Topical Bible: Angel of God

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The term "Angel of God" appears throughout the Bible, often signifying a divine messenger sent by God to deliver messages, provide guidance, or execute judgment. This figure is sometimes identified with the "Angel of the LORD," and in certain contexts, the appearances of the Angel of God are interpreted as theophanies, or manifestations of God Himself.

Old Testament Appearances

1. Hagar and Ishmael: One of the earliest mentions of the Angel of God is found in Genesis 21:17, where the Angel calls out to Hagar from heaven, providing comfort and guidance as she and her son Ishmael are in distress in the wilderness. The Angel reassures Hagar of God's promise to make Ishmael a great nation: "God heard the voice of the boy, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, 'What is wrong, Hagar? Do not be afraid, for God has heard the voice of the boy where he lies.'" (Genesis 21:17).

2. Jacob's Encounter: In Genesis 31:11-13, Jacob recounts an encounter with the Angel of God in a dream, who instructs him to return to the land of his birth. The Angel identifies Himself with the God of Bethel, where Jacob had previously made a vow to God, indicating a divine presence: "Then the angel of God said to me in the dream, 'Jacob!' And I replied, 'Here I am.' 'Look up,' He said, 'and see that all the male goats mating with the flock are streaked, speckled, or spotted, for I have seen all that Laban has done to you.'" (Genesis 31:11-12).

3. Moses and the Burning Bush: In Exodus 3:2, the Angel of the LORD appears to Moses in a flame of fire from within a bush. This encounter is significant as it leads to Moses' commissioning to deliver the Israelites from Egypt. The text suggests a close identification between the Angel and God Himself, as the voice from the bush is later identified as God's: "There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that the bush was on fire but was not consumed." (Exodus 3:2).

New Testament References

1. Guidance and Protection: In the New Testament, the Angel of God continues to play a role in guiding and protecting God's people. In Acts 27:23-24, the Apostle Paul recounts an encounter with an angel who reassures him during a perilous sea voyage: "Just last night an angel of God, whose I am and whom I serve, stood beside me and said, 'Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand before Caesar; and behold, God has granted you the lives of all who sail with you.'" (Acts 27:23-24).

2. Peter's Release from Prison: In Acts 12:7, an angel of the Lord appears to Peter in prison, leading to his miraculous release. This event underscores the angel's role as an agent of divine intervention and deliverance: "Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. 'Quick, get up!' he said, and the chains fell off Peter's wrists." (Acts 12:7).

Theological Significance

The Angel of God is often seen as a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ, especially in instances where the Angel speaks as God or is worshiped. This interpretation aligns with the understanding of Christ as the ultimate mediator between God and humanity. The Angel of God serves as a reminder of God's active presence and intervention in the world, fulfilling His promises and guiding His people according to His divine will.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

Angel of God

ANGEL OF GOD

See ANGEL.

Greek

32. aggelos -- a messenger, angel
... Definition: an angel, messenger Definition: a messenger, generally a (supernatural)
messenger from God, an angel, conveying news or behests from God to men. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/32.htm - 8k

1043. Gabriel -- Gabriel, an angel
... Noun, Indeclinable Transliteration: Gabriel Phonetic Spelling: (gab-ree-ale') Short
Definition: Gabriel Definition: the angel Gabriel, a messenger of God. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1043.htm - 6k

4151. pneuma -- wind, spirit
... ie (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital principle, mental disposition,
etc., or (superhuman) an angel, demon, or (divine) God, Christ's spirit ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4151.htm - 8k

4536. salpigx -- a trumpet
... The seventh angel (Rev 11:15)" (, 1, 193). Trumpets in the OT summoned God's saints
for His righteous wars (Nu 10:9; Jer 4:19; Joel 2:1). See also Lev 23:24,25 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4536.htm - 7k

1765. enischuo -- to strengthen
... face (). [In Lk 22:43, 1765 () refers to God's " strength," like when
providing an angel to share His " resources."]. Word Origin ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1765.htm - 7k

Strong's Hebrew

4317. Mikael -- "Who is like God?" an angel, also a number of Isr.
... Mikael. 4318 . "Who is like God?" an angel, also a number of Isr. Transliteration:
Mikael Phonetic Spelling: (me-kaw-ale') Short Definition: Michael. ...
/hebrew/4317.htm - 6k

4397. malak -- a messenger
... From an unused root meaning to despatch as a deputy; a messenger; specifically,
of God, ie An angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher) -- ambassador, angel ...
/hebrew/4397.htm - 6k

6918. qadosh -- sacred, holy
... Or qadosh {kaw-doshe'}; from qadash; sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun)
God (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a sanctuary -- holy (One), saint. ...
/hebrew/6918.htm - 6k

Library

How the Angel of God Put a Question to Brother Elias, Guardian of ...
... HERE BEGIN THE LITTLE FLOWERS OF SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI CHAPTER IV HOW THE ANGEL
OF GOD PUT A QUESTION TO BROTHER ELIAS, GUARDIAN OF VAL DI SPOLETO, AND HOW ...
/.../ugolino/the little flowers of st francis of assisi/chapter iv how the angel.htm

Whether an Angel by Natural Love Loves God More than He Loves ...
... Now the Divine nature is far above the angelic nature. Therefore, according to natural
love, the angel loves God less than self, or even than another angel. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether an angel by natural.htm

Argument. --That God Also Appeared to Jacob as an Angel; Namely ...
... And yet, even after this, the same divine Scripture justly does not cease
to call the Angel God, and to pronounce God the Angel. ...
/.../chapter xix argument that god also.htm

That Christ is at once Angel and God.
... Second Book. 5. That Christ is at once Angel and God. In Genesis, to Abraham:
"And the Angel of the Lord called him from heaven, and ...
/.../cyprian/three books of testimonies against the jews/5 that christ is at.htm

Argument from the Prayer of Joseph, to Show that the Baptist May ...
... Thus Jacob says: "I, Jacob, who speak to you, and Israel, I am an angel of God,
a ruling spirit, and Abraham and Isaac were created before every work of God ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/25 argument from the prayer.htm

Opinions of the Jews with Regard to Him who Appeared in the Bush.
... in the flame of fire, but God who conversed with Moses; so that there were really
two persons in company with each other, an angel and God, that appeared in ...
/.../chapter lx opinions of the jews.htm

The Same is Proved from the visions which Appeared to Jacob.
... sprinkled with a dun colour. And the Angel of God said to me in the dream,
Jacob, Jacob. And I said, What is it, Lord? And He said, Lift ...
/.../chapter lviii the same is proved.htm

Whether an Angel Needs Grace in Order to Turn to God?
... Therefore the angel did not need grace to turn to God. ... Reply to Objection 1: The
angel loves God naturally, so far as God is the author of his natural being. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether an angel needs grace.htm

Whether an Angel Speaks to God?
... THE SPEECH OF THE ANGELS (FIVE ARTICLES) Whether an angel speaks to God? Objection ...
angel. Therefore it seems that an angel never speaks to God. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether an angel speaks to.htm

Whether the Angel was Produced by God from Eternity?
... OF THE PRODUCTION OF THE ANGELS IN THE ORDER OF NATURAL BEING (FOUR ARTICLES)
Whether the angel was produced by God from eternity? ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the angel was produced.htm