Biblical Angels By Name
The Bible names only two angels: Gabriel and Michael [2]. Gabriel is mentioned in the book of Daniel (Daniel 8:16; 9:21) and in the Gospel of Luke, where he announces the births of John the Baptist and Jesus (Luke 1:19, 26) [2, 5]. Michael is identified as a "mighty Prince" by David and an Archangel by Jude (Jude 1:9; Daniel 10:13; 12:1; Revelation 12:7) [2, 4].
Some traditions, such as those found in the Jewish writings, suggest that the names of angels became known to the Israelites during their time in Babylon, where Daniel encountered Gabriel and Michael [5]. John Calvin notes that while Michael is described as an Archangel, those who "dogmatize on the ranks and numbers of angels" should consider the foundation of their claims [4].
Beyond these two explicitly named angels, other figures are sometimes referred to as "angels" in a broader sense. For example, the "Angel of the Lord" or "Angel of God's presence" is often interpreted as a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ, as seen in Jacob's blessing of Ephraim and Manasseh, where he refers to "The Angel which redeemed me from all evil" [8]. This figure is frequently called Jehovah and Elohim, indicating a divine nature [9]. Justin Martyr, an early Church Father, also identifies Christ as "the Angel of great counsel" [6].
Apocryphal texts, such as the Book of Enoch, mention other angelic names like Uriel, Seraphim, Cherubim, and Ophanin [3, 7]. However, these are not part of the canonical biblical text. The term "Malachi" means "my messenger" or "my angel" [1]. While this is the name of a prophet, the linguistic root connects to the concept of a messenger, which is the primary role of angels.
Sources
- Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Malachi — my messenger; my angel”
- Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 1:19: 1:19 I am Gabriel! Two angels are named in Scripture: Gabriel (Dan 8:16; 9:21) and Michael (Dan 10:13; 12:1; Jude 1:9; Rev 12:7).”
- Introduction “1 Enoch (Book of Enoch), Introduction, section 41: came not in their proper season. Therefore was He offended with them, and bound them, until the period of the consummation of their crimes in the secret year. Footnote 61: _that in them were the ornaments of._ Footnote 62: _the height of heaven._ Footnote 63: _which was over._ CHAP. XIX. 1. Then Uriel said, Here the angels, who cohabited with women, appointed their leaders; 2. And being numerous in appearance made men profane, and caused them to err; so that they sacrificed to devils as to gods. For in the great day _there shall be_ a judgment”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 30: if there were no value in those promises of auxiliary troops, who on every side encircling and defending us, embolden us to fight more manfully. 8. Those who presume to dogmatize on the ranks and numbers of angels, would do well to consider on what foundation they rest. As to their rank, I admit that Michael is described by David as a mighty Prince, and by Jude as an Archangel. 112 112 Dan 12:1 ; Jude 9 ; 1 Thess. 4:16 ; Dan. 10:13 , 21 ; Luke 1:19 , 26 ; Tobit 3:17 ; 5:5; Mt. 26:53 ; Dan. 7:10 ; 2 Kings 6:17 ; Ps. 34:7 . Paul also”
- Luke (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Luke 1:19: And the angel answering, said unto him, I am Gabriel,.... The name of an angel well known to Zacharias from Daniel's prophecies, Dan 8:16 and is the first time we read of the name of an angel: the Jews say (a), the names of angels came out of Babylon, by the means of the Israelites; and it was there that Daniel became acquainted with this name of Gabriel, and also of Michael. Frequent mention is made of Gabriel in the Jewish writings (b): were there a particular angel appointed over conception, as the Jews say (c) there is, one would be ready to think it should be Gabri”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 1: Clement, Polycarp, Ignatius, Barnabas, Papias, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus — CHAP. CXXVI.--THE VARIOUS NAMES OF CHRIST ACCORDING TO BOTH NATURES. IT IS SHOWN THAT HE IS GOD, AND APPEARED TO THE PATRIARCHS. (part 1): "But if you knew, Trypho," continued I, "who He is that is called at one time the Angel of great counsel,(7) and a Man by Ezekiel, and like the Son of man by Daniel, and a Child by Isaiah, and Christ and God to be worshipped by David, and Christ and a Stone by many, and Wisdom by Solomon, and Joseph and Judah and a Star by Moses, and the East by Zechariah, and the Suffering ”
- Introduction “1 Enoch (Book of Enoch), Introduction, section 75: the splendours of all, from whence they went forth before the face of the holy. 6. And he concealed the spirit of Enoch in the heaven of heavens. 7. There I beheld, in the midst of that light, a building raised with stones of ice;[163] 8. And in the midst of these stones vibrations[164] of living fire. My spirit saw around the circle of[165] this flaming habitation, on one of its extremities, _that there were_ rivers full of living fire, which encompassed it. 9. Then the Seraphim, the Cherubim, and Ophanin surrounded _it_: these are those who ”
- Genesis (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Genesis 48:16: The Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads,.... Ephraim and Manasseh, now about twenty years old or upwards: this is not to be understood of a created angel he wishes to be their guardian, but of an eternal one, the Son of God, the Angel of God's presence, the Angel of the covenant; the same with the God of his father before mentioned, as appears by the character he gives him, as having "redeemed him from all evil"; not only protected and preserved him from temporal evils and imminent dangers from Esau, Laban, and others; but had delivered him from th”
- Exodus (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Exodus 23:21: my name is in him--This angel is frequently called Jehovah and Elohim, that is, God.”