שופטים, פרק י״ג, פסוק ט״ו

Upon receiving a profound prophecy, Manoah recognizes the undeniable greatness of his mysterious guest and seeks to honor him. Wanting to extend their brief encounter, Manoah attempts to bring the visitor into his home and delay his departure [רש״י, מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. He notices that the messenger is keeping his words short and seems ready to leave. By offering the hospitality of a meal, Manoah hopes to keep him there longer and uncover more details about the future events that are about to unfold [אברבנאל].

The invitation is carefully structured, reflecting Manoah's uncertainty about who exactly is standing in front of him. Unsure whether the visitor is a human prophet or a heavenly angel, he presents a dual proposal. The request to delay the guest is directed at the possibility that he is a human prophet who might sit and share a regular meal. At the same time, the offer to prepare a young goat is intended for the possibility that the visitor is an angel, making it appropriate to prepare a sacrifice [מלבי״ם].

Manoah deliberately suggests preparing the goat directly in the presence of the guest. His plan is to host the visitor for a meal of bread while simultaneously offering the young goat as a sacrifice to God. He wishes to perform this sacrifice right in front of the messenger because he senses that the Divine Presence rests upon him. To Manoah, standing near this holy figure elevates the immediate surroundings, transforming the space into a fitting location for an offering to God, much like a formal altar [אלשיך].