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What is an…
angel

Hebrew: מֲלְאָךְ —transliteration: malak or mal'ak —meaning: a messenger —occurrences: 213 (the majority are translated as angel, the rest as messenger, ambassador or envoy)

Greek: ἄγγελος —transliteration: aggelos —meaning: a messenger; an angel —occurrences: 176 (all translated as angel, except 7 times as messenger)

In both languages, the word means “messenger,” and is used to describe any agent God sends to do his will. It does not always refer to Heavenly beings.

The appearances of “the Angel of the Lord” to Abraham at Mamre (Genesis 18:2, 22 / compare 19:1), to Jacob at Peniel (Genesis 32:24, 30), to Joshua at Gilgal (Joshua 5:13, 15), were of the pre-incarnate Jesus Christ. They were “foreshadowings of the incarnation,” revelations before the “fullness of the time” of the Son of God.

Heavenly angels

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Abraham was visited by three heavenly messengers.

  1. Numerous

    These superior beings are very numerous. “Thousand thousands” (millions) “innumerable,” etc. (Daniel 7:10; Matthew 26:53; Luke 2:13; Hebrews 12:22-23).

  2. Various ranks and powers

    They have different ranks in dignity and power (Zechariah 1:9, 11; Dan. 10:13; 12:1; 1 Thess. 4:16; Jude 1:9; Ephesians 1:21; Col. 1:16).

  3. They are spirits (Hebrews 1:14), like the soul of man, without a physical body, although they can sometimes take on the appearance of a human (“some have entertained angels without knowing it” —Hebrews 13:2 NASB).

  4. Capable of appearing in human-like form

    Such expressions as “like the angels” (Luke 20:36), and the fact that whenever angels appeared to man it was always in a human form (Genesis 18:2; 19:1, 10; Luke 24:4; Acts 1:10), and the titles that are applied to them (“sons of God,” Job 1:6; 38:7; Dan. 3:25; compare 28) and to men (Luke 3:38), all seem to indicate some resemblance between them and the human race. In fact, “some have entertained angels without knowing it” (Hebrews 13:2 NASB). Obviously, wings are not part of how angels present themselves on Earth.

    However, some special angelic beings described in Scripture are not at all human-like in appearance, but rather almost defy description—multiple wings, multiple eyes, constant movement, etc.

  5. Male or female

    Every appearance of angels recorded in the Scripture, appears to be masculine-looking, not feminine.

    Angels are not gendered, not male or female in the sense that humans are. They do not marry. They cannot reproduce themselves, making angel babies. God only gave humans and Earth’s creatures the ability to reproduce (Matt. 22:30; Luke 20:34-36).

  6. Freewilled

    They were created by God with a free-will.

  7. Can sin

    Imperfection is ascribed to them (Job 4:18; Matthew 24:36; 1 Peter 1:12). As free-willed creatures, like us, they may fall under temptation; and thus we read of “fallen angels.”

    We can only guess at the full cause and manner of their “fall.” We do know that fallen angels sinned (2 Peter 2:4) and “left their first estate”—their created purpose (Rev. 12:7, 9), and that they are “reserved unto judgment” and God will place them in the everlasting fire “prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41).

    And there was war in heaven, Michael and his angels waging war with the dragon. The dragon and his angels waged war, and they were not strong enough, and there was no longer a place found for them in heaven. —Rev. 12:7-8

  8. Immortal

    Angels never die (Luke 20:36). They are immortal, as is the human soul. And like humans, they are not eternal into the past, they were created. Only God is eternal.

  9. Powerful

    They possess superhuman intelligence and power (Mark 13:32; 2 Thess. 1:7; Psalm 103:20).

    Bless Yahweh, you His angels,
    Mighty in strength, who perform His word    ,
    Obeying the voice of His word —Psalm 103:20 LSB

  10. Holy

    They are called “holy” (Luke 9:26), “His elect angels” (1 Timothy 5:21).

  11. In eternity, fellow children of God with us

    The redeemed in glory will be “like the angels” (Luke 20:36).

    Angels are sometimes referred to as sons of God, as are true Christians.

  12. Not be be worshiped

    Angels are never to be worshipped.

