Angels have always fascinated believers and scholars alike, often seen as messengers and protectors in the Bible. These celestial beings appear in various forms and contexts, delivering God’s messages, offering protection, and executing divine judgment. This article delves into 44 Bible verses about angels, shedding light on their significant roles and meanings in scripture. Whether you’re a devout Christian or simply curious, this guide will provide profound insights into the biblical depiction of angels.
Old Testament Verses About Angels
1. Genesis 16:7
“The angel of the Lord found Hagar near a spring in the desert; it was the spring that is beside the road to Shur.”
- Angels are portrayed as agents of divine intervention, offering guidance and assistance to those in need.
2. Genesis 22:11-12
“But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, ‘Abraham! Abraham!’ ‘Here I am,’ he replied. ‘Do not lay a hand on the boy,’ he said. ‘Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.'”
- Angels deliver messages from God and intervene in critical moments to prevent harm or provide reassurance.
3. Genesis 28:12
“He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.”
- Angels serve as intermediaries between heaven and earth, facilitating communication and divine connection.
4. Genesis 32:1-2
“Jacob also went on his way, and the angels of God met him. When Jacob saw them, he said, ‘This is the camp of God!’ So he named that place Mahanaim.”
- Encounter with angels is seen as a sign of divine presence and protection.
New Testament Verses About Angels
17. Matthew 4:11
“Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.”
- Angels minister to Jesus after his temptation in the wilderness, illustrating their role in providing comfort and support during times of trial.
18. Matthew 13:49-50
“This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
- Angels are depicted as agents of judgment, separating the righteous from the wicked in the final days.
19. Matthew 18:10
“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.”
- Jesus affirms the special care and protection provided by angels to the innocent and vulnerable members of society.
Biblical Description of Angels
Certainly! Here’s a concise summary of the biblical description of angels:Here’s a concise summary of the biblical description of angels:
- Nature and Purpose:
- Angels are religious entities that were prearranged and created by God.
- Ministering spirits they are, who execute the commandments of God and walk amongst those who shall receive salvation.
2. Appearance:
- Not all Angels are babies like those depicted in the movies and not all Angels are fat and whimsical.
- Isaiah 6:2 defines seraphim by giving them six wings, with two of them being used for the covering of face, whereas two others are used for the covering of feet, and the remaining two are for the purpose of flying.
3. Notable Angels:
- Michael, an archangel, and Gabriel, a special messenger or angel, are named.
- Gabriel passed on messages to both Daniel & Mary.
4. Appreciation:
- This way true angels of the bible make us distinguish what exists in real truth from media fantasy.
- It is important for us to understand that angels are God’s dispatchers, and helpful spirits.
- Again recall, angels are agents in divine purpose, engaged in the execution of His purpose, are helpful to the believers.
Table of Top Verses About Angels:
| Verse About Angels: | Key Message |
|---|---|
| Psalm 91:11 | Angels as protectors |
| Hebrews 13:2 | Unaware of entertaining angels |
| Luke 1:30 | Gabriel’s message to Mary |
| Revelation 5:11 | Multitudes of angels worshipping God |
| Matthew 18:10 | Angels watching over children |
What Do Angels Look Like According to the Bible?
According to the Bible, angels are depicted as celestial beings marked by beauty and might. Conisely, there is not detailed physical character description but some passage give brief indication of their appearance.
- Radiant and Glorious: Another idea that is often depicted in regards to angels is the fact that they are bright, glorious and filled with light. For instance, in Luke 2:9 An angel, while telling the shepherds of birth of Jesus said to them, And lo, the angel was standing right in front of them and the glory of the Lord surrounded them.
- Human-like: Indeed, as the creatures that can take on various forms, Angels are depicted in many cultural references in the shape of human beings. For instance, in the story of Genesis 18 where three ‘men’ pay a visit to Abraham the third one was seen as an angel. The angels resemble any other individuals, so much so that when Abraham meets them, he does not think that they are otherworldly beings.
- Winged: Although there is no direct mention of the same in all the passages, most of the depictions of the angels show them with wings; and a few of the verses of the Bible also describe angels in the same manner. Isaiah 6:2 gives description of angels called seraphim as having wing six in number.
