And Manoah said to the angel of the LORD …: Manoah’s request here is similar to that of Jacob in Gen 32.29 and that of Moses in Exo 3.13 when they met God. In many languages the Hebrew waw conjunction rendered And can be omitted (Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version), or translated “Then” (New International Version). The general verb said may be rendered “asked” (New Living Translation) in this context.

What is your name…? is literally “Who is your name…?” The Hebrew word for name has a wider sense than just a person’s name, including his/her whole personality. So this question may be rendered “Who are you [really]?” See also verse 13.6.

So that, when your words come true, we may honor you: These two clauses explain why Manoah wants to know the messenger’s name. So that has been added by Revised Standard Version here to introduce Manoah’s purpose in asking this question. He and his wife want to show their gratitude to their visitor after his promise of a son is fulfilled. The birth of a son is a sign of God’s blessing and a removal of the curse of childlessness. For when your words come true, see verse 13.12. The Hebrew verb rendered honor comes from a root meaning “be heavy” (see verse 9.9), but here has the meaning of “thank.” In some languages the order of these two clauses can be switched (as in the second model below).

Translation models for this verse are:

• Then Manoah asked Yahweh’s messenger, “Who are you? We need to know so that we can thank you when what you have promised comes true.”

• Then Manoah asked the angel of the LORD what his name was so that they could honor him once his words were realized.

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 .