Skip to content

Topics Research

Question

Who is the Angel of YHWH (mal'ak YHWH) in the Old Testament? Is this figure a created angel acting on God's behalf, or a distinct divine person who bears YHWH's name and identity? What does this mean for understanding Christ's pre-incarnate existence and name?

ANGEL — ONE OF THE HOLY TRINITY

  • EXO 14:19
  • JDG 13:6
  • 1SA 29:9
  • 2SA 14:17
  • 2SA 14:20
  • 2SA 19:27
  • ACT 27:23
  • GAL 4:14
  • GEN 16:7
  • GEN 16:9
  • GEN 22:11
  • EXO 3:2
  • NUM 22:23
  • NUM 22:25
  • NUM 22:27
  • NUM 22:32
  • NUM 22:35
  • JDG 2:1
  • JDG 6:11
  • JDG 6:12
  • JDG 6:21
  • JDG 6:22
  • JDG 13:3
  • JDG 13:6
  • JDG 13:9
  • JDG 13:13
  • JDG 13:15
  • JDG 13:16
  • JDG 13:17
  • JDG 13:18
  • JDG 13:19
  • JDG 13:20
  • JDG 13:21
  • 2SA 24:16
  • 1KI 19:7
  • 2KI 1:3
  • 2KI 1:15
  • 2KI 19:35
  • 1CH 21:15
  • 1CH 21:18
  • PSA 34:7
  • PSA 35:5
  • PSA 35:6
  • ZEC 1:11
  • ZEC 1:12
  • ZEC 3:5
  • ZEC 12:8
  • ISA 63:9

Called ANGEL OF GOD EXO 14:19; JDG 13:6; 1SA 29:9; 2SA 14:17,20; 19:27; ACT 27:23; GAL 4:14. Called ANGEL OF THE LORD GEN 16:7,9; 22:11; EXO 3:2; NUM 22:23,25,27,32,35; JDG 2:1; 6:11,12,21,22; 13:3,6,9,13-21; 2SA 24:16; 1KI 19:7; 2KI 1:3,15; 19:35; 1CH 21:15,18; PSA 34:7; 35:5,6; ZEC 1:11,12; 3:5; 12:8. Called ANGEL OF HIS PRESENCE ISA 63:9.

ANGEL — A CELESTIAL SPIRIT

  • MAT 1:20
  • MAT 1:24
  • MAT 2:13
  • MAT 2:19
  • MAT 28:2
  • LUK 1:11
  • ACT 5:19
  • ACT 7:30
  • ACT 7:35
  • ACT 8:26
  • ACT 12:7
  • ACT 12:23
  • JOB 38:7
  • GEN 2:1
  • GEN 32:2
  • JOS 5:14
  • 1CH 12:22
  • PSA 33:6
  • PSA 103:21
  • LUK 2:13
  • ISA 6:2
  • 1TH 4:16
  • 1PE 3:22
  • JUD 1:9
  • REV 12:7

A CELESTIAL SPIRIT. Called ANGEL OF THE LORD MAT 1:20,24; 2:13,19; 28:2; LUK 1:11; ACT 5:19; 7:30,35; 8:26; 12:7,23. Called MORNING STARS JOB 38:7. Hosts GEN 2:1; 32:2; JOS 5:14; 1CH 12:22; PSA 33:6; 103:21; LUK 2:13. Of different orders ISA 6:2; 1TH 4:16; 1PE 3:22; Jude 1:9; REV 12:7. Not to be worshiped COL 2:18; REV 19:10; 22:8,9.

BURNING BUSH — GENERAL

  • EXO 3:2
  • EXO 3:4

EXO 3:2; 3:4 — The bush burned with fire and was not consumed. The angel of the LORD appeared in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush.

WORSHIP — TO BE RENDERED ONLY TO GOD

  • EXO 20:3
  • EXO 34:14
  • DEU 5:7
  • DEU 6:13
  • MAT 4:10
  • LUK 4:8
  • ACT 10:26
  • ACT 14:15
  • REV 19:10
  • REV 22:8
  • REV 22:9

Worship to be rendered only to God. Created angels refuse worship: REV 19:10, 22:8-9. Peter refuses worship: ACT 10:26. Paul refuses worship: ACT 14:15.

GOD — APPEARANCES OF

  • GEN 12:7
  • GEN 17:1
  • GEN 18:1
  • GEN 26:2
  • GEN 26:24
  • GEN 32:30
  • GEN 35:7
  • GEN 35:9
  • EXO 3:2
  • EXO 6:3
  • EXO 24:10
  • EXO 33:20

Appearances of God: To Abraham GEN 12:7; 17:1; 18:1. To Isaac GEN 26:2,24. To Jacob GEN 32:30; 35:7,9. To Moses EXO 3:2; 6:3. To the elders EXO 24:10. Yet no man can see God and live EXO 33:20.

MICHAEL — THE ARCHANGEL

  • DAN 10:13
  • DAN 10:21
  • DAN 12:1
  • JUD 1:9
  • REV 12:7

Michael one of the chief princes DAN 10:13. Michael your prince DAN 10:21. Michael shall stand up DAN 12:1. Michael the archangel JUD 1:9. Michael and his angels fought the dragon REV 12:7.

COVENANT — SACRED, BINDING

  • GEN 6:18
  • GEN 9:9
  • GEN 15:18
  • GEN 17:2
  • EXO 19:5
  • EXO 23:32
  • EXO 34:10
  • MAL 3:1

Covenant as sacred binding agreement between God and man. The messenger of the covenant MAL 3:1.