The Mysterious Angel of The Lord Is The Holy Spirit and I'll prove it. 

Firstly, it must be understood that the Angel of The Lord is not a created angel. 

The Angel of the LORD cannot be a created being because Scripture consistently assigns Him divine identity, authority, and prerogatives. First, He speaks as God Himself, not merely for God. In Exodus 3:2–6, the Angel appears in the burning bush, yet the voice declares, “I am the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” No created angel ever claims the divine name.

Second, He holds the power to forgive or refuse forgiveness, a role belonging exclusively to God or The Holy Spirit. God warns Israel, “Do not provoke Him… for He will not pardon your transgressions” (Exod. 23:21). Created angels neither forgive nor withhold forgiveness (cf. Rev. 22:8–9).

Third, He receives worship and sacrifice. Manoah offers a burnt offering to the Angel, and the Angel accepts it and ascends in the flame (Judg. 13:16–20). But created angels refuse worship (Rev. 19:10).

Fourth, He is identified with God’s Presence: “The Angel of His Presence saved them” (Isa. 63:9). In this same passage, Isaiah parallels the Angel with “His Holy Spirit” (Isa. 63:10–11), something impossible for a created being.

Because He speaks as YHWH, forgives as God, receives worship, bears the divine Name, and is equated with the Holy Spirit, the Angel of the LORD cannot be a created angel but is a divine Person.

But Who is He?  

Why the Angel of the LORD Is Not the Pre-incarnate Christ

1. The Angel of The Lord has YHWH's Name in Him

The Angel in Exodus 23:21 is unique:

“My Name is in Him.”

This is one of the unusual statements in the Bible—where Scripture says that His name is in Him (Exodus 23:21). What does it even mean for a name to be in someone? From a biblical standpoint, a person’s name refers to their essence, character, and reputation (Proverbs 22:1; Isaiah 63:12,14). 

Therefore, when Scripture declares that God’s name is in Him, it means that this Being possesses God’s very essence, is the location of His presence, carries His authority, and bears His reputation—something that cannot apply to any created angel (Exodus 3:2–6; Judges 13:17–22). 

Since there is no one like God (Deuteronomy 32:39; Isaiah 46:9), this Angel must be divine. What is striking is that we never see this specific language of My Name is in Him used of the Lord Jesus in Scripture, but we do see parallel concepts applied to the Holy Spirit, 

John 14:26

“But the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My Name, He will teach you all things…”

Here's the second part to this. The Lord Jesus said that the Holy Spirit dwells with and shall be in us. This again parallels the work of the Angel of The Lord

Proof Text: The Angel of the LORD Encamps Around the Righteous = The Holy Spirit Dwelling With and In Believers

Psalm 34:7 says:

“The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.”

This Angel:

• Encamps around God’s people

• Surrounds them for protection

• Dwells among the righteous

• Delivers them from danger

This is not occasional visitation — this is habitation.
It describes a Divine Person whose presence continually surrounds the saints.

Now look at The Lord Jesus’ description of the Holy Spirit:

John 14:17

“…the Spirit of truth… ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.”

 The Lord Jesus identifies the Spirit as:

• One who dwells with believers

• One who will dwell inside believers

• A personal presence

• A protective indwelling who stays with the righteous

This is the same function the Angel of the LORD performs in Psalm 34.

Encamps Around (Psalm 34:7) means Dwells With (John 14:17)

The Hebrew word for “encampeth” (חֹנֶה choneh) means:

• to pitch a tent

• to settle down

• to dwell

• to take up residence around someone

That is exactly what The Lord Jesus says the Holy Spirit does:

• He dwells with you

• He abides forever (John 14:16)

Both texts use the language of ongoing habitation.

And here's the interesting point. The Holy Spirit is A Secret To The World.

Known by the Righteous, Unknown to the World

Psalm 34:7:
The Angel protects “those who fear Him,”
not the wicked.

John 14:17:

“…the world cannot receive Him...but you know Him…”

Why can't the world discern the Holy Spirit? Because He's only made known to the righteous (those who fear God); another hint that The Lord Jesus gives concerning the identity of the Angel of The Lord.

“The secret of the LORD is with them that fear Him; and He will show them His covenant” (Psalm 25:14).
Scripture teaches that the deepest things of God are revealed only to those who fear Him. This aligns perfectly with The Lord Jesus’ words about the Holy Spirit, Whom “the world cannot receive… neither sees Him nor knows Him” (John 14:17). 

