Topical Encyclopedia
Gabriel is one of the most prominent angels mentioned in the Bible, known for his role as a messenger of God. His name means "God is my strength," and he is often associated with delivering important messages from God to His people. Gabriel is mentioned explicitly in the books of Daniel and Luke, where he plays a crucial role in revealing God's plans and purposes.
Appearances in the Book of DanielGabriel first appears in the Book of Daniel, where he is tasked with explaining visions to the prophet Daniel. In
Daniel 8:16-17 , Gabriel is instructed to help Daniel understand a vision: "And I heard a man’s voice calling from between the banks of the Ulai: 'Gabriel, explain the vision to this man.' As he came near to where I stood, I was terrified and fell facedown. 'Son of man,' he said to me, 'understand that the vision concerns the time of the end.'"
Gabriel's role is to provide clarity and insight into the visions that Daniel receives, particularly those concerning the end times and the future of Israel. In
Daniel 9:21-22 , Gabriel appears again during Daniel's prayer: "while I was still in prayer, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the earlier vision, came to me in swift flight about the time of the evening sacrifice. He instructed me and spoke with me, saying, 'O Daniel, I have come now to give you insight and understanding.'"
Appearances in the Gospel of LukeGabriel's most well-known appearances occur in the Gospel of Luke, where he delivers messages concerning the births of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ. In
Luke 1:11-13 , Gabriel appears to Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist: "Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and gripped with fear. But the angel said to him, 'Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John.'"
Gabriel's announcement to Zechariah signifies the beginning of the fulfillment of God's promises to His people, as John the Baptist would prepare the way for the Messiah.
Gabriel's most significant announcement is to Mary, the mother of Jesus. In
Luke 1:26-28 , Gabriel is sent by God to Nazareth: "In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin pledged in marriage to a man named Joseph, who was of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. The angel appeared to her and said, 'Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.'"
Gabriel informs Mary of her role in God's redemptive plan, telling her that she will conceive and give birth to Jesus, the Son of the Most High. This message is central to the Christian faith, as it heralds the incarnation of Christ.
Role and SignificanceGabriel's role as a messenger underscores the importance of divine communication in the biblical narrative. He is depicted as a faithful servant of God, delivering messages that have profound implications for the course of salvation history. Gabriel's interactions with Daniel, Zechariah, and Mary highlight his role in revealing God's plans and preparing His people for significant events.
In Christian tradition, Gabriel is often regarded as an archangel, although the Bible does not explicitly use this title for him. His appearances in Scripture emphasize the themes of revelation, prophecy, and the fulfillment of God's promises. Gabriel's messages are characterized by clarity, authority, and a focus on God's redemptive work through Jesus Christ.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
GabrielGod is my strength
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Gabriel(man of God), an angel sent by God to announce to Zacharias the birth of John the Baptist, and to Mary the birth of Christ. He was also sent to Daniel to explain his visions. (Daniel 8:16;9:21)
ATS Bible Dictionary
GabrielA principal angel. He was sent to the prophet Daniel to explain his vision; also to Zacharias, to announce to him the future birth of John the Baptist,Daniel 8:16 9:21Luke 1:11,19. Six months afterwards, he was sent to Nazareth, to the Virgin Mary,Luke 1:26-38.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Champion of God, used as a proper name to designate the angel who was sent to Daniel (
8:16) to explain the vision of the ram and the he-goat, and to communicate the prediction of the seventy weeks (
Dan. 9:21-27).
He announced also the birth of John the Baptist (Luke 1:11), and of the Messiah (26). He describes himself in the words, "I am Gabriel, who stand in the presence of God" (1:19).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
GABRIELga'-bri-el (gabhri'-el, "Man of God"; Gabriel):
The name of the angel commissioned to explain to Daniel the vision of the ram and the he-goat, and to give the prediction of the 70 weeks (Daniel 8:16;Daniel 9:21).
