And Manoah arose …: And renders the Hebrew waw conjunction, but in many languages a connector such as “So” ( NET Bible) or “Then” will be more appropriate to introduce Manoah’s immediate reaction to his wife’s words. Arose renders the Hebrew verb qum, which is used in many of the judges’ stories (see comments on verse 2.16) and is certainly prefiguring the arrival of the next and final judge, Samson. If possible, translators can keep this word as part of the leitmotifs of the book.

And went after his wife means Manoah followed his wife to where God’s angel had appeared. However, readers may begin to wonder about this man who does not at first believe his wife, and to whom the angel chooses not to appear.

And came to the man and said to him: Manoah goes to the field where God’s angel appeared, so he could see him for himself. The use of the expression the man is part of the narrator’s style to purposely leave in doubt (in the mind of the characters) whether this person is a messenger from God, a prophet, or a simple man.

Are you the man who spoke to this woman?: Manoah wants to be certain that this person is the one who appeared with a message for his wife, so he immediately asks this question. Some may wonder (with reason) whether this is an impolite way to address a stranger. It is easy to imagine these words might be said with an accusing tone. Again the use of the man maintains the mystery as to the identity of this messenger. Spoke is literally “has been speaking,” which implies the angel has been speaking at length with his wife. This woman is literally “the woman,” but many languages will find Revised Standard Version‘s rendering more natural. Besides the abruptness of this remark, readers may wonder why Manoah does not refer to “my wife” but to “the woman,” but this style should be retained in translation, for example, “Are you the man who has been speaking to this woman?”

And he said, “I am”: The angel replies to Manoah’s question positively. However, though I am (literally “I”) renders only one word in Hebrew (ʾani), his answer is not a simple one. This answer is clearly reminiscent of the scene where the LORD reveals himself to Moses with the name “I am” (Exo 3.14). By this time Manoah and his wife are surely beginning to understand that they are in the presence of someone more than a simple man. In some languages it will be necessary to say “[Yes,] I am he [or, the one].” NET Bible says only “Yes,” but clearly this misses a very important part of the message here.

A translation model for this verse is:

• So Manoah followed his wife to the place where the man was, and Manoah asked him, “Are you the one who has been speaking to this woman?”
He replied, “I am.”

Quoted with permission from Zogbo, Lynell and Ogden, Graham S. A Handbook on Judges. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2019. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .