Angel of Yahweh

The Angel of Yahweh (Hebrew mal'ak YHWH, "messenger of the LORD") is a theologically significant figure in the OT whose appearances are characterized by the same identity oscillation as the Angel of God: the angel speaks with divine authority, is worshipped as God, and is identified with God, yet is also distinguished from him as a sent messenger. Key appearances: at the burning bush (Ex. 3:2–6), where the angel is and then becomes God speaking; to Gideon (Judg. 6:11–24), who says "I have seen the angel of the LORD face to face" in fear of death; to Manoah (Judg. 13:3–22), whose name is "wonderful" (cf. Isa. 9:6) and who ascends in the flame; and to Elijah (1 Kgs. 19:5–7). In Zechariah's visions, the angel of the LORD intercedes for Jerusalem (Zech. 1:12), and in Zechariah 3 stands beside Joshua the high priest while contending with Satan. This figure is distinct from ordinary angels in three respects: he bears and speaks the divine name (Ex. 23:20–21), receives worship without correcting the worshipper, and is identified with God in the text. The majority of church fathers interpreted this as a pre-incarnate manifestation of the second person of the Trinity; a minority reading understands him as God's fully authorized representative who speaks in God's name without being a distinct divine person.