Angels in the Bible

I’ve always been fascinated by the angels in the Bible. And no matter how many times I read their stories, they always manage to inspire me.

The Bible is filled with angel stories. In fact, many of the best-known angel stories come from the Bible.

Maybe you are already familiar with some of the most popular bible passages that mention angels, like Psalm 91:11, which says: "For He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways." This is, by the way, one of my favorite angel quotes.

Another favorite angel story from the Bible is Jacob wrestling with the angel (Genesis 32:23-34).

Abraham and the Three Angels
Abraham and the Three Angels
Engraving by Gustave Doré
These two passages are just a tiny sample of the many angelic tales found on the Holy Scriptures. Indeed, you will find many angels in the Bible. Not surprisingly, angels are present in both the Old and New Testaments. The stories narrated in these sacred books are not only awe-inspiring, but they are also filled with hope.

Many of the angelic concepts we have come from the angels in the Bible. From the Scriptures we learn that:

  • Angels act as guides, as in the case of Moses’ angel (Exodus 23:20-23).

  • Angels are divine messengers. Daniel 8:16 gives us an example of how the angels in the Bible fulfill this role.

  • Angels are guardian spirits, as described in Matthew 18:10 and Judith 13:20.

Interestingly, only two angels are mentioned by name in the Bible: Michael and Gabriel. Apocryphal books also mention Raphael and Uriel. However, only Michael is referred to as an archangel:

Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. (Jude 1:9, KJV).

If you want to read more about angels in the Bible, here’s a collection of quotes and passages about Bible angels:

Angels of the Bible - The Old Testament

The following are a few passages from the Old Testament that mention angels. These Bible quotes come from the King James Version. You may also visit our page about angels of the Bible for more quotes.

The Banishment of Adam and Eve

Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life. ~ Genesis 3:23-24

Hagar and the Angel

And the angel of the LORD found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur. And he said, Hagar, Sarai's maid, whence camest thou? and whither wilt thou go? And she said, I flee from the face of my mistress Sarai. ~ Genesis 16:7-8

Abraham and the Three Angels

And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day; And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground, And said, My LORD, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant. ~ Genesis 18: 1-3

A Wife for Isaac

The LORD, the God of heaven, who brought me out of my father's household and my native land and who spoke to me and promised me on oath, saying, 'To your offspring I will give this land'--he will send his angel before you so that you can get a wife for my son from there. ~ Genesis 24:7.

Jacob’s Ladder

And Jacob went out from Beersheba, and went toward Haran. And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep. And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it. ~ Genesis 28:10-12

An Angel to Guide Moses

Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared. Beware of him, and obey his voice, provoke him not; for he will not pardon your transgressions: for my name is in him. But if thou shalt indeed obey his voice, and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries. ~ Exodus 23:20-22

Angels in the Bible - The Psalms

The poetry and profound wisdom of the Psalms have always captivated me. And this book has some of the most beautiful quotes about angels in the Bible. The following are some of my favorite quotes from the Book of Psalms.

The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. ~ Psalms 34:7

For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. ~ Psalms 91:11-12

Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word. ~ Psalms 103:20

More Angels in the Bible – Old Testament

What are the names of the angels in the Bible? Three of the following passages mention the names of angels.

Daniel and the Angel

Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions.

And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?

Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever. My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt. ~ Daniel 6:19-22

Daniel and Gabriel

And I heard a man's voice between the banks of Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision. ~ Daniel 8:16

Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation. ~ Daniel 9:21

Michael the Archangel appears to Daniel

But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia. ~ Daniel 10:13

Angels in the Bible - The Book of Tobias (Tobit)

The angel Raphael is recognized as an archangel by both Jewish and Christian traditions (except for protestant Christians who consider the Book of Tobit as apocryphal). In the Book of Tobit, Raphael reveals himself as a healer.

For I am the angel Raphael, one of the seven, who stand before the Lord. ~ Book of Tobias 12:15

Angels in the Bible - The New Testament

As I mentioned before, stories of angels in the Bible abound. You will find many angels among the pages of the New Testament. Below are some of my favorite passages:

The Birth of Jesus

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.

But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. ~ Matthew 1:18-21

Jesus is Tempted

Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him. ~ Matthew 4:10-11

Gabriel and Mary

And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.

And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that arthighly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. ~ Luke 1:26-28

Two angels tell the crowd Jesus will return

And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. ~ Acts 1:10-11

Angels in Disguise

Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. ~ Hebrews 13:2

The Seven Angels

And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets. ~ Revelation 8:1-2

Michael Fights the Dragon

And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. ~ Revelation 12:7-8

Note: The quotes about angels in the Bible presented here have been taken from the King James Version of the Bible, which is in the public domain. The quote from the Book of Tobias was taken from the e-version of this book (which is also in the public domain) available at Gutenberg.org.

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