The Angel of the LORD
The Angel of the LORD speaks as God, receives worship, and is widely understood as a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ.
Unlike ordinary angels, the Angel of the LORD speaks as God in the first person, accepts worship, and forgives sin. He appears to Hagar, Abraham, Moses at the bush, Joshua, Gideon, Manoah, and others. Many Christian theologians identify Him as the pre-incarnate Christ.
What Scripture Teaches
- 1Appeared to Hagar and was called 'God that seeth' (Genesis 16:7-13)
- 2Stopped Abraham's hand on Moriah (Genesis 22:11-12)
- 3Spoke from the burning bush as 'I AM' (Exodus 3:2-6)
- 4Met Joshua as 'captain of the host of the LORD' (Joshua 5:13-15)
- 5Commissioned Gideon (Judges 6:11-24)
- 6Receives worship — which created angels refuse (Revelation 22:8-9)
Key KJV Scriptures
"And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed."
"And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me..."
"And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship..."
Why It Matters
Long before Bethlehem, the Son was already stepping into history. The Angel of the LORD shows that the Word who became flesh has always been the One through whom God meets His people.
Application for Today
The Christ who walked with patriarchs walks with you. Every glimpse of grace in the Old Testament finds its full face in Jesus.
Continue Your Study
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is He called an 'angel' if He's God?
The Hebrew word for angel means 'messenger.' The Angel of the LORD is the divine Messenger — God Himself appearing to deliver God's word, fully consistent with the pre-incarnate Son.
Does the Angel of the LORD still appear today?
Since the incarnation, God's full revelation is in the person of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 1:1-2). We meet Him now through Scripture, the Spirit, and the church.
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