Angels of the LORD

Many teach "the angel of the LORD" refers to one specific angel only, namely the preexistent Son of God.

But the Hebrew phrase malak-YHWH can also be translated as "an angel of YHWH" or "a certain angel of YHWH" (depending on the context).

The NET Bible comment on Gen. 16:7 says the angel merely represents the Lord; he can speak for the Lord because he is sent with the Lord’s full authority. In some cases the angel is clearly distinct from the Lord (see Judg 6:11-23). It is not certain if the same angel is always in view. Though the proper name following the noun “angel” makes the construction definite, this may simply indicate that a definite angel sent from the Lord is referred to in any given context. It need not be the same angel on every occasion. Note the analogous expression “the servant of the Lord,” which refers to various individuals in the OT (see BDB 714 s.v. עֶבֶד).

Similarly in Deut. 15:17 God commands to take an awl and put it through the ear of a servant.

The Hebrew here literally says "the awl" but are we to suppose there was one specific awl that was kept since the time of Moses and used all the time?

Of course not.

Hence, the Bible can speak of "angels of God," (Gen 28:12; 32:1) i.e., angels of the LORD.