What is the Angel of the Lord?
This particular angel, as distinguished in Scripture from all others, is often referred to in the O.T. (cp. Gen 16:9; 22:11; 48:16; Exo 3:2; 14:19; Num 22:22; Jud 2:4; 6:11; 13:3; 2 Ki 19:35; Isa 63:9; Zech 1:12; 12:8). (1) He is named “the angel of the LORD [Jehovah] ” (Gen 16:7), “the angel of God” (Gen 21:17), “The angel of his [God’s] presence” (Isa 63:9), and probably “the messenger [angel] of the covenant” (Mal 3:1). (2) He is clearly identified with the LORD Himself in His self-manifestation to men. In Gen 31:11 -13 the angel said to Jacob, “I am the God of Bethel.” In Exo 3:2 – 6 the same angel said to Moses, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham.” (3) Divine attributes and prerogatives are ascribed to this angel. He said to Hagar, “I will so increase your descendants that they will be too numerous to count” (Gen 16:10), and Hagar spoke of him as the all-seeing God (v. 13). Jacob referred to him as “the angel who has delivered me from all harm” (Gen 48:16). The place
