Who Is the Archangel Gabriel?

Of the millions of angels, few are known by name among humans. The Bible mentions only a handful by name. They are Michael, Lucifer, Abaddon (Hebrew) or Apollyon (Greek), and Gabriel. Apocryphal and extra-biblical literature also mention Uriel, Raphael, Azazel, Semjaza, Araqiel, Ezeqeel, Kokabel, and many other angels by name. Arguably the most well-known of them all is Gabriel, who appears several times in the Bible, usually as a messenger. But who is the angel Gabriel, and what is his function according to the Bible and other ancient sources?

Gabriel means “God is my strength.” The Old Testament mentions Gabriel only two times by name, though there is a high probability that there is a third reference to this angel. In the Old Testament, Gabriel usually performs the function of a messenger, which is what the term “angel” means. In Daniel 8, Gabriel receives an instruction to help Daniel, the prophet, understand the vision he has had. On this occasion, Gabriel appeared in human form and helped Daniel interpret the vision he received. Daniel fell asleep when Gabriel started speaking, but the angel woke him up, had him stand upright, and explained the vision to him.

In the next chapter, Gabriel appears again while Daniel is busy praying in the afternoon. He gave Daniel more insight into the vision he had earlier and explained the significance of seventy weeks, cut off from the much longer timeframe mentioned in Daniel 8.

Though not mentioned by name, Gabriel was most likely the heavenly being speaking to Daniel in chapter 10 since he was sent twice before as a messenger to Daniel. There are some similarities between the descriptions and interactions in chapter 10 compared to chapters 8 and 9. If it is Gabriel, we learn he was a warrior over and above his function as a messenger (Daniel 10:13-14, 20).

God sent Gabriel to deliver the message to Daniel, but the Prince of Persia attempted to prevent him from doing so. This struggle with the prince delayed Gabriel for twenty-one days. Michael, the archangel, had to come and assist so Gabriel could get to Daniel and deliver the insight Daniel needed. When he finished his task, Gabriel informed Daniel that he would return to the battle with the Prince of Persia and that the prince of Greece would appear on the scene shortly afterward.

In the New Testament, only Luke mentions Gabriel. On the first occasion, an angel appears to Zechariah while the old priest offers incense as part of his duty. Gabriel informed Zechariah that he would become a father, which the priest was surprised by since his wife was barren and of old age.

When Zechariah asked how he would know that the message was reliable, the angel identified himself as Gabriel, who serves “in the presence of God” (Luke 1:19). This means that Gabriel had a high position among angels. Cherubim and Seraphim minister in God’s presence around the throne and may indicate that Gabriel was of one of those orders of angels.

Some months later, God instructed Gabriel to deliver a similar message. This time Gabriel appeared to Mary and told her she would conceive by the power of the Holy Spirit, and she would give birth to the Son of God (Luke 1:35).

Gabriel in Apocryphal Books

Several Apocryphal books list Gabriel as an archangel. An archangel is a chief angel, and the word is a transliteration of the Greek archangelos. The term combines archon, which means “chief,” and angelos, which translates to “messenger” or “angel.” Among the books that ascribe archangel status to Gabriel are the Apocalypse of Moses and the Book of Enoch.

Unlike the Bible, in which Gabriel features primarily as a messenger, he performs other functions in Apocryphal books. In the Apocalypse of Moses, Gabriel is one of the angels who had to prepare Adam’s body for his funeral by using oil in what seems like an embalming practice.

In the Book of Enoch, he is one of four very prominent angels who ask God why he has not tasked them to take action against the fallen angels who were causing havoc on Earth. Later on, God instructed Gabriel to assist in casting Azazel, one of the fallen angels, into darkness, a place called Tartarus when interpreted in the context of the rest of the book.

According to the Book of Enoch, God assigned Gabriel the task of destroying the offspring of the Watchers. The Watchers were fallen angels who had intercourse with human women, who then gave birth to giants. Gabriel had to destroy the giants that ravaged humanity before the flood.

