Questions tagged [angels]

Angels are supernatural or celestial beings that are intermediaries between God and people. Also referred to as messengers or the sons of God (bene elohim) in the Hebrew Bible.

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Where did the idea that the law was administered through angels come from?

The idea that the law was given through angels seems common enough in the first century literature: Galatians 3:19 Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring ...
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What does the term "principalities and powers" mean?

In some translations, I see the term "principalities and powers." To what does this refer? This will not be exhaustive, but for example, consider the KJV's translation of Romans 8:38-39: For I am ...
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Who were the "sons of God" (bene elohim) in Genesis 6:2?

Genesis 6:1-2 (ESV emphasis mine): When man began to multiply on the face of the land and daughters were born to them, the sons of God saw that the daughters of man were attractive. And they took ...
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Who/what is Peter's angel?

In Acts 12, Peter is miraculously released from prison when an angel visits him at night. Peter escapes and returns to the house where a group is gathered praying. A servant girl, Rhoda goes to answer ...
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Do children have ‘guardian’ angels, according to Matthew 18:10?

In Matthew 18:10 it reads: "See that you do not disdain one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven. (Matthew 18:10, NET, ...
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"Death angel" or "destroyer" or "destruction" in Exodus 12:23?

In Exodus 12, the Israelites were instructed to put blood on their doors, to protect them from the death of the firstborn that the Egyptians would suffer. In most of Exodus 12, it sounds as though ...
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To what dispute is Jude 1:9 referring regarding the body of Moses?

In Jude 1:9 (NIV) it is written: But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not himself dare to condemn him for slander but said, “The Lord ...
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On what basis do translators translate echad in Daniel 10:13 to be one instead of first?

Daniel 10:13 NIV 13 But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia. ...
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Angel or messenger?

Often, it is clear from context whether מלאך and αγγελος refer to a human messenger or an angelic messenger. For example, if a מלאך or αγγελος is sent by a human, then the messenger is likely human. ...
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Are the angels in 2 Peter 2:11 good or evil?

In chapter 2 of 2 Peter, angelic beings, who "do not pronounce a blasphemous judgment..." are contrasted with 'false teachers' (also referred to as 'the unrighteous'), who "do not ...
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How are we to take the fact that Lot offered his daughters for rape?

In Genesis two angels visited Sodom and Gomorrah to check what's what. The residents of the town wanted to rape the angels (who had visited the most virtuous man in the town, Lot). Lot to protect the ...
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Who is being slandered in 2 Peter 2:10b-11?

There are a number of interrelated questions I have arising from 2 Peter 2:10-11. Here are a pair of translations of the relevant verses (emphasis mine): NIV: Bold and arrogant, they are not afraid ...
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Who did Jesus preach to in 1 Peter 3:19?

1 Peter 3:19 says that Jesus preached unto spirits in prison; are these spirits associated with the angels of 2 Peter 2:4 and Jude 1:6? If not who were the spirits that He preached to?
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Is ‘flesh and blood’ different to ‘flesh and bones’ in the Bible?

“I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.” ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭15‬:‭50‬ ‭ We know that flesh and blood cannot ...
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When did angels ever deliver the word? (Heb. 2:2)

In the Letter to the Hebrews we read: Hebrews 2:1-3: "For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it. 2For if the word spoken ...
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A little lower than angels, or lower for a little while?

Most translations render Hebrews 2:7 like the NIV: "…a little lower than the angels…", but several modern translations (eg NET, NASB etc) have a different sense like the ESV: 7You made him for a ...
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Do angels eat physical food?

In light of the question Is manna physical? what about our current understanding of angels would allow us to perceive that they indeed eat physical food? Is our perception of spirits flawed? Or maybe ...
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Who is Apollyon in Greek Culture?

NASB, Revelation 9:11 - They have as king over them, the angel of the abyss; his name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in the Greek he has the name Apollyon. Who is "Apollyon", and how does an understanding ...
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Why does Jacob say "because I saw God face to face"? (Gen 32:30)

After Jacob wrestles with the angel, he names the place Peniel, "because I have seen God face to face." (Gen 32:30). Why does he say that he has seen God face to face? He has only seen an angel, ...
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Should the word elohim in Psalm 8:5 be translated into gods/angels/or god?

Should the word elohim in Psalm 8:5 be translated into gods/angels/or god? The NIV translates it this way: You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor. ...
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The two winged women in Zechariah 5

Angels are often portrayed as winged women. Even aside from the fact that those who are clearly angels in the Bible do not appear as winged women, I have not seen any evidence that the winged women ...
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What is the significance of the angel being on the right side of the altar of incense in Luke 1:11?

In Luke 1, as Zechariah is in the temple at the altar of incense, we read: And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. (Luke 1:11, ESV) Why ...
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Does Hebrews 1:2 mean that Jesus can't be the Angel of the LORD?

Does Hebrew 1:2 mean that Jesus can’t be the Angel of the LORD? It states that in the old days God spoke to other people "but in these last days he has spoken by His son". So, does that mean ...
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Did Lot or the men of Sodom recognize Lot's visitors as angels?

When the two angels arrive in Sodom in Genesis 19, Lot seems to immediately recognize them as such. He bows down to them, calls them "My lords", and invites them into "your servant's house." When the ...
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Is 1 Peter 1:12 saying that the angels in heaven are aware of what is happening on earth?

It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent ...
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How do I use the English index in Gesenius's Hebrew and Chaldee Lexicon?

