The term "archangel" is derived from the Greek word "archangelos," meaning "chief angel" or "principal messenger." In the biblical context, archangels are considered to be high-ranking angels with significant roles in God's divine plan. The concept of archangels is primarily found in the New Testament, although the Old Testament contains references to angelic beings with similar functions.

Biblical References

The most explicit mention of an archangel in the Bible is found in the New Testament. In 1 Thessalonians 4:16 , the Apostle Paul writes, "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first." This passage suggests that an archangel will play a pivotal role in the events surrounding the Second Coming of Christ.

Another significant reference is found in Jude 1:9 , which states, "But Michael the archangel, when he disputed with the devil over the body of Moses, did not dare to bring a slanderous accusation against him, but said, 'The Lord rebuke you!'" This verse identifies Michael as an archangel and highlights his role in spiritual warfare and divine justice.

Michael the Archangel

Michael is the only angel explicitly referred to as an "archangel" in the canonical scriptures. He is depicted as a warrior angel, a protector of Israel, and a leader in the heavenly armies. In Daniel 10:13 , Michael is described as "one of the chief princes," indicating his high rank among the angelic hosts. Daniel 12:1 further emphasizes his protective role: "At that time Michael, the great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people, will arise."

In Revelation 12:7-9 , Michael is portrayed as leading the heavenly forces in a battle against the dragon, identified as Satan: "Then a war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But the dragon was not strong enough, and no longer was any place found in heaven for him and his angels."

Gabriel and Other Angelic Beings

While Gabriel is not explicitly called an "archangel" in the Bible, he is often associated with high-ranking angelic duties. Gabriel appears in the Book of Daniel, where he provides Daniel with understanding and insight into visions (Daniel 8:16, 9:21). In the New Testament, Gabriel is the messenger who announces the births of John the Baptist and Jesus (Luke 1:11-20, 26-38).

The Book of Tobit, part of the Apocrypha, mentions Raphael as an archangel, but this text is not included in the Protestant canon. Raphael's role in Tobit involves guidance and healing, which aligns with the functions often attributed to archangels.

Role and Function

Archangels are generally understood to be messengers and warriors who execute God's will and protect His people. They are often depicted as leaders among the angelic hosts, with responsibilities that include delivering divine messages, engaging in spiritual warfare, and overseeing the affairs of nations and individuals.

In Christian theology, archangels are seen as part of the celestial hierarchy, which includes various orders of angels. Their primary purpose is to serve God and assist in the fulfillment of His divine plan, acting as intermediaries between God and humanity.

Theological Significance

The presence and actions of archangels in the biblical narrative underscore the belief in a structured and purposeful spiritual realm. Archangels, particularly Michael, are seen as defenders of the faith and symbols of divine authority and power. Their involvement in key biblical events highlights the ongoing spiritual battle between good and evil and the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom.(1 Thessalonians 4:16; Jude 1:9), the prince of the angels. 1. (n.) A chief angel; one high in the celestial hierarchy.

2. (n.) A term applied to several different species of plants (Angelica archangelica, Lamium album, etc.).

ARCHANGEL

ark-an'-jel. See ANGEL.

743. archaggelos -- a chief angel, ie archangel
... a chief angel, ie archangel. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration:
archaggelos Phonetic Spelling: (ar-khang'-el-os) Short Definition: a ruler of ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/743.htm - 7k

3413. Michael -- Michael, the archangel
... Michael, the archangel. Part of Speech: Proper Noun, Indeclinable Transliteration:
Michael Phonetic Spelling: (mikh-ah-ale') Short Definition: Michael Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3413.htm - 6k

1043. Gabriel -- Gabriel, an angel
... Gabriel. Of Hebrew origin (Gabriy'el); Gabriel, an archangel -- Gabriel. see HEBREW
Gabriy'el. (gabriel) -- 2 Occurrences. 1042, 1043. Gabriel. 1044 . ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1043.htm - 6k

1403. Gabriel -- "man of El," an archangel
... 1402, 1403. Gabriel. 1404 . "man of El," an archangel. Transliteration: Gabriel
Phonetic Spelling: (gab-ree-ale') Short Definition: Gabriel. ...
/hebrew/1403.htm - 6k

4317. Mikael -- "Who is like God?" an angel, also a number of Isr.
... Michael. From miy and (the prefix derivative from) kiy and 'el; who (is) like God?;
Mikael, the name of an archangel and of nine Israelites -- Michael. ...
/hebrew/4317.htm - 6k