The Spirit is a divine secret—known only to those who fear God.

Likewise, the Angel of the LORD is described as being with those who fear Him: “The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them” (Psalm 34:7).

He dwells with, protects, and reveals God’s ways only to the righteous.

When we put these truths together, the pattern becomes unmistakable:

• The Holy Spirit is dwells with and is known only by those who fear the Lord.

• The Angel of the LORD is present only with those who fear the Lord.

• Both act as God’s secret, intimate presence among the faithful.

• Both reveal God’s covenant and truth to those who fear Him.

Therefore, the One whom Scripture calls “the secret of the LORD” (Psalm 25:14), the One who dwells with the righteous and not the world (John 14:17), and the One who encamps around those who fear Him (Psalm 34:7), is the same divine Person.

Judges 13:18

“And the Angel of the LORD said unto him,
Why askest thou thus after my name, seeing it is secret?”

In Simple form: 

The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him, and He will show them His covenant.

The Angel of the Lord is with those who fear Him.

The Holy Spirit is not known to the world who do not fear the Lord (a Secret) but is known and dwells among the righteous (those who fear God)

Therefore, The Holy Spirit who is a secret dwells with those that fear Him just like the Angel of The Lord, so The Holy Spirit is the Angel of the Lord.

2. The Angel “Will Not Forgive Your Sins”—but Forgiveness Is the Son’s Ministry

Exodus 23:21:

“Do not provoke Him… for He will not pardon your transgressions.”

The Lord Jesus, however, expressly forgives sins (Mark 2:5–10).
The Son’s role is to forgive. The Lord clearly says that sins against Himself will be forgiven in Matthew 12 31-32

But in the Spirit’s role blasphemy against The Spirit is the unforgivable sin:

• Matthew 12:31–32 – ³¹ Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.
  ³² And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.

The person who refuses forgiveness (Blasphemy against Himself) is not the Son—it's the Spirit.

This is the clearest refutation of the Christ-theophany interpretation. Just like the Angel of The Lord, if you blaspheme The Holy Spirit (provoke Him) He will not pardon or forgive your sins.

3. The Angel Speaks Only the Father’s Words — exactly like the Holy Spirit

Every appearance of the Angel shows him:

• speaking God’s exact words,

• in the first person,

• never from Himself.

Jesus says He speaks on His own authority (John 5:30; 8:28).
But He also says the Holy Spirit will not speak of Himself (John 16:13).

The Angel’s communication pattern aligns precisely with the Spirit.

4. Isaiah Directly Connects “His Angel” With “His Holy Spirit” — Never With the Son

Isaiah 63 contains the decisive passage:

• v. 9 – “The Angel of His Presence saved them.”

• v.10 – “They rebelled and vexed His Holy Spirit.”

• v.11 – “Where is He that put His Holy Spirit within him?”

Isaiah uses parallelism:

“His Angel” ⇔ “His Holy Spirit” ⇔ “The Spirit of the LORD”

Isaiah never equates this Angel with the coming Messiah.
The only person explicitly equated with the Angel in Isaiah is the Spirit.

5. The Angel Appears in Fire — the Son Appears in Flesh, but the Spirit Appears in Fire

The Angel manifests repeatedly in fire:

• Burning bush — Exod. 3:2

• Pillar of fire — Exod. 14:19

• Mountain fire — Judg. 13:20

Fire is consistently the Spirit’s sign:

• Isaiah 4:4 – Spirit of burning

• Acts 2:3 – “tongues as of fire”

• Heb. 12:29 – God as consuming fire (Spirit manifestation)

Jesus never appears in fire in the flesh, but the Spirit does.

6. The Angel Guides Israel’s Journey — precisely the Spirit’s role

Exodus 14:19:

“The Angel of God… went before them.”

Nehemiah 9:20 connects the dots:

“You gave Your GOOD SPIRIT to instruct them.”

The one who guided Israel in the wilderness was the Spirit, not the Son.

This mirrors exactly the Angel’s role.

7. In the Old Testament the Son is prophesied, not manifested

Messianic revelation builds toward incarnation:

• Isaiah 9:6 – Son will be born

• Micah 5:2 – “whose goings forth are from old” but He will come forth in Bethlehem

• Isaiah 7:14 – “the virgin shall conceive and bear a son”

The Old Testament anticipates the Son; it does not present Him appearing repeatedly in bodily or fiery form.
His appearing is future, not past.

