Topical Bible: Angel (A Spirit): Appearances of To Abraham

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In the biblical narrative, angels are spiritual beings created by God, often serving as His messengers and agents in the world. The appearances of angels to Abraham, the patriarch of the Israelites, are significant events that underscore God's covenantal relationship with him and His divine plans for Abraham's descendants.

1. The Visit at Mamre (Genesis 18:1-15): One of the most notable appearances of angels to Abraham occurs at the oaks of Mamre. The Lord appeared to Abraham in the form of three men, who are often interpreted as angels. Abraham, recognizing their divine nature, showed them great hospitality. During this visit, one of the men, identified as the Lord, reiterated the promise that Sarah, Abraham's wife, would bear a son, Isaac, despite her old age. This encounter emphasizes the fulfillment of God's promise and the miraculous nature of Isaac's birth. The Berean Standard Bible records this event: "Then the LORD appeared to Abraham by the Oaks of Mamre, while he was sitting at the entrance of his tent in the heat of the day" (Genesis 18:1).

2. The Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 18:16-19:29): Following the visit at Mamre, the angels proceeded toward Sodom. Abraham interceded with the Lord on behalf of the righteous in the city, demonstrating his role as an intercessor. The angels, upon arriving in Sodom, were hosted by Lot, Abraham's nephew. They warned Lot of the impending destruction and facilitated his family's escape, highlighting the angels' role as both messengers of judgment and agents of deliverance.

3. The Binding of Isaac (Genesis 22:1-19): In a profound test of faith, God commanded Abraham to offer his son Isaac as a sacrifice. As Abraham prepared to obey, an angel of the Lord intervened at the critical moment, stopping him and providing a ram as a substitute offering. This event is pivotal, illustrating themes of faith, obedience, and divine provision. The BSB recounts the angel's intervention: "But the angel of the LORD called out to him from heaven, 'Abraham, Abraham!' 'Here I am,' he replied" (Genesis 22:11).

These angelic appearances to Abraham are integral to the biblical narrative, revealing God's direct involvement in human history and His unfolding plan of salvation. They underscore the themes of promise, judgment, intercession, and divine provision, which are central to the Abrahamic covenant and the broader biblical story.

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Genesis 18:2
And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, see, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground,
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Genesis 22:11-18
And the angel of the LORD called to him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I.
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Library

The Essence of God Never Appeared in Itself. Divine Appearances to ...
... the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, since it ... 22. It is manifest, accordingly,
that all those appearances to the ... where it is not said by an angel, but "by ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 11 the essence of god.htm

The Angel of the Lord in the Pentateuch, and the Book of Joshua.
... a measure of the gifts of the Spirit of God ... in order that every thought of a lower
angel may be ... then, contains the indication, that such appearances must only ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the angel of the lord.htm

Elijah Come Again
... chapters that they are full of angelic appearances, which modern ... We have next the
angel's message ... figures in Scripture are truer brethren in spirit than Elijah ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/elijah come again.htm

Acts VII
... for a trial, to keep up appearances before the ... the congregation in the wilderness,
with the angel who spoke ... and ears, you are always resisting the Holy Spirit. ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts vii.htm

On the Creation of the World
... and cause those more than frightful appearances, radiating with ... the dragon seduced
Eve, the angel Gabriel brought ... the same day the Holy Spirit overflowed the ...
/.../victorinus/on the creation of the world/on the creation of the.htm

Christ as the First and the Last; He is Also what Lies Between ...
... it was so, if we observe carefully the appearances and the ... says: [4617] "His name
is called Angel of Great ... last Adam was made a quickening spirit." This saying ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/34 christ as the first.htm

The Promise to the Patriarchs.
... heavenly life, as a blessed [Pg 51] spirit with God ... is furnished by the doctrine
of the Angel of the ... the passages in which, at the appearances and revelations ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the promise to the patriarchs.htm

The Harmony of the Gospels.
... 284]208; resurrection of, announced by an angel to the ... in Galilee, [292]221, etc.;
ten appearances of, [293 ... 161, etc.; casting out an unclean spirit, [313]226 ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/the harmony of the gospels.htm

Noah's Justice
... conquer temptation, and doubt, and false appearances, and fear ... easy, again, to say
that an angel appeared to ... have said, 'This was an evil spirit which appeared ...
/.../kingsley/twenty-five village sermons/sermon x noahs justice.htm

The Fifth vision "On Earth"
... the Son of Man make seven heavenly appearances and utterances. ... at Nazareth (Luke
4:18-20): "The Spirit of the ... God." But here, when this first angel preaches in ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the fifth vision on earth.htm