Clicky

How Many Angels are Named in the Bible? – Viral Believer
Skip to content

How Many Angels are Named in the Bible?

Introduction

As Christians, we believe in the existence of angels. They are heavenly beings created by God to serve Him and to carry out His will. The Bible mentions angels numerous times, and we know from Scripture that they have different roles and responsibilities.

However, have you ever wondered how many angels are named in the Bible? In this blog post, we will explore this topic and provide you with some interesting facts and insights.

How Many Angels are Named in the Bible?

What is an Angel?

Before we dive into the number of angels named in the Bible, it is important to understand what an angel is. According to the Bible, angels are supernatural beings created by God to serve Him and carry out His will.

They are spiritual beings, meaning that they do not have physical bodies like human beings. Instead, they can appear in human form when necessary. Angels are powerful beings, but they are not all-knowing, all-powerful, or omnipresent like God. They are subject to God’s will and authority.

Angels have been a topic of interest and fascination throughout history, inspiring art, literature, and films. While the popular culture has portrayed angels in many ways, their depiction often does not align with the biblical accounts.

In the Bible, angels are not portrayed as chubby, cherub-like figures floating on clouds playing harps, but as powerful beings sent by God to accomplish His purposes.

Angels Named in the Bible

The Bible mentions angels numerous times, and while many angels are referred to by their function, only a few are named. The following are the angels named in the Bible:

Michael

Michael is the only angel mentioned by name in the Old Testament. His name means “who is like God.” In the book of Daniel, Michael is described as a protector of Israel and as one who will arise in the end times to defend Israel against its enemies.

In the New Testament, Michael is referred to as the one who fought against Satan and his angels in a heavenly battle. In the book of Jude, Michael is referred to as the archangel, meaning he is a chief angel or the leader of the angels.

Gabriel

Gabriel is another angel named in the Bible. His name means “God is my strength.” Gabriel is most well-known for his visit to Mary, the mother of Jesus, to inform her that she would conceive and give birth to a son.

Gabriel is also mentioned in the book of Daniel, where he interpreted Daniel’s visions and gave him understanding of future events. In the Gospel of Luke, Gabriel appears to Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, to tell him that his wife Elizabeth would conceive a son.

Lucifer/Satan

While not commonly recognized as an angel, Lucifer, or Satan, was originally created as an angel. His name means “morning star” or “light-bringer.” However, he rebelled against God and was cast out of heaven. He is the enemy of God and of all that is good.

He is described as a liar, deceiver, and destroyer. In the book of Revelation, he is referred to as the dragon, the ancient serpent, the devil, and Satan.

The Roles of Angels

The Bible describes the roles of angels in carrying out God’s will. One of their primary roles is to worship God continually.

In the book of Isaiah, the prophet describes a vision of heaven in which he sees seraphim, a type of angel, surrounding the throne of God, calling out to one another, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!” (Isaiah 6:3 NKJV).

Angels also serve as messengers of God, delivering important messages to people. In addition to the examples of Gabriel and Michael mentioned earlier, we see this in the book of Acts when an angel appears to Cornelius, a Gentile centurion, to tell him to send for the apostle Peter (Acts 10:1-8).

The angel also appears to Peter in a vision to prepare him to go and preach to Cornelius and his household.

Furthermore, angels are involved in protecting and delivering God’s people from danger. In the book of Genesis, angels are sent to rescue Lot and his family from the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:1-22).

In the book of Daniel, an angel shuts the mouths of lions to protect Daniel when he is thrown into the lion’s den (Daniel 6:22). Additionally, in the book of Exodus, an angel of God leads the Israelites out of Egypt and through the wilderness (Exodus 14:19-20).

How Many Angels Are There?

While the Bible does not give us a specific number of angels, it does provide us with some insight into their vast numbers. In the book of Revelation, John has a vision of heaven in which he sees “ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands” of angels (Revelation 5:11 NKJV).

This is a symbolic way of describing an innumerable host of angels.

Additionally, the Bible refers to groups of angels, such as cherubim and seraphim, which suggest that there are different types of angels with distinct roles and responsibilities.

The cherubim are often depicted as powerful beings with wings and multiple faces, and they are associated with guarding the throne of God. The seraphim are described as having six wings and continually worshiping God in heaven (Isaiah 6:2-3).

The Significance of Angels

The existence of angels serves as a reminder of God’s power and presence in our lives. As believers, we can take comfort in the fact that God has given us angels to watch over and protect us.

Psalm 91:11 says, “For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.” This verse assures us that God is watching over us and sending His angels to protect us from harm.

Furthermore, the presence of angels in Scripture reminds us that we are not alone in our spiritual journey. Hebrews 12:1 encourages us to “run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.”

We have a great cloud of witnesses, including the angels, cheering us on as we strive to follow Christ.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while many angels are mentioned throughout the Bible, only a few are named. Michael, Gabriel, and Satan are the only angels specifically mentioned by name.

However, the Bible gives us insight into the vast numbers of angels and their different roles and responsibilities. Angels serve as messengers of God, protectors of God’s people, and worshipers of God.

As believers, we can take comfort in the fact that God has given us angels to watch over and protect us. Their presence reminds us that we are not alone in our spiritual journey and that God is watching over us.

Let us always remember the important role that angels play in God’s kingdom and give thanks to God for His provision and protection.

Pastor Duke Taber
Pastor Duke Taber

Pastor Duke Taber

All articles have been written or reviewed by Pastor Duke Taber.
Pastor Duke Taber is an alumnus of Life Pacific University and Multnomah Biblical Seminary.
He has been in pastoral ministry since 1988.
Today he is the owner and managing editor of 3 successful Christian websites that support missionaries around the world.
He is currently starting a brand new church in Mesquite NV called Mesquite Worship Center, a Non-Denominational Spirit Filled Christian church in Mesquite Nevada.