Dec 1, 2025

The Angel of the LORD

This is a fascinating study area known as Christophanies—pre-incarnate appearances of Jesus Christ in the Old Testament.

Theologians widely agree that when the Old Testament speaks of "The Angel of the LORD" (Malak Yahweh), it is often not a created angel, but the eternal Son of God (Jesus) appearing before His human birth. The text frequently identifies this "Angel" as God Himself, yet also distinct from God (the Father), perfectly mirroring the Trinity.

Here is a list of the major instances, a comparison of the KJV and NIV translations, and an analysis of the "Messenger" terminology.

1. The Core Term: "Angel" vs. "Messenger"

The Hebrew word used in these passages is Mal'ak.

Literal Meaning: Messenger.
Translation Habit: When the messenger is human, Bibles translate it as "messenger." When the messenger is supernatural, they translate it as "angel."

You are correct that Jesus is sometimes referred to as a "Messenger." The most famous instance is in Malachi, where Jesus is prophesied as the "Messenger of the Covenant."

Verse	KJV (King James Version)	NIV (New International Version)	Note
Malachi 3:1	"...the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant..."	"...the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire..."	Both preserve the word "Messenger" here. This is a clear title for Jesus.

2. Major Appearances (Christophanies) & Translation Comparison

Here are the specific instances where this figure appears, with a comparison of how the KJV and NIV handle the titles.

A. Hagar in the Desert (Genesis 16:7-13)

The "Angel" speaks as God in the first person ("I will multiply thy seed").

KJV: "And the angel of the LORD found her..." (v. 7). Hagar calls him "Thou God seest me" (v. 13).
NIV: "The angel of the LORD found Hagar..." (v. 7). Hagar calls him "the God who sees me" (v. 13).
Comparison: Both use "angel" (lowercase). The distinction of the figure being God is clear in both.

B. The Burning Bush (Exodus 3:2-6)

This is the definitive appearance. The figure is distinct from God (the Angel) but is God.

KJV: "And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire..." (v. 2).
NIV: "There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in flames of fire..." (v. 2).
Comparison: Identical. Note that KJV (1769 edition) usually uses lowercase "angel" here, contrary to popular belief. It is the NKJV (New King James) that capitalizes it as "Angel".

C. The Commander of the Lord's Army (Joshua 5:13-15)

Joshua meets a warrior before the battle of Jericho. He worships him, and the figure accepts it (unlike created angels, who refuse worship).

KJV: "...Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come."
NIV: "...Neither,' he replied, 'but as commander of the army of the LORD I have now come.'"
Comparison: KJV uses "Captain" vs. NIV "Commander." Both titles denote a military leader, fitting for Jesus as the one who leads the battle against sin.

D. The Fourth Man in the Furnace (Daniel 3:25)

This is the most significant translation difference regarding Jesus' divinity.

KJV: "...and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God."
NIV: "...and the fourth looks like a son of the gods."
Analysis:
- KJV: explicitly identifies the figure as the Son of God (Capital S), directly linking Him to Jesus.
- NIV: translates it from the perspective of the pagan King Nebuchadnezzar (who is speaking), who would have seen a divine being ("a son of the gods" / bar elahin in Aramaic) rather than knowing the specific Hebrew theology of the "Son of God."

E. Gideon’s Call (Judges 6:11-24)

The Angel proves he is God by consuming a sacrifice with fire from a rock.

KJV: "And there came an angel of the LORD..." (v. 11). Gideon exclaims, "Alas, O Lord GOD! for because I have seen an angel of the LORD face to face" (v. 22).
NIV: "The angel of the LORD came..." (v. 11). Gideon exclaims, "Alas, Sovereign LORD! I have seen the angel of the LORD face to face!" (v. 22).
Comparison: Identical phrasing.

F. Jacob’s Redemption (Genesis 48:16)

Jacob, at the end of his life, blesses Joseph's sons by invoking the God who shepherded him and the "Angel" who redeemed him.

KJV: "The Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads..."
NIV: "...the angel who has delivered me from all harm — may he bless these boys."
Comparison: KJV uses "Redeemed" (stronger theological tie to salvation/Christ). NIV uses "Delivered" (more general rescue).

