The term "Destroying Angel" is used in the Bible to describe a divine agent of judgment, often sent by God to execute His wrath upon the disobedient or to carry out His divine will. This concept is rooted in several key biblical narratives where the presence of such an angel is evident.

Passover and the Plagues of Egypt

One of the most prominent instances of the Destroying Angel is found in the account of the Passover in the Book of Exodus. During the tenth and final plague upon Egypt, God sent a destroying angel to strike down the firstborn of the Egyptians. The Israelites were instructed to mark their doorposts with the blood of a lamb so that the angel would "pass over" their homes, sparing them from the plague. Exodus 12:23 states, "For the LORD will pass through to strike down the Egyptians, and when He sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the LORD will pass over the door and will not allow the destroyer to enter your houses to strike you."

Judgment on Jerusalem

Another significant mention of a destroying angel is found in 2 Samuel 24 and 1 Chronicles 21, where King David's census of Israel incurs God's wrath. As a result, God sends a pestilence upon Israel, and an angel is sent to destroy Jerusalem. However, God relents from complete destruction after David repents and offers sacrifices. 2 Samuel 24:16 describes, "But when the angel stretched out his hand to destroy Jerusalem, the LORD relented from the calamity and said to the angel who was destroying the people, 'Enough! Withdraw your hand now.'"

Assyrian Army Defeated

In 2 Kings 19 and Isaiah 37, the Destroying Angel is again depicted as an instrument of divine intervention. When the Assyrian army, led by King Sennacherib, threatens Jerusalem, God sends an angel to strike down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers in one night, delivering Judah from imminent destruction. 2 Kings 19:35 records, "That night the angel of the LORD went out and struck down 185,000 men in the camp of the Assyrians. When the people got up the next morning, there were all the dead bodies!"

Theological Significance

The Destroying Angel serves as a powerful symbol of God's holiness and justice. It underscores the seriousness of sin and the reality of divine judgment. At the same time, the narratives involving the Destroying Angel also highlight God's mercy and the possibility of redemption and protection for those who are obedient and faithful to His commands.

New Testament Context

While the New Testament does not explicitly mention a "Destroying Angel," the concept of divine judgment continues. In Revelation, angels are depicted as agents of God's wrath during the end times, executing judgments upon the earth. This continuity reflects the consistent biblical theme of God using His messengers to fulfill His sovereign purposes.

In summary, the Destroying Angel is a profound representation of God's power to judge and save, serving as a reminder of His ultimate authority over life and death.