And the Lord, Holding the Hand of Adam, Delivered Him to Michael ...
... Part II."Christ's Descent into Hell. Latin. First Version. Chapter 9 (25). And the
Lord, holding the hand of Adam, delivered him to Michael the archangel? ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of nicodemus /chapter 9 25 and the.htm

How by Reason of Pride Lucifer was Turned from an Archangel into a ...
... Prolegomena. Chapter IV. How by reason of pride Lucifer was turned from
an archangel into a devil. And that we may understand the ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter iv how by reason.htm

1 Thessalonians iv. 15-17
... For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven, with a shout, with the voice of
the Archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise ...
/.../homily viii 1 thessalonians iv.htm

Appendix
... men. He is lord of the Church, and judge of its members. "Why is the Son
of God, the Christian archangel, called Michael? Michael ...
/.../lake/landmarks in the history of early christianity/appendix.htm

Whether the Annunciation Should have Been Made by an Angel to the ...
... is not of the highest order, but of the order of archangels, which is the last but
one: wherefore the Church sings: "We know that the archangel Gabriel brought ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the annunciation should have.htm

Of the Fact that Opposing Powers Turn the Attack, which they Aim ...
... for in order to hinder the good which it saw would result from the solution of the
question for which the prophet prayed the Lord, by the archangel, in its ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xiii of the fact.htm

Christian Meekness
... 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 ...
/.../watson/the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/12 christian meekness.htm

Of Evil Angels
... Accordingly there is one chain of beings, from the lowest to the highest point,
from an unorganized particle of earth or water to Michael the archangel. ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 72 of evil angels.htm

The Third Homily. On the Annunciation to the Holy virgin Mary.
... The archangel himself gives us the interpretation, when he says to the virgin:
"Behold, thy relation Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age ...
/.../the third homily on the.htm

The Work of Christ.
... Perhaps the mighty Archangel accompanied Him, the victor over Sin, Death, the Grave
and Satan; for the Archangel will accompany Him some day in His descent out ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gaebelein/the work of christ/ii the work of christ.htm

Archangel (2 Occurrences)
... etc.). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ARCHANGEL. ark-an'-jel. See ANGEL.
Multi-Version Concordance Archangel (2 Occurrences). 1 ...
/a/archangel.htm - 7k

Archangel's (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Archangel's (1 Occurrence). 1 Thessalonians
4:16 For the Lord Himself will come down from Heaven with a ...
/a/archangel's.htm - 6k

Michael (16 Occurrences)
... parallel 1Es 8:34). (11) "The archangel" (Jude 1:9). Probably also the unnamed
archangel of 1 Thessalonians 4:16 is Michael. In the Old ...
/m/michael.htm - 16k

Uriel (4 Occurrences)
... See Curtis, Chronicles, 130 f. (2) A man of Gibeah, and father of Micaiah the mother
of King Abijah of Judah (2 Chronicles 13:2). (3) The archangel (En 20:2 ...
/u/uriel.htm - 10k

Angel (209 Occurrences)
... 7. (n.) An ancient gold coin of England, bearing the figure of the archangel Michael.
It varied in value from 6s. 8d. to 10s. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ...
/a/angel.htm - 78k

Jeremiel
... margin and the Revised Version (British and American) in 2 Esdras 4:36 for the King
James Version "Uriel." He is here called the "archangel" who answers the ...
/j/jeremiel.htm - 6k

Gabriel (5 Occurrences)
... of Jesus (Luke 1:19, 26). Though commonly spoken of as an archangel, he
is not so called in Scripture. He appears in the Book of ...
/g/gabriel.htm - 9k

Terms (25 Occurrences)
... Jude 1:9 But Michael the Archangel, when contending with the Devil and arguing with
him about the body of Moses, did not dare to pronounce judgement on him in ...
/t/terms.htm - 13k

Trumpet (74 Occurrences)
... 1 Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout,
with the voice of the archangel, and with God's trumpet. ...
/t/trumpet.htm - 32k

Trump (2 Occurrences)
... 1 Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout,
with the voice of the archangel, and with God's trumpet. ...
/t/trump.htm - 8k

Who is Michael the archangel? | GotQuestions.org

Is Jesus Michael the archangel? | GotQuestions.org

Is there an archangel (or angel) named Uriel? | GotQuestions.org

Archangel: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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