SEV Biblia, Chapter 13:20
Porque aconteció que cuando la llama subía del altar hacia el cielo, el ángel del SEÑOR subió en la llama del altar a vista de Manoa y de su mujer, los cuales se postraron en tierra sobre sus rostros.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 20. For it came to pass, when the flame went up towards heaven from off the altar , etc.] That is, from the rock, which served instead of an altar, and from whence perhaps the fire sprung which consumed both the burnt offering and the meat offering, the flame of which went up to heaven; this rock or altar having no covering, but was “sub dio”, open to the heavens: that the angel of the Lord ascended in the flame of the altar ; making use of the smoke, as Josephus says, as a vehicle in which he openly went up to heaven: and Manoah and his wife looked on it ; on the flame and smoke, and the angel in it as he ascended; just as the disciples of Christ looked steadfastly on him as he went up to heaven, when a cloud received him out of their sight, ( Acts 1:9,10) and fell on their faces to the ground ; with astonishment and surprise at what they saw, through fear and reverence of the divine Being, of whose presence they were now sensible, and as worshipping of him, and praying to him.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 15-23 - What Manoah asked for instruction in his duty, he was readily told; but what he asked to gratify his curiosity, was denied. God has in his wor given full directions concerning our duty, but never designed to answe other questionings. There are secret things which belong not to us, of which we must be quite contented to be ignorant, while in this world The name of our Lord is wonderful and secret; but by his wonderfu works he makes himself known as far as is needful for us. Prayer is the ascent of the soul to God. But without Christ in the heart by faith our services are offensive smoke; in him, acceptable flame. We ma apply this to Christ's sacrifice of himself for us; he ascended in the flame of his own offering, for by his own blood he entered in once int the holy place, Heb 9:12. In Manoah's reflections there is great fear We shall surely die. In his wife's reflection there is great faith. A a help meet for him, she encouraged him. Let believers who have ha communion with God in the word and prayer, to whom he has graciousl manifested himself, and who have had reason to think God has accepte their works, take encouragement from thence in a cloudy and dark day God would not have done what he has done for my soul, if he ha designed to forsake me, and leave me to perish at last; for his work is perfect. Learn to reason as Manoah's wife; If God designed me to peris under his wrath, he would not give me tokens of his favour.
Original Hebrew
ויהי 1961 בעלות 5927 הלהב 3851 מעל 5921 המזבח 4196 השׁמימה 8064 ויעל 5927 מלאך 4397 יהוה 3068 בלהב 3851 המזבח 4196 ומנוח 4495 ואשׁתו 802 ראים 7200 ויפלו 5307 על 5921 פניהם 6440 ארצה׃ 776