    Then I [the Apostle John] fell at his feet to worship him [an angel]. But he said to me, “Do not do that! I am a fellow slave with you and your brothers who have the witness of Jesus. Worship God! … —Revelation 19:10 excerpt

    Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in…the worship of the angels… —Col. 2:18 excerpt

  13. Many angelic functions

    1. In the widest sense, they are AGENT’S OF GOD’S PROVIDENCE (Exodus 12:23; Psalm 104:4; Hebrews 11:28; 1 Corinthians 10:10; 2 Samuel 24:16; 1 Chronicles 21:16; 2 Kings 19:35; Acts 12:23).

    2. They are especially God’s agents in carrying on his great WORK OF REDEMPTION.

      There is no clear report of angelic appearances to man till after the call of Abraham, the man of faith. From that time onward there are frequent references to their ministry on Earth (Genesis 18; 19; 24:7, 40; 28:12; 32:1).

      They appear to…

    3. In the days of the prophets, from Samuel downward, the angels appear only on the prophets’ behalf.

      Then he [Elijah] lay down and slept under a broom tree; and behold, there was an angel touching him, and he said to him, “Arise, eat.” —1 Kings 19:5

      Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Yahweh, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” And Yahweh opened the eyes of the young man and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. —2 Kings 6:17 LSB

      ‘I [the prophet Daniel] was looking in the visions in my head as I lay on my bed, and behold, a watcher, a holy one, descended from heaven.

      But in that the king saw a watcher, a holy one, descending from heaven and saying, “Chop down the tree and destroy it; yet leave the stump with its roots in the earth, but with a band of iron and bronze around it in the new grass of the field, and let him be drenched with the dew of heaven, and let him share with the beasts of the field until seven periods of time pass over him,” —Daniel 4:13 excerpt

      …I [Daniel] fell into a deep sleep on my face, with my face to the ground. Then behold, a hand touched me and set me shaking on my hands and knees. And he said to me, “O Daniel, man of high esteem, understand the words that I am about to speak to you and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you.”

      And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood up trembling. Then he said to me,

      “Do not be afraid, Daniel, for from the first day that you gave your heart to understand this and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to your words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia was standing against me for twenty-one days; then behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me. …” —Daniel 10:9-13 excerpt

      Also: Zechariah 1-6

      • What is a prophet in the Bible? and who is one?

    4. When Jesus Christ came to Earth to die, a new era was begun in the ministry of angels. They came with their Lord to Earth to assist him while here. They predict his advent (Matthew 1:20; Luke 1:26-38), minister to him after his temptation and agony (Matthew 4:11; Luke 22:43), and declare his resurrection and ascension (Matthew 28:2-8; John 20:12-13; Acts 1:10-11).

    5. They now minister to the people of God (Hebrews 1:14; Psalm 34:7; 91:11; Matthew 18:10; Acts 5:19; 8:26; 10:3; 12:7; 27:23). They rejoice over a repentant sinner (Luke 15:10). They carry the souls of the redeemed to paradise (Luke 16:22); and they will be the ministers of judgment on the great day of judgment (Matthew 13:39, 41, 49; 16:27; 24:31).

    6. GUARDIAN ANGELS?—The passages (Psalm 34:7, Matthew 18:10) usually referred to in support of the idea that every individual has a particular guardian angel have no such meaning. They merely indicate that God employs the ministry of angels to deliver his people from affliction and danger, and that the angels do not think it below their dignity to minister even to children and to the least among Christ’s disciples.

Angel of His Presence

The “angel of his presence” (Isaiah 63:9. Compare Exodus 23:20-21; 32:34; 33:2; Numbers 20:16) sometimes referred to in the Bible is probably referring to the Messiah as the guide of his people. Others have supposed the expression to refer to Gabriel (Luke 1:19).

Angels of Death and Destruction

Questions about angels—answered

Holy Angels and Specific Angels

Evil, fallen angels

Bread of angels / angels’ food

When the Psalmist called manna “angels’ food” or “bread of angels,” this is merely to describe its heavenly excellence (Psalm 78:25 KJV; Psa. 78:25 NASB). Angels are spirit beings, having no requirement of food.

Angel Resources for Kids

Coloring pages for children

The Angel Gabriel and MaryThe Angel Gabriel and Mary

An Angel With ShepherdsAn Angel With Shepherds

Article Version: September 25, 2024