And he answered him: Why askest thou my name, which is wonderful?
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר לּוֹ֙ מַלְאַ֣ךְ יְהוָ֔ה לָ֥מָּה זֶּ֖ה תִּשְׁאַ֣ל לִשְׁמִ֑י וְהוּא־פֶ֛לִאי׃
4 Church Fathers comment on this verse
He declares that His name shall be magnificent and glorious. In another passage, He asks, “Why do you seek to know my name? It is wonderful.” Furthermore, O Lord our God, how glorious is Your name throughout all creation! Truly, the greatness of this name is reflected in its power to dispel deception, illuminate the world, and draw all unto Himself and the Father.
The voice that spoke to Manoah reveals the vastness of the Divine nature. When Manoah sought to learn the name to honor the One who bestows blessings after the promise was fulfilled, the response was, "Why do you ask about My name, for it is wonderful." From this, we understand that there is a single name representing the essence of the Divine, specifically the awe that emerges within the soul at the contemplation of it.
Regarding the term "catholic," I have discussed it extensively and with a conciliatory tone. I have also expressed that the specific name someone carries is not of utmost importance. However, if you seek to understand the significance of the name, it bears a curious meaning — whether interpreted as “one in all” or “one over all,” or even as “son of the king,” referring to the Christian community. It undoubtedly originates from God, as it has endured through the ages. I am truly pleased that you recognize this name pertains to us, irrespective of your preference for alternative designations. But what if you disagreed? Then creation itself would declare the truth.
If you remain uncertain, let us refrain from further discussion; we both embody the identities we are given, and the long-standing nature of this name will provide testimony. However, if you continue to inquire, be aware that the strong person might respond, “Why do you seek to know my name? It is indeed remarkable.” I have thoughtfully expanded on what the name "catholic" signifies, and there is no cause for astonishment; otherwise, one might question whether Valentinians derive from Valentinus, Phrygians from Phrygia, or Novatians from Novatian.
Manoah’s inquiry and the angel’s response mirror Jacob’s question during his nighttime wrestling match with the enigmatic figure, along with the latter’s reply. After their struggle, Jacob asked the mysterious individual, “Tell me your name,” and was met with the response, “Why do you ask my name? It is a strange thing” (Genesis 32:29). The angel addressed Manoah in a similar fashion, indicating that his curiosity about the name was misguided; he treated the angel as if he were merely a man, assuming he had an ordinary name. However, the angel’s name is beyond the realm of humanity—it is extraordinary, a name that evokes awe in every mind, humbles every height, and terrifies all the inhabitants of Heaven.
Manoah and his wife discerned through the angel’s subsequent actions that he was not merely a human nor a creature, but the Lord Himself, revealing that His true name embodies divinity. The actions of the angel, described in the following verses—not included in the parimia—illustrate this, as the angel demanded a sacrifice. “Manoah took the goat and the grain offering and offered it to the Lord on the rock. And He (the Lord) did a miracle, which Manoah and his wife witnessed. When the flame began to ascend from the altar to heaven, the angel of the Lord ascended in the flame of the altar.” This event echoed Gideon’s sacrifice, which was ignited by fire from the rock when the angel touched it with a rod. It is likely that Manoah's offering was ignited in a similar miraculous manner. In both instances, the angel acted as the priest, and in both cases, the angel ascended in the flame of the unburned sacrifice, confirming that God accepted the offerings.
When Manoah and his wife observed this, they fell to the ground in reverence, worshipping the Angel of the Lord, whom they recognized as God Himself. This recognition is evident from Manoah’s declaration made when the angel was hidden from view: “Surely we shall die, for we have seen God” (22). This acknowledgment, however, is not included in the parimia, as verse 21 reveals that the Angel of the Lord, having performed a miracle, suddenly vanished from their sight.
Passages read together with this verse.
THEOSIS