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Gabriel is a well-known angelic figure in the religious texts of the three Abrahamic religions: Islam, Judaism, and Christianity. In these religious texts, Gabriel is depicted as a messenger of God, communicating important messages and revelations to humanity.
In the Hebrew Bible, Gabriel appears to the prophet Daniel to explain his visions, while in the New Testament, he foretells the birth of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ to Zechariah and the Virgin Mary, respectively. In Islam, Gabriel is revered as an archangel and is believed to have revealed the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad.
Gabriel's name means God is my strength or strength of God, and he is often depicted in art blowing a horn. He is considered a saint in Catholic and Orthodox Christian traditions and is associated with childbirth and raising children.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Gabriel, Jibril, Gavriel, Gibrail, Jabrail |
| Nature | Archangel, Angel of Revelation, Messenger, Archangel of Chastity, Archangel of Temperance, Archangel of Creation, Archangel of Resurrection, Archangel of Motherhood |
| Powers | Transcendent Archangel Physiology, Immense Power, Limitless Power, Supernatural Condition, Supernatural Strength, Supernatural Endurance, Nigh-Absolute Invulnerability, Transcendent Immortality, Holy Presence, Unlimited Intelligence, Cosmic Awareness, Master Leadership, Master Advisor, Supernatural Wits, Extrasensory Perception, Clairvoyance, Spiritual Awareness, Dream Manipulation, Energy Manipulation, Quintekinesis, Master Magician, Master of Mystic Arts, Spell Casting, Light Enchantments, Reality Warping, Portal Creation, Afterlife Transport, Hallucikinesis, Formula Manipulation, Angelic Magic, Enochian Magic, Enochian Wards, Teleportation, Sealing, Communication Manipulation, Divine and Pure Elements Manipulation, Pure and Spiritual Sancti-Photokinesis, Light Generation, Light Constructs, Pure and Spiritual Aerokinesis, Air Constructs, Healing, Purification, Natural and Holy Hydrokinesis, Flight, Steel Wings, Hope Inducement, Resurrection |
| Appearance | A man with a body of beryl, a face like lightning, eyes like torches of fire, and arms and feet shining like burnished bronze. |
| Mentions in Religious Texts | Hebrew Bible, New Testament, Quran, Kitáb-i-Aqdas |
| Religious Roles | Gabriel is revered by Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and the Baháʼí Faith. |
What You'll Learn
Gabriel's role as a messenger
Gabriel is an archangel and messenger of God in the Abrahamic religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. He is mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, the New Testament, the Quran, and the Kitáb-i-Aqdas.
In the Hebrew Bible, Gabriel appears to the prophet Daniel to explain his visions. In the New Testament, Gabriel appears to Zechariah foretelling the birth of John the Baptist, and to the Virgin Mary foretelling the birth of Jesus Christ. In Islam, Gabriel is revered as an archangel sent by God to various prophets, including Muhammad, to whom he revealed the Quran.
Gabriel is often depicted in art blowing a horn. He is also associated with a lantern, a mirror, a shield, a lily, a scepter, a spear, and an olive branch. His light energy colour is white.
Gabriel is sometimes referred to as the "Angel of Revelation" because God often chooses him to communicate important messages. He is also known as the "Messenger of God", the "Angel of Annunciation", and the "Angel of Glory".
Gabriel is also associated with childbirth, adoption, and raising children. Jewish tradition holds that Gabriel instructs babies before they are born, and Christians associate him with the Annunciation, when he informed Mary that she would become the mother of Jesus Christ.
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Gabriel's role in the Bible
Gabriel is an angel and messenger of God who appears in both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. He is one of only two angels explicitly named in the Protestant Bible, the other being Michael. Gabriel's name means "God is my strength", "God is Great", or "strength of God".
Gabriel first appears to Daniel to explain his visions (Daniel 8:15–26, 9:21–27). Daniel had been living in Babylon where the Jews were in exile and had many visions of the future. Gabriel was called upon to explain the meaning of these visions to Daniel, illuminating what was to come.
