Names of angels of God and their duties according to the Bible
When you think of angels, you envision tall, blonde figures with white robes and long feathered wings. This could be true for some angels. However, the appearance of angels differs depending on the assignment and positions. But how much do you know about the names of angels of God and their duties according to the Bible? TUKO.co.ke spoke exclusively to Rev. Dr. Humphrey Waweru, an accomplished theologian and senior lecturer in the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies at Kenyatta University, who provided expert insight into the names of angels and their duties.
Source: UGC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Names of angels of God and their duties
- Types of angels and their duties
- Interview with a theologian
- Where are the 7 angels mentioned in the Bible?
- Who are the arch angels of God?
- Who are the angels of God?
- How to attract angels of God?
- Why are angels called sons of God?
- How do angels of God look like?
- How many angels are named in the Bible?
- What were the names of the fallen angels in the Bible?
Angels of God in heaven are mentioned numerous times in the Scriptures. They are referred to in both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. Even though angels majorly reside in Heaven, they are among men and carry out various duties as God directs or assigns to them. They can either be good or bad, depending on their purpose for being sent. But how many angels are named in the Bible?
Names of angels of God and their duties
| No | Angel | Role |
| 1 | Gabriel | The angel of revelation and announcements |
| 2 | Michael | The leader of the heavenly host and the protector of God's people |
| 3 | Raphael | The angel of healing and travellers |
| 4 | Uriel | The angel of wisdom and light. He watches over thunder and terror |
| 5 | Saraqael | The angel who watch |
| 6 | Raguel | Archangel of justice, fairness, and harmony |
| 7 | Ramiel | Angel of forgiveness and hope |
| 8 | Phanuel | The angel of repentance |
| 9 | Azrael | Responsible for transporting the deceased's soul after death |
| 10 | Zadkiel | Helps people approach God for mercy |
| 11 | Camael | The Archangel of strength, courage and war |
| 12 | Jeremiel | Encourages people to learn from their mistakes and seek new directions |
| 13 | Barachiel | Angel of lightning and blessings |
| 14 | Haniel | Direct people searching for fulfilment to God |
| 15 | Jegudiel | Give encouragement, wisdom, and strength to people working for God's glory. |
| 16 | Jophiel | Help people learn how to think beautiful thoughts |
| 17 | Ariel | Oversee the healing and protection of animals and plants |
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Types of angels and their duties
Angels are spiritual beings created by God to watch over the human race. They perform numerous duties, including delivering his message and guarding and protecting from danger. These are the angels in the Bible and their duties.
1. Gabriel
Gabriel is one of God's most powerful angels. He is mentioned by name three times in the Bible, each time as a messenger. The first time Gabriel is mentioned in the Bible is in the Book of Daniel.
Angel Gabriel also brought messages from God to Zechariah. He is renowned as the angel who brought Mary the good news that she would become pregnant and give birth to Jesus. All of them were stricken with awe when Angel Gabriel appeared to them. The Bible also describes him as the guardian angel.
2. Michael
Source: UGC
Michael is one of the Archangels in the Bible. In Daniel 10: 13, the Bible refers to him as a "chief prince" of the heavenly realm. Michael is the only one the Bible calls an Archangel. He is the head of a battalion of angels.
Michael is described in military terms. In Revelation 12, he leads a host of angels in a victorious war over Satan and his demons. In the book of Daniel, he fights the prince of Persia. The angel is expected to play an important part in the end-time events.
3. Raphael
Raphael is another famous angelic being. The angel is mentioned in the apocryphal Old Testament (Hebrew Bible) Book of Tobit. He is the archangel who takes care of Tobias on his journey. In the Catholic Church, Raphael is referred to as the Patron of Healing.
Some of his responsibilities include presenting the prayers of the saints and entering into the presence of God's glory. Additionally, he is tasked with healing the earth, which has been defiled by the fallen angels. The name Raphael means "God heals."
4. Uriel
Uriel is one of the biblical angels. He is mentioned in the apocryphal texts, which are not a part of the biblical canon. Uriel is often identified as a cherub and the angel of repentance. He stands at the Gate of Eden with a fiery sword.
According to the Book of Enoch, Uriel is the one who spoke to Noah about the flood. He has dominion over thunder and terror. Uriel is considered the angel of wisdom and shines the light of God's truth on those seeking information or wisdom.
5. Saraqael
Source: UGC
Saraqael, also known as Zerachiel, is the Archangel of God's Judgment and the patron of the Sacrament of Matrimony. In chapter 20 of the Book of Enoch, he is described as one of the "angels who watch."
6. Raguel
In the Book of Enoch, Raguel is one of the seven angels whose role is to watch. His name translates to "Friend of God". Raguel is described as the Archangel of justice, fairness, and harmony. His duty is to fight the injustice caused by sin so that people can live in harmony with God and each other.
7. Ramiel
Ramiel is also listed as one of the seven Holy Angels in the Book of Enoch. His name translates to "Thunder of God," or "Compassion of God." He performs two duties. Ramiel is believed to be the angel of forgiveness and hope. First, he is responsible for divine visions. Secondly, he guides the souls of the faithful into Heaven.
