A title given to those angelic servants of God who are given specific tasks in furthering God's purposes among humanity. These tasks include the giving of revelations, guidance, encouragement, warnings and the execution of judgment on those who oppose God's purposes.
The status of the angel of the Lord
He is identified with the Lord
Exodus 3:2–6 The angel of the LORD here speaks for God and is recognised as God and as a messenger from God. This may indicate that the angel speaks on God's behalf (compare with the role of the prophets) or, as some believe, this may be a manifestation of the pre-incarnate Jesus Christ. See also Genesis 16:7, Genesis 16:13, Genesis 31:11–13; Judges 2:1–2, Judges 6:11–12, Judges 6:14, Judges 13:19–22; Zechariah 3:1–2
There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a blazing fire from within a bush. Moses saw the bush ablaze with fire, but it was not consumed. So Moses thought, “I must go over and see this marvelous sight. Why is the bush not burning up?” When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called out to him from within the bush, “Moses, Moses!” “Here I am,” he answered. “Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” Then He said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” At this, Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.
He is distinguished from the Lord
2 Samuel 24:16 parallel 1 Chronicles 21:15 See also Zechariah 1:12–13; Luke 1:19; Hebrews 1:4
But when the angel stretched out his hand to destroy Jerusalem, the LORD relented from the calamity and said to the angel who was destroying the people, “Enough! Withdraw your hand now!” At that time the angel of the LORD was by the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.
The angel of the Lord is active in various ways
He calls and speaks
Genesis 16:7–8, Genesis 21:17, Genesis 22:11, Genesis 22:15; 2 Kings 1:3, 2 Kings 1:15
He has physical contact with people
1 Kings 19:5, 1 Kings 19:7; Acts 12:7
He appears in human likeness
Genesis 18:2, Genesis 18:16, Genesis 18:22, Genesis 19:1; Judges 6:11–12; Acts 27:23
He appears in supernatural form, often evoking fear
Exodus 3:2; Numbers 22:22–24, Numbers 22:31; 1 Chronicles 21:16; Luke 1:11–12, Luke 2:9
He appears in dreams and visions
Genesis 31:11; Zechariah 1:8, Zechariah 1:11, Zechariah 3:1, Zechariah 3:5; Matthew 2:13, Matthew 2:19; Acts 10:3
Functions of the angel of the Lord
He reveals information, often about forthcoming births
Judges 13:3 See also Matthew 1:20; Luke 1:11, Luke 1:13
The angel of the LORD appeared to the woman and said to her, “It is true that you are barren and have no children; but you will conceive and give birth to a son.
He gives guidance and instruction
Acts 8:26 See also Genesis 16:9, Genesis 22:11–12, Genesis 24:7, Genesis 24:40; Exodus 23:23; Numbers 22:35
Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Get up and go south to the desert road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.”
He comforts those in need
Genesis 21:17 See also 1 Kings 19:5–7; Acts 27:23–25
Then God heard the voice of the boy, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven, “What is wrong, Hagar? Do not be afraid, for God has heard the voice of the boy where he lies.
He affirms promises and gives blessing
Genesis 22:15–18 See also Luke 1:26–28, Luke 1:30–33, Luke 2:10–11
And the angel of the LORD called to Abraham from heaven a second time, saying, “By Myself I have sworn, declares the LORD, that because you have done this and have not withheld your only son, I will surely bless you, and I will multiply your descendants like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will possess the gates of their enemies. And through your offspring all nations of the earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”
He leads, delivers and protects Israel
Psalm 34:7 See also Exodus 14:19; Isaiah 63:9
The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, and he delivers them.
He rebukes sinful Israel
He rolls back the tombstone
He rescues those in prison
He executes judgment on sin
Acts 12:23 See also 2 Samuel 24:15–16 parallel 1 Chronicles 21:14–15; 2 Kings 19:35 parallel Isaiah 37:36; Psalm 35:4–6
Immediately, because Herod did not give glory to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.