Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Judges 6:22
And when Gideon perceived that he [was] an angel of the LORD, Gideon said, Alas, O Lord GOD! for because I have seen an angel of the LORD face to face.
22. Now at last Gideon recognizes the nature of his Guest; he is overwhelmed with terror, for he has intruded upon the holiness of God, and death must be the penalty; cf. Jdg 13:22 and Gen 16:13; Gen 32:30, Exo 33:20 (all J), Deu 4:33; Deu 5:24; Deu 5:26, Isa 6:5.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Alas, O Lord GOD! – Compare Jos 7:7. because I have seen an angel of the Lord Compare the marginal references, in which the notion that it was death for mortal man to see God appears clearly. The same notion prevailed among the pagan.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 22. Alas, O Lord God! for because I have seen] This is an elliptical sentence, a natural expression of the distressed state of Gideon’s mind: as if he had said, Have mercy on me, O Lord God! else I shall die; because I have seen an angel of Jehovah face to face. We have frequently seen that it was a prevalent sentiment, as well before as under the law, that if any man saw God, or his representative angel he must surely die. On this account Gideon is alarmed, and prays for his life. This notion prevailed among the heathens, and we find an instance of it in the fable of Jupiter and Semele. She wished to see his glory; she saw it, and was struck dead by the effulgence. See the notes on Ex 33:20. We find that a similar opinion prevailed very anciently among the Greeks. In the hymn of Callimachus, , ver. 100, are these words: –
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‘ , ,
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“The laws of Saturn enact, that if any man see any of the
immortal gods, unless that god himself shall choose it,
he shall pay dearly for that sight.”
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
I am an undone man; I must die, and that speedily; for that he feared, Jdg 6:23, according to the common opinion in that case; of which see Gen 16:13; 32:30; Exo 33:20; Deu 5:25,26.
For because, or, for therefore, &c., i.e. therefore God hath showed me this sight as a presage of my death.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And when Gideon perceived he was an angel of the Lord,…. By the miracle wrought, and the manner of his departure:
Gideon said, alas! O Lord God; woe to me, what will become of me, or befall me, I shall surely die:
for because I have seen an angel of the Lord face to face; and whom he had reason to believe was the Lord himself, a divine Person, by the miracle wrought; and it was a commonly received notion even among good men, in those times, that the Lord was not to be seen by them and live, as appears from Jacob, Manoah, and others; at least the appearance of a divine Person, and even of any messenger from heaven, was startling, surprising, and frightful to them; which arose from a sense they had of the divine Being, and of their own sinfulness and frailty.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(22) When Gideon perceived.The last sign gave him a deeper sense than before of the grandeur of the messenger who had come to him.
Alas !There is no need to supply I shall die at the end of the clause, but that this was the apprehension in Gideons mind is shown by his cry of alarm.
For because.Rather, for to this end. The belief that death or misfortune would be the result of looking on any Divine being was universal among the Jews. We find it in Jdg. 13:22; Gen. 16:13; Gen. 32:30; Exo. 20:19; Deu. 5:24-25. He said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live (Exo. 33:20; Isa. 6:5; Luk. 5:8). The existence of the same belief among the heathen is shown in the legends of Semele, Acton, Psyche, &c.; and Callimachus sings, Whosoever, save by Gods own choice, looks on any of the immortals, sees them only to his own great cost.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
22. Because I have seen an angel The wavering faith that asked for a sign now trembles and despairs because a sign is given. Gideon was awed and astonished at his divine commission to save Israel. To strengthen his faith he asked a sign, and so overwhelming in majesty and power was the sign granted that he trembled before it, and, forgetful of his divine commission, he began to fear that he must die. This whole narrative shows up Gideon as a man of sudden and strong emotions, yet unaspiring and simple, and honest in his modesty. Prevalent and strong was the conviction among the ancients that no man could behold the face of Jehovah and live. Compare Gen 32:30; Exo 33:20; Jdg 13:22.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘ And Gideon perceived that he was the Angel of Yaheweh, and Gideon said, “Alas! Oh Lord Yahweh, forasmuch as I have seen the Angel of Yahweh face to face.” ’
Now he knew fully that he had been face to face with the angel of Yahweh and was greatly distressed. For he knew that no man could see God and live (see Gen 32:30; Exo 33:20). And in his distress he cried to Yahweh. He was overcome by his experience.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
The fear of Gideon, on the discovery, was very natural, and corresponded to what the Lord had himself long before told Moses concerning the sight of God. See Exo 33:20 . Reader! what a delightful view doth this give us of the person and offices of our adorable Redeemer. Jesus, by tabernacling in substance of our flesh, hath softened the awful majesty of God. In seeing Jesus, we behold the brightness of the Father’s glory, and the express image of his person. And seeing him, we see in him the Father also without danger. Joh 14:9Joh 14:9 ; Heb 1:3 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Jdg 6:22 And when Gideon perceived that he [was] an angel of the LORD, Gideon said, Alas, O Lord GOD! for because I have seen an angel of the LORD face to face.
Ver. 22. Alas, O Lord God! ] Fasciculus temporum, A.D. 884, cries out in the words of this text, Heu, heu, Domine Deus! bittery bewailing the iniquities of those times.
For because I have seen an angel
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
O Lord GOD = O Adonai Jehovah. App-4, (2).
for because = forasmuch as.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
angel
(See Scofield Heb 1:4).
Fuente: Scofield Reference Bible Notes
perceived: Jdg 13:21
because: Jdg 13:22, Jdg 13:23, Gen 16:13, Gen 32:30, Exo 33:20, Deu 5:5, Deu 5:24, Deu 5:26, Isa 6:5-8, Joh 1:18, Joh 12:41
Reciprocal: Deu 4:33 – General Dan 10:17 – talk Luk 1:12 – he Luk 9:34 – and they