Ohr HaChaim (Devarim 10:17): Because the L‑rd your
G‑d is G‑d of gods and L‑rd of lords. The explanation of this verse is
that G‑d is the master of the angels which are also referred to as god (Job
1:6). The expression L‑rd of lords is referring to His ruling over the
world…and in particular that the lords of the world do not have free will to do
as they chose and wish. Rather G‑d controls them to direct them as He wishes.
This principle is expressed in Mishlei (21:1) that “The heart of the king is in
G‑d’s hand.”
Ramban Bereishis (28:12) AND BEHOLD A LADDER SET UP ON THE EARTH AND THE TOP OF IT REACHED TO
HEAVEN; AND BEHOLD THE ANGELS OF G-D ASCENDING AND DESCENDING ON IT. In a
prophetic dream, He showed Jacob that whatever is done on earth is effected by
means of the angels, and everything is by decree given to them by the Supreme
One. The angels of G-d, whom the Eternal hath sent to walk to and fro
through the earth,Zechariah 1:10. would not do anything minor or
major until they return to present themselves before the Master of the whole
earth, saying before Him, “We have traversed the earth,See ibid., Verse 11.
and behold it dwells in peace, or is steeped in war and blood,” and He commands
them to return, to descend to the earth and fulfill His charge. And He further
showed him [Jacob] that He, blessed be He, stands above the ladder, and
promises Jacob with supreme assurance to inform him that he will not be under
the power of the angels, but he will be G-d’s portion,Deuteronomy
32:9. and that He will be with him always, as He said, And, behold, I am
with thee, and will keep thee wherever thou goest4Verse 15
here. for his [Jacob’s] excellence is superior to that of the other
righteous ones of whom it is said, For He will give His angels charge over
thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.Psalms 91:11And in the opinion of
Rabbi Eliezer the Great6Pirkei d’Rabbi Eliezer, 35. this
vision was akin to the one seen by Abram at the time of the covenant “between
the parts”7Above, 15:9-18. for He also showed Jacob the
dominion of the Four Kingdoms,See Ramban above, 14:1 and 15:12. The Four
Kingdoms represent the great world powers seen in a vision by Daniel (Chapter
7), who in succession will subject Israel until such time when Israel’s final
and complete deliverance will be effected by the Messiah. The power of the
fourth kingdom, that of Rome, is still in sway. See Ramban further at the
beginning of Seder Vayechi. Jacob, like Abraham, was thus shown the events that
will happen to his descendants during all the generations of their exiles.
their ascent and descent. This is the meaning of angels of G-d
(mentioned here), just as it is said in the visions of Daniel: the prince of
the kingdom of Greece,9Daniel 10:20. and the prince of the
kingdom of Persia.10Ibid., Verse 13. Similarly, the angels
mentioned in the verse before us are to be understood as the representatives of
the various nations. And He promised him that He, exalted be He, will be
with him wherever he will go among the nations, and He will guard him and
rescue him from them. Thus the Rabbis have said: Pirkei d’Rabbi Eliezer, 35.
“The Holy One, blessed be He, showed him the Four Kingdoms, their dominion and
their destruction.
