Is the Angel of the LORD actually God?

Is the Angel of the LORD actually God?

Yes, sometimes

If you’ve ever read the Old Testament and wondered, “Who is the Angel of the LORD?”—you’re not alone. It’s a fascinating mystery that has intrigued believers for centuries. So here’s the short answer:

Yes—many times, the Angel of the LORD is God Himself.

The Hebrew word for angel, mal’ak, just means “messenger,” so the phrase “Angel of the LORD” can sometimes refer to a divine messenger—and other times, to God showing up in a visible form.

Here are some key moments where the Angel of the LORD appears to be God:

- Genesis 16 – The Angel promises Hagar things only God can promise, and she calls Him “the God who sees me.”

- Exodus 3 – The burning bush begins with “the Angel of the LORD appeared,” but the voice that speaks is clearly God’s. Moses even hides his face because he’s afraid to look at God.

- Judges 6 – The Angel speaks to Gideon, and then the text says “the LORD turned to him and said…”

In these cases, the Angel of the LORD receives worship, speaks in the first person as God, and acts with divine authority. Many theologians believe these are Christophanies—appearances of the pre-incarnate Christ.

BUT—there are also times when “the angel of the LORD” is clearly not God.

A few examples:

- Zechariah 1 – The Angel of the LORD intercedes to God on behalf of Jerusalem. He’s not speaking as God, but to Him.

- 1 Kings 19 – An angel of the LORD feeds Elijah. No divine claims, no worship—just obedience to God’s command.

- Acts 12 – An angel frees Peter from prison. Peter later says “the Lord sent His angel,” showing it was a created being.

So how do you tell the difference?

If the angel speaks as God, receives worship, and acts with divine power—it’s probably God Himself, often interpreted as a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus.

If the angel speaks about God, gives a message, and refuses worship—it’s likely a created angelic being sent by God.

Amazing how rich and layered the Bible is!

Let me know if you’ve ever wondered about this or have a favorite moment where God shows up in unexpected ways!