- Majestic and Terrifying: Even in the usage of words, some descriptions of angels are that they are mighty and fearsome beings. In Daniel 10:5-6, Daniel observes an angel and says that the angel had “the appearance of eyes that looked like glowing ember” and that the face of the angel was like “lightning. ”
- Messenger Appearance: The word “angel” itself, is derived from the Greek angelos, which has the meaning of a messenger. Messengers are also shown as being deliverance of messages from God to the people on the earth. This shifts the focus of the story in its portrayal of these characters as messengers between divine and human spheres rather than on their physical form.
In a summarised view, the most common descriptions and portrayals of angels that can be found in the Bible don’t focus on the shape or look of these beings, but rather on their sacred message and mission.
List of 44 Bible Verses About Angels:
Psalm 91:11 – Angels as Protectors
For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.
Hebrews 13:2 – Entertaining Angels Unawares
Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.
Luke 1:30 – Gabriel’s Message to Mary
But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God.”
Revelation 5:11 – Multitudes of Angels Worshipping God
Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders.
Matthew 18:10 – Angels Watching Over Children
See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.
Genesis 19:1 – Angels in Sodom
The two angels arrived at Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gateway of the city. When he saw them, he got up to meet them and bowed down with his face to the ground.
Isaiah 6:2 – Seraphim Around the Throne
Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying.
Acts 12:7 – Angel Rescuing Peter
Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists.
Daniel 6:22 – Angel in the Lions’ Den
My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.
Matthew 28:2 – Angel at Jesus’ Tomb
There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it.
Psalm 34:7 – Angel of the Lord Encamps
The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.
Luke 2:13-14 – Angels Announcing Jesus’ Birth
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
2 Kings 6:17 – Angelic Army
And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
Hebrews 1:14 – Angels as Ministering Spirits
Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?
Exodus 23:20 – Angel to Guard You
See, I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared.
Judges 6:12 – The Angel’s Greeting to Gideon
When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.”
Revelation 14:6 – Angel Proclaiming the Gospel
Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth—to every nation, tribe, language and people.
Luke 15:10 – Angels Rejoicing Over Repentance
In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.
Zechariah 1:10 – Angel Among the Myrtle Trees
Then the man standing among the myrtle trees explained, “They are the ones the Lord has sent to go throughout the earth.”
Matthew 4:11 – Angels Minister to Jesus
Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
Genesis 28:12 – Jacob’s Ladder
He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.
Revelation 12:7 – War in Heaven
Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back.
Judges 13:3 – Angel Appearing to Manoah’s Wife
The angel of the Lord appeared to her and said, “You are barren and childless, but you are going to become pregnant and give birth to a son.”
1 Kings 19:5 – Angel Provides for Elijah
Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep. All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.”
Revelation 22:8-9 – John and the Angel
I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had been showing them to me. But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your fellow prophets and with all who keep the words of this scroll. Worship God!”
Daniel 9:21-22 – Gabriel’s Message to Daniel
While I was still in prayer, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the earlier vision, came to me in swift flight about the time of the evening sacrifice. He instructed me and said to me, “Daniel, I have now come to give you insight and understanding.”
Luke 22:43 – Angel Strengthens Jesus
An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.
1 Chronicles 21:15 – Angel of Destruction
And God sent an angel to destroy Jerusalem. But as the angel was doing so, the Lord saw it and relented concerning the disaster and said to the angel who was destroying the people, “Enough! Withdraw your hand.”
2 Samuel 24:16 – Angel Stopping the Plague
When the angel stretched out his hand to destroy Jerusalem, the Lord relented concerning the disaster and said to the angel who was afflicting the people, “Enough! Withdraw your hand.”
Revelation 8:2 – Seven Angels with Trumpets
And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them.
Acts 8:26 – Angel’s Direction to Philip
Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.”
Luke 1:19 – Gabriel’s Identity
The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news.”
Numbers 22:22 – Angel and Balaam’s Donkey
But God was very angry when he went, and the angel of the Lord stood in the road to oppose him. Balaam was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him.
