:18-19

Judges 18:15 - "And they turned thitherward, and came to the house of the young man the Levite, even unto the house of Micah, and saluted him."

Judges 18:15 - "And they turned thitherward, and came to the house of the young man the Levite, even unto the house of Micah, and saluted him."

Judges 18:6 - "And the priest said unto them, Go in peace: before the LORD is your way wherein ye go."

Judges 18:6 - "And the priest said unto them, Go in peace: before the LORD is your way wherein ye go."

Judges 18:16 - "And the six hundred men appointed with their weapons of war, which were of the children of Dan, stood by the entering of the gate."

Judges 18:16 - "And the six hundred men appointed with their weapons of war, which were of the children of Dan, stood by the entering of the gate."

Judges 13:25 - "And the Spirit of the LORD began to move him at times in the camp of Dan between Zorah and Eshtaol."

Judges 13:25 - "And the Spirit of the LORD began to move him at times in the camp of Dan between Zorah and Eshtaol."

Judges 18:31 - "And they set them up Micah's graven image, which he made, all the time that the house of God was in Shiloh."

Judges 18:31 - "And they set them up Micah's graven image, which he made, all the time that the house of God was in Shiloh."

Psalms 96:13 - "Before the LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth."

Psalms 96:13 - "Before the LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth."

Luke 18:6 - "And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith."

Luke 18:6 - "And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith."