The Angel Named Night Who Fought Alongside Abraham

Rabbi Yochanan said: the angel that presented itself to Abraham, its name was Night, as it is said, "and the night that said, A man-child is conceived" (Job 3:3). Rabbi Yitzchak Nappacha [the smith] said: because a deed of the night was done for him, as it is said, "From heaven they fought, the stars in their courses fought against Sisera" (Judges 5:20). Rabbi Shimon ben Elazar said: "Better is the smith's word than the smith's son's word" [praising Rabbi Yitzchak Nappacha's interpretation over the prior]. "And he pursued as far as Dan" (Genesis 14:14). Rabbi Yochanan said: when that righteous man reached Dan, his strength weakened, for he saw that his descendants were destined to serve idolatry there. And even that wicked one [the enemy] did not prevail until he reached Dan, as it is said, "From Dan was heard..." (Jeremiah 8:16).