This document discusses four main views on the identity of the Angel of the LORD based on biblical passages: 1) the Logos theory that it was a pre-incarnate Jesus, 2) the angelic theory that it was a literal angel, 3) the interpolation theory that later editors added "Angel of" to divine references, and 4) the instrumental theory that it was a manifestation of God. The biblical data presents the Angel of the LORD speaking as God himself to various Old Testament figures. While the identity cannot be known absolutely, the document supports the Logos and instrumental views that see the Angel of the LORD as a self-manifestation of God, possibly Jesus, to reveal himself to people.

1. Bible Basics
A Study in Systematic Theology

2. Angelology 8
• Today’s Lesson:
• “Who is
The Angel of the
LORD?”

3. Quick and Easy Answer:
■ We can’t really say with
absolute certainty!

4. Four Main Views:
1. The Logos Theory—the Angel of
Yahweh (LORD in caps) is the
actual pre-existent Logos, who
would later be incarnate in the
person of Jesus Christ).
2. The Angelic Theory—the Angel of
Yahweh is seen as a literal angel;
a created heavenly being.

5. Four Main Views:
3. The Interpolation Theory—this
theory claims that certain
passages in the older texts of the
Old Testament described Yahweh
in terms deemed too
anthropomorphic for the ancient
Israelites. Thus, redactors added
the words, “Angel of” before the
divine name.

6. Four Main Views:
4. The Instrumental Theory—this
theory asserts that the Angel of
Yahweh is some sort of
manifestation of Yahweh. This
could be understood in terms of
theophany, a revelation of God, or
a picture of the presence of
Yahweh with his people.

7. The Biblical Data:
Several passages of Scripture speak of
the angel of the Lord in a way that
suggests that he is God himself taking
on human form to appear briefly to
various people in the Old Testament.
In some passages, “the angel of the
LORD” (not “an angel of the LORD”) is
spoken of as the Lord Himself.

8. The Biblical Data:
Genesis 16.
“the angel of the LORD” who found
Hagar in the wilderness promises her, “I
will so greatly multiply your
descendants that they cannot be
numbered for multitude” Hagar
responds by calling “the name of the
LORD who spoke to her, ‘You are the-
God-Who-Sees (El Roi)’” (Genesis
16:13).

9. The Biblical Data:
Genesis 22
When Abraham is about to sacrifice his
son Isaac, “the angel of the LORD” calls
to him from heaven and says, “Now I
know that you fear God, seeing you
have not withheld your son, your only
son, from Me” (Genesis 22:12).

10. The Biblical Data:
Genesis 31.
When “the angel of God” appeared to
Jacob in a dream, he said, “I am the
God of Bethel, where you anointed a
pillar and made a vow to me” (Genesis
31:11,13).

11. The Biblical Data:
Exodus 3.
When “the angel of the LORD”
appeared to Moses in a flame of fire out
of the midst of a bush, he then said, “I
am the God of your father, the God of
Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God
of Jacob” (Exodus 3:2,6).

12. Wayne Grudem
• “These are clear instances of the angel
of the Lord or the angel of God
appearing as God himself, perhaps
more specifically as God the Son
taking on a human body for a short
time in order to appear to human
beings.”

13. My View:
• The biblical data seems to support best
either views #1 (Logos Theory) and #4
(Instrumental Theory). I am comfortable
understanding the Angel of the LORD as a
self-manifestation of Yahweh to His people
(the Instrumental Theory). At the same
time, however, it is certainly possible for the
pre-existent Son of God to appear in human
form (Logos Theory).

14. “God, who at various times and in
various ways spoke in time past to
the fathers by the prophets, has in
these last days spoken to us by His
Son.”
Hebrews 1:1-2a

15. Next Lesson:
• Does Genesis 6 teach that
angels or demons cohabitated
with women? What in the world
is that all about?!!