3. Summary of Key Differences

Feature	KJV	NIV	Implication
Daniel 3:25	"Son of God"	"son of the gods"	KJV makes the Christ-connection explicit; NIV translates the pagan king's perspective literally.
Joshua 5:14	"Captain"	"Commander"	Minor stylistic difference; both imply supreme authority.
Gen 48:16	"Redeemed"	"Delivered"	"Redeemed" in KJV connects more strongly to the language of the Cross.
"Angel" Title	Usually lowercase "angel" (in standard 1769 text)	Lowercase "angel"	Note: Many modern readers confuse the KJV with the NKJV, which does capitalize "Angel" to help the reader identify Jesus.

Why "Messenger" matters

The fact that Jesus is the "Messenger of the Covenant" (Malachi 3:1) is crucial because the Greek word for "Messenger" is Angelos (Angel) and the Hebrew is Mal'ak.

Technically, Jesus is the Ultimate Angel (Messenger) because He is the one sent by the Father to deliver the message of salvation. He is not a created being like Gabriel or Michael; He is the Messenger who is God.

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The Purpose in writing this blog

The authors are full-time ordained ministers and preachers in the Bible Presbyterian Church in Singapore. The goal of this blog is to encourage all Bible Presbyterian pastors, elders, and leaders, as well as the flocks they serve, to turn to the Shepherd, our Lord Jesus Christ. To unite under the leadership of the Holy Spirit and the Bible. Accepting our minor differences while focusing on the cross. Being described as one family under God the Father. We are called to be together in our diversity. Pride is the fault of all Bible Presbyterian Churches worldwide. Lust has blinded theologians at Far Eastern Bible College. It is at this heavy, serious, and gloomy moment in our Christian walk, rebuking these pastors and theologians, the remarks in this blog are heavy and severe in order to prompt them to repentance. May God help and bless us.

The Apostles' Creed

I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth; And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary; Suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead and buried: He descended into hell; The third day he rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead; I believe in the Holy Ghost; I believe in the holy catholic church: the communion of saints; The forgiveness of sins; The resurrection of the body; And the life everlasting. Amen.

LUTHER'S MORNING PRAYER

Errors in King James Version

Read Romans 8:26...the KJV has "the Spirit itself..." This is an error; the Holy Spirit is our God, and we must address Him correctly! How may "itself" be used to approach God, the Holy Spirit? "It" is used to address an item or an animal, not a person or God! The KJV translators had insulted the Holy Spirit! However, in another verse, the KJV translators used the term "him" to designate Satan. What an insult to KJV readers! Read Luke 11:18: "...if Satan also be divided against himself..." The KJV uses the phrase "himself..." when addressing Satan! The KJV translator used "it" for the Holy Spirit, but "him" for Satan!!! Mark 3:28 "Truly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the children of man, and whatever blasphemies they utter, Mark 3:29 but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin"

One Another

Unity In Diversity for Bible Presbyterian Churches in Singapore

Like a peal of bells the word allelon-'one another'-rings through the pages of the New Testament.

'Accept one another' allelon

'Serve one another' allelon

'Wash one another's feet'

'Confess your sins one to another'

'Pray one for another'

'Forbearing one another and forgiving each other'

'Teaching and admonishing one another'

'Comfort one another and build each other up'

'Bear one another's burdens'

'Love one another as I have loved you'

Those who have the flow of mutuality in their relationship with each other need not be vocal or exuberant in expressing it.

John Calvin's consent

To new readers, I greet you in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, may God grant us good theologians, humble servants of the Lord, and faithful believers in these last days, may God use this blog to call some one for self searching and repentance, and here we are blogging in theological debates. In 1547, Jacques Gruet, he was arrested by Calvin, tortured for a month and beheaded on July 26, 1547.. The civil court condemned him to death and, with Calvin's consent, he was beheaded. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Calvin) John Calvin consented to kill a man for his theological stand, but I rather use strong words to achieve that!

Statement

1. The authors of this blog do not believe that the KJV Bible is the perfect Bible. The KJV has problems and inaccuracies because it is a man-made translation. 2. The inerrant Bible is in the autograph. All subsequent copies of Hebrew and Greek manuscripts have God's Written Word. We have God's written Word preserved in the NIV, KJV, and ESV. 3. There is no such notion as Verbal Plenary Preservation on a single TR Greek Text underlying the KJV, and the authors do not believe that the entire Greek text underlying the KJV Bible, or the TR, is error-free. 4. The authors believe that the Bible was inspired verbally and plenarily preserved in NIV, KJV, ESV, NESB….other faithful Bible versions. 5. The authors recommend NKJV, NIV, ESV, and NLT New Living Translation. 6. Our Lord Jesus Christ is the living Word.

Far Eastern Bible College (FEBC) Bible-Presbyterian Church (BPC)