But the Spirit does appear (Gen. 1:2; Num. 11:25; Isa. 63:10–14).

8. The Angel’s ministry is identical to the Spirit’s pre-Pentecost ministry

The Angel:

• Guides Israel

• Speaks God’s words

• Judges sin

• Appears in fire

• Bears God’s Name

• Dwells among the people

• Is provoked by sin

• Is equated with the Presence of God

These match the Old Testament descriptions of the Holy Spirit, not the Son.

Why the Angel of the LORD cannot be the pre-incarnate Christ

The Angel:

• Does not Forgive Provocation/Blasphemy against Himself  (Exod. 23:21) → only matches the Spirit

• Speaks nothing of Himself → matches the Spirit

• Appears in fire → matches the Spirit

• Is the “Angel of His Presence” → Isaiah 63 says that Presence is His Holy Spirit

• Is provoked and becomes their enemy → Isaiah 63 says this is the Holy Spirit

• Guides Israel → Spirit’s role in Neh. 9:20

But the Son:

• Forgives sins

• Comes in flesh, not fire

• Is born in Bethlehem

• Receives worship, not ambiguous theophany roles

• Speaks with authority

• Is never described as an angel

The Angel of the LORD best aligns with The Holy Spirit in personal, visible manifestation.

Not the Son.
Not a created angel.
Not a symbolic figure.

Everything He does and is corresponds EXACTLY to the Spirit’s character, role, warnings, and manifestations.

Why the Angel of the LORD Is the Holy Spirit:

1. Isaiah Directly Equates the Angel With the Holy Spirit

Isaiah 63 is the key passage:

• v. 9 – “The Angel of His Presence saved them.”

• v.10 – “They rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit.”

• v.11 – “Where is He who put His Holy Spirit within them?”

Isaiah uses parallelism, describing the same divine Person three ways:

• The Angel of His Presence

• His Holy Spirit

• The Spirit of the LORD

This is the only place in Scripture that explicitly explains the identity of the Angel, and it identifies Him with the Holy Spirit, not the Son.

2. The Angel Bears God’s Name—Exactly What the Spirit Bears

Exodus 23:20–21:

“My Name is in Him.”

The divine Name (“YHWH”) is carried by:

• The Angel (Exod. 23:21)

• The Holy Spirit (Isa. 63:10–11; Matt. 28:19)

A created angel never bears God’s Name.
But the Spirit, who seals and indwells God’s people, does.

3. The Angel “Will Not Forgive” — Matching the Spirit’s Unforgivable Sin

Exodus 23:21:

“Do not provoke Him… He will not pardon your transgressions.”

Jesus taught:

“Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven”
(Matt. 12:31–32).

No one else in Scripture carries this unique divine prerogative.
Not even the Son is spoken of this way.
This matches only the Holy Spirit.

4. The Angel Speaks Only What God Says—Just Like the Spirit

The Angel always speaks God’s exact words, never His own (Gen. 22, Exod. 3, Judg. 6).

Jesus said of the Spirit:

“He shall not speak of Himself… He will speak what He hears”
(John 16:13).

This perfectly matches the Angel’s communication pattern.

5. The Angel Appears in Fire—the Spirit’s Signature Manifestation

The Angel appears in:

• the burning bush (Exod. 3:2)

• the pillar of fire (Exod. 14:19)

• fire from the altar (Judg. 13:20)

In Scripture, fire is repeatedly linked to the Holy Spirit:

• “Spirit of burning” (Isa. 4:4)

• “Tongues as of fire” (Acts 2:3)

• “Our God is a consuming fire” (Heb. 12:29), often applied to the Spirit’s purifying work.

Christ never appears in fire—but the Spirit does.

6. The Angel Guides Israel—the Spirit’s Role in the Old Testament

Exodus 14:19 says the Angel went before Israel.
But Nehemiah 9:20 says:

“You gave Your good Spirit to instruct them.”

The leader and guide of Israel’s journey was the Spirit, the same One called “the Angel of God” in the Exodus narratives.

7. The Angel Is God’s Presence—A Title of the Spirit

Isaiah 63:9:

“The Angel of His Presence saved them.”