8. Phanuel
The list of types of angels and their duties can never be complete without the mention of Angel Phanuel. He is the fourth angel after Michael, Raphael, and Gabriel. He stands before God in the Book of Enoch. His name translates to "The Face of God". He is the angel of repentance and hope. His main duty is encouraging people to repent and pursue an eternal relationship with God.
9. Azrael
Azrael is portrayed as an incredibly powerful angel. He has the ability to command life itself. Azrael is described as the "Angel of Death." He looks over the dying, separates the soul from the body, and transports the spirit to the afterlife. Azrael does not cause death; he only acts on the orders of his higher power.
10. Zadkiel
Zadkiel translates to "Righteousness of God". He is described as the angel of mercy. His duty is to help people approach God for mercy when they've done something wrong. He gives humans the strength to reject bad choices and guides them away from sin.
Zadkiel is believed to be the unnamed biblical angel of the Lord who held back Abraham and prevented him from sacrificing his son Isaac. He is often depicted with a small dagger or weapon.
11. Camael
Source: UGC
Camael is described as the Archangel of strength, courage and war. Even though his name is not directly mentioned in religious texts, the angel has carried out some key missions.
Camael is one of the angels who comforted Adam and Eve when they were expelled from the Garden of Eden. He is also one of seven archangels who have lived in God's direct presence in Heaven.
12. Jeremiel
In the Book of Enoch, he is listed as one of the seven archangels. Jeremiel is the angel of hopeful visions and dreams. He encourages people to learn from their mistakes and seek new directions. Jeremiel also inspires souls who are set to ascend to Heaven. God usually sends him to bring encouraging messages to discouraged people.
13. Barachiel
Barachiel is one of the angels, according to the Bible. His name translates to "God's Blessings". He is the angel of lightning and blessings. In the Book of Enoch, he is described as one of the angelic princes. He is claimed to be part of the seraphim rank of angels who guard God's throne. His main duty is to intercede in prayer before God for people in need.
14. Haniel
Haniel is one of the archangels who usually appears to be a female presence to humans. The name Haniel translates to "Joy of God". Her main duty is to direct people searching for fulfilment to God. The Book of Enoch claims that God sent the Archangel on an assignment to pick up Enoch in a fiery chariot and esc0rt him to Heaven.
15. Jegudiel
Jegudiel is one of the seven Archangels. He is the bearer of God's merciful love. His main duty is to give encouragement, wisdom, and strength to people working for God's glory. He also defends all who work in positions of responsibility to the glory of God. Jegudiel gives encouragement, wisdom, and strength to those in these positions.
16. Jophiel
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Jophiel is described as the angel of beauty. She is the first angel mentioned in the Bible. Her main role is to help people learn how to think beautiful thoughts. Jophiel is a great leader in Heaven, and she directs legions of angels. The Archangel is not listed as one of the seven Archangels in the Book of Enoch. He is believed to guard the Tree of Life with a flaming sword.
17. Ariel
In Hebrew, Ariel means "lion of God" or "altar." Ariel is the angel of nature. As a female angel, her role encompasses overseeing the healing and protection of animals and plants.
She also tends to the earth's elements, such as fire, wind, and water. As a messenger of God, she punishes anyone who harms God's creations.
Interview with a theologian
In an exclusive interview with TUKO.co.ke, Rev. Dr. Humphrey Waweru, an accomplished theologian and senior lecturer in the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies at Kenyatta University, discussed in detail the naming of angels and their duties.
Q: Given your extensive experience in theology and biblical studies, how do you interpret the role of angels as mediators between God and humanity in biblical texts, and what does this reveal about divine-human interaction?
God is always involved in our day-to-day lives and He uses the Angels. Interestingly, the Bible names only a few angels: Michael is mentioned in Jude 9, Revelation 12:7–8, and Daniel 10:13 and 21. Gabriel is the only other angel named in the Bible. He's mentioned in Daniel 8:16 and 9:21 as a messenger who comes from God to speak to Daniel.
Archangel Michael is commonly seen as the defending warrior fighting against evil that bring suffering to the people of God in the books of Daniel, Jude and the Apocalypse of John. It means the two are primarily acting as messengers, protectors, and ministers of God's will across various religions. They are spiritual beings believed to serve God and humanity; they communicate divine messages, offering guidance and providing protection in various circumstances.
They are co-workers with God. They go where God sends them, communicates what He wants to the people and equally ministers the people (Psalm 103:20; Rev 22:9). After Jesus’ forty-days of temptation in the wilderness, angels came and ministered to Him (Mt 4:11). When the righteous die, it seems that angels carry them straight to the place of God’s rest (Lk 16:22).
Q: Some biblical narratives depict angels as messengers, warriors or protectors. What do these roles symbolize within the wider context of Christian faith and divine order?
The Lord always protect His people against all evils through angels. It means that although we do not know, we are safe, because in many circumstances we escape, think we are lucky, but God was involved, behind the scenes. We call it drama off stage.
