While Iaoel was still speaking, fire closed in around them on every side. A voice was inside the fire, like the voice of many waters (Ezekiel 1:24), like the roaring of the sea in its uproar. The angel bowed his head and worshipped. Abraham wanted to fall to the ground, but there was no ground to fall upon. The high place on which they stood rose upright one moment and plunged downward the next, shaken by the force of the Divine Voice.
"Only worship, Abraham," Iaoel said. "Utter the song I have taught you."
There was no earth beneath him. No solid footing. Only the song could hold him in place. And so Abraham sang, and the angel sang with him, the celestial hymn of praise:
Eternal, mighty, Holy El,<br/> God only, Supreme!<br/> Self-originated, incorruptible, spotless,<br/> Uncreated, immaculate, immortal,<br/> Self-complete, self-illuminating;<br/> Without father, without mother, unbegotten,<br/> Exalted, fiery One!
Lover of men, benevolent, bountiful,<br/> Jealous over me and very compassionate;<br/> Eli, that is, My God,<br/> Eternal, mighty, holy Sabaoth,<br/> Very glorious El, El, El, El, Iaoel!
You are He whom my soul has loved!<br/> Eternal Protector, shining like fire,<br/> Whose voice is like thunder,<br/> Whose look is like lightning, all-seeing,<br/> Who receives the prayers of such as honor You!
You, O Light, shine before the light of morning upon Your creatures,<br/> And in Your heavenly dwelling places there is no need of any other light<br/> Than the unspeakable splendor from the lights of Your countenance.
Accept my prayer,<br/> Likewise also the sacrifice which You have prepared through me who sought You!<br/> Accept me favorably, and show me, and teach me,<br/> And make known to Your servant as You have promised me!
A mortal man, standing in midair, singing words that only angels were meant to know. The fourfold "El" was a substitute for the unutterable Name. The name "Iaoel" applied here not to the angel but to God Himself. Abraham had crossed over into a language reserved for the heavenly court.