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Verse

Judges 13:15

ESV Manoah said to the angel of the LORD, “Please let us detain you and prepare a young goat for you.”
NIV Manoah said to the angel of the LORD, 'We would like you to stay until we prepare a young goat for you.'
NASB Then Manoah said to the angel of the Lord, 'Please let us detain you so that we may prepare a young goat for you.'
CSB "Please stay here," Manoah told him, "and we will prepare a young goat for you."
NLT Then Manoah said to the angel of the Lord, 'Please stay here until we can prepare a young goat for you to eat.'
KJV 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.

What does Judges 13:15 mean?

Scripture gives no explicit reason Manoah seeks to extend this meeting (Judges 13:8–14). Perhaps he feels the conversation with the "man of God" is ending and wants a way to talk more. He may also feel grateful for unexpected good news. That era and culture placed immense importance on hospitality, which may have demanded an offer of food. Whatever the reason, Manoah asks the "angel of the LORD" to allow them to serve a meal.

Manoah asks the stranger to remain while they prepare a young goat. This would have been a special meal intended to honor their guest with the best they could offer. As the following verse shows, neither Manoah nor his wife fully understand that this visitor is far more than a prophet of God (Judges 13:16).

Manoah's request and the details that follow parallel the exchange between Gideon and "the angel of the LORD" in Judges 6:17–24.
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