The word Presence (פנים ’panim) means:

• God’s face

• God’s personal nearness

• God’s indwelling presence

In Scripture, God’s Presence is the Holy Spirit:

• Psalm 51:11 – “Take not Your Holy Spirit from me.”

• Exodus 33:14 – “My Presence will go with you.”

The Angel is that Presence.

The Angel of the LORD is The Holy Spirit

Because the Angel:

• bears the divine Name (Exod. 23:21)

• refuses forgiveness like the Spirit (Matt. 12:31–32)

• is provoked like the Spirit (Isa. 63:10)

• guides Israel like the Spirit (Neh. 9:20)

• appears in fire like the Spirit (Exod. 3:2; Acts 2:3)

• is God’s Presence like the Spirit (Isa. 63:9–11)

• speaks only what God says, like the Spirit (John 16:13)

• is equated with the Holy Spirit directly by Isaiah

The Angel of the LORD is not a created angel and not the preincarnate Christ, but the Holy Spirit in visible, personal manifestation. 

Here's The Final bit of Evidence:

2 Kings 19 — Death by the Angel of the LORD

2 Kings 19:35

“And it came to pass that night, that the Angel of the LORD went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand…”

• The Angel of the LORD kills 185,000 Assyrian soldiers in a single night.

• This is done in divine judgment, not a natural event.

• The Angel acts with God’s authority, executing justice in defense of His people.

Key points:

• The Angel acts alone.

• He wields death as a divine tool.

• No created angel is ever given lethal authority independent of God’s spoken order.

• The act is judicial, moral, and covenantal.

Acts 5 — Death by the Holy Spirit

Acts 5:1–11
Ananias and Sapphira lie about their offering.

Peter says:

“You have lied to the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 5:3)
“You have not lied unto men, but unto God.” (Acts 5:4)

And immediately:

• Ananias dies (Acts 5:5)

• Sapphira dies three hours later (Acts 5:10)

Key points:

• Their deaths come directly from the Holy Spirit.

• No human, apostle, or angel executes judgment.

• The Holy Spirit alone judges and kills.

• The act is judicial, moral, and covenantal—the same pattern as the Angel of the LORD.

The Connection Between 2 Kings 19 and Acts 5

These two events are parallel manifestations of the same divine Person acting in judgment:

Why does this matter?

Because the actions and authority of the Angel in the Old Testament match exactly the actions and authority of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament:

• Both bring death directly
  (2 Kings 19 → 185,000; Acts 5 → Ananias & Sapphira)

• Both act as God, not merely for God

• Both judge sin instantly

• Both enforce covenant purity

• Both operate without mediation

• Both strike fear into God’s people
  (2 Kings 19:37; Acts 5:11)

These parallels strongly support this extrapolation.

Table showing That The Angel of The Lord is in fact The Holy Spirit

The Lord revealed this by The Holy Spirit to me around 4am one morning. I had no understanding of it fully prior, but in my mind He guided me into all the truth, as Scripture says He would, showing me the fire, the fact that His Name is in Him, and that He doesn't forgive sins against Himself and it all clicked. The Person of The Holy Spirit was revealed.

Here's the final table showing the gravity of what was shared. 

References: 

1. Franz Delitzsch (1813–1890)

Works:

• Commentary on Genesis (T&T Clark, 1887)

• Biblical Psychology (T&T Clark, 1855)

2. Carl Friedrich Keil (1807–1888)

Works:

• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament (13 vols., 1861–91)

3. Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg (1802–1869)

Works:

• Christology of the Old Testament (4 vols., 1829–35)

4. Samuel Rolles Driver (1846–1914)

Works:

• Notes on the Hebrew Text of the Books of Samuel (Oxford, 1890)

• Introduction to the Literature of the Old Testament (1891)

5. August Dillmann (1823–1894)

Works:

• Die Genesis (2nd ed., 1882)

• Exodus und Leviticus (1880)

6. Julius Wellhausen (1844–1918)

Works:

• Prolegomena zur Geschichte Israels (1883)

7. William Robertson Smith (1846–1894)

Works:

• The Religion of the Semites (1889)

8. T. K. Cheyne (1841–1915)

Works:

• Encyclopaedia Biblica (1899)

9. Johann Peter Lange (1802–1884)

Works:

• Lange’s Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Joshua (1872)

• Commentary on the Pentateuch (1874)

10. Eberhard Schrader (1836–1908)

Works:

• Keilinschriften und das Alte Testament (1872)