Angels

Meaning in the OT/NT

“Angel(s)” in the Old TestamentThe Hebrew word מַלְאָךְ (mal'akh) appears 213 times in the Old Testament

Old Testament usages are:

•“Human messenger”

•“Messenger of God”

•“Heavenly messenger” or “angel”

They were sent on missions of divine revelation and rescue.

A human or heavenly messenger in the Greek Bible is ἄγγελος (angelos), whereas we (in English) distinguish “angel” and “messenger.” New Testament uses of ἄγγελος (angelos) are:

The good angels are sometimes further described as “mighty,” “in heaven,” “from heaven,” or “from the temple in Heaven.”

Archangels

1. Michael

Old Testament

Michael—which means “Who is like God?”—first appears in Dan 10:13, and later in Dan 12:1, as Israel’s patron angel. In the instance of Israel, which belonged ultimately to God, Michael is identified as Israel’s prince (Dan 10:21), the protector of Daniel’s people (Dan 12:1), and thus the one who fights the “prince of the kingdom of Persia” (Dan 10:13). The book of Daniel reveals how the battles between nations on earth are mirrored in the heavenly realm.

New Testament

Michael appears as the leader of the angelic army who fights and defeats the dragon (Satan) and his angels in Rev 12:7–9. Michael’s role in Revelation assumes much of the development of thought present during the Second Temple period. Michael is portrayed as the chief angel who fights on behalf of the elect and is the leader of the angels. Jude 1:9 refers to Michael contending with the devil over the body of Moses.

2. Gabriel

One of two angels named in the Bible. Gabriel interpreted Daniel’s vision (Dan 8:16), gave Daniel the prophecy of 70 weeks (Dan 9:21), and announced the births of John the Baptist (Luke 1:19) and Jesus (Luke 1:26).

Gabriel first appears in Dan 8:16 when “a man’s voice” commands him to interpret Daniel’s vision. In Daniel 9:21–27 Gabriel explains the vision of 70 weeks to Daniel.

Cherubim

Cherubim are mentioned in several places throughout Scripture:

They guarded the entrance to the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:24).

God is enthroned above them (Ezekiel 10:1–22).

God rides on them (Psalm 18:10)

Two golden figures of cherubim sit above the Ark of the Covenant, where God promised to dwell among his people (Exodus 25:22, see also verses 18–21).