Genesis 16:7 – Angel and Hagar
The angel of the Lord found Hagar near a spring in the desert; it was the spring that is beside the road to Shur.
Judges 6:21 – Angel’s Miraculous Sign to Gideon
Then the angel of the Lord touched the meat and the unleavened bread with the tip of the staff that was in his hand. Fire flared from the rock, consuming the meat and the bread. And the angel of the Lord disappeared.
Revelation 20:1-2 – Angel Binding Satan
And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years.
Matthew 13:41 – Angels at the End of the Age
*The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom
everything that causes sin and all who do evil.*
Acts 10:3 – Cornelius and the Angel
One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!”
Revelation 10:1 – Mighty Angel with a Scroll
Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven. He was robed in a cloud, with a rainbow above his head; his face was like the sun, and his legs were like fiery pillars.
Daniel 10:13 – Michael the Archangel
But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia.
Genesis 32:1-2 – Jacob’s Encounter with Angels
Jacob also went on his way, and the angels of God met him. When Jacob saw them, he said, “This is the camp of God!” So he named that place Mahanaim.
Matthew 24:31 – Angels Gathering the Elect
And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.
Luke 16:22 – Angels Carrying Lazarus
The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried.
What do Angels really look like according to the Bible ?
We can deduce from the scriptural references that angels are other-worldly beings with features of mighty stature and not mere physicality. They are described as beaming or glowing; wearing, so to speak, a lustre of divinity. Their looks exude admiration and god-like aura because the characters are noted to be other worldly. It has been said that translators are faced with the question often of whether particular genres allow human like forms, for example in Genesis 18 when angels appeared to be travelers, yet their true natures are beyond mortal comprehension.
Angelic beings are depicted rather differently in the Bible, holistically performing such functions as conveyors of messages and judgements, protectors and ministries of the divine will. While wings are sometimes mentioned, they are not presented throughout the series and embrace the meaning that concerns not only morphological features. Angels are depicted as noble beings exuding command, admiration to whoever comes across them so that they are worshiped.
Strikingly, the angels in the Bible are visioned as messengers and the role played by them emphasize more on the religious values placed on them rather than their physical substance. This affordabilit enables multiple perspectives and stresses their mediating function between the divine and the mortal world. However much artists attempt to paint or sculpt angels their physicality, it is the spiritual vitality and otherworldliness of angels that are most important, fundamental to the concept of angels.
Conclusion:
The Bible is rich with references to angels, depicting them as divine messengers and protectors who play crucial roles in God’s plan. These 44 verses provide a glimpse into the multifaceted roles that angels fulfill, from delivering God’s messages to offering protection and executing divine judgment. Understanding these scriptures can deepen our appreciation for these celestial beings and their significance in the biblical narrative.
FAQs
How were angels described in the Bible?
Mysterious as they are, angels in the Bible are often described with human qualities, even speaking like people and bearing human-sounding names. Also, they do not appear to have wings. The cherubim are equally mysterious, said to have wild human and animal-like features, and yes—these beings have wings.
How does the Hebrew Bible describe angels?
We tend to imagine angels as human beings with white wings clothed in white robes—but in the Bible, angels could be flying heavenly snakes or winged bulls with human faces. But more important, it was the angel’s function or role that mattered.
How is the angel described in Revelation?
Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven. He was robed in a cloud, with a rainbow above his head; his face was like the sun, and his legs were like fiery pillars. and he gave a loud shout like the roar of a lion. When he shouted, the voices of the seven thunders spoke.
What is the color of angels in the Bible?
Marian Blue, the Color of Angels, Virgins, and Other Untouchable Things.
What race are the angels?
There are different orders of angels according to the three heavens, and each angel dwells in one of innumerable societies of angels. Such a society of angels can appear as one angel as a whole. All angels originate from the human race, and there is not one angel in heaven who first did not live in a material body.
Do angels have a gender?
It is true that we believe that angels do not have gender. Angels unlike human beings are pure spirit. This is why when people say that a human being has become an angel in heaven that is incorrect. Any human being in heaven is a saint.