Judges 6:18Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Gideon, desiring a confirmation, requests the angel of the Lord to remain until he has prepared and presented a sacrifice before him. He hopes that this offering will be miraculously accepted, enabling him to be thoroughly convinced of the angel's divine authority and the veracity of his message. The angel consents to Gideon's request, indicating that he will wait for him to prepare the sacrifice and return with it. In response, the angel of the Lord asserts a profound truth: I am I, signifying that he is indeed the One that Gideon perceives him to be based on what he has heard, and Gideon is about to receive a renewed affirmation of the righteousness of his understanding of him.