“What is thy name, that when thy sayings come to pass we may do thee honour?”
The full verse · Judges 13:17 · KJV
And unto the of the , What is thy , that when thy come to we may do thee ?
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Asked to
The Angel of the LORD, a preincarnate manifestation of God Himself, who had announced the coming birth of Samson.
Why It Was Asked
The purpose behind the questionManoah seeks the angel’s name to properly honor him when the prophecy is fulfilled, reflecting ancient Near Eastern protocol where knowing a name enabled appropriate recognition and worship. The question reveals Manoah’s genuine desire to acknowledge his divine benefactor while exposing his incomplete understanding that he stands before deity itself.
The Response
What Scripture recordsThe Angel of the LORD responded with a counter-question: ‘Why do you ask my name, seeing it is wonderful?’ (Judges 13:18). He did not provide His name but instead pointed to its ineffable, divine nature, redirecting Manoah’s focus from the messenger to the mystery of God Himself.
The Bigger Picture
Where this fits in God's storyManoah’s question reveals both reverence and misunderstanding. He correctly perceives that honor is due when prophecy is fulfilled, yet he approaches the Angel as a superior created being rather than recognizing deity itself. The Hebrew construction ‘what is your name’ (mah shemekha) is formulaic for requesting formal identification. Manoah frames his inquiry around future honor (kabad), planning appropriate recognition when the promised son arrives. Why ask rather than simply wait? The question establishes relationship and obligation, a covenant gesture in ancient protocol. Yet it also exposes Manoah’s theological blindness. He stands before the Angel of YHWH, God manifest, and treats Him as an honorable messenger. This question sets up the Angel’s profound response about His wonderful name, revealing that some divine mysteries exceed human categories. The exchange underscores that true worship begins when we stop trying to name God on our terms and bow before His self-revelation.
When God moves in your life, do you seek to honor Him properly or control the encounter through human understanding? Manoah’s question reveals our instinct to categorize and manage divine experiences. We want names, explanations, frameworks to contain what God is doing. Yet God often withholds the ‘how’ and ‘why’ to preserve the wonder. When you witness answered prayer or unexpected provision, resist the urge to fully explain it. Instead, let mystery deepen your worship. As Romans 11:33 declares, ‘How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!’ Honor God not by comprehending Him fully, but by trusting Him completely, even when His name remains wonderful beyond your grasp.
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Keep questioning
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