Recently acquired the book Gesenius's Hebrew and Chaldee Lexicon, from H. W. F. Geneius. While trying to search the word angel, I've gone to the English index and, associated with angel, could read ...
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Cherub two or four wings! How did Ezekiel know they were Cherubim?

20 These are the living beings that I saw beneath the God of Israel by the river Chebar; so I knew that they were cherubim. 21 Each one had four faces and each one four wings, and beneath their wings ...
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Why does God command all his angels to worship his Son, and what does this tell us about his Son's nature?

My understanding is that God is a jealous God and does not tolerate that anyone else be worshiped (Exodus 20:4-5; Luke 4:8). Yet, Hebrews 1:6 (NIV) says: 6 And again, when God brings his firstborn ...
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Sandals and Holy Ground

In Exodus 3, Moses is commanded to take off his shoes because he is standing on holy ground, yet before him is appearing an Angel of the LORD, not God himself (in contrast to Exodus 19 an onward where ...
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In Colossians 2:18 what is the "worship of angels"?

In Colossians 2:18, Paul warns his readers, "Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize" (NIV emphasis mine). Of course, that it is in the ...
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Is 2 Peter 2:4 talking about demons?

2 Peter 2:4 (ESV): For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept until the judgment; Are the angels that sinned ...
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What is the meaning of John 4:24?

See this question on Christianity.SE for some background. I am trying to understand how the bible uses the word spirit in a few locations as it relates to God and angels. John 4:24 (KJV) God is a ...
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Are the twenty-four elders of Revelation 4-5 angels or humans?

In Revelation 4-5, John pictures a scene of worship around God's throne in heaven. Around the throne are twenty-four other thrones on which are seated twenty-four elders (πρεσβυτέρους). I've always ...
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Galatians 4:14. Paul says that Jesus is Angel of the Lord? [closed]

Galatians 4:14 though my condition put you to the test, you did not scorn or despise me, but welcomed me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus. According to Bart Ehrman: I had always simply read the ...
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Is the Destroyer of Exodus 12:23 the same as that of Revelation 9:11?

In the Old Covenant narrative of the Exodus of the Hebrews from Egypt, Yahweh tells Moses to instruct each Hebrew to paint the blood of the passover lamb on the doorposts so that the destroying angel ...
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Are angels creatures (Mark 16:15) and can they repent (Rev 2:5 and Rom 8:21)

Alright guys go easy on me...only have a high school education here. What I don't get is why according to Strongs there are only 7 instances in which it refers to messenger and ALL 179 of the other ...
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Did David pray to angels in Psalms 103:20-21?

Psalms 103:20-21 (NIV): 20 Praise the Lord, you his angels,       you mighty ones who do his bidding,       who obey his word. 21 Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts,       you his servants ...
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What can we infer about archangel(s) from the text of the Bible? [closed]

Among the Christians I know it is believed that Michael is the only Archangel because only he is mentioned as being one (I realize the flaw, but believed nonetheless). However, there are several ...
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Are kruvim also angels?

Some use Ezekiel 28 as a prooftext that Satan is an angel. It specifically says that the subject is a כְּרוּב (kruv) (Ezek. 28:14). Are kruvim also angels? Addendum: Well, what I meant was, are ...
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In Luke 1 vs 28 - 29, why was Mary troubled by the greeting of the angel?

In Luke 1 vs 28 - 29, why was Mary troubled by the greeting of the angel when it seemed like a favourable greeting? 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord ...
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Why does the angel of the LORD speak in the first person in Judges 2:1-5?

Judges 2:1-5 (KJV): And an angel of the LORD came up from Gilgal to Bochim, and said, I made you to go up out of Egypt, and have brought you unto the land which I sware unto your fathers; and I said, ...
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Who is the angel in Revelation 11:1-8?

I am reading through Revelation again, in the NKJV. I recently read chapter 11, and something stood out at me that I have never seen before. I want to ask about it, hence this post. Revelation 11:1-8 ...
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Do angels predate Creation?

“when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?” ‭‭Job‬ ‭38:7‬ ‭ This verse speaks of heavenly beings in the course of creation. Is there any indication that heavenly ...
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Why did Michael wait 21 days to come to help the angel that was sent to Daniel?

In Daniel 10:2-3 ,12-14 (NIV) we read: ²At that time I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks. ³I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks ...
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Exodus 23:20-21 A divine Angel?

Exodus 23:20-21(KJV) 20 Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared. 21 Beware of him, and obey his voice, provoke him ...
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What would "angel" mean in the context of Genesis 48?

And he blessed Joseph and said, “The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life long to this day, the angel who has redeemed me from all evil, ...
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Genesis 18 speaks of the Lord and two angels or the Lord as three men?

I would prefer an answer from the Hebrew for reasons that will become obvious I hope. Reading through BH I come across the interpretation that Abraham saw the Lord and two angels in Gen18. My ...
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What does "my name is with him" mean in Exodus 23:21?

Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared. 21Beware of him, and obey his voice, provoke him not; for he will not pardon your ...
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In Hebrews 13:2 what does "entertained angels unawares" mean?

KJV Hebrews 13:2 says, "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." The tendency is 'gloss past' this passage; it's a reminder to be hospitable, ...
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Did the angel forget about Jesus when he claimed that God is the only one to be worshipped in Revelation 22:9?

When John fell down to worship the angel that had just showed him the prophetic visions of Revelation, the angel quickly stopped him in his tracks and corrected him for doing so, as he (the angel) was ...
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