In Islamic tradition, the angel Gabriel (known as Jibril in Arabic) holds a central and significant role as a messenger of God. Gabriel’s primary function is to deliver divine revelations to the prophets, particularly the Prophet Muhammad.

Muslims believe that Gabriel delivered the Quran, the holy book of Islam, to the Prophet Muhammad. They teach that Gabriel conveyed God’s messages to Muhammad over approximately 23 years, providing him with guidance, instructions, and laws for the Muslim community.

These oracles from an angel would place Muhammad on the level of Adam, Abraham, Moses, and others, whose prophethood was also announced by Gabriel and to whom the angel also conveyed messages. Muslims further believe that Gabriel informed Mary about the birth of Jesus (Isa) and supported her during her pregnancy.

Additionally, he played a role in the Night Journey (Isra and Mi’raj) when the angel assisted in taking the Prophet Muhammad on a miraculous journey through the heavens. Some Islamic narratives depict Gabriel helping Muslims during battles by providing strategic guidance and divine support. For example, some writings claim Gabriel was present during the Battle of Badr, one of the early battles in Islamic history.

Gabriel in Spiritual and New Age Writings

Spiritual and New Age contexts often depict Gabriel as an archangel associated with communication, guidance, and divine messages. As a messenger of God, Gabriel delivers transformative insights and guides individuals. People invoke Gabriel for improved communication skills and clarity, and to enhance their intuitive abilities. Gabriel is linked to new beginnings, providing support during times of change.

Additionally, some believe Gabriel’s energy offers protection, courage, and assistance in overcoming challenges. The archangel is also associated with dreams, visions, and creative inspiration. Some interpretations emphasize Gabriel’s embodiment of divine feminine qualities. Artists and creatives may seek Gabriel’s guidance for overcoming creative blocks and enhancing artistic expression. It’s important to recognize that interpretations vary across different belief systems, reflecting personal spiritual practices and beliefs.

Gabriel’s portrayal in art has been a recurring theme, notably in scenes of the annunciation where Gabriel informs the Virgin Mary of Jesus‘ birth. Often depicted with wings, symbolizing celestial messenger status, Gabriel appears in sculptures and statues adorning religious structures. During the Renaissance and Baroque eras, dramatic depictions of Gabriel captured his significance, while contemporary art offers diverse interpretations. Cultural influences shape Gabriel’s image globally, incorporating regional artistic elements.

In literature after biblical times, Gabriel’s appearances serve as catalysts for pivotal moments within narratives, embodying the power of divine communication to transform destinies. These appearances reflect his role as a conveyor of life-changing messages.

Gabriel’s influence is evident in the realm of music, where he has inspired composers to create choral and orchestral masterpieces that feature him. Franz Joseph Haydn’s oratorio “The Creation” features the archangel in a prominent role. The work represents Gabriel with a soprano voice.

In Roman Catholic culture, the archangel Gabriel is the subject of many statues erected in his honor. A neighborhood in Alicante, a city in Spain, has even been named San Gabriel and claims him as their patron saint.

Angel Gabriel: In Conclusion

While the Bible only mentions Gabriel four (possibly five) times, and those instances come from only two books, the extra-biblical sources on Gabriel are numerous. In the Bible, Gabriel is featured mainly as a messenger, though a possible additional reference casts him as a warrior. In other sources, his functions are much more ominous.

The Apocrypha paints Gabriel as an archangel who holds a high status among the angels, and is active in the actions taken against the fallen angels and their offspring. In Islamic texts, he is the angel that appears to the Prophet Mohammad and narrates the Quran to him.

Gabriel also features in books on New Age spirituality, which mention him as an archangel involved in guidance and communication. The narratives about him in this context seem to derive from what the Bible, the Apocrypha, and Islamic sources say about Gabriel.