---
title: Exodus 23:20
url: https://jw-apologetics.app/verses/exodus-23-20/
markdown: https://jw-apologetics.app/verses/exodus-23-20.md
type: verse
perspective: Protestant (historic Nicene) response to Jehovah's Witness teaching
reference: Exodus 23:20
testament: OT
section: Law
index: https://jw-apologetics.app/llms.txt
---

# Exodus 23:20

## Text (Berean Standard Bible)

> Behold, I am sending an angel before you to protect you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared.

## JW Usage

JWs read "I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you on the way and to bring you into the place that I have prepared" as the straightforward account of an angelic messenger — one of Jehovah's created spirit agents accompanying Israel. The Watchtower identifies this angel variously with Michael (who delivered Israel, on the JW reading of Jude 5) or simply as a powerful angelic guide.

## Protestant Usage

Read verse 20 with verse 21, and the identification tightens. This angel is not a generic messenger — his status is extraordinary. Verse 21 says he cannot forgive transgression, "for my name is in him." The divine name indwelling a messenger is not a feature of ordinary angels. Pair Exodus 23:20-21 with Jude 5 in the earliest and best Greek manuscripts (P72, Vaticanus, Alexandrinus all preferred by NA28): "Jesus, although he saved a people out of the land of Egypt." And with 1 Corinthians 10:4 — even in the NWT — "that rock meant the Christ." And with Isaiah 63:9: "the angel of his presence saved them." The figure who leads Israel in the wilderness bears Jehovah's name (Exodus 23:21), is identified as Christ (Jude 5; 1 Corinthians 10:4), and acts with the full authority of Jehovah who said "Jehovah alone kept leading him" (Deuteronomy 32:12). The Old Testament prepares ground the New Testament walks on: the figure the New Testament calls Jesus is identified with the God of Israel who delivered the nation.

## Arguments Using This Verse

- [Jesus Delivered Israel from Egypt](https://jw-apologetics.app/arguments/jude5-jesus-delivered-israel.md) — Jude 5 [Deity of Christ]
- [The Angel That Bore Jehovah's Name](https://jw-apologetics.app/arguments/acts-7-38-angel-name.md) — Acts 7:38, Exodus 23:20-23 — an angel who forgives sin and demands absolute obedience [Deity of Christ]