Q: Throughout the Bible, angels appear in various forms—from radiant beings to more human-like figures. How should we interpret these varying descriptions of angelic appearance, and what might they signify in the theological or symbolic context of scripture?
Since angels have no physical bodies, their colors may change due to reflections as they appear to humans. Their appearance glitters with holiness, for the angels are holy apart from the fallen one, who is Satan and no longer enjoys the benefits of the other two.
Q: Unlike humans, who were commanded to multiply and fill the earth, angels are not described as reproducing. From a theological perspective, do angels increase in number over time, or does their population remain fixed according to God’s original act of creation?
Angels are not supposed to multiply, and if they do, like they did in Genesis 6, giants are produced. God regretted creating man the moment his angels failed Him with the daughters of men. Because angels do not die, their numbers remain constant. We still have the two main angels, Michael and Gabriel.
Q: Is there any significance of names in biblical literature, especially when it comes to angelic beings, and how might these names convey theological or symbolic meaning?
Well, from a Kikuyu perspective, names are meaningless, but biblically, names are related to the work one does. So theologically, an angel will perform according to his name. But we shouldn’t be worried too much about names, because we contextualize them.
Where are the 7 angels mentioned in the Bible?
The 7 names of God's angels are mentioned in several key passages in the Book of Revelation in the New Testament. Each angel receives a message from God. Whenever an angel sounded their trumpet, a consequential event unfolded. They are as follows:
| Angel | What happened when they blew the trumpet |
| First angel | Hail and fire mixed with blood were hurled down on the earth. |
| Second angel | A huge mountain, all ablaze, was thrown into the sea. |
| Third angel | A great star, blazing like a torch, fell from the sky. |
| Fourth angel | A third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars. |
| Fifth angel | A star fell from heaven to the earth. |
| Sixth angel | A voice coming from the four horns of the golden altar. |
| Seventh angel (did not blow a trumpet) | A mighty angel coming down from heaven clothed with a cloud. |
Who are the arch angels of God?
The three Archangels mentioned in the Bible are Saint Michael, regarded as one of the most powerful Archangels; Saint Raphael, known for offering healing and guidance to the faithful; and Saint Gabriel, recognized for delivering significant messages to God's people.
Who are the angels of God?
The angels of God are celestial beings who serve as His messengers and servants. Prominent among them are the Archangels: Saint Michael, Saint Raphael and Saint Gabriel. They fulfil various roles, including protecting, guiding, and delivering messages to God's people.
How to attract angels of God?
To attract angels of God:
- Cultivate a life of prayer, kindness, and faithfulness.
- Engage in regular spiritual practices, such as prayer and meditation, to open your heart to divine presence.
- Act with compassion and love, aligning your actions with God's will and virtues.
Why are angels called sons of God?
They are called sons of God because they are considered direct creations, reflecting His divine will and purpose. This is because of their close relationship with God, their role as His messengers, and their position in the heavenly hierarchy.
How do angels of God look like?
Warrior angels of God are often depicted in various ways, depending on cultural and religious interpretations. Traditionally, they are portrayed as radiant, ethereal beings with human-like features, often with wings to symbolize their celestial nature and ability to move between heaven and earth.
How many angels are named in the Bible?
The Old and New Testaments mention angels 273 times, but only a few are named. These include Angel Gabriel, Angel Michael, Angel Raphael, Angel Uriel, and Angel Azrael.
What were the names of the fallen angels in the Bible?
The Bible specifically names a few fallen angels. The most well-known is Lucifer, also referred to as Satan. Other fallen angels include Azazel, Azza, and Uzza. These angels were created as good and obedient beings, but some of them chose to rebel against God and were cast out of Heaven as a result.
These are the names of angels of God and their duties according to the Bible. Angels may be assigned specific tasks or functions by God or by human beings who pray to them for help. You should pray and ask God to send His angels your way so that they can work for you.
Tuko published an article with short Bible verses for healing and strength for friends and family. You often encounter hardship, uncertainty, and pain in life's journey. During these times, finding solace and strength in the words of scripture can offer comfort and resilience.
The Bible, revered as a source of wisdom and guidance, contains numerous verses that heal and strengthen those facing challenges. Its pages' timeless messages of hope and encouragement serve as beacons of light amidst the darkness.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
Florence Wanjiru Florence Wanjiru is a writer with more than 10 years of experience as a writer. She studied Journalism in the university and graduated in 2015. Florence joined Tuko in 2017. She has a successful past record as a reporter and has a great hand on topics such as business, politics, humanities, entertainment, technology, and so much more.
Adrianna Simwa (Lifestyle writer) Adrianna Simwa is a content writer at Tuko.co.ke where she has worked since mid-2022. She has written for many periodicals on a variety of subjects, including news, celebrities, and lifestyle, for more than four years. She has worked for The Hoth, The Standard Group and Triple P Media. Adrianna graduated from Nairobi University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in 2020. In 2023, Adrianna finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. You can reach her through her email: adriannasimwa@gmail.com
