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ANGEL

A spiritual being, primarily a messenger (Heb. malʾāḵ; Gk. ángelos) for God (e.g., Gen. 16:7, 9; Exod. 3:2; Num. 22:22-35). Other designations include “sons of God” (Job 1:6; Ps. 29:1), “holy ones” (e.g., Ps. 89:7; Dan. 8:13, and “watchers” (Dan. 4:13, 17, 23[MT 10, 14, 20]). Sometimes “heavenly hosts” or “hosts of heaven” also refer to angels (1 Kgs. 22:19 = 2 Chr. 18:18; Ps. 148:2; Neh. 9:6). Heb. malʾāḵ is also used for human prophets (2 Chr. 36:15-16; Isa. 44:26; Hag. 1:13), priests (Mal. 2:7), and the winds (Ps. 104:4); Gk. ángelos may also refer to human messengers (Luke 9:52; Mark 1:2 par.).

Angels are a part of the creation of God, created either in the beginning or sometime before the foundation of the earth (Ps. 148:2-5; Neh. 9:6; Col. 1:15-17). They are of a higher order than humans (Heb. 2:7) and are greater in power and might (2 Pet. 2:11; cf. 2 Kgs. 19:35). However, they are not to be worshipped by humans (Col. 2:18; Rev. 22:8-9). Angels are not omniscient as is God, for they do not know the time of the coming of Christ (Matt. 24:36; cf. 1 Pet. 1:12). Neither are they omnipresent, for they are said to go from place to place (Dan. 9:21-23). Angels are spirit beings (Heb. 1:14). They do not die, nor do they marry (Luke 20:36; Mark 12:25). While the number of the angels is never definitely given, they are said to be innumerable (Dan. 7:10; Heb. 12:22; Rev. 5:11).

Angels may be wicked (2 Pet. 2:4; Jude 6; ; cf. Rev. 12:7) or good. Good angels seem to operate in conjunction with the work of the Holy Spirit in bringing God’s message to mankind. Should an angel bring another message, he would bear the curse of God (Gal. 1:8-9). Satan can still come as an angel of light, and his ministers as ministers of righteousness, in deceiving and powerful ways (2 Cor. 11:14-15). The phrase “thrones or dominions or rulers or powers” may refer to angels (Col. 1:16).

Angels have a part to play in God’s order in heaven, and archangels have certain responsibilities over other angels of their order (1 Thess. 4:16; cf. Rev. 12:7). Righteous angels perform the work of God (Ps. 103:20). They effect the vengeance and wrath of God upon the disobedient, as is seen in the scourge of Israel (2 Sam. 24:16); upon Balaam (Num. 22:31); and when Jesus shall come again with his mighty angels to take vengeance on those that do not know God or obey the gospel (2 Thess. 1:7-10).

Righteous angels administer God’s message to mankind in giving the law of Moses (Gal. 3:19; Heb. 2:2) and appear as humans in the revelation of God’s messages to the patriarchs (Gen. 18:1–19:5). One should show hospitality to strangers, for some may have “entertained angels without knowing it” (Heb. 13:2). Angels announce the birth of Jesus to Mary (Luke 1:26-28) and in multitudes sing at his birth (2:8-15). They minister to Jesus after his temptation (Matt. 4:11) and appear at his resurrection and ascension (28:1-7; Acts 1:11). Angels are now subject to Christ and will administer his mission when he comes again (1 Pet. 3:22; 1 Thess. 4:16; Matt. 25:31).

Angels work in the destiny of nations for the good of God’s people. Good angels withstand Satan while the word of God is being preached to the king of Persia (Zech. 3:1). They work in the protection of the righteous and encamp about them that fear the Lord (Ps. 34:7[8]), and they deliver God’s people from their enemies (2 Kgs. 6:15-17). Angels deliver Peter from prison and reassure Paul in the great storm at sea (Acts 12:7; 27:23). They are given charge to keep the righteous in all their ways, and are ministering spirits to those who are heirs of salvation (Ps. 91:11; Heb. 1:14). Angels represent individuals before the throne of God (Matt. 18:10; cf. Dan. 12:1), and if heavenly angels are meant in Rev. 2–3, then they are given specific assignments to congregations of the Church.

Angels are active in the prayers of the righteous, and such prayers avail much before God (Dan. 9:21-23). Angels are in some way involved in assemblies of worship (cf. 1 Cor. 11:10). They rejoice over every sinner that repents (Luke 15:10), and assist in transporting the redeemed into the paradise of God (16:22).

Bibliography. H. Bietenhard, “Angel, Messenger,” NIDNTT 1:101-3.

Edward P. Myers






Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)

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