7 Biblical Facts about the Angel Gabriel

The angel Gabriel is one of the prominent characters in the Nativity narrative. He’s remembered as the angel who told Mary she would give birth to the Son of God. But what else can we know about him from the Bible? In this video, one of our Logos Pros reveals facts about the angel Gabriel discovered using Logos Bible Software, available free on mobile app, desktop, and web app.

What does the Bible say about the angel Gabriel?

A quick check in Logos’ Factbook tool makes it easy to discover more about the angel Gabriel: I just have to look through the related verses and browse the Bible dictionaries the tool fetches for me.

1. Gabriel is mentioned in the Old and New Testaments.

He’s known for bearing good news of Jesus’ coming birth, but his first biblical appearance is in Daniel 8:16, when he is told to explain a vision to the prophet.

2. Gabriel stands in the presence of God.

This is how he describes himself to Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist (Luke 1:19). The Greek word for “stands” is paristánō, which means “to wait before a superior.” The Septuagint uses this word to describe how Joshua served Moses and how David assisted King Saul.

3. Gabriel is one of only two angels explicitly named in the Protestant Bible.

The other is Michael, a warrior archangel.

4. The Bible doesn’t call Gabriel the “archangel.”

The Book of Tobit (of Catholic and Orthodox canon) identifies the angels who stand in the presence of God as archangels, and so Gabriel has been called an archangel by tradition.

5. Gabriel looks like a man (but see #6).

The name Gabriel means “man of God” or “strength of God.” The second time Daniel encounters Gabriel (Daniel 9:21), he describes Gabriel as a “man [. . .] seen in the vision previously.” We don’t get any more details on Gabriel’s looks. Perhaps that’s because his messages are always so important.

6. Gabriel scares people.

When Daniel meets Gabriel, he is frightened and falls on his face. When Gabriel greets Zacharias, his first words are, “Do not be afraid.” Mary’s greeting is more celebratory, but Gabriel still follows up by telling her not to fear.

7. Gabriel anticipates Jesus.

Gabriel relays a prophecy concerning “Messiah the Prince” to Daniel. He tells Zacharias that John the Baptist will be a forerunner before the Lord. And most famously, he tells Mary that her son will be called “the Son of the Most High.”

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The Bible has a lot more to say about angels than most people suspect. Now you know more about Gabriel—but what about the other angels? Find out in Angels: What the Bible Really Says about God’s Heavenly Host by Dr. Michael Heiser.

Related Articles

• What Is the Septuagint and Is It Valuable for Bible Study?
• Are Demons Fallen Angels and 2 Other Common Misconceptions
• Who Are the Archangels in the Bible?

Related Resources

• Angels: What the Bible Really Says about God’s Heavenly Host by Dr. Michael Heiser.
• Supernatural: What the Bible Teaches about the Unseen World—And Why It Matters by Dr. Michael Heiser
• 40 Questions about: Angels, Demons, and Spiritual Warfare (40 Questions Series) by Benjamin L. Merkle