Gabriel then appears to Zechariah, a priest, to foretell and announce the birth of John the Baptist, the cousin of Jesus (Luke 1:11–38). Zechariah and his wife, Elizabeth, were elderly and Elizabeth had been unable to have children. Gabriel tells Zechariah that his wife will bear a son, and that he is to name him John. He also tells Zechariah that John will prepare the way for the Lord—Jesus.
Gabriel's most well-known role in the Bible is delivering the news of the coming of Jesus to the Virgin Mary (Luke 1:26–38). Gabriel tells Mary that she will conceive and give birth to a son, and that she is to call him Jesus. He also tells her that Jesus will be called the Son of the Most High and will reign over the descendants of Jacob forever.
Gabriel is often depicted in art blowing a horn. He is considered a saint by many Christian traditions, including Eastern Orthodoxy, Catholicism, Lutheranism, and Anglicanism.
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Gabriel's role in Islam
In Islam, Gabriel is considered the most important of all angels. He is referred to as Jibreel or the Holy Spirit and is tasked with communicating the words of Allah to His prophets.
Muslims believe that Gabriel revealed the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad. He is mentioned by name in only a few verses of the Quran, including:
> Say: Whoever is an enemy to Jibreel -- for he brings down the revelation to your heart by Allah's will, a confirmation of what went before, and guidance and glad tidings for those who believe -- whoever is an enemy to Allah and His angels and apostles, to Jibreel and Mikail (Michael) -- oh, Allah is an enemy to those who reject Faith. (2:97-98)
Gabriel is also mentioned in the Hadith, where he quizzes Muhammad about the tenets of Islam.
Muslims believe that Gabriel was sent by God to various prophets, including Muhammad, Abraham, and Lot. He is also believed to have informed Zechariah of the Nativity of John the Baptist, as well as Mary about the future birth of Jesus.
In Islamic tradition, Gabriel is depicted as having six hundred wings and is often shown blowing a horn.
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Gabriel's role in Judaism
Gabriel is an archangel in Judaism, and is considered to be a messenger of God. He is mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, where he appears to the prophet Daniel to explain his visions. In the Book of Enoch, Gabriel is an avenging angel, sent to incite sinners into war. In the Talmud, God sends Gabriel to smite the Assyrians.
Gabriel is also considered to be a protector, alongside the archangel Michael. Together, they are described as the guardian angels of Israel, defending its people against the angels of other nations.
Gabriel is often depicted in art blowing a horn. Other symbols that represent him include a lantern, a mirror, a shield, a lily, a scepter, a spear, and an olive branch.
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Gabriel's role in Christianity
Gabriel is an archangel and angel of revelation in Christianity, with the power to communicate God's will to humanity. He is mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, the New Testament, and the Quran.
Gabriel is revered as a saint in many Christian traditions, including Eastern Orthodoxy, Catholicism, Lutheranism, and Anglicanism. He is considered the patron saint of journalists, teachers, clergy, diplomats, ambassadors, and postal workers.
In the Hebrew Bible, Gabriel appears to the prophet Daniel to explain his visions. He is also described as the guardian angel of Israel, alongside the archangel Michael.
In the New Testament, Gabriel appears in the Gospel of Luke, where he foretells the birth of John the Baptist to Zechariah and the birth of Jesus Christ to the Virgin Mary. This event is known as the Annunciation.
Gabriel is often depicted in art blowing a horn, and his light energy colour is white. He is associated with symbols such as a lantern, a mirror, a shield, a lily, a scepter, a spear, and an olive branch.
Gabriel is also mentioned in the Quran, where he is revered as one of the primary archangels and the Angel of Revelation in Islam. He is believed to have been sent by God to various prophets, including Muhammad, to whom he dictated the Quran.
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Frequently asked questions
Gabriel's name means "God is my strength", "God is great", or "strength of God".
The Protestant Bible never refers to Gabriel as an archangel, but other religious texts do.
Gabriel appears as a man, and his appearance is terrifying. His true form cannot be seen by humans.
Gabriel speaks to Daniel, Zechariah, and Mary.
Gabriel announces the births of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ, and explains Daniel's visions.
