What The Bible Says About Angels

What The Bible Says About Angels

Introduction

Throughout the Bible, angels are portrayed as real, powerful, intelligent beings—created by God to accomplish His purposes. Yet they remain among the most misunderstood figures in Scripture. Popular culture has filled in the gaps with sentimentality or superstition: angels as winged infants, or as deceased humans who “earn their wings.” But the Word of God tells a different story—one of majesty, order, and a profound link between heaven’s hosts and God’s work of redemption.

This article surveys what the Bible reveals about angels, addresses misconceptions, and offers a sober, Scripture-based account of their role from Genesis to Revelation.

What Are Angels?

The Hebrew word for angel is מַלְאָךְ (mal’akh, “messenger”). In Greek, ἄγγελος (ángelos, pronounced Ángelos) has the same meaning. The term itself describes function, not essence. Angels are not merely symbols or poetic devices; they are personal, created spirits who do the will of their Creator.

Paul writes that God created all things:

For by him all things were created, in the heavens and on the earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through him and for him.(Colossians 1:16, LEB)

This includes angels, who are distinct from humanity and from God Himself.

The Nature and Attributes of Angels

Scripture describes angels as:

1. Created Beings

They are neither eternal nor self-existent. They are contingent upon God’s creative will.

2. Spirits

Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve those who will inherit salvation?

(Hebrews 1:14, LEB)

Though they sometimes take on physical appearance, their essential nature is spiritual.

3. Personalities

They possess intellect (Daniel 9:21–22), emotion (Luke 2:13), and will (Jude 6).

4. Powerful but Limited

Angels are mighty:

Bless Yahweh, you his angels, mighty in strength...(Psalm 103:20, LEB)

One angel killed 185,000 Assyrian soldiers in a single night (2 Kings 19:35). Yet they are not omnipotent, omnipresent, or omniscient.

5. Invisible Yet Sometimes Manifest

Most often, they are unseen. Occasionally they appear in visions or in human form:

• The angel Gabriel appears visibly to Mary (Luke 1:26–38).

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• Angels at the resurrection are seen as men in white (Matthew 28:2–3).

  
  

Angels in the Old Testament

From the earliest pages of Scripture, angels appear as divine agents.

Genesis

• Cherubim guard Eden after the fall (Genesis 3:24).

  
  

• Angels visit Abraham and Lot (Genesis 18–19).

  
  

• Jacob sees angels ascending and descending a ladder (Genesis 28:12).

Exodus

• The Angel of Yahweh leads Israel through the wilderness (Exodus 23:20–23). Many scholars consider this a Christophany (a pre-incarnate appearance of the Son).

Joshua

• The commander of Yahweh’s army meets Joshua before Jericho (Joshua 5:13–15).

Judges

• The angel of Yahweh calls Gideon (Judges 6).

  
  

• The angel announces Samson’s birth (Judges 13).

Daniel

• Gabriel explains visions (Daniel 8:16; 9:21).

  
  

• Michael is described as “one of the chief princes” (Daniel 10:13).

Zechariah

• Multiple visions feature angels interpreting prophetic images (Zechariah 1–6).

Genesis 6 and the “Sons of God”

Genesis 6:1–4 describes a mysterious event:

The sons of God saw that the daughters of humankind were beautiful. Thus they took wives for themselves from any they chose.(Genesis 6:2, LEB)

Interpretations include:

1. Fallen Angels:

   Ancient Jewish texts (e.g., 1 Enoch) and some early Christians (Justin Martyr, Irenaeus) believed these were angels who sinned, producing the Nephilim.

   
   

2. Line of Seth:

   Augustine and later theologians argued these were godly descendants of Seth intermarrying with Cain’s line.

   
   

3. Royalty View:

   Others see the “sons of God” as ancient rulers claiming divine prerogatives.

   
   

New Testament passages (1 Peter 3:19; 2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6) refer to angels who sinned and were bound, which many link to this event, though the identification remains debated.

Seraphim and Cherubim

Seraphim (שְּׂרָפִים, serafím, “burning ones”)

• Appear only in Isaiah 6

  
  

• Six-winged beings around God’s throne

  
  

Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.(Isaiah 6:2)

Cherubim (כְּרוּבִים, keruvím)

• Appear guarding Eden (Genesis 3:24)

  
  

• Depicted as throne-bearers (Ezekiel 1)

  
  

Ezekiel’s vision describes them as extraordinary:

Each one had four faces: a human face, a lion’s face, an ox’s face, and an eagle’s face.(Ezekiel 1:10)

Angels in the Gospels and Acts

In the New Testament, angels appear frequently:

Birth and Ministry of Jesus

• Gabriel announces John the Baptist’s and Jesus’ births (Luke 1).

