While the conclusion that man was not created by "three distinct persons" is correct, the study of Hebrew words from this passage does not work.
The angel (mal·äk) referred to in vs 16 is to be understood as: The angel who redeemed me is The angel who was usually sent to me in my distress, as the matter is stated: “And an angel of God said to me in a dream, ‘Jacob!…I am the God of Bethel’ ” (
Gen. 31:11-13). - [after Targum Jonathan ben Uzziel]
The word, mal·äk, the theophanic angel, is understood to be God expressing Himself in human form, being Himself His own personal messenger. Sometimes referred to as The Angel of the Lord". Also see all of
Gen 18 with emphases on vs 33.
In the
Gen 1 reference, Elohim (singular intensive) is the plural of 'el, the shortened form of ah'·yil.
In the vs 16 we have, "The Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.." the conceptual translation should read something like this:
"God, who appeared unto me in the form of a man, and who redeemed me from all evil, ..."
Cautionary Note:
Attempting to interpret the Bible according to doctrinal filters can be a dangerous path to follow. It can lead to scriptural/spiritual misunderstandings and misapplication of the word of God. Also, combining scriptures together simply because they contain the same words, such a the term "perfect", may also lead to incorrect (incomplete) understandings and application of scripture. See
Psalms 101:2. There are two different Hebrew words translated as "perfect", and neither term, as used in this verse, means "Being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish", a common English definition for perfect.