Who is the Angel of the LORD?

The Angel of the LORD appears numerous times in the Old Testament. What are his attributes? Does any other biblical figure share those attributes? Who is the Angel of the LORD?

Attributes of the Angel of the LORD

The Angel of the LORD holds several characteristics. Scripture reveals these attributes.

The Angel of the LORD is God.

The Bible passages containing the Angel of the LORD often switch between speaking of him and speaking of God. It's impossible to keep God's actions separate from those of the Angel of the LORD.

In Genesis 16:7, "The angel of Yahweh [in most English translations, rendered LORD in all capitals] found" Hagar. In the succeeding verses 8-11, "The angel of Yahweh said" three different statements. However, in verse 13, "She called the name of Yahweh who spoke to her, 'You are a God who sees.'"

Exodus 3:2 states, "The angel of Yahweh appeared to him [Moses] in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush." Who speaks from the midst of the burning bush? "When Yahweh saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the midst of the bush" (Exodus 3:4).

In Numbers 22:35, "The angel of Yahweh said to Balaam, 'Go with the men; but only the word that I shall speak to you, that you shall speak.'" The Angel of the LORD promises that he will speak to Balaam. Who actually gives the word? "Yahweh put a word in Balaam's mouth" (Numbers 23:5).

"The angel of Yahweh came up from Gilgal to Bochim" in Judges 2:1-3, and he ascribes certain actions to himself. "I made you to go up out of Egypt... I swore [the land] to your fathers; and I said, 'I will never break my covenant with you... I also said, I will not drive them out from before you.'" The Angel of the LORD claims he did things that only God did.

In Judges 13, the Angel of the LORD appears to Manoah and his wife. However, in verse 22, "Manoah said to his wife, 'We shall surely die, because we have seen God.'"

Psalm 34:7 says, "The angel of Yahweh encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them." God's people are nowhere told to fear angels. Instead, "you shall fear your God. I am Yahweh" (Leviticus 19:32). According to this psalm, people are to treat the Angel of the LORD as they should treat the LORD.

As these verses show, Scripture refers interchangeably to the Angel of the LORD and to God. The acts of God are ascribed to the Angel of the LORD. The Angel of the LORD deserves the honor that God deserves. Putting these together, he is God.

The Angel of the LORD is a mediator.

Scripture is very clear that created beings, including angels, aren't God. How, then, can the Angel of the LORD be God?

The Hebrew word translated as angel means a messenger. It sometimes refers to God's angels, since they are His messengers. It's also used for human messengers, who are clearly not angels. The word can mean a messenger, ambassador, or angel - that is, one who stands between two parties.

The Angel of the LORD stands between God and mankind. That is, he is a mediator between God and mankind.

The Angel of the LORD has a name.

The Angel of the LORD has a name. In Judges 13:18, after Manoah asks his name, "The angel of Yahweh said to him, 'Why do you ask about my name, since it is wonderful?'" The Angel of the LORD's name is Wonderful.

Attributes of Jesus

The Angel of the LORD holds unusual characteristics. He is God, but he is also a mediator between God and mankind. His name is Wonderful. Only one other figure in the Bible, Jesus, holds the same attributes.

Jesus is God.

Scripture clearly states that Jesus is God. John 1:1 states, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." The chapter later identifies the Word as Jesus. Jesus states he is the eternally existing I AM God: "Jesus said to them, 'Most certainly, I tell you, before Abraham came into existence, I AM.'" (John 8:58).

Jesus is the mediator.

"There is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" (1 Timothy 2:5). Jesus is God, but he is also man, and he is a separate Person able to mediate between God and men. Like the Angel of the LORD, Jesus is the mediator.

Jesus has many names.

The prophecies speak of Jesus under several names. Isaiah 9:6 foretells, "For to us a child is born. To us a son is given; and the government will be on his shoulders. His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Jesus is also named Wonderful.

The Angel of the LORD is Jesus.

The Angel of the LORD is God, he is a mediator between God and men, and he is named Wonderful. Jesus is God, He is the only mediator between God and men, and He is also named Wonderful. Nobody else shares those attributes. The Angel of the LORD is a preincarnate form of Jesus.