The Angel of the Lord in the Old Testament
The "Angel of the Lord" is a figure who appears in various Old Testament narratives, often acting as a divine messenger or manifestation of God himself [1, 5]. The Hebrew and Greek terms for "angel" generally mean "messenger" and can refer to human agents, prophets, priests, or even impersonal forces like pestilence or wind [5]. However, its distinctive application is to heavenly intelligences God uses in his governance [5].
In several Old Testament passages, the Angel of the Lord is depicted as distinct from God, yet also identified with God [6]. For example, in Genesis 16:7, the Angel of the Lord appears to Hagar, and later Hagar refers to the Lord who spoke to her [11, 6]. Similarly, the Angel of the Lord speaks to Abraham in Genesis 22:15, renewing promises that only God could make [2, 8]. This dual identity has led some scholars to interpret the Angel of the Lord as a theophany (a manifestation of God) or even a Christophany (an appearance of the pre-incarnate Messiah) [6].
Commentators like Adam Clarke suggest that the Angel of the Lord is Jesus Christ himself, appearing in a form suited to his divine dignity, and capable of performing actions and possessing knowledge that only God could [8, 11]. This perspective is supported by instances where the Angel of the Lord makes divine promises or is worshipped [8, 11]. The Angel of the Covenant mentioned in Malachi 3:1 is also identified with God the Son by some [7].
The Angel of the Lord is seen in various protective and communicative roles. For instance, Psalm 34:7 states that "The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them" [4]. In the New Testament, an "angel of the Lord" also appears to Zechariah in Luke 1:11 and to Joseph in Matthew 2:19 [3, 13].
While often associated with God's presence, there are instances where an angel is clearly distinguished from the "Angel of the Lord." For example, in Exodus 33:2-3, God states he will send "an angel" but will not travel with the Israelites himself, suggesting this angel is not the same as the "angel of the Lord" who is closely associated with God's presence [10]. The angels are generally understood as messengers or servants of a lesser rank than the Son [12]. The Angel of the Lord is also identified with the visible manifestation of God's presence, such as the Shekinah in the cloud that led the Israelites in the wilderness [9].
Sources
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Angel Of The Lord — (Genesis 16:7) etc. (The special form in which God manifested himself to man, and hence Christ's visible form before the incarnation. Compare (Acts 7:30-38) with the corresponding Old-Testament history; and (Genesis 18:1,13,14,33) and Genesis 19:1)”
- Genesis “Genesis 22:15 (BBE) — And the voice of the angel of the Lord came to Abraham a second time from heaven,”
- Luke “An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. -- Luke 1:11”
- Psalms “Psalms 34:7 (KJV) — The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Angel — A word signifying, both in the Hebrew and Greek, a "messenger," and hence employed to denote any agent God sends forth to execute his purposes. It is used of an ordinary messenger (Job 1:14: 1 Sam. 11:3; Luke 7:24; 9:52), of prophets (Isa. 42:19; Hag. 1:13), of priests (Mal. 2:7), and ministers of the New Testament (Rev. 1:20). It is also applied to such impersonal agents as the pestilence (2 Sam. 24:16, 17; 2 Kings 19:35), the wind (Ps. 104:4). But its distinctive application is to certain heavenly intelligences whom God employs in carrying on his government”
- Genesis (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Genesis 16:7: 16:7 The angel of the Lord was the Lord himself (16:13; 21:17; 22:11-12; 31:11-13; 48:16; Exod 3:2; 32:34; Judg 6:11, 16, 22; 13:22-23; Zech 3:1-2) but was also distinct from the Lord (Gen 24:7; 2 Sam 24:16; Zech 1:12). The angel of the Lord was probably a theophany (a manifestation of God) or a Christophany (an appearance of the pre-incarnate Messiah; see Gen 18:1-2; 19:1; Num 22:22; Judg 2:1-4; 5:23; Zech 12:8), speaking with the authority of the Lord himself.”
- Hosea (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hosea 12:4: the angel--the uncreated Angel of the Covenant, as God the Son appears in the Old Testament (Mal 3:1). made supplication-- Gen 32:26; I will not let thee go, except thou bless me." he found him--The angel found Jacob, when he was fleeing from Esau into Syria: the Lord appearing to him "in Beth-el" (Gen 28:11-19; Gen 35:1). What a sad contrast, that in this same Beth-el now Israel worships the golden calves! there he spake with us--"with us," as being in the loins of our progenitor Jacob (compare Psa 66:6, "They . . . we;" Heb 7:9-10). What God the”
- Genesis (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Genesis 22:11: The angel of the Lord - The very person who was represented by this offering; the Lord Jesus, who calls himself Jehovah, Gen 22:16, and on his own authority renews the promises of the covenant. He was ever the great Mediator between God and man. See this point proved, Gen 15:7 (note).”
- Exodus (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Exodus 13:21: the Lord went before them--by a visible token of His presence, the Shekinah, in a majestic cloud (Psa 78:14; Neh 9:12; Co1 10:1), called "the angel of God" (Exo 14:19; Exo 23:20-23; Psa 99:6-7; Isa 63:8-9). Next: Exodus Chapter 14”
- Exodus (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Exodus 33:2: 33:2-3 an angel. . . . But I will not travel: This angel was possibly not the “angel of the Lord,” since in Exodus and other parts of the Old Testament, the angel of the Lord is closely associated with the presence of the Lord himself (see 3:2; 23:20-23). Or, God might have been saying that while he would go before them in the person of the angel (33:2), he would not dwell among them (33:3) in the Tabernacle, as he had planned. • Canaanites . . . Jebusites: See study note on 3:8.”
- Genesis (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Genesis 16:7: The angel of the Lord - That Jesus Christ, in a body suited to the dignity of his nature, frequently appeared to the patriarchs, has been already intimated. That the person mentioned here was greater than any created being is sufficiently evident from the following particulars: - 1. From his promising to perform what God alone could do, and foretelling what God alone could know; "I will multiply thy seed exceedingly," etc., Gen 16:10; "Thou art with child, and shalt bear a son," etc., Gen 16:11; "He will be a wild man," etc., Gen 16:12. All this shows a prescience”
- Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 1:7: 1:7 This verse quotes Ps 104:4 to show that the angels are messengers or servants and, therefore, of a lesser rank than the Son, whom they serve. • In the Old Testament, angels are sometimes associated with winds and fire (see Exod 3:2; Judg 6:21; 13:16, 20; 2 Sam 22:11; Pss 18:10; 35:5), which is why angels are mentioned in connection with God’s lordship over nature.”
- Matthew (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Matthew 2:19: But when Herod was dead--Miserable Herod! Thou thoughtest thyself safe from a dreaded Rival; but it was He only that was safe from thee; and thou hast not long enjoyed even this fancied security. See on Mat 2:15. behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt--Our translators, somewhat capriciously, render the same expression "the angel of the Lord," Mat 1:20; Mat 2:13; and "an angel of the Lord," as here. As the same angel appears to have been employed on all these high occasions--and most likely he to whom in Luke is given th”