What are Angels Like?

Angels are mentioned hundreds of times in the Bible, both in the Old and New Testaments, in a variety of settings and with diverse roles. Here are answers from the Bible to some of the most frequently asked questions about angels.

 

Where did angels come from?

Angels were created by God.

For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.—Colossians 1:16

Angels have been around since before the world was made.

The Lord answered Job. … “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? While the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?”—Job 38:1–7 NIV

 

What are angels like?

Angels are wise.

The word of my lord the king will now be comforting; for as the angel of God, so is my lord the king in discerning good and evil. —2 Samuel 14:17

[Archangel] Gabriel … said, “O Daniel, I have now come forth to give you skill to understand.”—Daniel 9:21–22

Angels are innumerable.

A thousand thousands ministered to Him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him.—Daniel 7:10

But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels. —Hebrews 12:22

Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands.—Revelation 5:11

Angels are immortal.

Nor can they die anymore, for they are equal to the angels. —Luke 20:36

Some angels have wings.

Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.—Isaiah 6:2

Some angels appear as humans.

Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.—Hebrews 13:2 (See also Genesis 18:1–2; 19:1–3; Daniel 10:18; Zechariah 2:1)

 

What do angels do?

Angels are protectors and deliverers.

He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.—Psalm 91:11

My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me.—Daniel 6:22

Peter was sleeping [in prison], bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison. Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him; and he raised him up, saying, “Arise quickly!” And his chains fell off his hands. Then the angel said to him, “Put on your garment and follow me.” So he went out and followed him. When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.—Acts 12:6–10

Angels are providers.

Suddenly an angel touched him, and said to him, “Arise and eat.” Then he looked, and there by his head was a cake baked on coals, and a jar of water. —1 Kings 19:5–6

Angels are God’s messengers.

And the angel of the Lord appeared to the woman and said to her, “Indeed now, you are barren and have borne no children, but you shall conceive and bear a son.”—Judges 13:3

And the angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings.”—Luke 1:19

Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”— Luke 2:10–11

Angels fight the Devil and his demons for us.

Then [the angel] said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me.”—Daniel 10:12–13

And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought.—Revelation 12:7

Angels praise God and rejoice in His work.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”—Luke 2:13–14

Let all the angels of God worship Him.—Hebrews 1:6

Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.—Luke 15:10