The LORD’s angel appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the middle of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 2. The Lord appeared. That is, and angel representing God, and speaking in his name. Challoner. Acts 7:30. Galatians 3:19.—The apparitions of God to the patriarchs are generally understood in this sense. Saint Augustine de Trin. iii. 11. Worthington.—Yet many of the Fathers suppose, that this angel was no other than the Son of God, the angel of the great council. (Malachi 3:1,) and Saint Augustine (q. 2, in Ex.) does not disapprove of this opinion. Calmet.—Not burnt. Thus the Hebrews were afflicted, but not destroyed. Menochius.—God is styled a consuming fire. Deuteronomy 4:24. He appeared in fire again. Calmet. 24:17. Calmet.
When rendered in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS, “LORD” or “GOD” is the translation of God’s Proper Name (Hebrew “יהוה”, usually pronounced Yahweh).