In the New Testament he is the angel of the annunciation to Zacharias of the birth of John the Baptist, and to Mary of the birth 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 Enoch (chapters 9, 20, 40) as one of 4 (or 6) chief angels. He is "set over all powers," presents, with the others, the cry of departed souls for vengeance, is "set over the serpents, and over Paradise, and over the cherubim." He is prominent in the Jewish Targums, etc.
SeeANGEL.
James Orr
Greek
1043.Gabriel --Gabriel, an angel... 1042, 1043.
Gabriel. 1044 .
Gabriel, an angel. Part of Speech: Proper
Noun, Indeclinable Transliteration:
Gabriel Phonetic Spelling
...Strong's Hebrew
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.
...Library
The Third Homily. On the Annunciation to the Holy virgin Mary.
... woman. In the sixth month, it is said, the angelGabriel was sent from
God to a virgin espoused to a man. [551]Gabriel was sent...
Whether the Annunciation Should have Been Made by an Angel to the...
... ButGabriel 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...
Counting on Us.
... has spent itself"the way we speak of such things done here, the Master is walking
down the golden street one day, arm in arm withGabriel, talking intently...
The Voice in the Wilderness
... To the question of Zacharias, the angel said, "I amGabriel, that stand in the presence
of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to show thee these glad...
Elijah, the Praying Prophet
... The secret of his praying and the character of the man are found in the words,
"Before whom I stand." We are here reminded ofGabriel's words to Zacharias in...
That the Father and the Son must not be Divided is Proved by the...
... will of the Creator. [2135]. 20. Do not hastily reject this, becauseGabriel
dies not, nor Rapha?�l, nor Uriel. [2136] Even in their...
Annunciation to Zacharias of the Birth of John the Baptist.
... They served to extreme old age] , and my wife well stricken in years.19 And the
angel answering said unto him, I amGabriel [This name means "hero, or mighty...
The Spirit and Power of Elias.
... that the prophet Malachi tells us that the advent of the Messiah should be preceded
and heralded by Elijah the prophet; and thatGabriel, four hundred years...
Daniel, the Praying Captive
... "And I heard a man's voice which called, and said,Gabriel, make this man to
understand the vision.". And soGabriel made him understand...
Getting Ready to Enter Canaan
... One day the angelGabriel met Jesus and said: "Master, did you not suffer great
pain on the cross?".... Have you made any plans?" askedGabriel....
Thesaurus
Gabriel (5 Occurrences)... He describes himself in the words, "I am
Gabriel, who stand in the presence
of God" (1:19). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
GABRIEL.
...Zacharias (11 Occurrences)
... While Zacharias ministered at the golden altar of incense in the holy place, it
was announced to him by the angelGabriel that his wife Elisabeth, who was also...
Raphael
... and Raphael is one of them (En 40:9; 54:6). In the first of these passages Raphael
is the healer; in the second, he with Michael,Gabriel and Phanuel lead the...
Mary (50 Occurrences)
... While she resided at Nazareth with her parents, before she became the wife of Joseph,
the angelGabriel announced to her that she was to be the mother of the...
Angel (209 Occurrences)
... his people. Others have supposed the expression to refer toGabriel (Luke
1:19). Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (n.) A messenger. 2...
U'lai (2 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Daniel 8:16 I heard a man's voice between the banks of the Ulai, which
called, and said,Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision. (See RSV)....
Ulai (2 Occurrences)
... Daniel 8:16 I heard a man's voice between the banks of the Ulai, which called,
and said,Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision....
Gabrias
Whilst (21 Occurrences)
... Daniel 9:21 whilst I was yet speaking in prayer, the manGabriel, whom I had seen
in the vision at the beginning, flying swiftly, touched me about the time of...
Whiles (8 Occurrences)
... Daniel 9:21 Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the manGabriel, whom I had
seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me...
Resources
What does the Bible say about the angel Gabriel? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the names of angels in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the hierarchy of angels? | GotQuestions.orgGabriel: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
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