  
  

• Angels praise God at Jesus’ birth (Luke 2:13–14).

  
  

• They minister after His temptation (Matthew 4:11).

  
  

• An angel strengthens Him in Gethsemane (Luke 22:43).

  
  

• Angels roll away the stone and proclaim His resurrection (Matthew 28:2–7).

Acts of the Apostles

• An angel frees Peter from prison (Acts 12:7–11).

  
  

• An angel instructs Philip to meet the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:26).

  
  

• An angel strikes Herod (Acts 12:23).

These accounts emphasize that angels are involved in protecting God’s servants and advancing the gospel.

Angels in the Epistles

Paul and Peter affirm angels’ reality:

• They are witnesses of Christian conduct (1 Corinthians 4:9).

  
  

• They long to look into the gospel’s mysteries (1 Peter 1:12).

  
  

• Christians will one day judge angels (1 Corinthians 6:3).

Angels in Revelation

Revelation is the Bible’s most detailed account of angelic involvement in history and judgment.

The Seven Angels

And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them.(Revelation 8:2)

These angels:

• Blow trumpets announcing judgments (Revelation 8–9).

  
  

• Pour bowls of wrath (Revelation 16).

  
  

• Announce Babylon’s fall (Revelation 18).

  
  

• Worship around the throne (Revelation 5).

Michael

Michael appears as the leader of the heavenly army:

And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon.(Revelation 12:7)

Gabriel

Though Gabriel is not named in Revelation, he is prominent elsewhere (Daniel, Luke).

Tradition vs. Scripture: Archangels

Tradition identifies seven archangels (Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Raguel, Saraqael, Remiel). However, only Michael is called archangel (ἀρχάγγελος, archángelos) in Scripture:

For the Lord himself will descend... with the voice of the archangel.(1 Thessalonians 4:16)

Other names derive from non-canonical sources (e.g., 1 Enoch, Tobit).

Common Questions About Angels

Do angels have wings?

Some do—seraphim and cherubim are described with wings. When angels appear as men (Genesis 18), wings are not mentioned.

Are angels male or female?

Scripture always uses masculine grammar, but as spirits they are neither male nor female (Matthew 22:30).

Can humans become angels?

No. Humans remain human after death. Angels are a separate order.

Do we have guardian angels?

Jesus taught:

Their angels in heaven continually see the face of my Father.(Matthew 18:10)

Hebrews affirms:

Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve those who will inherit salvation?(Hebrews 1:14)

While Scripture doesn’t teach one assigned angel per person, it is clear angels protect God’s people.

Should we pray to angels?

No. Angels refuse worship:

Do not do that! I am a fellow slave... Worship God!(Revelation 19:10)

Early Church Perspectives

Justin Martyr: Angels minister God’s will but some fell into sin.

Athanasius: Angels guard believers but cannot mediate salvation.

Augustine: Angels are incorporeal but assume physical form to interact with humans.

Early Christians universally condemned angel worship.

Conclusion

From the Garden of Eden to the last trumpet, angels have served as messengers, warriors, and worshipers. Their existence points to the reality that creation is far richer and more complex than what we see. Yet angels themselves are never the focus—they are servants who exist to glorify God and to point us to Jesus Christ, the One whom they worship day and night.

Scripture Index

Below is a quick reference to key angel passages:

Book	Reference
Genesis	3:24; 16:7–12; 18–19; 28:12
Exodus	3:2; 23:20–23
Joshua	5:13–15
Judges	6; 13
2 Kings	19:35
Daniel	8:16; 9:21–22; 10; 12:1
Zechariah	1–6
Isaiah	6
Ezekiel	1; 10
Matthew	1:20; 4:11; 18:10; 28:2–7
Luke	1–2; 22:43
John	20:12
Acts	5:19; 8:26; 12:7–11; 12:23
1 Corinthians	4:9; 6:3
Galatians	1:8
Hebrews	1–2
1 Peter	1:12
Jude	6
Revelation	Entire book, esp. 1–3; 5–12; 14; 19–22